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diff --git a/guides/source/i18n.md b/guides/source/i18n.md index 65a85efa69..33daa79133 100644 --- a/guides/source/i18n.md +++ b/guides/source/i18n.md @@ -13,17 +13,22 @@ So, in the process of _internationalizing_ your Rails application you have to: In the process of _localizing_ your application you'll probably want to do the following three things: -* Replace or supplement Rails' default locale — e.g. date and time formats, month names, Active Record model names, etc. -* Abstract strings in your application into keyed dictionaries — e.g. flash messages, static text in your views, etc. +* Replace or supplement Rails' default locale - e.g. date and time formats, month names, Active Record model names, etc. +* Abstract strings in your application into keyed dictionaries - e.g. flash messages, static text in your views, etc. * Store the resulting dictionaries somewhere. This guide will walk you through the I18n API and contains a tutorial on how to internationalize a Rails application from the start. After reading this guide, you will know: +* How I18n works in Ruby on Rails +* How to correctly use I18n into a RESTful application in various ways +* How to use I18n to translate ActiveRecord errors or ActionMailer E-mail subjects +* Some other tools to go further with the translation process of your application + -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -NOTE: The Ruby I18n framework provides you with all necessary means for internationalization/localization of your Rails application. You may, however, use any of various plugins and extensions available, which add additional functionality or features. See the Rails [I18n Wiki](http://rails-i18n.org/wiki) for more information. +NOTE: The Ruby I18n framework provides you with all necessary means for internationalization/localization of your Rails application. You may, however, use any of various plugins and extensions available, which add additional functionality or features. See the Ruby [I18n Wiki](http://ruby-i18n.org/wiki) for more information. How I18n in Ruby on Rails Works ------------------------------- @@ -33,13 +38,13 @@ Internationalization is a complex problem. Natural languages differ in so many w * providing support for English and similar languages out of the box * making it easy to customize and extend everything for other languages -As part of this solution, **every static string in the Rails framework** — e.g. Active Record validation messages, time and date formats — **has been internationalized**, so _localization_ of a Rails application means "over-riding" these defaults. +As part of this solution, **every static string in the Rails framework** - e.g. Active Record validation messages, time and date formats - **has been internationalized**, so _localization_ of a Rails application means "over-riding" these defaults. ### The Overall Architecture of the Library Thus, the Ruby I18n gem is split into two parts: -* The public API of the i18n framework — a Ruby module with public methods that define how the library works +* The public API of the i18n framework - a Ruby module with public methods that define how the library works * A default backend (which is intentionally named _Simple_ backend) that implements these methods As a user you should always only access the public methods on the I18n module, but it is useful to know about the capabilities of the backend. @@ -92,7 +97,7 @@ en: hello: "Hello world" ``` -This means, that in the `:en` locale, the key _hello_ will map to the _Hello world_ string. Every string inside Rails is internationalized in this way, see for instance Active Record validation messages in the [`activerecord/lib/active_record/locale/en.yml`](https://github.com/rails/rails/blob/master/activerecord/lib/active_record/locale/en.yml file or time and date formats in the [`activesupport/lib/active_support/locale/en.yml`](https://github.com/rails/rails/blob/master/activesupport/lib/active_support/locale/en.yml) file. You can use YAML or standard Ruby Hashes to store translations in the default (Simple) backend. +This means, that in the `:en` locale, the key _hello_ will map to the _Hello world_ string. Every string inside Rails is internationalized in this way, see for instance Active Model validation messages in the [`activemodel/lib/active_model/locale/en.yml`](https://github.com/rails/rails/blob/master/activemodel/lib/active_model/locale/en.yml) file or time and date formats in the [`activesupport/lib/active_support/locale/en.yml`](https://github.com/rails/rails/blob/master/activesupport/lib/active_support/locale/en.yml) file. You can use YAML or standard Ruby Hashes to store translations in the default (Simple) backend. The I18n library will use **English** as a **default locale**, i.e. if you don't set a different locale, `:en` will be used for looking up translations. @@ -132,7 +137,7 @@ If you want to translate your Rails application to a **single language other tha However, you would probably like to **provide support for more locales** in your application. In such case, you need to set and pass the locale between requests. -WARNING: You may be tempted to store the chosen locale in a _session_ or a <em>cookie</em>, however **do not do this**. The locale should be transparent and a part of the URL. This way you won't break people's basic assumptions about the web itself: if you send a URL to a friend, they should see the same page and content as you. A fancy word for this would be that you're being [<em>RESTful</em>](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Representational_State_Transfer. Read more about the RESTful approach in [Stefan Tilkov's articles](http://www.infoq.com/articles/rest-introduction). Sometimes there are exceptions to this rule and those are discussed below. +WARNING: You may be tempted to store the chosen locale in a _session_ or a <em>cookie</em>, however **do not do this**. The locale should be transparent and a part of the URL. This way you won't break people's basic assumptions about the web itself: if you send a URL to a friend, they should see the same page and content as you. A fancy word for this would be that you're being [<em>RESTful</em>](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Representational_State_Transfer). Read more about the RESTful approach in [Stefan Tilkov's articles](http://www.infoq.com/articles/rest-introduction). Sometimes there are exceptions to this rule and those are discussed below. The _setting part_ is easy. You can set the locale in a `before_action` in the `ApplicationController` like this: @@ -174,7 +179,7 @@ end # in your /etc/hosts file to try this out locally def extract_locale_from_tld parsed_locale = request.host.split('.').last - I18n.available_locales.include?(parsed_locale.to_sym) ? parsed_locale : nil + I18n.available_locales.include?(parsed_locale.to_sym) ? parsed_locale : nil end ``` @@ -253,7 +258,7 @@ You would probably need to map URLs like these: ```ruby # config/routes.rb -match '/:locale' => 'dashboard#index' +get '/:locale' => 'dashboard#index' ``` Do take special care about the **order of your routes**, so this route declaration does not "eat" other ones. (You may want to add it directly before the `root :to` declaration.) @@ -262,7 +267,7 @@ NOTE: Have a look at two plugins which simplify work with routes in this way: Sv ### Setting the Locale from the Client Supplied Information -In specific cases, it would make sense to set the locale from client-supplied information, i.e. not from the URL. This information may come for example from the users' preferred language (set in their browser), can be based on the users' geographical location inferred from their IP, or users can provide it simply by choosing the locale in your application interface and saving it to their profile. This approach is more suitable for web-based applications or services, not for websites — see the box about _sessions_, _cookies_ and RESTful architecture above. +In specific cases, it would make sense to set the locale from client-supplied information, i.e. not from the URL. This information may come for example from the users' preferred language (set in their browser), can be based on the users' geographical location inferred from their IP, or users can provide it simply by choosing the locale in your application interface and saving it to their profile. This approach is more suitable for web-based applications or services, not for websites - see the box about _sessions_, _cookies_ and RESTful architecture above. #### Using `Accept-Language` @@ -277,21 +282,22 @@ def set_locale I18n.locale = extract_locale_from_accept_language_header logger.debug "* Locale set to '#{I18n.locale}'" end + private -def extract_locale_from_accept_language_header - request.env['HTTP_ACCEPT_LANGUAGE'].scan(/^[a-z]{2}/).first -end + def extract_locale_from_accept_language_header + request.env['HTTP_ACCEPT_LANGUAGE'].scan(/^[a-z]{2}/).first + end ``` -Of course, in a production environment you would need much more robust code, and could use a plugin such as Iain Hecker's [http_accept_language](https://github.com/iain/http_accept_language/tree/master or even Rack middleware such as Ryan Tomayko's [locale](https://github.com/rack/rack-contrib/blob/master/lib/rack/contrib/locale.rb). +Of course, in a production environment you would need much more robust code, and could use a plugin such as Iain Hecker's [http_accept_language](https://github.com/iain/http_accept_language/tree/master) or even Rack middleware such as Ryan Tomayko's [locale](https://github.com/rack/rack-contrib/blob/master/lib/rack/contrib/locale.rb). #### Using