Setting Up Translation Files

Introduction

In today's global market, it's essential for applications to support multiple languages and regions. This lesson covers how to set up translation files effectively as part of the Internationalization (i18n) and Localization (l10n) process.

Key Concepts

Step-by-Step Process

1. Choose a Format for Translation Files

Common formats include:

• JSON
• YAML
• PO Files

2. Create Translation Files

Each language should have its own translation file. For example:

{
    "greeting": "Hello",
    "farewell": "Goodbye"
}
                

Save this as en.json for English.

3. Set Up Language Management in Your Application

Here’s a simple example in JavaScript using a localization library:

import i18next from 'i18next';
import translationEN from './locales/en.json';
import translationES from './locales/es.json';

i18next.init({
    resources: {
        en: { translation: translationEN },
        es: { translation: translationES }
    },
    lng: 'en', // default language
    fallbackLng: 'en',
    interpolation: {
        escapeValue: false // react already safes from xss
    }
});
                

4. Implement Language Switching

Use a dropdown or button to allow users to switch languages:

function changeLanguage(lng) {
    i18next.changeLanguage(lng);
}
                

5. Test Your Translations

Make sure to test all translations in your application to verify they display correctly.

Best Practices

• Use consistent keys across languages.
• Keep translations contextually relevant.
• Consider using placeholders for variables (e.g., {{username}}).
• Regularly update translations as your application evolves.

FAQ