What I have achieved so far
In this time I have
translated and corrected a considerable number of strings from the plugin,
moving forward in an orderly way through the untranslated sections. What at
first seemed like an endless list has been shrinking, string by string, and
seeing that concrete progress is one of the greatest motivations.
Beyond quantity, I am
proud of the consistency I have managed to maintain. I have applied the formal
“usted” treatment uniformly, respected WordPress standard
terminology, and made sure that recurring technical terms — classes, variables,
components, triggers, interactions — always keep the same translation. That
consistency, which goes unnoticed by the end user, is precisely what makes an
interface feel professional and trustworthy.
What I have learned
This first half has
taught me a great deal, both technically and personally.
Technically, I have
understood that translating software is a discipline of its own. I have learned
to identify which elements should never be touched — variables such as %s and
%d, HTML tags, proper names of features such as the Atomic Elements or the easing
values that are universal terminology — and to distinguish when a term is
translated and when it is kept in English. I have also sharpened the habit of
researching the context of each string before translating it, even reviewing
the source code when a word is ambiguous.
Personally, I have
developed patience and discipline. Software translation does not reward speed,
but care. Every string deserves attention, no matter how short, and I have
learned not to take anything for granted, not even the automatic suggestions
from the translation memory, which on more than one occasion did not match the
original text.
This midpoint confirms that I am on the right track. I have gone from feeling a certain insecurity before my first string to working with method, judgment, and confidence. The project has stopped being an academic task and has become a real contribution that I feel part of.
The WordPress community is built through the constant effort of many people, and confirming that my contribution, however modest, adds to that collective effort is what motivates me to complete the second half with the same commitment I started with.