> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/d2phap/ImageGlass/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Translations

> Help translate ImageGlass into your language using Crowdin

## Overview

ImageGlass is available in multiple languages thanks to the amazing work of community translators. We use [Crowdin](https://crowdin.com/project/imageglass/invite) to manage translations, making it easy for anyone to contribute.

## Why Translate ImageGlass?

By translating ImageGlass, you:

* **Make the software accessible** to users who don't speak English
* **Help grow the community** in your language region
* **Gain recognition** as a contributor to an open source project
* **Improve your translation skills** with a real-world project

## Getting Started with Crowdin

### 1. Create a Crowdin Account

1. Visit the [ImageGlass Crowdin page](https://crowdin.com/project/imageglass/invite)
2. Click **Sign Up** to create a free account
3. Verify your email address

### 2. Join the ImageGlass Project

1. Go to [ImageGlass on Crowdin](https://crowdin.com/project/imageglass/invite)
2. Click **Join** to become a translator
3. Select your language(s)

### 3. Start Translating

1. Select your language from the list
2. Click on a file to start translating (usually the main application file)
3. Translate strings in the Crowdin editor
4. Click **Save** to submit your translations

## Available Languages

ImageGlass currently supports many languages, including:

* Arabic (Egypt)
* Armenian
* Bulgarian
* Catalan
* Chinese Simplified
* Chinese Traditional
* Croatian
* Czech
* Danish
* Dutch
* Finnish
* French
* German
* Greek
* Hebrew
* Hungarian
* Indonesian
* And many more...

<Note>
  Don't see your language? Request it on the [ImageGlass Crowdin page](https://crowdin.com/project/imageglass/invite) or contact the maintainers.
</Note>

## Translation Guidelines

### General Principles

1. **Be consistent** - Use the same translations for recurring terms
2. **Be concise** - UI space is limited, keep translations short
3. **Be natural** - Translate meaning, not just words
4. **Be accurate** - Ensure technical terms are correct
5. **Use glossary** - Check Crowdin glossary for standard terms

### Context is Important

Crowdin provides context for each string:

* **Screenshots** - Show where the text appears
* **String keys** - Indicate the purpose (e.g., `FrmMain.MnuCopyPath`)
* **Comments** - Additional context from developers

Always review the context before translating.

### Common Translation Patterns

#### Menu Items

Menu items usually end with `...` (ellipsis) if they open a dialog:

```json theme={null}
// English
"FrmMain.MnuPrint": "Print..."

// Keep the ellipsis in your translation
"FrmMain.MnuPrint": "إطبع…" // Arabic
```

#### Keyboard Shortcuts

Do not translate keyboard shortcut keys:

```json theme={null}
// English
"Shortcut.NextImage": "Ctrl+Right"

// Keep shortcuts in English
"Shortcut.NextImage": "Ctrl+Right" // All languages
```

#### Placeholders

Keep placeholders like `{0}`, `{1}` in your translation:

```json theme={null}
// English
"Error.FileNotFound": "File '{0}' not found."

// Preserve the {0} placeholder
"Error.FileNotFound": "Fichier '{0}' introuvable." // French
```

#### Technical Terms

Some terms should remain in English or use standard translations:

* **File formats**: JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP (usually not translated)
* **Technical features**: Zoom, DPI, RGB (check conventions in your language)
* **Brand names**: ImageGlass, Windows (never translate)

### Quality Checklist

Before submitting translations:

* [ ] Translation is grammatically correct
* [ ] Translation fits the UI context
* [ ] Placeholders are preserved
* [ ] Keyboard shortcuts are unchanged
* [ ] Punctuation matches UI conventions
* [ ] Technical terms are accurate
* [ ] Tone is appropriate for the context

## Language Pack Structure

ImageGlass language files are stored as JSON files with the `.iglang.json` extension:

```
Setup/Assets/Language/
├── Arabic, Egypt.iglang.json
├── French.iglang.json
├── German.iglang.json
└── ...
```

### Language File Format

Each language file contains:

```json theme={null}
{
  "_Metadata": {
    "Code": "ar-SA",
    "EnglishName": "Arabic",
    "LocalName": "الاسم المحلي للغة",
    "Author": "sysy1413",
    "MinVersion": "9.3"
  },
  "Items": {
    "FrmMain.MnuCopyPath": "نسخ مسار الصورة",
    "FrmMain.MnuPrint": "إطبع…",
    "_.ImageOrderBy._Extension": "ملحق",
    // ... more translations
  }
}
```

### Metadata Fields

* **Code**: Language code (e.g., `en-US`, `fr-FR`, `de-DE`)
* **EnglishName**: English name of the language
* **LocalName**: Name in the native language
* **Author**: Translator's name/username
* **MinVersion**: Minimum ImageGlass version supporting this language pack