GeoIP (or Similar) Database -Another way of choosing the locale from client information would be to use a database for mapping the client IP to the region, such as [GeoIP Lite Country](http://www.maxmind.com/app/geolitecountry). The mechanics of the code would be very similar to the code above — you would need to query the database for the user's IP, and look up your preferred locale for the country/region/city returned. +Another way of choosing the locale from client information would be to use a database for mapping the client IP to the region, such as [GeoIP Lite Country](http://www.maxmind.com/app/geolitecountry). The mechanics of the code would be very similar to the code above - you would need to query the database for the user's IP, and look up your preferred locale for the country/region/city returned. #### User Profile -You can also provide users of your application with means to set (and possibly over-ride) the locale in your application interface, as well. Again, mechanics for this approach would be very similar to the code above — you'd probably let users choose a locale from a dropdown list and save it to their profile in the database. Then you'd set the locale to this value. +You can also provide users of your application with means to set (and possibly over-ride) the locale in your application interface, as well. Again, mechanics for this approach would be very similar to the code above - you'd probably let users choose a locale from a dropdown list and save it to their profile in the database. Then you'd set the locale to this value. Internationalizing your Application ----------------------------------- @@ -310,6 +316,17 @@ end ``` ```ruby +# app/controllers/application_controller.rb +class ApplicationController < ActionController::Base + before_action :set_locale + + def set_locale + I18n.locale = params[:locale] || I18n.default_locale + end +end +``` + +```ruby # app/controllers/home_controller.rb class HomeController < ApplicationController def index @@ -394,7 +411,7 @@ en: ### Adding Date/Time Formats -OK! Now let's add a timestamp to the view, so we can demo the **date/time localization** feature as well. To localize the time format you pass the Time object to `I18n.l` or (preferably) use Rails' `#l` helper. You can pick a format by passing the `:format` option — by default the `:default` format is used. +OK! Now let's add a timestamp to the view, so we can demo the **date/time localization** feature as well. To localize the time format you pass the Time object to `I18n.l` or (preferably) use Rails' `#l` helper. You can pick a format by passing the `:format` option - by default the `:default` format is used. ```erb # app/views/home/index.html.erb @@ -494,7 +511,7 @@ I18n.t :message I18n.t 'message' ``` -The `translate` method also takes a `:scope` option which can contain one or more additional keys that will be used to specify a “namespace” or scope for a translation key: +The `translate` method also takes a `:scope` option which can contain one or more additional keys that will be used to specify a "namespace" or scope for a translation key: ```ruby I18n.t :record_invalid, scope: [:activerecord, :errors, :messages] @@ -726,6 +743,19 @@ en: Then `User.model_name.human` will return "Dude" and `User.human_attribute_name("login")` will return "Handle". +You can also set a plural form for model names, adding as following: + +```ruby +en: + activerecord: + models: + user: + one: Dude + other: Dudes +``` + +Then `User.model_name.human(count: 2)` will return "Dudes". With `count: 1` or without params will return "Dude". + #### Error Message Scopes Active Record validation error messages can also be translated easily. Active Record gives you a couple of namespaces where you can place your message translations in order to provide different messages and translation for certain models, attributes, and/or validations. It also transparently takes single table inheritance into account. @@ -813,6 +843,7 @@ So, for example, instead of the default error message `"can not be blank"` you c | numericality | :equal_to | :equal_to | count | | numericality | :less_than | :less_than | count | | numericality | :less_than_or_equal_to | :less_than_or_equal_to | count | +| numericality | :only_integer | :not_an_integer | - | | numericality | :odd | :odd | - | | numericality | :even | :even | - | @@ -865,15 +896,15 @@ Rails uses fixed strings and other localizations, such as format strings and oth #### Action View Helper Methods -* `distance_of_time_in_words` translates and pluralizes its result and interpolates the number of seconds, minutes, hours, and so on. See [datetime.distance_in_words](https://github.com/rails/rails/blob/master/actionpack/lib/action_view/locale/en.yml#L51) translations. +* `distance_of_time_in_words` translates