Using the TYPO3 backend in your own language makes editing content much easier, especially for new editors or casual users. After all, not everyone is fluent in English or understands all the technical terms used.
The Translation Workflow
For the last five years, TYPO3 has been using Crowdin, a software-as-a-service solution for the translation of all texts in the TYPO3 backend. The TYPO3 Core developers only have to take care of the English texts, which are stored in XLIFF files. These are then automatically transferred to Crowdin. The translation is then crowdsourced. Anyone can contribute to the translation. The only requirement is a free account on Crowdin. Once the translation has been approved by the reviewers, the translated XLIFF files are made available on localize.typo3.org. TYPO3 installations can then download the desired translations from there. It is also possible to provide editors with several different languages. This is especially useful in environments with many different editors and languages.
The TYPO3 Localization Team takes care of the technical infrastructure and coordinates all translation and proofreading efforts.
Some numbers: the TYPO3 Crowdin project currently has more than 70,000 words to translate and 250 members.
100% Challenge Until the Launch of TYPO3 v13 in October 2024
In October 2024 the next major TYPO3 version, 13.4, will be released. By then we want to have the TYPO3 backend translated into as many languages as possible (at least the main branch). To reach this goal we need YOUR help. Please contribute translations and ask your colleagues and friends to help with translations. With the help of many people, this huge task can be spread on many shoulders. Everyone can help, really!
Do you miss your language in Crowdin? Please drop us a note! See the help section for details.
By the way, last year Abdulhamid Kwieder received the prestigious Personality of the Year Award in recognition of his monumental contribution to the TYPO3 community for translating the entire TYPO3 Core into Arabic.
How To Contribute to Translations
At the time of writing, the TYPO3 Crowdin project is configured for more than 40 languages, eight of which are fully or almost fully translated. But for all the other languages we need your help! You don’t need any technical skills! You just need to use a web interface and suggest translations. And it doesn’t matter how much time you have. Just pick a file and start translating. If you can spare a few minutes a day or a few minutes a week, it really makes a difference and helps us get more translations done.
To help you get started, we have created a short tutorial video for you: