Plugin Development from Scratch: Internationalization and Localization
Creating plugins is an essential part of customizing and expanding the functionality of a WordPress website. When it comes to making your plugin available to a global audience, internationalization and localization become key. Internationalization (i18n) is the process of developing the plugin in such a way that it can be easily translated into different languages. Localization (l10n), on the other hand, is the process of translating the plugin into a specific language.
Why Internationalize Your Plugin?
WordPress is used all over the world and supports many languages. If you want your plugin to reach a larger and more diverse user base, internationalization is a necessary step. Additionally, plugins that support multiple languages have a competitive advantage and are more accessible to non-English speaking users.
How to Internationalize Your Plugin?
To start internationalizing your plugin, you need to follow a few steps:
- Prepare Text Strings: All text strings that will be displayed to the user must be ready for translation. This is done using WordPress-specific functions such as
__()and_e(), which allow strings to be extracted and translated. - Load Text Domain: The 'text domain' is a unique identifier for your plugin's translation strings. It is used to distinguish your plugin's strings from strings in other plugins or themes. You need to load the text domain using the
load_plugin_textdomain()function. - Generate .pot Files: A .pot file (Portable Object Template) contains all the strings extracted from your plugin. This file serves as the template for translations and can be used by translators to create .po and .mo files corresponding to their languages.
Internationalization Functions in WordPress
WordPress provides several functions to help with internationalization:
__($text, $text_domain)- Returns the translated string._e($text, $text_domain)- Displays the translated string._x($text, $context, $text_domain)- Returns the translated string with additional context._n($single, $plural, $number, $text_domain)- Returns the translated string in singular or plural based on the given number._nx($single, $plural, $number, $context, $text_domain)- Similar to_n(), but with additional context.
These functions allow you to prepare your strings for translation and ensure that your plugin can be used in different languages.
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Location of Your Plugin
After internationalization, the next step is localization, which is the process of translating the plugin into a specific language. This is done by translators who create .po (Portable Object) and .mo (Machine Object) files based on your plugin's .pot file.
- .po files: These are editable translation files. They contain the original strings and corresponding translations.
- .mo files: These are the compiled translation files, which WordPress reads to display the translated strings.
Translators can use tools like Poedit or Loco Translate to create and manage these translation files.
Testing Internationalization and Localization
Once you have internationalized your plugin and have some translations available, it is important to test to ensure everything is working correctly. You can change the language of your WordPress site in the settings and check if your plugin strings are being displayed in your chosen language.
Tips for Efficient Internationalization and Localization
- Use clear variable and function names to make it easier for translators to understand.
- Avoid concatenating strings, as this can complicate translation and may not make sense in other languages.
- Provide context whenever possible to help translators understand the use of strings.
- Keep .pot files updated as you add or change strings in your plugin.
- Encourage the community to contribute translations to your plugin.
Conclusion
Internationalizing and localizing your WordPress plugin is not only a good development practice, but also an essential strategy for reaching and engaging a global audience. By following the guidelines and utilizing the tools and functions provided by WordPress, you can ensure that your plugin is accessible and useful to users around the world. Remember that the WordPress community is vast and diverse,and by making your plugin available in multiple languages, you are contributing to the inclusion and growth of this community.
