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I was wondering what is the best way to translate some longer texts with html formatting. There was a couple of solutions I came across, but did not know what would be the best one.

  • Writing a couple of html files with language extension (e.g. maintext_en.html, maintext_de.html, ...) and import this files.

    Pro: It's easy for me

    Contra: Not so easy for translators

  • Writing only one html file with some markers and parse the file.

    Pro: A bit easier for translators, they have to edit only one file.

    Contra: I need a parser

  • Using l10n inside the code

    Pro: The easiest way for translators

    Contra: Uses a lot of memory when the plugin runs. And the risk of losing some formattings.

What is the best and most efficient way to make long texts within a plugin translateable?

2 Answers 2

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Most translation tools are really hard to use when you try to handle a long text, so the translators have to use a HTML editor anyway. Use separate files, but use the language prefix as directory name:

  • en
    • main.html
    • help-main-options.html
    • help-special-options.html
  • de
    • main.html
    • help-main-options.html
    • help-special-options.html

That’s easier to handle for translators and for you too.

You could also set up a WordPress site for translations and use a custom post type, so translators can use the regular editor (outdated example), and you handle just the import and export.

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Using gettext is the only proper way translations in WordPress, but it really depends on the context.

In my themes, for example, I always have a place in footer for some copyright text and whatnot. I can assume that this text will be changed by any user (even the English-speaking one), so using gettext in this context is a little bit pointless, as user would have to go through the entire process of translating the theme just for the footer text. For this purpose I use WordPress settings API and create an option page that lets users choose their own footer text.

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