When I first read the Polyglots handbook, I found it clear but dense. It explains the translation workflow, the role of locale glossaries, and the importance of consistency, but some sections felt technical for someone just starting out. What helped me most was the guidance on how to handle placeholders, HTML tags, and technical terms without altering them. Reading it gave me a realistic idea of how translation contributions actually work inside WordPress.

My first contribution was translating strings for the es-CR locale. I focused on WooCommerce, translating pending strings from English into Costa Rican Spanish and making sure each translation matched the locale glossary and the existing style. So far, I have had 400 translations approved, which has been encouraging and has helped me understand the level of consistency the team expects.

The process was simpler than I expected. I opened the translation platform, selected the es-CR locale, chose the projects I wanted to work on, and started translating strings one by one. I paid attention to placeholders, kept HTML tags unchanged, and reviewed the glossary whenever a term appeared. Once I submitted my suggestions, reviewers checked them and either approved them or gave feedback.

My first impression of the team is that it is well organized but largely asynchronous. Contributors work on their own pace, and communication happens through the translation platform, Slack channels, and the handbook. Reviewers play an important role because they ensure that translations stay consistent and that new contributors follow the same conventions.

What I learned most from this experience is that translation is not just about knowing two languages. It requires context, consistency, and attention to detail. I was surprised by how much terminology and formatting matter, and by how small decisions—like whether to translate a term or keep it in English—can affect the quality of the final product.

I still have some doubts. I would like to understand better how reviewers decide when a translation should be approved versus discussed, and how disagreements between contributors are handled. I also want to learn more about how the locale glossary evolves and who is responsible for updating it when new terms appear.