Redmine is available in multiple languages, but not entirely. Its base structure is translated, but we do not have the option to translate the expressions of the different variables or values in the application, so that each user sees them in their defined language. In this post we will see how we can turn Redmine into a 100% multi-language application.
Redmine translations
Redmine's base language is English. But the words and expressions that make up the base application are translated into many languages.
In case you want to tinker around, the translation files are located in /redmine/htdocs/config/locales/. If at some point you want to modify a translation, or even add something missing, remember that you will have to restart the server afterwards for that change to take effect.
Well, but, as already said, this translation is not complete, since we will not have translations for the custom fields or the lists (for example, the names of the priorities). Those words and expressions will only be available in one language.
But don't worry, because this has an easy solution. In this post we will see how we can convert Redmine into a 100% multi-language application (or almost).
‘Localizable' plugin
For quite a few years now there has been a localization or translation plugin. It is the “localizable” plugin, by Emilio González Montaña, who for years has been contributing with very interesting plugins to the Redmine community.
This plugin has not been updated for years and in its corresponding page of the Redmine plugins directory does not indicate that it is compatible with versions later than 3.3 of Redmine. However, I can tell you that I have installed it without any problem in recent Redmine versions (4.1 and 4.2) and it works correctly and without errors of any kind.
Plugin installation and configuration
Plugin installation
To install it, just follow these steps:
- Download the plugin from its Download page.
- Unzip it and upload it to the /htdocs/plugins/ folder on your server. The folder has to be named “localizable”. No migration is needed.
- Restart the web server.
Plugin configuration
The plugin configuration page is in Administration > Plugins > Localizable plugin > Configure.
You will see a screen like this:
The steps to perform the translations are as follows:
- Confirm your default language
- Select the languages you want to translate to
- Click on Apply
From then on, a column will appear for each additional language you have selected. In the empty fields you will simply have to enter the translations of the words and expressions that are not already translated in Redmine. Specifically:
- Custom fields
- User profiles
- Trackers
- Issue statuses
- Enumerations such as priorities, activities, etc.
Once you have entered the translations, simply click “Apply” and that's it. From that moment on, users who have one of those new languages defined will see all of Redmine in their language.
Note: obviously the text fields, task descriptions, wikis, etc., all those contents will not be translated…. but that's a different story!
