Different Ways of Translating WordPress Plugins to Your Preferred Languages

Most WordPress developers use the English language when developing plugins. What should you do if you are using other languages on your site? You will need to translate the plugins to the language that you are using.

Translation is a common thing in WordPress. Thanks to its open-source nature, you can customize almost anything. Thus, translating a plugin to another language is not impossible.

In this article, we are going to show you different ways of translating WordPress plugins. This will be mostly a technical post, so you will need to follow the steps just like a tutorial.

The Importance of Translating WordPress Plugins

WordPress has revolutionized the world of website development with its user-friendly interface and extensive range of plugins.

These plugins enhance the functionality of WordPress websites. With essential plugins, users can easily add features and customize their sites to meet their specific needs. With over 55,000 plugins available in the WordPress Plugin Directory, developers have a vast array of options to choose from.

As the number of WordPress users is increasing globally, it is crucial for developers to consider translating their WordPress plugins to reach a wider audience.

By translating your plugins into multiple languages, you break down language barriers and make your products accessible to users from different countries and cultures. This not only increases your user base but also opens up new opportunities for growth and revenue.

Here are some key points highlighting the significance of translating WordPress plugins:

• Global Reach: Translating plugins breaks language barriers. It helps you reach a wider international audience.
• Improved User Experience: Users will feel more comfortable using a plugin in their native language.
• Enhanced Credibility: A translated plugin demonstrates the developer's commitment to providing a professional and reliable product, which enhances the plugin's credibility.
• Competitive Advantage: In a saturated market, translating a plugin gives it a competitive edge over similar plugins that are available only in a single language.
• Cultural Relevance: Localizing the plugin makes it more appealing and relatable to diverse audiences.

Related Read: How to build a multilingual site or store with WordPress.

Pre-Step: Find a Plugin That is Ready to Translate

Before starting the translation process, you have to make sure that the plugin (you will be using) is ready to translate. This means that strings within the plugin’s code have been localized using the GNU gettext framework.

Reference: https://codex.wordpress.org/I18n_for_WordPress_Developers

Anyways, you can ensure whether a plugin is ready to translate or not by finding out the POT (.pot file is needed to translate plugin strings to another language) file inside the /plugin-name/languages/ directory of a plugin source files.

Please have a look at the following screenshot–

If the plugin has no POT file then you can use Eazy Po. It allows you to create a POT file for your plugin. 

Now, I assume that you have the POT file included in the plugin's default strings. You have to use this file later for existing strings in other languages. You can follow one of the following methods for translating.

Translating WordPress Plugins with POEdit 

Prerequisites: Before you start translating, you must have the following:

1. .POT file – you generated it before
2. A free version of POEdit software.

Translation Process

You need to use POEdit to open the .POT file to create .po(Portable Object) file and transform it into .mo(Machine Object) files.

Here, .POT is the file created when you translate your POT file to a particular language. For example, fr_FR.po.

.MO is the file that the machine can read, it’s a binary file. You’ll have to convert your .po file to .mo file. For example, fr_FR.mo.

Steps

1. Open POEdit → File → New
2. Choose the language you need to translate your theme into.
3. Click on “Update from POT”.
4. Save the file as it suggests to you (the language code; for example fr_FR.po, es_ES.po). Find your language code here.
5. Open the POT file that you created before.
6. Start translating strings using POEdit.
7. Once you are done with the translation, click File -> Save.
8. Create the .mo file by going to File -> Compile to MO.
9. Move both .po file and .mo files to the languages folder in your plugin (e.g: /plugin-name/languages/) directory. You can keep these files in the following directory as well (/wp-content/languages/plugins/).

Now you can see the translated strings on your site.

Translate Using the Loco Translate plugin

Loco Translate allows you to create language files via WordPress admin.

Prerequisites: Before you start translating, you must have the following:

1. .POT file in /plugin-name/languages/ directory – you generated it before.
2. Install and activate the Loco Translate plugin.

Translation Process:

1. Navigate to wp-admin → Loco Translate → Plugins
2. You can see available plugins on this page, click on a plugin name that you want to translate.
   
   
3. Click on Advanced tab and configure the following options.
   → Text Domain
   → Template File (Relative path from bundle root to the POT file you generated)
   
   
4. Click on + New Language button.
   
   
5. Choose a language & click on Start Translating button.
   
   
6. Now select strings, translate and save the translation.
   
   

All done, now you have the plugin strings translated to another language.

Related Read: WordPress Theme Translation: A Guide for eCommerce Entrepreneurs.

Understanding the Challenges of Translating WordPress Plugins

While translating WordPress plugins offers many advantages, it is not without its challenges.

One of the main difficulties is maintaining consistency and accuracy across multiple languages.

Each language has its own grammatical rules, idiomatic expressions, and cultural nuances, which can make translation a complex task. You must ensure that your translations accurately convey the intended meaning. It requires careful attention to detail and linguistic expertise to maintain a consistent user experience.

Another challenge is keeping up with updates and changes in your plugins. As you release new versions or add new features, you need to ensure that the translations remain up to date.

Best Practices for Translating WordPress Plugins

To overcome the challenges of translating WordPress plugins and ensure high-quality translations, it is essential to follow best practices. Here are some key guidelines to consider:

Set Goals & Strategies

Before you start translating your plugins, take the time to plan your translation strategy. Identify your target markets, determine which languages to prioritize, and set realistic goals. This will help you allocate resources effectively and streamline the translation process.

Create a Glossary

To maintain consistency across translations, create a glossary of key terms and phrases. This serves as a reference to ensure that the same terminology is used consistently throughout your plugins.

Test and Gather Feedback

Once your plugins are translated, it is crucial to test them thoroughly. Install the translated versions on test sites or provide beta versions to users in the target language. Encourage users to provide feedback on any issues they encounter or suggestions for improvement. This feedback loop helps you refine your translations and enhance the user experience.

Translating WordPress Plugins- Wrapping Up

WordPress is an amazing new world, where you can do almost anything you want. From customizing to adding new features, everything is possible. Translating a plugin to another language is not that complex if you have gone through this tutorial.

Simply follow the given instructions and you will be successful in no time. There are many other ways of translating a WordPress plugin. Let us know in the comments if you have found any other better option.

Embrace the opportunity to connect with users from around the world and unlock the full potential of your plugins. Start breaking barriers today.