Translating the User Manual

This section will show you how to translate the Ushahidi User Manual into your preferred language using various online PDF translation tools and methods.

You must have fulfilled the prerequisites below to translate the Ushahidi User Manual into your preferred language.

Prerequisites

  • Download the User Manual as PDF: To download the User Manual as PDF to your local machine, kindly follow the guidelines outlined in Downloading the User Manual section.

  • Have a stable internet connection (for online translation tools).

The setup for different methods in this guide is demonstrated in the videos below. You can watch and follow the guide at the same time!

Method 1: Using Google Docs

Google Docs allows you to translate PDFs seamlessly into any language. Follow the steps below to translate the Ushahidi User Manual into your preferred language.

Video setup guide

Setup guide

Uploading the PDF to Google Drive

  • Click on the + New button on the top left side of the page.

  • Select File upload.

  • Choose the PDF file you want to translate and click the Open button to upload it to Google Drive.

Opening the PDF with Google Docs

  • Select Open with > Google Docs. This will open the PDF file as a Google Docs document.

Translating the document

  • Wait for the document to open in Google Docs and then go to the Tools menu at the top left of the page.

  • Select Translate document. This will display a pop-up requiring you to name the translated document and choose a language.

  • You can rename the default title or leave it that way. Click the drop-down icon to select your preferred language.

  • Click the Translate button and wait for it to translate the document. The translated document will open in a new tab.

Downloading the Translated Document

  • Preview the translated document.

  • Go to the File menu at the top left to download the translated document as a PDF.

  • Click Download > PDF Document (.pdf) to download it to your local machine.

Method 2: Using Google Translate

Google Translate provides an easy way to translate PDF documents directly through their website. To use Google Translate to translate the User Manual into your preferred language, it is advisable to download a section of the manual, as most free online PDF translator tools require an upload size not larger than 10 MB. Visit the Downloading the User Manual section for a guide on downloading a section of the User Manual.

Note: To translate the entire documentation (with an upload size larger than 10 MB) using some tools, e.g. docTranslator, and DeepL, you need to upgrade to the Pro versions.

Video Setup

Setup guide

  • Open your browser and go to Google Translate.

  • Click on the Documents tab at the top left corner of the page.

  • Click the Browse your files button to upload your PDF document or drag and drop it.

  • Select the PDF file you want to translate and click the Open button.

  • Once the document has been uploaded, click the drop-down icon to select your preferred language.

  • Select your preferred language and click the Translate button.

  • Click on Open translation to preview the translation or click the Download translation button to download the translated PDF to your local machine.

Method 3: Using Immersive Translate

The Immersive Translate extension offers a free PDF translation feature that enables users to translate PDF documents into various languages while preserving the original layout. It allows users to download either a translated-only version or a bilingual version of the PDF, which displays the original and translated texts side by side.

To learn how to translate the Ushahidi User Manual into your preferred language using Immersive Translate, visit the Immersive Translate website.

Disclaimer: The Immersive Translate extension is a third-party tool, and all rights related to the software belong to its respective owners. This guide is for informational purposes only, and the author does not claim any ownership of the Immersive Translate extension.

Last updated