Translating
This page provides information about the MediaWiki translation extension.

The Translate extension enhances MediaWiki by providing tools that make translation work easier and more efficient. This guide explains how to use the extension on TestWiki, especially since TestWiki does not have dedicated translation administrators, so every administrator can mark pages for translation and translate them.

How It Works

 
The main special page of the extension, Special:Translate, in its most common task, "view all untranslated messages"

The Translate extension allows translation of content pages and interface messages. It separates the translatable text from the structure of the page, making the translation process manageable. Each unit of text is tracked for changes.

The main tool for translators is the Special:Translate page, where untranslated messages are listed. The interface is user-friendly and includes features like translation memory suggestions.

How to Translate

 
The translation editor showing a message with suggestions from assistant languages

To start translating on TestWiki:

  1. Visit the Special:Translate page.
  2. Choose a message group that needs translation.
  3. Use the translation interface to translate messages.
  4. If changes are made to the original text, the system will mark the translations as outdated, and you will be prompted to update them.

Setting Up a Page for Translation

On TestWiki, administrators can set up pages for translation:

  1. Add the <translate> tags around the sections of text that need translating. Optionally, you can also use the special page Special:PagePreparation.
  2. Once marked, translators can access the units via the Special:Translate page.

For a detailed guide on preparing pages for translation, see mw:Help:Extension:Translate.

See also