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Today, technology companies like to involve users in the process of creating content. Vivaldi is a modern company and we’re trying to be at the forefront of technological development. Naturally, we actively try to create the browser together with our users. Have you ever wondered how we do localization of the Vivaldi browser?
As you may have noticed, Vivaldi is localized into several dozen languages. At the same time, we don’t have a localization department. At all. In addition, we don’t use the services of translation agencies. Absolutely all translations are performed by volunteer translators from among our community of users. At Vivaldi, we have just one manager responsible for interacting with this international team – numbering more than 200 translators! – for updating translations in Vivaldi products, and for taking care of the technical part, correcting various bugs in the browser code associated with localization.
Actually, the technical side is solved in a simple way: we installed a Weblate translation system on our servers and invited everyone to participate in the browser translation. And today we have more than 200 translators from 50 countries.
Almost all Vivaldi translators have come into our volunteer team in a similar way.
“I was using old Opera 12 in the past, but then it became too outdated, so I tried to migrate to Chrome, Firefox, Lunascape, Sleipnir, CoolNovo and a few other browsers until I ended up with Maxthon browser, which I was using for two years. Then I noticed an article on some Czech tech website mentioning Vivaldi, a browser from the good old Opera devs. Yeah! Since then I’ve been a Vivaldi user.”
R3gi, Czech translator
But this way was not always straightforward:
“My friend told me about the browser. He said that the new browser was being developed by a team, which left Opera Software. I downloaded and installed the browser (it was one of the first TP builds) aaand … I didn’t like it! But some time later, those sides that pushed me away, began to attract – a customizable interface, a lot of settings, dissimilarity with its brothers.”
Kurai, Ukrainian translator
And the motivation of those who decided to help us with the translation of the browser into different languages was similar:
“As I was one of the first in my country to use the Vivaldi browser, the translations were not good at all. Most of the text was unfinished and not localized. I felt like the Vivaldi browser will grow only if people can understand it and feel comfortable.”
Drahomir Dubina, Czech translator
“From the very beginning, I knew that this is the browser for me and I want to take part in the project. Being a translator gives me a lot of joy, satisfaction and allows me to have some impact on the way Vivaldi looks, at least in my language.”
Bartłomiej Trzewiczek, Polish translator
I should note that all translators understand the importance of the software localization – in fact, it is also what motivates them the most:
“Not all users speak English and therefore tend to avoid using a program that is not in their native language, so I think we need as many translations as possible. I consider this very important for the dissemination of Vivaldi.”
Andrea Gramegna, Italian translators
“On my home PC, I really like to use software that displays labels in my own language.
I also use localized OS. So I totally understand people who have a similar attitude.”
P., Polish translator
“If you want to use a product or better control it, you need to understand it. If you do not understand, many features will be unknown to you or you will not use their potential. Therefore, it is important to me that people understand and know how to use the browser.”
Matúš Baňas, Slovak translator
And, finally, people just like to do what they do – it gives them pleasure and the opportunity to make the world a little better:
“I’ve been doing this for a long time now, as a hobby, in my free time. I just want to build something.”
Tom Evin, Hungarian translator
There is one more important side in the Vivaldi localization process – we try to support as many languages as technically possible. And even if the actual Chromium core does not support any languages or dialects, we try to give people the opportunity to use the Vivaldi browser in their usual communication language.
“I would not call it ‘important’, but more like a step towards keeping local dialects alive. So we should not only translate into our main language and remove as many English words as possible but also think a step further and translate software into local dialects.”
Matthieu Gissler, translator to Swiss High German
Well, what are the results of our work with the volunteer translators? To date, we have the Vivaldi browser completely translated into 38 languages. In addition, we have 72 languages on the Weblate server which are not yet complete but work is in progress. It should be noted that 29 of them are not supported in Chromium.
But this, of course, is not the limit. With help from our users, we can do much more. If you’d like to take part in the translation of the browser into your language send a message to volunteers@vivaldi.com. Together we can create a truly unique browser, the best in the world!
Main photo by Clark Tibbs on Unsplash.
Though I use UK English and not any of the wider afield languages mentioned, thanks to all those volunteering to translate.
Great thanks for the article. Also great thanks, you @Shpankov , for your help, willingness and patience, with us translators. With our requirements, suggestions and problems. Many thanks.
@cheve11e_191: Thank you!
Thank you for mentioning me in this article.
It was/is fun to translate and I am excited to see, how vivaldi will expand in the future.
Is there a chance that Vivaldi will be translated to Klingon language using the Klingone alphabets?
