Android String Translator
I wrote a tool that I sometimes use on my apps when I want to quickly and automatically localize a bunch of Android string resources. I call it Android String Translator, and it is a Windows utility compiled with .net 4.5 framework.
Disclaimer: After creating my tool, I saw that there were other similar projects here on XDA such as:
[PC][WINDOWS] ANDROID LOCALIZER - Translate Android App Easy
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2483990
Android APK Translation - CMD Line Tool
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1666630
So if my utility does not fit your needs, those above might. I do not claim that my application is better than any of the others (it could be worse for all I know).
Requirements
Android String Translator requires a Windows machine with the .net 4.5 framework. It also requires a Google Translate API key. The API key is not free (sadly). I think the cost is something like $20 per 1,000,000 translations. You can find more information here:
https://developers.google.com/translate/v2/getting_started
note: If people find this program helpful and want me to add support for alternative translation engines, I would be happy to do updates.
How to use it
The utility is pretty straight forward. First you enter your Google Translate API key at the top of the window. The box with all of the language codes is the list of languages that your app will be translated to. Then you select your root Android project folder. A list of all your .xml resource files will come up. Put a checkbox in the .xml files you wish to translate. Selecting an xml file brings up a list of resources in that file. Check each value that you wish to translate. If one of your strings is a comma separated list of values, check the CSV checkbox. When you are ready, hit the compile button and wait for it to do it's thing. It automatically creates the /values-xx folders in your project for each language. After you run the translator, remember to clean your project in Eclipse (if you are using Eclipse).
Machine Translation
Obviously this utility uses machine translation, so your results may vary. Machine translation is getting better, but a lot of people do not like it and advise against using it. Whether or not this app is good for your project is up to you.
Known Bugs
None that I know of, but I have only used it on a few small projects. To be on the safe side, you might want to back up your original xml files before running this tool. The utility itself should never touch the original files, but who knows what could happen. I make no guarantees or warranties on this thing. If you find bugs in the tool, let me know and I will see what I can do.
Ideas or Feature Requests?
If you like Android String Translator and would like to see it updated or improved, just let me know your ideas in this thread and I will try to make it happen. Chances are, if you can help me make this app so that it makes your life easier, it will probably end up making my life easier as well.
Security Warnings While Installing
When you are installing this tool, Windows bugs you that I am not a known publisher or something to that effect. On Windows 8 you can click on the 'More Info' button and then say 'Install Anyway.' I don't know the exact procedure on Windows 7 but I'm sure it's similar. I don't know how to make this go away or if becoming a known publisher to Microsoft will be more effort than it's worth. If anybody knows a way around this just let me know.
Download Link
http://market.ape-apps.com/zips/ast.zip
I wrote a tool that I sometimes use on my apps when I want to quickly and automatically localize a bunch of Android string resources. I call it Android String Translator, and it is a Windows utility compiled with .net 4.5 framework.
Disclaimer: After creating my tool, I saw that there were other similar projects here on XDA such as:
[PC][WINDOWS] ANDROID LOCALIZER - Translate Android App Easy
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2483990
Android APK Translation - CMD Line Tool
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1666630
So if my utility does not fit your needs, those above might. I do not claim that my application is better than any of the others (it could be worse for all I know).
Requirements
Android String Translator requires a Windows machine with the .net 4.5 framework. It also requires a Google Translate API key. The API key is not free (sadly). I think the cost is something like $20 per 1,000,000 translations. You can find more information here:
https://developers.google.com/translate/v2/getting_started
note: If people find this program helpful and want me to add support for alternative translation engines, I would be happy to do updates.
How to use it
The utility is pretty straight forward. First you enter your Google Translate API key at the top of the window. The box with all of the language codes is the list of languages that your app will be translated to. Then you select your root Android project folder. A list of all your .xml resource files will come up. Put a checkbox in the .xml files you wish to translate. Selecting an xml file brings up a list of resources in that file. Check each value that you wish to translate. If one of your strings is a comma separated list of values, check the CSV checkbox. When you are ready, hit the compile button and wait for it to do it's thing. It automatically creates the /values-xx folders in your project for each language. After you run the translator, remember to clean your project in Eclipse (if you are using Eclipse).
Machine Translation
Obviously this utility uses machine translation, so your results may vary. Machine translation is getting better, but a lot of people do not like it and advise against using it. Whether or not this app is good for your project is up to you.
Known Bugs
None that I know of, but I have only used it on a few small projects. To be on the safe side, you might want to back up your original xml files before running this tool. The utility itself should never touch the original files, but who knows what could happen. I make no guarantees or warranties on this thing. If you find bugs in the tool, let me know and I will see what I can do.
Ideas or Feature Requests?
If you like Android String Translator and would like to see it updated or improved, just let me know your ideas in this thread and I will try to make it happen. Chances are, if you can help me make this app so that it makes your life easier, it will probably end up making my life easier as well.
Security Warnings While Installing
When you are installing this tool, Windows bugs you that I am not a known publisher or something to that effect. On Windows 8 you can click on the 'More Info' button and then say 'Install Anyway.' I don't know the exact procedure on Windows 7 but I'm sure it's similar. I don't know how to make this go away or if becoming a known publisher to Microsoft will be more effort than it's worth. If anybody knows a way around this just let me know.
Download Link
http://market.ape-apps.com/zips/ast.zip
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