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RailsConf 2019 - Localize your Rails application like a pro by David Padilla

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If you have ever worked in a Rails applications that needs to be available in more than one language you probably know how hard to maintain it can become over time, specially if more than one developer is involved in the process.

If you have never worked with localizations you probably will at some point in the future.

I want to share with you my experience. As a Spanish speaking developer I have worked in many multi-language apps, I have advice and a list of good practices that can help you in future localized projects.

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In the video "Localize your Rails application like a pro" presented by David Padilla at RailsConf 2019, the speaker delves into practical strategies for effectively managing multi-language Rails applications. With a focus on internationalization (often abbreviated as i18n), Padilla shares insights garnered from his experience as a Spanish-speaking developer working with diverse clients in the U.S. and Mexico.

### Key Points Discussed:
- **Basics of Internationalization**: Padilla explains the core functionality of the i18n system in Rails, particularly the usage of the `T` function for translating text, and how localization files (in YAML format) are structured by language.
- **Best Practices for Organizing Translations**: The speaker emphasizes the importance of splitting localization files into organized folders instead of lumping all translations into one massive file, which can become unwieldy over time.
- **Utilizing Gems**: He recommends utilizing the i18n-debug gem to visualize how translations are fetched in Rails applications, aiding in debugging issues.
- **Lazy Lookup Feature**: Padilla talks about the lazy lookup mechanism, which automatically determines translation scopes, streamlining the localization process.
- **Localized Views**: A unique strategy presented is the use of localized views by appending locale information to view file extensions, enabling entire views to be translated rather than just text strings.
- **Fallback Mechanisms**: Guidelines for configuring translation fallbacks to handle regional language variations are discussed, which prevents unnecessary duplication of translation keys.
- **Pluralization**: The handling of pluralization within localization is addressed. Padilla suggests using a cleaner method than traditional if-statements by utilizing built-in i18n pluralization features.
- **Alternative Backends for Translations**: Multiple strategies for storing translations in different backends (e.g., Redis, Active Record) are indicated, demonstrating flexibility in how translations can be managed.
- **Localization of Dates and Numbers**: Techniques for localizing time formats and currency are highlighted, ensuring that user-facing content is culturally appropriate.

### Conclusions and Takeaways:
Padilla concludes with a checklist of best practices to enhance localization in Rails applications:
- Splitting YAML files for maintainability.
- Utilizing the default lookup tree for automatic translations.
- Employing lazy loading to reduce manual naming assumptions.
- Localizing entire views for significant text rather than individual strings.
- Configuring fallbacks for language variations.
- Leveraging pluralization tools for clearer code. 
Overall, the session provides valuable insights for Rails developers aiming to create inclusive applications that cater to multilingual users effectively.

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