Translating a WordPress plugin into your language is a valuable contribution to the global WordPress community. It allows users who speak your language to benefit from the plugin’s features and functionality. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll explain in plain English how to translate a WordPress plugin, ensuring readability, visibility, and accessibility for search engines.

How to Translate a WordPress Plugin into Your Language

1. Why Translate a WordPress Plugin?

A WordPress plugin is a piece of software that adds specific features or functionality to your website. Many plugins are developed in English, which can be a barrier for non-English speakers. Translating a plugin into your language makes it more accessible and user-friendly for your target audience.

2. Finding the Right Plugin to Translate

Before you start translating, you need to choose a WordPress plugin to work on. Here’s how to do it:

• Search in the WordPress Plugin Directory: Visit the official WordPress Plugin Directory (https://wordpress.org/plugins/) and browse for a plugin you want to translate. Look for the “Translate this plugin” link.
• Check for Localization Support: Some plugins are more translation-friendly than others. Look for plugins that mention “Localization” or “Internationalization” in their documentation or support information.

3. Installing Poedit

Poedit is a free and user-friendly tool for translating WordPress plugins. Here’s how to get started with it:

• Download Poedit: Visit the Poedit website (https://poedit.net/) and download the version compatible with your operating system.
• Install Poedit: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install Poedit on your computer.

4. Preparing Your Workspace

Now that you have Poedit installed, it’s time to set up your workspace for translating. Here’s what you need to do:

• Open Poedit: Launch Poedit on your computer.
• Create a New Translation Project: Click on “File” and select “New Catalog from POT/PO file.” A window will pop up; select the plugin’s .pot file that you downloaded earlier.
• Choose Your Language: In the same window, select the language into which you want to translate the plugin. If your language is not listed, choose “Custom” and enter the language code (e.g., en_US for US English or es_ES for Spanish).
• Save Your File: Save the .po file with a name that follows this format: plugin-name-language-code.po (e.g., my-plugin-es_ES.po).

5. Translating the Plugin

Now, let’s dive into translating the plugin:

• Source Text: On the left side of Poedit, you’ll see a list of source text strings in English. These are the phrases and sentences from the plugin that need translation.
• Translation Area: On the right side, you’ll see empty boxes next to each source text. This is where you’ll enter the translations in your language.
• Translating: Click on a source text, and in the translation area, enter the corresponding translation in your language. Repeat this process for all the source text strings.
• Tips for Quality Translations: Make sure your translations are accurate and clear. Avoid using overly technical language, and keep sentences concise for better readability.

6. Saving Your Work

It’s essential to save your progress regularly to avoid losing your work:

• Save: Click on “File” and select “Save” to save your .po file. Poedit will automatically generate a .mo file, which contains the compiled translations.

7. Testing the Translation

Before finalizing your translation, it’s a good idea to test it in a WordPress environment. Here’s how to do it:

• Create a Test WordPress Site: If you don’t already have one, set up a test WordPress site using a local development environment or a staging site.
• Install the Plugin: Install the plugin you’re translating on your test site.
• Change the Site Language: In your WordPress dashboard, go to “Settings” > “General” and change the “Site Language” to your target language.
• Check the Plugin: Visit the parts of your site where the plugin is used and make sure that the translations are displayed correctly. If you find any issues, go back to Poedit and make the necessary adjustments.

8. Finalizing and Distributing Your Translation

Once you’re satisfied with your translation, it’s time to finalize and distribute it:

• Compile Your Translation: In Poedit, click on “File” and select “Compile to MO.” This will generate the .mo file, which is needed for the translation to work in WordPress.
• Save Again: Save your .po and .mo files one more time to ensure all your changes are saved.
• Share Your Translation: Contact the plugin developer and let them know you have a translation ready. They may provide instructions on how to submit it. Alternatively, you can share your translation through the official WordPress Plugin Directory or other relevant platforms.
• Support Updates: Keep an eye on the plugin for updates. As new versions are released, check if your translation needs any adjustments and update it accordingly.

9. Getting Recognition for Your Contribution

Translating a WordPress plugin is a significant contribution to the WordPress community, and you deserve recognition for your hard work. Here’s how to ensure that:

• Credit in the Plugin: Ask the plugin developer to credit you as the translator within the plugin itself. Many developers are happy to acknowledge contributors in the plugin’s readme file or settings.
• WordPress.org Profile: If you want to maintain a public record of your contributions, update your WordPress.org profile with information about your translations. This helps build your reputation in the WordPress community.

Conclusion

Translating a WordPress plugin into your language is a rewarding way to give back to the WordPress community and make valuable software accessible to a wider audience. By following these steps, you can ensure that your translations are accurate, user-friendly, and well-received by both users and developers. Your efforts will help WordPress users around the world enjoy the benefits of plugins in their own language.