Transifex is a web-based localization management platform that simplifies gathering, translation and delivery of digital content, web and mobile apps. It was written using Django and Python and is offered as a software as a service. Transifex is aimed at projects with frequently updated content, like documentation, websites, APIs and introduces tools for developers to automate the localization workflow. There are both commercial plans and free accounts with no word count limits for open source projects.
First of all, this software provides a hosting platform for translation files. It became infinitely easier to contribute translations to projects that use various version control systems (VCS). Secondly, Transifex acts as a proxy between the translator and the project maintainer. Translators are provided with easy-to-use interface and full-featured web editor, while developers can quickly extract data from the VCS and then submit translations to the remote projects. Moreover, project owners and maintainers can use already established translation communities gathered on Transifex.
Web Editor
Web editor provided by Transifex is intuitive, really simple in usage and works directly within the browser so there’s no need to install anything. Its main features include:
- suggestions: translators can see a suggested translation offered by other translators or from similar already translated items.
- glossary: it can be used for adding definitions, correct translations and contextual information for project languages.
- concordance search: translators can search through the file for the same or similar phrases in order to improve consistency and quality.
- comments: users can write comments directly in the web editor if there is need to report issues, ask/answer questions, clarify data, etc.
- batch operations: functions like find, replace, review, add tags, and machine translation can be performed on one or more strings simultaneously.
- tags: there is option for grouping strings.
There are other useful features for translation, such as Video Subtitle Editor, Translation Memory (unique database of completed translations of each project that offers intelligent suggestions for untranslated strings). The above mentioned suggestions from Translation Memory and the editorial review process are part of Quality Control system. Additionally, collaborators can see previous and current translations, thus have information to find inconsistencies and make appropriate changes.
Workflow and collaboration
A project owner creates a project in Transifex. For organization and management of workflow diverse translation teams are used. People can be invited to join teams in different roles: translators, reviewers, language coordinators, project maintainers, team managers, organization admins; depending on the work they will be trusted to do. For instance, maintainers can help project owners with managing translation teams and uploading the translatable content to Transifex. Once the content translation is finished, the project owner can download it manually or pull it using the Transifex client.
Teams and separate translators can work on multiple projects. If the project is public users can openly request to join its team. Transifex collaboration tools (like in-app messaging, discussion forums, smart notifications and alerts) allow developers, community, agencies, freelancers to be in sync so the work on project is faster and more efficient. The built-in dashboard and reporting system allow to monitor activity across projects, view detailed statistics on the progress of languages, individual translators, and translation strings.
Localization automation
Localization has never been so easy. By centralizing all content, files, workflows and automating all processes from code extraction and translation files organisation to synchronizing translations and code repositories - Transifex takes care of it all.
One of the options is to use a command-line client. It is robust Git-like client app that can manage and synchronize large volumes of files. Another option is using an API. It gives flexibility and more control over the project and workflows, as well as opportunity to integrate Transifex into the already existing processes and tools. Transifex also works with Continuous Integration (CI) software like Jenkins or Bamboo.
Transifex supports a wide range of document formats, including PO/POT files, YAML, Plain text, Gettext (PO/POT), Subtitles, Code files (C, Java, PHP, QT Linguist), Web pages, XML files, Mozilla DTD, Joomla INI files, XLIFF files, .desktop files, , Microsoft.NET, Android, Apple Resources, ASP, etc.
Transifex Live
Recently Transifex introduced a whole new concept of localization process. Transifex Live allows to collect and store content using simple JavaScript snippet, translate content directly on the page, and deliver translations with the click of a button. Transifex Live greatly reduces the complexity of localization with such features as auto-detection of strings, in-context editing, powerful content management, one-click publication, continuous updates, and rich reporting capabilities.
Transifex is a global localization platform that provides centralized approach to collecting, translating and delivering software products and supporting content. There are other similar tools like Weblate, Launchpad, and Pootle, but with a powerful web editor, Translation Memory, sophisticated Command-line Client, detailed reporting, and smart notifications it is a great solution for high-quality continuous localization. Find more about this product, pricing and collaboration on transifex.com.