and pluralizes its result and interpolates the number of seconds, minutes, hours, and so on. See [datetime.distance_in_words](https://github.com/rails/rails/blob/master/actionview/lib/action_view/locale/en.yml#L4) translations. -* `datetime_select` and `select_month` use translated month names for populating the resulting select tag. See [date.month_names](https://github.com/rails/rails/blob/master/activesupport/lib/active_support/locale/en.yml#L15) for translations. `datetime_select` also looks up the order option from [date.order](https://github.com/rails/rails/blob/master/activesupport/lib/active_support/locale/en.yml#L18) (unless you pass the option explicitly). All date selection helpers translate the prompt using the translations in the [datetime.prompts](https://github.com/rails/rails/blob/master/actionpack/lib/action_view/locale/en.yml#L83) scope if applicable. +* `datetime_select` and `select_month` use translated month names for populating the resulting select tag. See [date.month_names](https://github.com/rails/rails/blob/master/activesupport/lib/active_support/locale/en.yml#L15) for translations. `datetime_select` also looks up the order option from [date.order](https://github.com/rails/rails/blob/master/activesupport/lib/active_support/locale/en.yml#L18) (unless you pass the option explicitly). All date selection helpers translate the prompt using the translations in the [datetime.prompts](https://github.com/rails/rails/blob/master/actionview/lib/action_view/locale/en.yml#L39) scope if applicable. -* The `number_to_currency`, `number_with_precision`, `number_to_percentage`, `number_with_delimiter`, and `number_to_human_size` helpers use the number format settings located in the [number](https://github.com/rails/rails/blob/master/actionpack/lib/action_view/locale/en.yml#L2) scope. +* The `number_to_currency`, `number_with_precision`, `number_to_percentage`, `number_with_delimiter`, and `number_to_human_size` helpers use the number format settings located in the [number](https://github.com/rails/rails/blob/master/activesupport/lib/active_support/locale/en.yml#L37) scope. #### Active Model Methods -* `model_name.human` and `human_attribute_name` use translations for model names and attribute names if available in the [activerecord.models](https://github.com/rails/rails/blob/master/activerecord/lib/active_record/locale/en.yml#L29) scope. They also support translations for inherited class names (e.g. for use with STI) as explained above in "Error message scopes". +* `model_name.human` and `human_attribute_name` use translations for model names and attribute names if available in the [activerecord.models](https://github.com/rails/rails/blob/master/activerecord/lib/active_record/locale/en.yml#L36) scope. They also support translations for inherited class names (e.g. for use with STI) as explained above in "Error message scopes". * `ActiveModel::Errors#generate_message` (which is used by Active Model validations but may also be used manually) uses `model_name.human` and `human_attribute_name` (see above). It also translates the error message and supports translations for inherited class names as explained above in "Error message scopes". @@ -881,7 +912,7 @@ Rails uses fixed strings and other localizations, such as format strings and oth #### Active Support Methods -* `Array#to_sentence` uses format settings as given in the [support.array](https://github.com/rails/rails/blob/master/activesupport/lib/active_support/locale/en.yml#L30) scope. +* `Array#to_sentence` uses format settings as given in the [support.array](https://github.com/rails/rails/blob/master/activesupport/lib/active_support/locale/en.yml#L33) scope. Customize your I18n Setup ------------------------- @@ -915,7 +946,7 @@ ReservedInterpolationKey # the translation contains a reserved interpolation UnknownFileType # the backend does not know how to handle a file type that was added to I18n.load_path ``` -The I18n API will catch all of these exceptions when they are thrown in the backend and pass them to the default_exception_handler method. This method will re-raise all exceptions except for `MissingTranslationData` exceptions. When a `MissingTranslationData` exception has been caught, it will return the exception’s error message string containing the missing key/scope. +The I18n API will catch all of these exceptions when they are thrown in the backend and pass them to the default_exception_handler method. This method will re-raise all exceptions except for `MissingTranslationData` exceptions. When a `MissingTranslationData` exception has been caught, it will return the exception's error message string containing the missing key/scope. The reason for this is that during development you'd usually want your views to still render even though a translation is missing. |