Extend the gettext support of oslo.i18n library

https://blueprints.launchpad.net/oslo.i18n/+spec/more-gettext-support

The oslo.i18n library already supports the standard gettext function.

But the “contextual markers” and “plural form” gettext functions are needed for translations. See the Reference - Horizon Translation Wiki.

Problem description

The standard gettext function support the most of use cases of translations.

But there are two situations needed to be addressed: * different translations of the same English words from different contexts, such as menu item and label; * plural form of some languages like English, different translations are needed for single item or plural items;

Proposed change

In python gettext module, “contextual markers” and “plural form” are supported but without lazy translation support.

The plan is to add the two features with lazy translation support in oslo.i18n library.

oslo.i18n will provide contextual_form and plural_form as additional properties, and abbreviated forms of the two properties as “_C” and “_P”.

Alternatives

Actually we can translate without using “contextual markers” or “plural form”.

But in some cases, “contextual markers” can reduce ambiguities, “plural form” can improve the translation quality.

Impact on Existing APIs

The new contextual_form and plural_form properties on TranslatorFactory will be provided, and exported from the library.

This spec only covers User Interface strings now, message logs are not affected.

Security impact

None

Performance Impact

For using the new methods, some gettext call _(“str”) needs to be replaced by _C(“context”, “str”), or _P(“singular”, “plural”, count).

As new methods requires additional arguments, only user cases where new methods can improve the translation quality need to switch to use the new methods.

Most of the code can still use the standard gettext function.

Configuration Impact

Need to change Jenkins jobs to extract translatable messages with contextual form and plural form.

Developer Impact

This spec only adds more functions to oslo.i18n, developers only need to switch to the new functions when improving translations.

If no problem, the code can still use the standard gettext function.

Testing Impact

None

Implementation

Assignee(s)

Primary assignee:

alexepico

Other contributors:

anish-developer

Milestones

Target Milestone for completion:

Work Items

  • extend class Message to support contextual_form and plural_form;

  • export contextual_form and plural_form on TranslatorFactory;

  • document when and how to use contextual_form or plural_form properties;

  • change Jenkins jobs to extract translatable messages with contextual form and plural form;

Incubation

N/A

Adoption

N/A

Library

N/A

Anticipated API Stabilization

New contextual_form and plural_form properties will be provided on TranslatorFactory from oslo.i18n.

Documentation Impact

Update the developer documentation for oslo.i18n with examples.

Translation team needs to translate “contextual markers” and “plural form” gettext message if used by developers.

Dependencies

References

Note

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