Translating XLIFF Files

Last update: April 2017

Localizing bilingual XLIFF files involves the translation of the files' <target> text elements and changing/updating their translation status attributes ("state").

See also: "Introduction to XLIFF."

Supported XLIFF Formats/Versions

·	XLIFF 1.1
·	XLIFF 1.2
·	XLIFF 2.0

XLIFF 2.0 is the file format of the "QuickShip exchange" files, a quick and easy way of exchanging translation data with translators and translation agencies A compact version of the RC-WinTrans localization environment ("QuickShip Edition") is available for free to accommodate translation of this file type.

NOTE: XLIFF 1.0 files are not supported. However, an XLIFF 1.0 file may be used by changing its version number (in the file) to 1.1.

Importing Target Text (<target> Element)

Target text can be imported from an XLIFF file at any time by using the Import | Existing Translated

File commands from RC-WinTrans' File menu. These commands can also be accessed via

the Project toolbar's Import button (shown here, right).

Automatic Import When Adding a File to a Translation Project

When adding an XLIFF file to a translation project the target text is carried over to the project database (and shown in the Text Table view's "Target" column) only when the project's active target language is the same as the target language specified in the "target-language" XLIFF file attribute. If the project's active target language is different then the target text column will remain empty (all elements must be translated).

Translation Status ("state")

The XLIFF "state" attribute value is automatically set by RC-WinTrans whenever a target text is edited. An item's state can be set manually in the Text Table view's "State" column (Figure 1) or by using the State Flag commands from the Edit menu or Item State toolbar.

Statistics

RC-WinTrans calculates the translation status for a file or project ("translated" or "not translated") based on the state flags that have been set:

Translated:

state = "final"; "translated"; or "signed-off."

Not translated:

state = any other state flag (except "changed source").

Translation calculation and indication in RC-WinTrans occurs in the following views/displays:

·	Status bar.
·	Project Data tab view.
·	Statistics page.

"Changed Source" State

In addition to the standard XLIFF state values, RC-WinTrans defines a "changed source" state used to indicate that a translation unit has already been translated but the original text in the source file has been modified. The underlying attribute value used in the XLIFF file is "x-change."

Color-Coded State Indication

The colors used in the Text Table view to indicate a certain state can be determined in the Options dialog box.

Figure 1: The "State" column in RC-WinTrans' Text Table view. Select the state to activate a combo box containing the various item state options.

Displaying and Editing Notes (<note>)

Display

The <note> element text is displayed in the following RC-WinTrans views:

·	Translation Edit bar >> Note fields (for the source text and/or the translation) (Figure 2).
·	Project window (Text Table view) (Figure 3- Note symbol).

Editing

The <note> element text can be edited in the following RC-WinTrans views:

·	Translation Edit bar >> Note fields (for the source text and/or the translation) (Figure 2).
·	Text Table view (Project window) (Edit menu \| Note command).

For XLIFF files RC-WinTrans reads all of the "<note>" elements belonging to the item as one note.

XLIFF 2.0: The text of all "<note>" elements with the attribute "<note appliesTo="source">" are taken as notes for the source text. A note defined for the target text ("<note appliesTo=target">) is taken as the note for the translation text.