The final version of Linux 7.3 was released on October 18, 2026. Although this update brought usual hardware improvements, it also marked a notable achievement for Brazilian developers: approximately 70% of the additions made to the documentation of this kernel version are translations into Brazilian Portuguese.
For those unfamiliar with programming, source code constitutes the basis of any software, while documentation is crucial as it details for current and future developers how the code operates or should be developed.
Traditionally, documentation is prepared in English, a common practice in many software projects, including Linux, given that it is an international project led by individuals whose primary language is English. An example of this is Linus Torvalds, who was born in Finland and obtained US naturalization.
However, translation into other languages is possible and serves to assist the work or studies of developers whose native language differs from English.
In this context, the efforts of six Brazilian developers gained prominence. They collaborated on translating 20 documents related to Linux 7.3, covering materials such as the guide on how to submit code to the kernel, the procedure for reporting security vulnerabilities in the project, and the community code of conduct.
Tecnoblog interviewed Igor Giamoniano, who works as a developer, professor, and founder of the Coisa de Dev community. When asked about the importance of translating kernel documentation, he explained that this material transcends a mere technical manual; it contains the operational guidelines of the project, such as submitting code, reporting security flaws, and community conduct standards.
Giamoniano emphasized that previously, much of this information was only available in English, which represented a significant barrier in Brazil. He observed that many individuals possess technical competence but hesitate due to the language barrier before accessing the code.
He clarified that the translation does not aim to replace English, which remains the working language of the project, but rather to considerably reduce the distance between curiosity and the first contribution of an interested party.
Giamoniano dedicated himself particularly to translating two crucial documents for the kernel: the Kernel Driver Statement and the Userspace Debugging Guide. The first document establishes the position of a group of Linux developers regarding the use of proprietary drivers in the kernel. The second deals with the use of debugging tools, such as Ftrace and perf, and will be included in the future version 7.4 of the project, scheduled for December.
Despite the team's ongoing efforts, the goal is not to achieve 100% translation into Portuguese, given the vast extent of the kernel documentation and its constant daily updates. Currently, the group's focus is concentrated on two main groups of documents: the process guide and the guide intended for the user and administrator.
The first set details the functioning of kernel development, including patch submission, security protocols, and the code of conduct. The second provides guidance for those who use and manage Linux-based systems. According to Giamoniano, it is precisely these texts that offer the most assistance to beginners.
According to Giamoniano, the translation process follows a methodology similar to submitting code to the project: the Portuguese file is compared with the original English one, translated, validated for documentation compilation, and then the patch is signed and sent via email to the public list linux-doc.
Regarding kernel 7.3, the final review of the translations was conducted by Daniel Pereira. After his approval, Jonathan Corbet, responsible for kernel documentation, integrated the approved translation into the official Linux tree.
Giamoniano also informed that having a degree or certification is not necessary to participate in the translation, but it is essential to have knowledge of Git, know how to prepare and send patches, and be familiar with technical terminology in English. He concluded that this activity represents an excellent entry point, as it allows learning the kernel process without the need to code.
Finally, it is important to note that the official Linux kernel documentation itself stipulates that, in case of disagreement on a translation, the English version shall prevail, reinforcing that translations function as support and not as substitutes for the original material.
