TYPO3: translating your website text in just a few steps

At tolingo, the workflow for this is simple, but there are a few basic points to keep in mind. The aim is to capture all of your website text in an XML export so that it can be sent to tolingo for professional analysis and used as a basis for translation. This also includes content that is not visible to users at first glance, but that may still be relevant, e.g. for search engine optimisation. Simply copying content into a file from your browser is not recommended, as this can cause numerous errors such as not all text being captured or text being linked to the wrong sub-page.

Another advantage to working with XML exports is that the translated data can be imported directly onto the site as a new language version. This eliminates the time spent manually copying text into and out of TYPO3. This process also allows the use of translation memories, which are created free of charge by tolingo for every translation, and which allow us to pass on cost savings for the current project and any future translations and ensure quality and the use of consistent terminology in the long term.

To export data, you will need an extension called “l10nmgr” (Localization Manager). Localization Manager (l10nmgr) can be downloaded here: http://typo3.org/extensions/repository/view/l10nmgr

Please install the extension in TYPO3 and export the text to be translated as an XML file. In addition to the XML file, the l10nmgr extension will create another file containing appropriate filter settings for all common CAT tools. tolingo works with a CAT tool called memoQ. The *.mqres file that is generated should be sent to us as well. Note: please have an experienced TYPO3 developer carry out all administrative work on your live content management system.

Please ensure that the CMS uses UTF-8 encoding; otherwise umlauts and other special characters cannot be displayed correctly. You should also predefine languages before the first export, as the l10nmgr extension accesses TYPO3 settings when importing and exporting XML files. If translations are to be carried out on a regular basis (e.g., press releases news and product information), you can predefine a variety of export settings.

Once all the settings are complete, the website content will be exported via the l10nmgr extension. The extension has various data processing filters available for download, and these should be sent to tolingo for translation along with the export. When exporting in XML format, please select “memoQ (.xml)” under “Download setting files”.

As soon as your translation is complete, the relevant file will be sent back to you in the same format. You can upload this directly to TYPO3. You can then export either all or part of the website content for future translations. Our system recognises previously translated elements, and the resulting savings will be passed on to you.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this.