@christian-rauch said in Translating Vivaldi:
Did I hear someone yelling: "! want to do that!"![😃](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="32" height="32"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg> ":D")
@christian-rauch: First we need tranlations of all language at the Earth and our own galaxy. Languages of Star-Trek and Stargate a bit later, if we got natives speakers .![😃](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="32" height="32"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg> ":D")
@burbuja: +1 for Stargate!
@christian-rauch: They are a bit touchy and grumpy and don't really like working with others. Try applying for the translation, maybe they will start using Vivaldi too.![🙂](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="32" height="32"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg> ":)")
@folgore101 Hallo Christian,
ich nehme mal an, daß du, wegen deines Namens, Deutsch sprichst.
Ich persönlich versuche dem Vivaldi ein bißchen Werbung zu machen, aber es ist sehr schwierig, weil die meisten Leute keinen Bock zum Wechseln haben, nicht einmal die Linux-User, die, technisch gesehen dazu imstande wären, wenn sie möchten.
Bietet Win 10 den Usern auch Vivaldi an? Ich nehme an, daß dies nicht der Fall ist.![😞](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="32" height="32"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg> ":(")
Es ist sehr traurig, daß weder der alte alte gute Opera, noch Vivaldi die 10% wahrscheinlich niemals/jemals erreichen hat / wird.
I guess German translation is complete, seeing the browser with no "???" items![🙂](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="32" height="32"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg> ":)")
- but if you need additional volunteers for German translation, count me in.
I am registered as PT-BR translator. However my performance was compromised for personal reason. I believe my login is revoked due inactivity.
@lamarca: Not really. We had moved everything to the new server and all translators should register again. Do you need instructions?
@shpankov Sure. I am still on transalators mailing list.
I really hope that we can still switch language easily, not like "you know what" that requires us to re-download and re-install the correct language.
Czech translators look like drunk / crazy / fools I have to check their work and hope, it is better than their outfit![😃](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="32" height="32"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg> ":D")
@burbuja: Heh, luckily, these are not the only Czech translators.![😃](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="32" height="32"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg> ":-D")
They're young, they want fun... but wait, they are in my opinion really great translators!
We all are trying do our best in translating Vivaldi to the Czech language, even if we are a really small but beautiful country. And our craziness resulted in contribution to all supported languages by helping in breaking limits (mostly caused by Chromium core) of how much every translator among the world can make translation to his native language better than ever.
@nfsmaniac I was born in Kolin, Czech Republic![😎](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="32" height="32"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg> "8-)")
@burbuja: We got the message to use some funny/nice photo. Not just a regular boring passport photo.
So… Yeah, we all have some hobbies![🙂](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="32" height="32"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg> ":)")
Life is not just a boring way to die. ![😛](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="32" height="32"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg> ":P")
@burbuja: Hehe, did you just assume my Masopust costume?![😃](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="32" height="32"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg> ":-D")
The one thing i love about vivaldi is it enables me to write on any page like facebook, twitter etc using my own language font. If you want an Amharic translator, the only language in Africa with its own character, count me in. It is Ethiopian official language.
If you need additional french translator, count me in.
I still do not know how to join, could anyone give some instructions?
@rtransformation message @Shpankov and let him know you'd like to join.
Well, some rocomandations for the czech translation team:
Start page - uvodni / vychozi stranka NE: "uvitaci" v nastaveni je "uvodni" v menu "uvitaci". Stejna chyba je i v anglictine.
Single Key Shortcuts - jednoklavesove zkratky (dohromady, bez pomlcky, v Opere je to/bylo take bez pomlcky)
Session - sezeni, NE: "relace"![😛](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="32" height="32"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg> ":P")
Tab - karta, NE: "list". Google Chrome to preklada take jako "karta".
New Tab Postion - After related Tabs - za souvisejicimi, NE "pridruzenymi"
Focus Page Content on New Tab - zaostrit na obsah nove kary, NE: "zamerovat"
Well, I will stay with German or Spanish![😎](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="32" height="32"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg> "8-)")
@burbuja:
Start page: in the menu is a different internal page than in the settings. Thus, two different naming. It's properly translated.
vivaldi://welcome (uvítaci) vs. vivaldi://startpage (úvodní).
Single key shortcuts – it has to be with the dash. Czech dictionary does not know the word "jednoklávesové". So again, it is translated well.
Session: depends. Both can be used but we decided to go with the "relace" word as it is more intuitive.
Tab: we are not chrome. "list" is more proper for what it does and looks like. We had a discussion and also old Opera had it the same way.
