Site translation

Using translations

The DP code allows the interface to be translated into different languages (ie: locales). The site attempts to determine which language to use based on your browser's settings. If a translation is installed and enabled for the determined language, it will use it. If you wish to override it, you can do so:

• For guests, see the 'Set language' form in the right column.
• For registered users, see the 'Interface Language' setting in your user preferences.

Troubleshooting

If the site is not showing up in the language you expect, the UI Language Debugger is a useful page for determining why. Providing information on this page to a developer or squirrel can assist in troubleshooting.

Languages vs locales

Many people think of translations as done from one language into another, such as from English into Spanish. But this is an oversimplification: which English -- US? Canadian? British? -- and which Spanish -- Spain? Mexico? Instead, they are done from one localization, such as US English, into another, such as Mexican Spanish. Computers term these localizations locales and they have unique identifiers. For example, US English is en_US and Mexican Spanish is es_MX.

Prior versions of the DP code included this lack of distinction between language and localization. This version uses locales when referring to specific interface language translations in the code. The user interface still uses "language" however.

Becoming a translator & getting help

If you would like to help with a current translation effort, would like to translate the user interface into a new language, or have questions that are not answered in the following sections, please contact the site translation coordinator.