PhraseApp

PhraseApp

Logo of PhraseApp.com
Web address	www.phraseapp.com
Slogan	Translate Your Software Better
Commercial?	Yes
Type of site	Localization management and software translation
Registration	Required
Available in	English and German
Users	over 10.000
Owner	Dynport GmbH
Launched	October 2012 (2012-10)
Alexa rank	166,509 (January 2014)[1]
Current status	online

PhraseApp is a web-based translation management system, also known as Globalization Management System (GMS). Competitors include Transifex and Smartling.^[2][3] It is targeted at open source and commercial software projects and allows the automation of translation workflows through a token-based API.^[4]

PhraseApp is offered as a software as a service for commercial products and is free of charge for open source projects.^[5]

Description

The provides a sharing and collaboration platform for language files, allowing translators and developers to cooperate on software translation projects.^[6]

The PhraseApp platform software was written in Ruby and runs on the Rails as API-backend for the OpenSource Rubygem phrase which has been downloaded more than 128.000 times.^[7][8]

History

PhraseApp started out with the idea of an in-place editor for translations using the Ruby i18n localization library and JQuery named phrase. It was presented as a techdemo at the Euruco 2012 in Amsterdam.^[9] The idea was soon met by requests of early users to store, edit and share locale files online, from which demand the PhraseApp Translation Center was inspired and released.^[3][10] The company states the motto of PhraseApp as: "We believe in a world in which software can be used by everyone in their native language. For software creators, translating their products should be natural and effortless." ^[11] In an interview with the Theguardian.com its founder stated that "[...] 56% of the internet’s content is in English, but only 27% of its users come from English-speaking countries".^[12] PhraseApp.com is operated by Dynport GmbH in Hamburg, Germany.^[13]

Translation Workflow description

A software developer creates a project in PhraseApp. He can then invite translators or fellow programmers to join the project to work on the copywriting and translation of locale files together. Initially a source locale file is uploaded and then translated to other desired locales. Translated content can be downloaded using the command-line client, the Rubygem phrase. The Client can also be used to upload newly created translation keys to the service.^[14]

Supported document formats

Android Strings, Apple Localizable Strings, Gettext (PO/POT), QT, TMX, Joomla INI files, Mozilla DTD,PO/POT files, XLIFF files, XML files, YAML, JSON, PHP Symfony YAML Locale Files, Microsoft.NET RESX, ASP ResX, C# ResX and Windows Phone ResX Files ^[15]

Features

• Support for language file formats, including YAML, XHTML, XLIFF, PO, PLIST, JSON ^[15]
• Sharing language files with translators who can download, translate and update software translations online and offline ^[16]
• phrase Command Line Client that allows uploading (pushing), downloading (pulling), converting and updating of translation resources ^[17]
• Translation Memory for duplicate source content ^[16]
• Translation statistics over missing translations, word counts and overall status of projects ^[16]
• Commenting and proof-reading system for translators ^[16]
• Professional translation services ^[16]
• API for integration with other platforms/services ^[4]

Notable users

• Tutao Tutanota OpenSource Mail Client

Commercial customers include:

• MyTaxi^[18]
• SecretEscapes^[19]
• Xing^[20]
• Wimdu^[21]
• Wundercar^[22]
• Virgin Pulse^[23]

OpenSource Projects

Beside many framework adapters these projects have been developed by PhraseApp developers and made available through OpenSource:

• Slimkeyfy^[24]
• Urknall^[25]

References

External links

• Official website
• Official blog
• PhraseApp Documentation
• PhraseApp | CrunchBase
• PhraseApp on Github
• PhraseApp on Twitter