New Tab Position – after related tab – again, it is naming. Not worthy to go to the settings and changing it. It is not wrong but just using a different naming than you want to.
Focus Page Content on New Tab – will be checked. Can you tell me how to reproduce the behaviour which is named like that to check what it is really doing?
Thanks anyway for trying to help.
@ahoj1234 said in Translating Vivaldi:
O takovem pravidle jsem nikdy neslysel a myslim, ze je to blbost. "Sedmikolove" bys taky psal s pomlckou?
Nevim, co je na slovu "relace" intuitivniho.
Tak to je dalsi blbost, ale nebudu se rozcilovat. Napada me jen "pridruzena vyroba" z JZD Slusovice.
Je to tady: Nataveni - Listy - Zachazeni s listy - Zamerovat obsah stranky v novem listu.
jednooborove (studium) se pise dohromady:
http://prirucka.ujc.cas.cz/?slovo=jednooborove
jednooky take:
http://prirucka.ujc.cas.cz/?slovo=jednooky
Dej mi sem odkaz na pravidlo, ktere rika, to co tvrdis - ze slova, ktera nejsou obsazena v pravidlech ceskeho pravopisu je treba psat se spojovnikem.
Jsem si jist, ze takove pravidlo neexistuje a ze sis je vymyslel.
@burbuja Možná bychon se měli přesunout na českou sekci.![🙂](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="32" height="32"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg> ":-)")
Co se "Tab" týče, nevidím jediný důvod, proč používat "karta". Firefox má "panely", Internet Explorer "záložky" a nezdá se mi, že by výraz "karta" byl nejlepší.
Relace -- souhlasím, je to odkudsi zažité, ale z jazykového hlediska nikoliv intuitivní a možná až nesmyslné.
K pomlčkám -- ty bývají většinou práce @ahoj1234, ale dám ti za pravdu, že sám občas dost váhám, jestli to je nutné. Jejich užití mi osobně připadá velmi specifické, avšak já jsem spíš začátečník a neznám všechny poučky a nařízení, které navíc jsou podle mého názoru občas mimo mísu. Třeba nedávné povolení tečky jako oddělovače času -- to je podle mě něco strašného. Avšak v tomto případě jsem se neodvažoval vyvolávat diskusi, neboť v tomto, přiznám se, nemám úplně jasno.
K "zaměřování" se na stránku -- zaměřit, jako upopředit, dát pozor na něco. V tomto případě budu muset zkontrolovat, co ta volba dělá, ale "zaostřit" mi připadá jako ještě větší nesmysl.
Thank you @Ilya for also mentioning the work that translators do. It is a beautiful and fun adventure that allows us to use our favorite browser in our native language.
Hallo Christian,
ich nehme mal an, daß du, wegen deines Namens, Deutsch sprichst.
Ich persönlich versuche dem Vivaldi ein bißchen Werbung zu machen, aber es ist sehr schwierig, weil die meisten Leute keinen Bock zum Wechseln haben, nicht einmal die Linux-User, die, technisch gesehen dazu imstande wären, wenn sie möchten.
Bietet Win 10 den Usern auch Vivaldi an? Ich nehme an, daß dies nicht der Fall ist.![😞](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="32" height="32"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg> ":(")
Es ist sehr traurig, daß weder der alte alte gute Opera, noch Vivaldi die 10% wahrscheinlich niemals/jemals erreichen hat / wird.
Hi,
what I should do i I want to help with Lithuania translation?
@geduxazz message @Shpankov and let him know you'd like to join.
brazilian portuguese?!
Hello!
The French translation of this browser seems good :p
But if you want some help, French is my natal language and I learned English by myself, browsing on internet, chatting with people and helping in a dozen of others translation projects.
Thanks for this awesome browser!
Hello Dear Ilya Shpankov, I want to contribute to the Romanian Translation if it is possible. I have been using Vivaldi since the very first Technical Preview. I was lurking in the forums and reading almost every blog post by the Vivaldi team but I have never had the courage to take the leap and get involved. If it is possible, I'd love to contribute to the browser I love and recommend with every opportunity. If you want to know more about me feel free to contact me, I am excited to work with the team behind my favorite browser. You can also reach out to me at gs731@mdx.ac.uk
Best Wishes,
George
Hello @ilya
I registered on the weblate of vivaldi browser to request the Kabyle language, but I think the project is empty, or my account is not yet validated, please could you validate my weblate account which is : @selyan.
https://translations.vivaldi.com/languages/
@selyan said in Translating Vivaldi:
Hi selyan,
thanks for the info and for your help. I will back to you soon.
@Shpankov Thank you.
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