From My First Translations to a More Solid Contribution in Polyglots

Date: July 24, 2026
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

After completing my first translations and becoming more familiar with the platform, my way of working changed significantly. At first, I reviewed each string with a great deal of uncertainty and focused mainly on finding a correct translation. Over time, I began paying more attention to context, Translation Memory suggestions, terminology consistency, and the technical elements that had to remain unchanged.

How my way of contributing changed

In my first contributions, one of my main concerns was correctly translating the general meaning of the string. As I progressed, I understood that I also needed to review other important aspects.

Before submitting a translation, I began checking:

The context in which the string would be used.
The suggestions available in Translation Memory.
How similar terms had been translated previously.
The presence of variables, symbols, or tags.
Spelling and punctuation.
Whether the translation sounded natural in Spanish.
Whether the technical elements of the original text remained unchanged.

This process allowed me to work in a more organized way and reduce some of the doubts I had at the beginning.

Procedure applied

To make my contributions during this stage, I followed these steps:

I accessed the corresponding project on the translation platform.
I selected Spanish for Costa Rica, es_CR.
I reviewed the available strings and chose those whose context I could understand.
I consulted the references and suggestions displayed by the platform.
I compared different translation options.
I wrote a suggestion that preserved the meaning of the original text.
I checked that variables and other technical elements remained unchanged.
I reviewed the spelling, punctuation, and clarity of the message.
I submitted the translation for review.
I later checked the status of the submitted suggestions.

Compared with my first contributions, I no longer submitted a translation as soon as I found a possible equivalent. I tried to review the entire string and confirm that the chosen option was appropriate for the context.

Applying what I learned

One of the most important changes was using Translation Memory as a support tool. The available suggestions allowed me to compare terms used previously and make more consistent decisions.

For example, when a word could be translated in several ways, I did not automatically choose the first option. I reviewed the technical context and analyzed which alternative best matched the message.

Evidence of the contribution

As evidence of this progress, I was able to see the Translation Contributor badge on my WordPress.org profile, which is associated with my participation in Polyglots.

In addition, the translation platform recorded the suggestions I submitted and their corresponding statuses. Some appeared as pending review, while others were accepted, allowing me to confirm that my contributions were being recorded correctly.

This evidence shows not only that I participated in the area, but also that I was able to apply the knowledge acquired during the project in a practical way.

Obstacles I still encountered

Although I had more experience, some difficulties remained. The lack of context in certain strings continued to be one of the main challenges. Sometimes, a short phrase could have several possible interpretations, and it was not always possible to immediately identify where it would appear.

What I learned

This stage allowed me to confirm that I had improved the way I reviewed translations. I was no longer limited to finding an equivalent between two languages; instead, I analyzed the context, consistency, and technical elements before submitting each suggestion.

I also learned how to make better use of the tools available on the platform. References and suggestions do not replace the translator’s judgment, but they help support better-informed decisions.

In addition, I understood that a more mature contribution does not mean working without doubts. It means having a process for resolving them, searching for information, and reviewing the work before submitting it.

Personal reflection

When I compare this stage with my first translations, I notice that I now work in a more organized way and have a clearer understanding of the aspects I need to review.

There are still strings that require more time or raise questions, but they no longer feel as confusing as they did at the beginning. I can better identify when I need to consult a reference, review a suggestion, or keep a technical element unchanged.