Inside look at how translators use ICanLocalize Translator

Translators can do Drupal translation using the translation system from ICanLocalize. When they use that system, they don't edit Drupal contents directly on Drupal but rather use a specially designed editor that's built for doing translation work.

We've written an overview of how translators use ICanLocalize Translator. Basically, what happens is this:

1. ICanLocalize Translator (the Drupal module) packages all the text that needs to be translated for a document. This includes the node contents, taxonomy, menu and anything else required.
2. The module sends that to ICanLocalize.
3. Translators use a WYSIWYG editor, in ICanLocalize's translation system. They only translate the texts (in their correct context) and never see or edit the HTML.
4. ICanLocalize server notifies Drupal that the translation is complete. Then, ICanLocalize Translator fetches the translation, creates the translated node and any other strings associated with it.

Translators don't need to know anything about Drupal or even anything about websites. They translate each document at a time, review their work and then submit it.

When the translation project is set up (in Drupal), the site admin can choose if translations are published immediately or are held for review.

Collaborative translation

One of the best uses for this system is collaborative translation for websites run by non profit organizations. We hope that this overview will make it easier for site admins. We'll also write about how non profits can use their own translators (without paying for system usage too).