Creating a New Translation
Initial steps
Before starting:
- Find the language short code “subtag” from Language Subtag Registry . You will use it at multiple times during the translation.
Step 1: Create a new file
Duplicate the file used by the original version, with the language shortcode added to the middle of the filename, as follows:
Step 2: Update “front matter” metadata
At the top of WAI website files are some metadata, also known as “front matter”.
Your first step into the file is to update this section.
General instructions for front matter
2.1. Update the following front matter values:
lang
- Replace the original value (
en
) with the language shortcode of your translation.
last_updated
- Change
last_updated: 2000-00-00
to the date you finish the translation.
Use the format: YYYY-MM-DD (with month in the middle).
path
(below github
)
- Add the language shortcode at the middle of the filename.
permalink
- Add the language shortcode at the end of the permalink, with no
/
at the end.
footer
(not always present)
- If this attribute is present, translate its content.
- Do not change the dates in this section. Those dates should be the same in your translation as in the English version.
2.2. Add translators & contributors names.
After last_updated
, add these lines, depending on how many translators there are and if there are contributors.
Policy for names and links is introduced in Translating WAI Resources.
Or, if the lines are there with “#
” before them to comment them out: delete the # and the space.
Updated Example
Follow additional inline instructions
Many resources have inline instructions in the front matter (after the “#
” character).
Please follow these instructions. It will help you know what to translate/update and what to not change.
Step 3: Translate main content
Follow Translation guidance to translate the main content of the page.
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