## Testing Your Translations

### In Crowdin

Crowdin provides a preview feature:

1. Translate some strings
2. Use the preview to see your translations in context
3. Adjust as needed

### In ImageGlass (Advanced)

If you want to test locally:

1. **Download your translation** from Crowdin:
   * Go to your language
   * Click **Download**
   * Save as `<LanguageName>.iglang.json`

2. **Install ImageGlass** on your system

3. **Add your language file**:
   * Navigate to ImageGlass installation folder
   * Go to `Language` subfolder
   * Copy your `.iglang.json` file there

4. **Select your language**:
   * Open ImageGlass
   * Go to **Settings** > **Language**
   * Select your language from the dropdown
   * Restart ImageGlass

5. **Test the UI**:
   * Check all menus and dialogs
   * Look for text that doesn't fit
   * Verify translations make sense in context

## Updating Existing Translations

ImageGlass is constantly evolving. To update translations:

1. **Check for new strings**:
   * Crowdin highlights untranslated strings
   * Look for strings marked as "New"

2. **Review changed strings**:
   * Crowdin marks strings that have changed in the source
   * Update your translation to match

3. **Review existing translations**:
   * Other translators may suggest improvements
   * Vote on suggestions or propose your own

## Translation Workflow

### For Translators

1. Translations are submitted on Crowdin
2. Translations are reviewed by language moderators (if applicable)
3. Approved translations are automatically synced to GitHub
4. Translations are included in the next ImageGlass release

### Release Cycle

Translations merged before a release will be included. Check the [ImageGlass roadmap](https://github.com/d2phap/ImageGlass/discussions/2287) for release schedules.

## Advanced: Language Pack Development

If you want to create a custom language pack or understand the format:

### Key Naming Convention

Keys follow this pattern:

```
<FormName>.<ControlName>[._PropertyName]
```

Examples:

* `FrmMain.MnuFile` - Menu item on main form
* `FrmSettings.Nav._Viewer` - Navigation item in settings
* `_.Metadata._FileLastAccessTime` - Global metadata string

### Special Prefixes

* `_` (underscore) - Global strings not tied to a specific form
* `_Tooltip` - Tooltip text for a control
* `_Description` - Description or help text
* `_Error` - Error message

### Creating a New Language Pack

1. **Copy the English template**:
   * Download the English language file from Crowdin
   * Save with your language name

2. **Update metadata**:
   ```json theme={null}
   {
     "_Metadata": {
       "Code": "your-language-code",
       "EnglishName": "Your Language",
       "LocalName": "Nome na língua nativa",
       "Author": "YourName",
       "MinVersion": "9.4"
     },
     "Items": {
       // Your translations
     }
   }
   ```

3. **Translate all items**

4. **Test the language pack**

5. **Submit to Crowdin** or create a pull request on GitHub

## Becoming a Language Moderator

Experienced translators can become moderators to:

* Review and approve translations
* Manage translation consistency
* Help onboard new translators

To become a moderator:

1. Contribute quality translations consistently
2. Show understanding of translation guidelines
3. Contact the project maintainer via [Discord](https://discord.gg/tWjbynH2X8) or email

## Recognition

Translators are recognized in:

* Language pack metadata (Author field)
* ImageGlass contributors page
* Crowdin project page

## Getting Help

If you need help with translations:

1. **Crowdin discussions** - Ask in the language-specific discussion
2. **ImageGlass Discord** - Join the [Discord server](https://discord.gg/tWjbynH2X8)
3. **GitHub issues** - Create an issue for translation-related bugs
4. **Email** - Contact [phap@imageglass.org](mailto:phap@imageglass.org)

## Translation Statistics

Check translation progress for all languages:

* Visit the [ImageGlass Crowdin project](https://crowdin.com/project/imageglass)
* View overall progress and language-specific completion rates

## Contributing Translations to Development

### For Developers

If you're contributing code that adds new strings:

1. **Add English strings** to the source code
2. **Update language templates** in `Setup/Assets/Language/`
3. **Sync with Crowdin** so translators can add translations
4. **Document the context** - Add comments in code or Crowdin

### Pull Request Checklist

When your PR adds new translatable strings:

* [ ] English strings added to appropriate locations
* [ ] String keys follow naming conventions
* [ ] Context provided for translators
* [ ] Language template files updated
* [ ] PR description mentions new translatable strings

## Thank You!

Translations make ImageGlass accessible to millions of users worldwide. Thank you for your contributions!

## Next Steps

* [Join ImageGlass on Crowdin](https://crowdin.com/project/imageglass/invite)
* [Getting Started](/development/getting-started) - Set up development environment
* [Contributing Guide](/development/contributing-guide) - Other ways to contribute