# Translation Guide

Author: Karlis Blumentals
Version: 1.0

## About this document

This guide explains how to translate our software products that support localization to other languages. Please read it carefully (it will take only 5 minutes and ensure that you do everything right). For questions, please contact us at support@blumentals.net

## Install translation software

To translate the language files, you will have to download and install the language file editor TsiLang Files Editor. Download Now

## Translating the language files

All texts are contained in language files. Translation is done by editing these files. Language files have SIB extension. They are located in the lang subfolder under the installation folder of the application.

To translate language file:

1. Open the file using TsiLang Files Editor. It will show all application windows in a tree-view.
2. Select a window and proceed with translating Captions, Collections, Hints, Multilines, Strings. There are some multi line fields. Double-click these to invoke multi-line editor.
3. Important: Leave other items, such as CharSets and Fonts intact. Altering these may cause software errors.

To add new language:

1. On the Tools menu, click Add Language.
2. Enter Language name in English and click OK.

## Important quality guidelines

In order to produce a quality translation, please follow these guidelines carefully.

- Stick to common terms and standard translations.
- Use Microsoft Terminology Search to find standard terms.
- Always translate the same term in the same way.
- Make sure the length of translation does not exceed the original by more than 150%.
- If you are not sure about the meaning of an item, please do not translate it, we will correct it later.
- If you have any questions about particular item, please contact us before translating it.

### What not to translate

- Do not translate product names, trade names or international expressions.
- Do not translate universal names and pieces of code, like JavaScript, OK, DOCTYPE or <script> etc.
- Do not translate URLs.
- Do not translate lists that contain special values, like font sizes.
- Do not translate special markers like %s, %d, %special% and any other other suspicious items; they are usually converted to numbers, file names or other values during runtime.

### The | character in hints

Sometimes hints contain | character which separates long status bar hint from short toolbar hint. You should never remove | character when translating hints, but simply translate both sides instead.

### The & character and accelerator chars

Some elements contain & sign. These & signs mark keyboard accelerators and should be maintained and not lost. For example, button with a caption &Find means that it can be activated by pressing Alt + F.

Make sure that each of them is put before different letter within the same dialog window or menu. This is maintained in English but when you translate the texts you may have to relocate the & symbols.

Double && sign means that it will be shown as actual &

## Testing the translation

To test your translation:

1. Save the language file(s) and launch the application.
2. Select the language you just modified.
3. Carefully go through all menus, windows and commands you translated to make sure they look right.
4. If some of your translations do not look right, close the application and go back to editing the language file.

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