Weblate is a free feature rich web-based translation tool. It is written in Python on the basis of Django web framework. It uses Translate Toolkit as a backend for manipulating translation files. Among Weblate’s main features are: Git integration, effective user interface, automatic linking to source files, propagation of translations across subprojects, and quality checks.
Weblate features
- Django's admin interface. Weblate relies on it for maintenance.
- Git integration. Weblate prepares commits for each "session" when something is being translated. Then it gathers those commits and pushes them to Weblate’s main repository automatically if new commits are pushed by developers or if sources for any language and subproject are fully translated. All changes are committed to Git with correct authorship. Weblate can help in merging po files or automatically pull upstream changes and ensures up-to-date state of translations.
- Continuous translation. This software offers automated translation process and great infrastructure that allows to closely follow development of the project. When translators have opportunity to work on translations whole time, they will not have to translate huge amount of new texts just before release.
- Quality checks. To improve quality of translations customizable quality checks can be applied.
- Glossary. Weblate imports a glossary per language in order to stay consistent in frequently used terminology. Translators can add new items to the glossary during their work.
- Source code links. Context is always important in the translation process, so Weblate provides additional information like comments or corresponding source code.
- Automatic propagation of changes across sub-projects (for different branches) is ensured by project/subproject classification in Weblate.
- Translation locking. Translation is locked and unlocked automatically when someone is working on it, so that there is no overwriting issues.
- Access restriction. Weblate provides fine grained control over user rights and permissions.
- Integration. Translations and code are managed within same version control system.
- Branches support. If there are different versions of the translation, they can be automatically pushed to different branches.
- Attribution. Weblate closely controls translation authorship to ensure that translators are properly credited in the version control system.
- Notifications. When there are any changes in the projects (new or modified strings, etc.) translators can subscribe to certain important events notifications.
- Project activity reports. To grant information on project activity Weblate generates various reports and allows to review recent changes for each project.
- File formats. Weblate supports wide range of file formats, including Gettext, resource strings, Qt, Java, Windows, Symbian, etc.
- Export/import. There is opportunity to translate offline. Weblate provides option to download translations and merge files later.
- Review. There are several options to review translations made by others, as well as to promote translation project. Weblate also allows to acquire feedback on source strings in order to improve them.
- Languages. Using Weblate you can work with over 150 languages out of the box. The list can be extended by administrator.
Weblate is relatively new tool that works in the area of web based translation, but with tight git integration, multiple file formats support, source code links and quality checks, it reaches the same level as other more well-known tools, as Pootle, Transifex and Launchpad. When translations are kept within same repository as source code, it aids continuous translation and makes it easy for translators to contribute and follow development. To receive more information on Weblate visit its website at http://weblate.org.