How do we install Backdrop in other languages?

[jenlampton]

I received this question via email:

Hello from Berlin, you write during the installation:

---

Choose language

Follow these steps to translate Backdrop into your language:

 Download a translation from the translation server.
 Place it into the following directory:
 files/translations

---

I put "drupal-7.50.de.po" in that folder, but it didn't work. Choosing
"German" is not possible, even after reloading the language selection page.

I also tried putting the translation in the directory
"profiles/standard/translations" as it is recommended by Drupal.

[quicksketch]

I'll also add that we don't have adequate documentation in the first place for this. Right now we link to http://drupal.org/localize for instructions when you click "Learn how to install Backdrop in other languages". But the instructions for Drupal aren't the same as they are for Backdrop.

As for this exact problem, it looks like the file needs to be renamed from drupal-7.50.de.po to install.de.po then Backdrop will be able to find it.

[jenlampton]

Perhaps we should create a backdropcms.org/localize with the relevant info?

[olafgrabienski]

As for this exact problem, it looks like the file needs to be renamed from drupal-7.50.de.po to install.de.po then Backdrop will be able to find it.

There's also another method using the Backdrop UI. Did that some days ago, but have to reproduce the steps exactly needed. I'd like to add the relevant information to the documentation on backdropcms.org (as indicated in #1635 (comment)) and to the installation script. Should I simply post my proposals in this issue?

Perhaps we should create a backdropcms.org/localize with the relevant info?

That would really be great! @Gormartsen suggested in #1913 to setup an own localize website, including translation infrastructure. There's a discussion in this issue about some of his further ideas, and about 'downgrading' the issue to something that we can do before 2.0. However, at the time being, the issue is a bit chaotic (misleading title and milestone, various topics) and the discussion was interrupted for a longer period.

Could someone with more Github issue experience consolidate the above mentioned issues with this one? Or split them up in manageable tasks?

[klonos]

@olafgrabienski I think that the language initiative has two major parts:

1. localization: getting the infrastructure and core facilities in place in order to allow translating the UI text for both core and contrib (which will allow multiple language selection during installation too). The Drupal equivalent of that is https://www.drupal.org/project/l10n_server https://www.drupal.org/project/l10n_client and https://www.drupal.org/project/l10n_update
2. internationalization: allowing the translation (or display of the appropriate language version) of content, taxonomy, variables/config, menus, views etc. The Drupal equivalent is https://www.drupal.org/project/i18n and the whole i18n_* ecosystem of modules.

#1913 is about (or at least started as) getting part 1 above done, but for the whole Language initiative to be complete and thus allow Backdrop websites to be fully multilingual, we need part 2 done as well.

[olafgrabienski]

@klonos - thanks for your feedback! As I understand, regarding localization / l10n the discussion has started but it has been idle for a while. Regarding internationalization / i18n, the thing seems even more unclear to me. Probably we need some more time to discuss and organize both parts.

I'd like to start with localization. Not being trivial at all, I assume it's conceptually not so complex as internationalization. And living in Germany, it's critical for users of Backdrop sites built by me to be able to use the CMS in their language. So, as a first step, I propose to handle the l10n status quo, with the goal to go further subsequently:

• Let's improve the documentation regarding the installation of Backdrop CMS in other languages (installer, backdropcms.org). I'll make some suggestions in this issue, next week or so.
• Let's discuss how to build an infrastructure for localization at Language initiative (for 2.0.0?) #1913.
• Let's share our non English language files somewhere, maybe in the upcoming (?) forum on backdropcms.org. It's important as, in comparison to Drupal 7.x, there are already many new or changed language strings in Backdrop.
• Finally, let's discuss the translation management. Which will for sure be a challenge. I could give some input as I'm currently exploring the new translation management in Drupal 8 which improved a lot but has still a lot of issues, also conceptual ones in my opinion.

[jenlampton]

Related: #827

[olafgrabienski]

Perhaps we should create a backdropcms.org/localize with the relevant info?

I had another look at http://drupal.org/localize. It's definitely not helpful for Backdrop, so let's provide an alternative. I propose to create backdropcms.org/localize and to start there with some basic instructions, even if we don't provide our own language files for now. Such a localize (or a documentation) page is also needed to update the "steps to translate Backdrop into your language" during installation. @jenlampton If agreeable, what would be the next steps?

[olafgrabienski]

Current help text during installation:

Follow these steps to translate Backdrop into your language:

1. Download a translation from the translation server.
2. Place it into the following directory: files/translations

For more information on installing Backdrop in different languages, visit the drupal.org handbook page.

---

First improvement proposal:

Follow these steps to translate Backdrop into your language:

1. Download a translation file for Drupal 7.x from the translation server on drupal.org. (Backdrop CMS stems from Drupal and doesn't provide an own translation server at this time.)
2. Rename the file to "install.[langcode].po". Examples: install.de.po (German), install.es.po (Spanish) (update: not necessary anymore, see [UX] Installer: Allow using .po translation files from d.org without having to rename them. #2345)
3. Place the renamed file into the following directory: files/translations

For more information on installing Backdrop in different languages, visit the Backdrop handbook page.

---

So far, I focused mainly on factual issues, not on style or other aspects. What do you think about it?

[herbdool]

Regarding the third point, you can also navigate to admin/config/regional/translate/import and upload/import it from the UI.

Oh sorry... I forgot these are the instructions during the installation, not for afterwards.

[olafgrabienski]

Work happens now in these new issues:

• Switch the translation links in the installer from drupal.org to backdropcms.org, Switch the translation links in the installer from drupal.org to backdropcms.org #3560
• Create documentation about how to install BD in other languages, Create documentation about installing Backdrop in different languages backdrop-ops/backdropcms.org#523