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Merge pull request #5413
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88eb44d Revised translation process doc (Blake Jakopovic)
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laanwj committed Dec 19, 2014
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Translations
============

The Bitcoin Core GUI can be easily translated into other languages. Here's how we
handle those translations.
The Bitcoin-Core project has been designed to support multiple localisations. This makes adding new phrases, and completely new languages easily achievable. For managing all application translations, Bitcoin-Core makes use of the Transifex online translation management tool.

Files and Folders
-----------------
### Helping to translate (using Transifex)
Transifex is setup to monitor the Github repo for updates, and when code containing new translations is found, Transifex will process any changes. It may take several hours after a pull-request has been merged, to appear in the Transifex web interface.

### bitcoin-qt.pro
Multiple language support is critical in assisting Bitcoin’s global adoption, and growth. One of Bitcoin’s greatest strengths is cross-boarder money transfers, any help making that easier is greatly appreciated.

This file takes care of generating `.qm` files from `.ts` files. It is mostly
automated.
See the [Transifex Bitcoin project](https://www.transifex.com/projects/p/bitcoin/) to assist in translations. You should also join the translation mailing list for announcements - see details below.

### src/qt/bitcoin.qrc
### Writing code with translations
We use automated scripts to help extract translations in both Qt, and non-Qt source files. It is rarely necessary to manually edit the files in `src/qt/locale/`. The translation source files must adhere to the following format:
`bitcoin_xx_YY.ts or bitcoin_xx.ts`

This file must be updated whenever a new translation is added. Please note that
files must end with `.qm`, not `.ts`.
`src/qt/locale/bitcoin_en.ts` is treated in a special way. It is used as the source for all other translations. Whenever a string in the source code is changed, this file must be updated to reflect those changes. A custom script is used to extract strings from the non-Qt parts. This script makes use of `gettext`, so make sure that utility is installed (ie, `apt-get install gettext` on Ubuntu/Debian). Once this has been updated, `lupdate` (included in the Qt SDK) is used to update `bitcoin_en.ts`.

```xml
<qresource prefix="/translations">
<file alias="en">locale/bitcoin_en.qm</file>
...
</qresource>
To automatically regenerate the `bitcoin_en.ts` file, run the following commands:
```sh
cd src/
make translate
```

### src/qt/locale/
`contrib/bitcoin-qt.pro` takes care of generating `.qm` (binary compiled) files from `.ts` (source files) files. It’s mostly automated, and you shouldn’t need to worry about it.

This directory contains all translations. Filenames must adhere to this format:
**Example Qt translation**
```cpp
QToolBar *toolbar = addToolBar(tr("Tabs toolbar"));
```

bitcoin_xx_YY.ts or bitcoin_xx.ts
### Creating a pull-request
For general PRs, you shouldn’t include any updates to the translation source files. They will be updated periodically, primarily around pre-releases, allowing time for any new phrases to be translated before public releases. This is also important in avoiding translation related merge conflicts.

#### bitcoin_en.ts (Source file)
When an updated source file is merged into the Github repo, Transifex will automatically detect it (although it can take several hours). Once processed, the new strings will show up as "Remaining" in the Transifex web interface and are ready for translators.

`src/qt/locale/bitcoin_en.ts` is treated in a special way. It is used as the
source for all other translations. Whenever a string in the code is changed
this file must be updated to reflect those changes. A custom script is used
to extract strings from the non-Qt parts. This script makes use of `gettext`,
so make sure that utility is installed (ie, `apt-get install gettext` on
Ubuntu/Debian). Once this has been updated, lupdate (included in the Qt SDK)
is used to update bitcoin_en.ts. This process has been automated, from src/qt,
simply run:
make translate

##### Handling of plurals in the source file
To create the pull-request, use the following commands:
```
git add src/qt/bitcoinstrings.cpp src/qt/locale/bitcoin_en.ts
git commit
```

When new plurals are added to the source file, it's important to do the following steps:
### Creating a Transifex account
Visit the [Transifex Signup](https://www.transifex.com/signup/) page to create an account. Take note of your username and password, as they will be required to configure the command-line tool.

1. Open bitcoin_en.ts in Qt Linguist (also included in the Qt SDK)
2. Search for `%n`, which will take you to the parts in the translation that use plurals
3. Look for empty `English Translation (Singular)` and `English Translation (Plural)` fields
4. Add the appropriate strings for the singular and plural form of the base string
5. Mark the item as done (via the green arrow symbol in the toolbar)
6. Repeat from step 2. until all singular and plural forms are in the source file
7. Save the source file
You can find the Bitcoin translation project at [https://www.transifex.com/projects/p/bitcoin/](https://www.transifex.com/projects/p/bitcoin/).

##### Creating the pull-request
### Installing the Transifex client command-line tool
The client it used to fetch updated translations. If you are having problems, or need more details, see [http://docs.transifex.com/developer/client/setup](http://docs.transifex.com/developer/client/setup)

An updated source file should be merged to github and Transifex will pick it
up from there (can take some hours). Afterwards the new strings show up as "Remaining"
in Transifex and can be translated.
**For Linux and Mac**

To create the pull-request you have to do:
`pip install transifex-client`

git add src/qt/bitcoinstrings.cpp src/qt/locale/bitcoin_en.ts
git commit
Setup your transifex client config as follows. Please *ignore the token field*.

Syncing with Transifex
----------------------
```ini
nano ~/.transifexrc

We are using https://transifex.com as a frontend for translating the client.
[https://www.transifex.com]
hostname = https://www.transifex.com
password = PASSWORD
token =
username = USERNAME
```

https://www.transifex.com/projects/p/bitcoin/resource/tx/
**For Windows**

The "Transifex client" (see: http://support.transifex.com/customer/portal/topics/440187-transifex-client/articles)
is used to fetch new translations from Transifex. The configuration for this client (`.tx/config`)
is part of the repository.
Please see [http://docs.transifex.com/developer/client/setup#windows](http://docs.transifex.com/developer/client/setup#windows) for details on installation.

Do not directly download translations one by one from the Transifex website, as we do a few
postprocessing steps before committing the translations.
The Transifex Bitcoin project config file is included as part of the repo. It can be found at `.tx/config`, however you shouldn’t need change anything.

### Fetching new translations
### Synchronising translations
To assist in updating translations, we have created a script to help.

1. `python contrib/devtools/update-translations.py`
2. update `src/qt/bitcoin.qrc` manually or via
2. Update `src/qt/bitcoin.qrc` manually or via
`ls src/qt/locale/*ts|xargs -n1 basename|sed 's/\(bitcoin_\(.*\)\).ts/<file alias="\2">locale\/\1.qm<\/file>/'`
3. update `src/qt/Makefile.am` manually or via
3. Update `src/qt/Makefile.am` manually or via
`ls src/qt/locale/*ts|xargs -n1 basename|sed 's/\(bitcoin_\(.*\)\).ts/ locale\/\1.ts \\/'`
4. `git add` new translations from `src/qt/locale/`

**Do not directly download translations** one by one from the Transifex website, as we do a few post-processing steps before committing the translations.

### Handling Plurals (in source files)
When new plurals are added to the source file, it's important to do the following steps:

1. Open `bitcoin_en.ts` in Qt Linguist (included in the Qt SDK)
2. Search for `%n`, which will take you to the parts in the translation that use plurals
3. Look for empty `English Translation (Singular)` and `English Translation (Plural)` fields
4. Add the appropriate strings for the singular and plural form of the base string
5. Mark the item as done (via the green arrow symbol in the toolbar)
6. Repeat from step 2, until all singular and plural forms are in the source file
7. Save the source file

### Translating a new language
To create a new language template, you will need to edit the languages manifest file `src/qt/bitcoin.qrc` and add a new entry. Below is an example of the english language entry.

```xml
<qresource prefix="/translations">
<file alias="en">locale/bitcoin_en.qm</file>
...
</qresource>
```

**Note:** that the language translation file **must end in `.qm`** (the compiled extension), and not `.ts`.

### Questions and general assistance
The Bitcoin-Core translation maintainers include *tcatm, seone, Diapolo, wumpus and luke-jr*.You can find them, and others, in the Freenode IRC chatroom - `irc.freenode.net #bitcoin-dev`.

If you are a translator, you should also subscribe to the mailing list, https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/bitcoin-translators. Announcements will be posted during application pre-releases to notify translators to check for updates.

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