The "Traps" of Extension Localization and My Ultimate Solution

When I first started using Joomla, I never doubted the "official" Japanese language packs. I assumed they were the gold standard. However, as I built more sites, a nagging sense of unease began to grow. "Wait... this button label doesn't match the actual behavior of the settings at all."

That small feeling eventually escalated into a major disaster.

1. The Black Box Named "Goodwill"

In many open-source projects or foreign-made extensions, localization is supported by "volunteer contributors." While this is a beautiful culture, it carries significant risks for professionals:

Half-baked states:

・Only the main parts are translated, leaving the rest in English.

Frozen versions:

・The core software updates with new features, but the translation file stays stuck years in the past.

Contextless literalism:

・Mistranslations where the meaning is completely reversed because the translator didn't understand the system's logic.

I once suffered a catastrophic failure on a client's site because I fundamentally misunderstood a setting due to a translation error. When I finally found the cause, I was looking at words that were simply "filled in" without accuracy.

2. My Choice: The Stoic Path of "Self-Translation"

Since then, I’ve imposed a rule on myself: "No matter how much effort it takes, I translate every extension I use by myself."

Nowadays, it’s my habit to check the "diff" between old and new versions of language files to pinpoint exactly which phrases were added or changed at the source code level. This has distinct pros and cons:

Pro:

・Translating is the act of deeply deciphering the developer's intent. You understand the system's DNA better than by reading any manual.

Con:

・My own linguistic limits sometimes produce "weird translations" that leave me confused six months later! (laughs)

3. Why the "Gap" Remains in the AI Age

You might think, "With ChatGPT or DeepL, isn't this solved instantly?" While AI accuracy has soared, "translation errors" and "poor usability" still exist.

Translation isn't just word replacement; it is UX (User Experience) itself. It’s about whether a user can act intuitively upon seeing a button. My "field-tested language" is far more efficient for real work than a generic, "perfect" AI translation.

4. Why I Don't Provide My Translations for Free

These files are the result of my "blood, sweat, and tears." I don't share them for free. If I do share them and someone suggests a change, I’ll listen—if it makes sense, I’ll update it. But because these are original, highly-refined versions that differ from the official ones, I provide them as a paid asset rather than a freebie.

To truly turn a tool into an extension of your own hands, that "final touch"—rewriting it in your own language—is essential.