Hi Urbano san,
That's wonderful that you have created a spelling corrector for the
Extremaduran language! Contributing it to Apache OpenOffice (AOO) will be a
great benefit to users of that language.
Based on your goal, there are two primary and related actions you should
take within the Apache OpenOffice community:
1. **Submit the Spelling Corrector as an Extension.**
2. **Propose a new Native Language Confederation (NLC) Project for
Extremaduran** (which includes the need for a new locale code in the core
product).
Here is a breakdown of the process for each:
---
## 1. Submitting Your Spelling Corrector (Dictionary)
The simplest and most direct way to make your dictionary available to users
is to package it as an OpenOffice extension and upload it to the AOO
Extensions website. To get the dictionary formally included in future
Apache OpenOffice installations, you will need to engage with the
**Lingucomponent Project** and the **Localization (L10N) community**.
### A. Package and Publish as an Extension (Immediate Availability)
1. **Format Your Dictionary:**
* Apache OpenOffice uses the **Hunspell** spell checker. Your
dictionary should be in the Hunspell format, which typically consists of a
word list (`.dic` file) and an affix file (`.aff` file).
* The OpenOffice project provides guidelines on how to create the
dictionary and affix files for a new language. You should verify your files
follow the correct format.
2. **Package as an Extension:**
* Package your `.dic` and `.aff` files into an OpenOffice Extension
(`.oxt` file). This allows any user to easily install it via the Extension
Manager.
* The extension must include a `README.txt` specifying the author, the
language/locale supported (your **`ext_ES`** locale), and the license (many
free software licenses are acceptable, but you must ensure it's compatible
with Apache's requirements).
3. **Upload to the Extensions Repository:**
* Once packaged and tested, you can upload the `.oxt` file to the
official Apache OpenOffice Extensions website. This makes it immediately
available for all AOO users to download and install.
### B. Integrating Your Dictionary into the Core Product (For Future
Releases)
To have your dictionary included directly in the full OpenOffice installer
for the new `ext-ES` locale, you need to contact the relevant developers:
1. **Contact the L10N Mailing List:**
* Send an email to the **localization mailing list** (`
[email protected]`) to introduce your work, state your
intent to support the language, and ask for guidance.
2. **Create an Issue:**
* Create an issue in the Apache OpenOffice Issue Tracker (Bugzilla) for
the **Internationalization** project (or the **Lingucomponent** project).
* The issue should:
* Ask the developers to include support for spell checking in your
new locale: **`ext-ES`**.
* Supply the link to the latest release of your extension from the
AOO Extensions website.
* You can also file an issue to request the core changes to support the
new locale code `ext-ES` in the language settings, which is essential for
your dictionary to be recognized by default. This change will also likely
involve updating the files that list all supported languages (like
`solenv/inc/lang.mk`).
---
## 2. Establishing a New Language Project (Native Language Confederation)
To formally add the Extremaduran language (`ext-ES`) for full localization
support (menus, user interface, help files, and establishing a community),
you should propose a new project under the **Native Language Confederation
(NLC)**. This will ensure the locale is properly set up in the core code
base.
### Procedural Steps for a New NLC Project:
1. **Subscribe to the NLC Mailing List:**
* The primary mailing list is `[email protected]`. Send a
blank email to `[email protected]` to subscribe.
2. **Draft and Post a Proposal:**
* Draft a **short proposal** (no more than half a page) introducing
yourself and any team members you have.
* Explain the project: **Extremaduran Language Support (`ext-ES`)**.
* Mention your existing resource (the spelling corrector).
* Specify your desired project level. For a language team focused
initially on a dictionary and basic localization, you might propose **Level
I** (Localization only).
* **Post this proposal** to the `[email protected]`
mailing list.
3. **Ensure Unique Language Code:**
* The NLC projects are based on the language, not the country. They are
typically named by the two-letter ISO code, but your proposed **`ext`**
(ISO-639-3 code) is acceptable, especially since a two-letter code might
not exist. The full locale would be **`ext-ES`** (Extremaduran in Spain).
You must confirm that a project for this language is not already
represented.
The NLC team will then work to create the project for you, including
setting up the necessary infrastructure to manage any future full
translations of the user interface (which uses the **Pootle** system).
**In summary, your next steps are:**
1. **Package your spell checker as an `.oxt` extension** with the correct
Hunspell files and a clear license.
2. **Upload the extension** to the Apache OpenOffice Extensions website.
3. **Propose a new Native Language Confederation project** for
Extremaduran (`ext`) by emailing `[email protected]`.
4. **Create an issue in the Issue Tracker** (Internationalization or
Lingucomponent project) to formally request inclusion of the `ext-ES`
locale code in the core product, referencing your new extension.
Best regards,
khirano
On Sun, Oct 12, 2025 at 8:40 AM Urbano García <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hello,
> I think I've wrote to you on this same subject, but I can't find the mail.
> I've a spelling corrector for Extremaduran language.
> I want to upload it to OpenOffice repositories.
> I think a new localisation must be created.
> Ah the configuration is equal to the Spanish from Spain. We have a letter
> more, the 'ç'
> The ISO-639-3 code is 'ext' and is spoken in Spain, so the localisation
> must be ext-ES.
>
> Best regards.
>
> Urbano
>
--
[email protected]
Apache OpenOffice Project Management Committee Member
https://people.apache.org/phonebook.html?uid=khirano
