Request translation in Smartling
There are two ways in which you can request translation in Smartling:
-
Select asset(s) > Request Translation.
This option allows you to bulk-select multiple assets for translation.
-
Click the information icon for an asset > Request Translation.
This option allows you to request translation for a single asset.
Both methods will open the two-step Request Translation wizard:
Step 1
- Choose to create a New Job or add the content to an Existing Job.
- Under Assets, ensure the assets selection is correct. Click the X to remove any asset listed.
- (Optional) Add a description for linguists.
- Select the Target Languages.
- Click Save Job and Continue to create the Job in Smartling.
Step 2
- Here you can see a cost estimate for the Job based on your selected workflows.
- If you edit the workflow(s), the estimate will update automatically.
- (Optional) Add a Job Due Date.
-
Select Save for Later, to create the Job, but have the content sit in Awaiting Authorization. Select Authorize Job, to kick off the translation process.
We recommend selecting Save for Later, so you can review the strings in the Job before authorizing it for translation.
Smartling App in Contentful
Contentful developed an app that allows users to send content for translation and monitor progress directly within Contentful. To install the app, visit the Contentful Marketplace.
Translation delivery to Contentful
The connector is file-based, meaning translation progress is tracked at the file level rather than the job level. When you request a Contentful asset for translation, the content is bundled into a JSON file and sent to Smartling for translation. Once the file is fully translated for a target locale, the translations for that locale are automatically delivered back to Contentful.
You can also trigger translation delivery manually at any time. To export translated content from Smartling to Contentful:
- From your Contentful project, click the Contentful (Entries) tab
- Click the info icon to open the Asset Details page
- Click Export Language. Top-level assets may reference other assets, click the blue link to see details and manually export individual items.
Check translation progress
You can check the translation status of any asset via the Asset Details page, by clicking the info icon next to an asset in the Contentful (Entries) tab.
Click the blue link displaying the number of assets, from here you can see the delivery status of the individual assets.
The Delivered column shows the date when translations were last delivered to Contentful. The state Completed means all content is translated and was successfully delivered back to Contentful. For more details on different states please see the info here.
Hover over the requested date to view the exact time the asset was requested and by whom. Similarly, hover over the delivered date to see the exact time the asset’s translations were delivered.
Lock translations
With entry-level localization, different language versions of the same content are stored in separate entries. This is useful if you want to maintain distinct versions of your content for different markets.
Because the connector syncs with your source content, it can sometimes be helpful to lock translations. For example, suppose you request an entry for translation from English to German. When translations are delivered back to Contentful, you will have two entries: one English (source) entry and a separate German entry.
If you want to add or remove content specifically for the German market, you should lock the translations. Locking prevents the connector from delivering updated translations for German. This is important because if you later modify the English source content and re-request the asset for translation, the connector will re-deliver the German translations and override any manual changes you made in the German entry.
This feature is especially recommended if the Automation of Prior Requests for Translation setting is set to Auto, and there are specific entries you do not wish to re-translate if the source is updated.
To lock or unlock translations:
- Navigate to the Contentful (Entries) tab of your connector project.
- Click on the info icon for the relevant asset.
- Click the blue link showing the number of assets.
- Click Lock (or Unlock to re-enable translation delivery).
Adding or editing translations
Translations should not be added directly in Contentful, as the connector does not recognize translations added manually. If your team adds translations directly, they will be overwritten when the connector delivers translations, unless the translations are locked.
If you need to edit translations after they have been delivered to Contentful, all edits should be made in Smartling. The connector does not track or recognize changes made directly in Contentful. To ensure changes are preserved and that accurate translations are stored in your translation memory, we strongly recommend making all edits in Smartling.