Translating Website Text into other languages

[Boz]

Hi

Can anyone let me know if there is a way to have a site switch to a translated version for foreign customers? I have seen this on other peoples sites where you click on a flag of your country and it brings up the same site but translated into your chosen language?

Any help or advise would be greatfully received?

Many thanks

boz

[Duncan Rounding]

I haven't used this but I did think about it some time ago as it looks quite good and switches to english when you add to cart or click on a cgi link without (I think) issues with cookies:
http://www.online-translator.com/webmaster.asp?lang=en

[jont]

As some of the text is coming from within Actinic having dual languages on the same site for navigation, receipt etc is going to be a real challenge.

[completerookie]

I investigated this, and wrote a prototype, but the problems occurred when buttons had hard-coded words embedded in them "login" for example. - it suddenly turned into quite a bit of work.

the actual work involved in calling translation pages is actually very small - a simple bit of javascript is all you need, and of course, somewhere on every page (banners etc) you need to be able to switch languages. - I used simple small flags showing available languages, but you also need to make sure the same options are on normal menus.

Make sure the "REALLY" important bits (terms etc) are PROPERLY translated, make sure the customers really understand them without misunderstandings.

don't forget to allow the user to switch back to english - I went to one site, switched to german, and got so lost, I ended up going elsewhere simply because I couldn't get back to english - even the german home page didn't offer me a chance to switch on english.

you have to do quite a bit of work to make sure that EVERY part of your site is "real words" no more images - the next problem comes when the translation isn't quite as good as it should be and you get ambiguities and mis-understandings

the missus is german, and although on-line translations "work" she often says "that doesn't mean that . . . . its saying X when it means Y"

finally, when you offer Swahili as an option, be prepared to get emails in Swahili that you will need to understand and reply to.

[jont]

finally, when you offer Swahili as an option, be prepared to get emails in Swahili that you will need to understand and reply to.

.. and that you have done something so wrong it is a personal afront to the national language. People love point out mistakes however insignificant.

[george]

I would add that this request is one that could be added to the wishlist possibly?

A massive (t)ask of course, but something that I've seen requested on here on a regular basis.

Other than English what would be the most desired languages to translate into, French? Portuguese? What is the most popular non-native language?

PS I'd clean up if I could get mine into Japanese, a few of our best customers come from there, certainly no holds barred when it comes to spending on football.

PPS Often wondered if its worth having a different language `page`, just to get listed on the various `other` Googles, Yahoos etc, even as an into to your main (English) website.

[Boz]

Hi Guys

Thanks for all of your comments and advice! I will have to have a think about what exactly we need in greater detail and may well revert to you for more advice?

Cheers

Boz