The "Traps" of Extension Localization and My Ultimate Solution -Part 2-

In my previous post, I asked a rather pretentious question: "How do you engineers using overseas CMS like Joomla view Japanese language packs?" Well, let me be honest—I was trying way too hard to sound cool. I am now reflecting on that with a fair bit of embarrassment!

The truth is, my English proficiency is so low that I even struggle with basic vocabulary taught in primary school. For someone like me to lecture on the "secrets of translation" was quite presumptuous.

However, there is one principle I will never compromise on: "Every single extension I use for work must be re-translated by my own hand, no matter how much effort it takes." Today, I want to reveal the unpolished, gritty reality of how I handle this massive volume of localization despite my language barrier.

My Style: A Hybrid of AI and Experience

To put it simply, I make full use of the latest machine translation and AI. But don't just think, "Oh, so it's just automatic translation." My method is fueled by a decade of sheer obsession.

A Soul-Searching, Line-by-Line Scrutiny:

・I never just skim the results. I read every single line. If I feel even the slightest bit of friction, I compare DeepL, Google, and various AI models until I'm satisfied.

Deciphering the "Personality" of the CMS:

・After nearly ten years, something mysterious happens. Even if I don't understand the words, my experience allows me to "see through" to the developer's intent. I understand what the function wants to achieve.

Real-Time Tactical Updates:

・If I use the tool and feel an expression is off, I fix it on the spot. This constant iteration is what creates high-precision localization.

Evolution of Tools and the "Moods" of AI

A few years ago, Google Translate was honestly not up to professional standards. Back then, I had to jump between Excite Translate, DeepL, and technical glossaries, piecing words together like a complex puzzle.

Interestingly, modern AI and translation sites have "moods" (fluctuations in accuracy). Sometimes they are incredibly sharp; other times, they say something completely nonsensical. Learning to read these "moods" and quirks of the AI is perhaps the modern art of translation.

I am not a programmer. But because I know how these tools are used in the field, I can breathe life into AI-generated words and turn them into practical language. That is the solution I’ve reached to overcome the language barrier.