Base localization

Question

Yoshimura OP

Created Jan ’16

Replies 3

Boosts 1

Views 16k

Participants 2

Hello,

I'm localizing my app and don't understand why Base is is/could be needed? If my app supports two languages, why I would need a third (Base) localization?

Thanks!

Boost

Answer 1

KMT OP

Jan ’16

'Base' isn't counted as a localization/separate lang - it's a scheme that your translations are based on.

From the docs: https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/MacOSX/Conceptual/BPInternational/InternationalizingYourUserInterface/InternationalizingYourUserInterface.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/10000171i-CH3-SW2

-=-

Using Base Internationalization

Base internationalization separates user-facing strings from

.storyboard

and

.xib

files. It relieves localizers of the need to modify

.storyboard

and

.xib

files in Interface Builder. Instead, an app has just one set of

.storyboard

and

.xib

files where strings are in the development language—the language that you used to create the

.storyboard

and

.xib

files. These .storyboard
and .xib
files are called the base internationalization. When you export localizations, the development language strings are the source that is translated into multiple languages. When you import localizations, Xcode generates language-specific strings files for each

.storyboard

and

.xib

file. The strings files don’t appear in the project navigator until you import localizations or add languages.

In Xcode 5 and later, base internationalization is enabled by default. If you have an older project, enable base internationalization before continuing, as described in Enabling Base Internationalization.

-=-

Note that some devs elect to not enable base localization, opting instead to bootstrap string files, etc.

0

Answer 2

Yoshimura OP

Jan ’16

Is Base mainly used for storyboard and XIB files?

So if I work in a language that I don't want to be supported by the app, I could design the storyboard using this unsupported language, set it as Base and then localize the supported language using .strings? Is it the only reason for Base?

0

Answer 3

KMT OP

Jan ’16

>So if I work in a language that I don't want to be supported by the app

What does that mean? Why would you work on something that you don't want to support?

We're talking about localizing your UI, where the lang in use is defined by the configuration of the user's device?

0