WordPress Multilingual options were quite limited compared to other CMS (Content Management Systems) I have used, until now. Using WMPL WordPress translation plugin you can easily translate your blog pages and posts using proper native language.
While WordPress allows you to install blog with support for a specific language it doesn’t permit by default a proper translation of the pages and posts and third party intervention is required to do it correctly. I know there are plugins and even scripts, such as one used on this blog to allow “machine translation”, it’s far from perfect. I know because I read my own blog in Russian version and its pretty bad…
WordPress Multilingual (WPML) Translation Plugin Options
WPML plugin is released as open source and you can install it using standard WordPress repository manually or by simply searching for term: WPML Multilingual CMS and installing it directly from your blog admin interface.
IMPORTANT NOTE: in order for your visitors to be able to switch language you have to integrate it into your theme but luckily developers provided quite a nice tutorial on how to get it done.
Once you complete the step you need to configure plugin to support languages your want to use on your blog and a few other options and then just add the Versions of the page in your editor.
2 Ways To Translate WordPress Content
This is the part where ingenuity of the developers shined through in my opinion. Once your plugin installed you have an options to:
- Translate all the content yourself or..
- Use a professional certified translators to do it for you. Second option might be most appropriate for business owners who have presence in multiple markets and don’t have the time to deal with translation themselves or perhaps just don’t have the time or skills required.
Plugin allows you to seamlessly integrate translation process into ICanLocalize Translation Services. Instead of wasting your time trying to find qualified translators on multiple freelancing sites and then having to deal with copy/paste your content from and to blog – you can just pick a previously pre-screened and pre-qualified professional.
They will do all the work for you and once completed – pages or posts will be added to your blog with no extra work on your part, properly formatted and ready for publishing.
I’m not going to go into too many details as WPML site has excellent videos you can view that describe the entire process.
Conclusion
Whichever option you choose – WPML WordPress CMS plugin provides a long overdue option to create a true Multilingual WordPress site easily and inexpensively, if you choose to use professional translation by ICanLocalize.
Let me know what you think!
- How To Blog for International Audiences (johnchow.com)
I know most of the plugins suck, but what of the Google translator that pops up?
My recent post Contest Prize Sponsors Wanted for Upcoming Comment Contests!
Dennis,
Like I mentioned – it allows people to "get an idea" on what is written but since I know russian well – I can tell you first hand it is less then desirable.
As much as I enjoy jumping at their misfortunes, lol, it's a little strange that Google and their resources couldn't do much better then some of the crappy plugins out there.
My recent post Contest Prize Sponsors Wanted for Upcoming Comment Contests!
Well, translation is hard as is for human, I know it first hand – machine translation simply is way too fat from perfect.
My dear friend!!
As always you make my life easier with your articles.
Some of my readers suggest me exactly the same you have post.
I'm going to give it a try and will let you know how it works for me.
Please visit any of my blog and leave your extremely appreciate comment
there. Your awesome expertise is always welcome.
Thanks
My recent post Comment on Instant Blog Subscriber by admin
Thanks Felicita,
Glad I could be of help!
Felicita,
I forgot to mention one important hing – every time you comment on my blog, Akismet sends it to spam queue, you might want to check that out, perhaps you are blacklisted in their DB?
Multiligual CMS? I'm not entirely familiar with this feature but I'll look into it! Thank
This plugin is really nice and easy to use.Thanks! About the translation of content. English is the international language and I don't think it necessary to translate the content. Most of the audience knows the English language, if not, they must translate the materials themselves. This is my opinion.
Danny,
I guess it is a business decision everyone of us need to make but my opinion – if you have presence in market that speaks language other then English, it is most beneficial to you to have content in corresponding language, just a smart business, nothing else.
Even if multilingual CMS is not really catering to a big bulk of one’s niche, it is worth looking into. God job for spreading this.
Thanks for the great article. I have a site that's international and I was thinking about a translation plugin a while back, but forgot all about it. I can now go back to that site and add this to my arsenal. It might not be the absolute best solution out there, but at least it's something for those non English speakers out there.
Thanks again,
David
http://www.WishListMemberTutorials.com
I don't know, Alex – I see it a lot like product translations. While I get a number of requests to translate my products, the extra sales aren't worth hurting my rep because I couldn't handle the support issues that might arise since I don't speak the language. And there are too many patois in any language to trust ANY machine translation.
A perfect example happened in the 1950's to a pen manufacturer – I think it was Parker Pens. Their campaign was 'Avoid social disgrace – use Parker Pens'. All well and fine until translated to German where the translator took the wrong choice in translating 'social disgrace' – their billboards translated to 'Avoid unwed pregnancy – use Parker Pens'. Just when you think it couldn't get worse… LOL
Fortunately, the move to global trading & the Internet seem to be positioning English as the language of commerce world-wide, so over time the English-speaking audience should continue to expand for years to come…
My recent post Internet Marketing in 2011 – Finally The Truth Can Be Revealed…
I kind f agree Doug, even though Russian is my native language and I could handle the support – I have no intentions to be present in that market and as such – no translation for me either but for some – it might be just the right thing…
Yes, there are instances we need a bit of help from these translation application even though we know how to carry a conversation in another language.
My recent post Sony Reader Vs Kindle
Hey Alex! As usual you are always serving up good things. I get the request in my comments from time to time. I suppose it can be a sticky situation, but worth at least a try. Surprisingly when I look at my traffic stats there is an usually high number of Russian Federation clicks on my pages. One can only assume at this point they are English speaking or hopeful that it can be translated.
Thanks for the link and i will go to the home page for the plugin and study more on it.
Thanks again and keep right on delivering the quality content you do.
Scott
My recent post A Few Steps To Higher Search Engine Rankings And Traffic
Scott, honestly – I would only worry with translation IF you actually have a presence and interest in that language market, otherwise – use machine translation or just ignore it.
I need Multilingual with my blog, I'll look into it! Thanks
I was about to translate everything myself but that was going to be a tough job. Thanks for suggestion ICanLocalize Translation!
Chris
I like this translation plugin I would like to use this on my blog any way thank you very much.
I use another method to translate wordpress, I use an online localization tool that also has a plugin for wordpress which allows working directly from your interface. This is the tool: https://poeditor.com/ I recommend it.