Opening up your website to speakers of various languages is an essential move if you’re aiming to reach a global audience. When it comes to translating your site’s content, you’ve got a couple of solid choices: the Polylang plugin and Google Translate, especially if you’re using the CampusPress Flex theme. Each of these options brings something unique to the table, depending on what you need. Let’s explore how you can put them to work on your website.
Using Polylang Plugin
Polylang is a powerful plugin for WordPress that allows you to create a bilingual or multilingual website. With Polylang, you can manually translate posts, pages, media, categories, and tags into multiple languages and allow your readers to switch between the different versions. Polylang is ideal for those seeking accuracy and control over their translations. It’s suitable for sites where content quality and cultural nuances are crucial.
Here’s how to get started:
1. Installation and Activation
- Go to Plugins > All
- Select Polylang and click Activate
2. Follow the set up guide from CampusPress
CampusPress has written a guide to help you set up Polylang and get started translating your content.
Using Google Translate on the CampusPress Flex Theme
For those looking for a more automated and straightforward solution, integrating Google Translate into your site can be a viable option. This method doesn’t require manual translations but relies on Google’s machine translation capabilities.
Google Translate is only available when using the CampusPress Flex theme. It is not available with any other theme on UCI Sites. It requires scripts that were added to this theme. CampusPress Flex is currently the default theme on UCI Sites.
- In your site that is using the CampusPress Flex theme, go to Appearance > Menus. (You must follow these steps from the Dashboard. The Customizer method of editing menus does not work to show the needed fields below.)
- Add a new Custom Link menu item
- Add # for the URL and “Select Language” for the Link Text.
- Click Add to Menu
- Open the menu settings for the Select Language menu item by clicking on the triangle next to the Select Language menu you just created.
- Under Custom Action on Click, select Open Translate Dropdown. This will enable the Google Translate script.
- You can also opt to make the Translate menu look like a button. To do this, select Button from Custom Menu Item Styling
- Click Save Menu.
The Select Language menu item will now be available in the menu you added it to. For this example it’s in the “Desktop Main Menu” display location in the CampusPress Flex theme.
Limitations of Google Translate
While Google Translate offers the convenience of instant translations into numerous languages, it’s important to acknowledge the limitations in accuracy and contextual understanding. The translations provided by the Google Translate widget are automated and may not always be perfectly accurate, especially for complex languages or nuanced texts. Consider informing your readers that the translation feature is powered by Google Translate, which may involve sending data to Google’s servers for translation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I translate my site?
Translating your site can make your content accessible to a wider audience, helping to reach non-English speaking students, parents, and educators globally.
How does Polylang work for translating content?
Polylang allows you to manually translate your website content, including posts, pages, and menus, into multiple languages, maintaining high accuracy and cultural relevance.
Is Google Translate accurate for website translation?
Google Translate offers quick and automatic translations in numerous languages, though it may not always capture complex nuances or specialized terminology accurately.
Can I use both Polylang and Google Translate on my site?
While technically possible, using both may confuse visitors. It’s best to choose one based on your needs for accuracy versus ease of use.
How can I ensure translations are culturally sensitive?
When using Polylang, it’s advisable to have content reviewed by native speakers.
I’m not using the CampusPress Flex theme. How can I use Google Translate with the theme I am using?
Unfortunately, Google Translate is only available with CampusPress Flex. The code needed has been included by CampusPress to this theme only. You will either have to change themes or try Polylang instead.
Are there any tools to help me translate my content if I’m using Polylang?
You can try translation tools like the stand alone Google Translate, Microsoft Bing Translator, or perhaps some of the new AI tools like ZotGPT. AI does a decent job of translating content into other languages. However, it is still machine generated, so having a native speaker check the content is still a good idea.
Don’t browsers already support language translation?
Many modern web browsers offer built-in features or support extensions that can automatically translate web pages from one language to another, making it easier for people to access content in languages they’re more comfortable with.
- Google Chrome has a built-in feature powered by Google Translate. When you visit a website in a language different from your browser’s set language, Chrome will offer to translate the page for you.
- Mozilla Firefox doesn’t have a native translation feature, but offers several extensions for this purpose.
- Microsoft Edge includes a built-in translation feature powered by Microsoft Translator. Similar to Chrome, it automatically detects when a webpage is in a different language than your browser’s default and offers to translate it.
- Apple Safari 14 introduced a translation feature for several languages. When a webpage in a supported language is detected, a translation icon appears in the address bar, allowing people to translate the page directly.
Conclusion
Expanding your site to accommodate multiple languages can significantly enhance its reach and engagement. Whether you choose the detailed control of Polylang or the broad accessibility of Google Translate, the key is to ensure that your content remains accurate, relevant, and engaging for all audiences. Remember to monitor your site’s performance and feedback from people in different languages to continuously improve their experience.
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