Add script for handling translations

[rffontenelle]

This is an initial take on the enable localization initiative adding a script to ease the babel call.

Usage:

python babel_runner.py extract # generate translations template file (.pot)
python babel_runner.py init -l pt_BR # generate a translation file (.po) for Brazilian Portuguese
python babel_runner.py update # update all .po files using the existing .pot; or
python babel_runner.py update -l pt_BR # update only the pt_BR.po
python babel_runner.py compile # compile all .po files using the existing .pot; or
python babel_runner.py compile -l pt_BR # compile only the pt_BR.po

See #194

[hugovk]

Thanks for this! Please could you add it somehow to the CI, so we know it at least runs without errors?

I was thinking if this script could be converted into Makefile commands, but then we won't have Windows support, so that's no good. But we could add Makefile commands to call this script. This can be left for later though.

[rffontenelle]

@hugovk workflow job added to tests.yml. My intention is to show the script works, but we can shape it better.

[Wulian233]

It looks like this PR hasn't had a new activity in a while, is it finished now?

[hugovk]

A few nits, then I think we can merge this and iterate if needed, unless anyone else has any last comments?

[Wulian233]

In the Simplified Chinese documentation, there is an issue regarding hard-coded (edit: not hard-coded) strings such as "added in version". that cannot be translated. Can this PR solve this problem?

python/python-docs-zh-cn#364

[rffontenelle]

In the Simplified Chinese documentation, there is an issue regarding hard-coded strings such as "added in version" and "deprecated in version" etc. that cannot be translated. Can this PR solve this problem?

python/python-docs-zh-cn#364

No, that's a Sphinx string and it is not translated to zh_CN: https://github.com/sphinx-doc/sphinx/blob/116a430caca98580c8877cf7b0ba270eae9604bf/sphinx/locale/zh_CN/LC_MESSAGES/sphinx.po#L1951

Consider contributing in https://explore.transifex.com/sphinx-doc/sphinx-1/

[rffontenelle]

A few nits, then I think we can merge this and iterate if needed, unless anyone else has any last comments?

That's all from my side. Just a few minor changes.

[hugovk]

Thank you!

[Wulian233]

It looks great! I have a question: where should we translate this theme, and how will the translation automatically sync to this repository?

[rffontenelle]

@Wulian233 I mentioned that in the issue and it is yet to be defined.

Some projects coordinate translation efforts in the own forge via pull/merge requests — not optimal for the translators. There is also translation platforms like Weblate, Transifex and others.

My vote would be to use Weblate, which provides "libre hosting" for free software and features automatic opening and updating pull request for contributed translations. Tasks involve: setting up Weblate project (I can help with/do it), maintainers here update POT and give time before releasing to receive translations; and merging translation pull requests from Weblate.