GWT Internationalization to Arabic (RTL language)? - gwt

Question

I have a problem (supposed to be a GWT feature) when i internationalize my Webapp to a RTL language. Basically, the GWT feature mirrors the interface to RTL and I don't want that to happen.
How can I prevent GWT from automatically mirror my interface and just keep translated strings?
Here is my *.gwt.xml code:
<!DOCTYPE ... >
<module rename-to='blah'>
<inherits name='com.google.gwt.user.User' />
<inherits name='com.google.gwt.user.theme.clean.Clean'/>
<inherits name="com.google.gwt.i18n.I18N"/>
<inherits name="com.google.gwt.json.JSON" />
<inherits name="com.google.gwt.user.Debug"/>
<extend-property name="locale" values="pt"/>
<extend-property name="locale" values="es"/>
<extend-property name="locale" values="ar"/>
<source path="client"/>
<source path="shared"/>
<entry-point
class="EntryPoint"/>
<!-- Remote services -->
</module>
Regards

Answer 1

GWT Support Both RTL & LTR Langauages
If you want to have LTR(Left to Right) theme then use <inherits name="com.google.gwt.user.theme.chrome.Chrome"/> (default theme) in *.gwt.xml
If you want to have RTL(Right to Left) theme then use <inherits name="com.google.gwt.user.theme.chrome.ChromeRTL"/>in *.gwt.xml
In your case If you dont want GWT feature mirrors the interface to RTL then use <inherits name="com.google.gwt.user.theme.chrome.Chrome"/>

Answer 2

You can create a class called "CldrImpl_ar" in your project under the "com.google.gwt.i18n.client.impl.cldr" package (you will have to create this package yourself). The class would contain the following code:
package com.google.gwt.i18n.client.impl.cldr;
import com.google.gwt.i18n.client.impl.CldrImpl;
public class CldrImpl_ar extends CldrImpl {
#Override
public boolean isRTL() {
return false;
}
}
This class already exists in the GWT library code but the return value is true there. Once this standalone class is created, it takes precedence over the one in the GWT library, thus achieving the "overwriting" effect.
This does exactly what you are looking for:
No automatic mirror effect when using Arabic
Just use the translated strings
The end result is probably not the best experience for the Arabic user, but it does save significant development time if supporting right-to-left is not a high priority for your project..

Answer 3

Unfortunally this is a feature of a number of the GWT widgets. These widgets call LocaleInfo.getCurrentLocale().isRTL() internally and even if you would somehow change the return value of this call it would then disable the rtl for text also. So that's not an option.
I guess you have 2 options. Firstly, not use widgets that use the RTL check or secondly, when adding a widget check for isRTL yourself and add it in the opposite direction. For example if you add a widget to the WEST, add it to the EAST when isRTL() is true. Both options are not optimal, but I see no other solution.

Answer 4

We had the same issue. With GWT 2.6.x, you can accomplish this by using deferred binding to force the value of LocaleInfo.isRTL() to false:
<replace-with class="org.activityinfo.i18n.shared.CldrImplLtr">
<when-type-is class="com.google.gwt.i18n.client.impl.CldrImpl"/>
<when-property-is name="locale" value="ar" />
</replace-with>
You can leave out the <when-property-is tag if you want to force this
for all locales.
And then provide a simple CldrImplLtr class:
public class CldrImplLtr extends CldrImpl {
#Override
public boolean isRTL() { return false; }
}
There seem to a few funny things, but it seems to be more manageable than supporting a full Right-to-left mirroring of the interface.