Would you like to translate Ninja Forms into your favorite language?
Using the Ninja Forms WordPress plugin allows you to broaden your audience by making your products or services accessible to speakers of various languages through translation.
How to translate your Ninja Forms plugin: A step-by-step guide
In this blog post, we’ll explore the two-step process of translating your WordPress forms using translation apps. Among the top WordPress translation plugins are Weglot and WPML, which can significantly simplify the process.
Step 1: Internationalization
Internationalization involves preparing your plugin or theme for translation by marking specific strings of text. This step is usually handled by the developer to ensure that the plugin, such as Ninja Forms, is ready for translation.
Step 2: Localization
Localization involves translating the marked strings and configuring WordPress to serve the appropriate language files. This can be done by anyone who wants to use the plugin in their language. For this step, we will use the translation app Poedit to create and manage translation files.
By following these steps, you can make your Ninja Forms accessible to a wider, multilingual audience.
Step 1: Internationalization
The first step in the translation process is internationalization. This involves preparing the plugin for translation:
- Download the Ninja Forms POT File: Start by locating the `lang` folder within your WordPress installation, where the Ninja Forms plugin is stored. This folder contains the POT file needed for translation.
- For Local Host: Navigate to `<path to local installation>/wp-content/plugins/ninja-forms/lang` to find the POT file.
- For Web Server Host: Access your server via FTP or your hosting file manager; go to `<path on server>/wp-content/plugins/ninja-forms/lang`, and download the POT file.
By securing the POT file, you ensure that all translatable text within the Ninja Forms plugin is available and ready for localization.
Step 2: Localizing – Translate the Ninja Forms file
This step involves translating the content of the Ninja Forms plugin to your desired language using the Poedit App:
- Install and Open Poedit: Start by installing the Poedit app on your device. Once installed, open the app.
- Upload the Ninja Forms POT File: In Poedit, upload the `ninja-forms.pot` file you downloaded during the internationalization step.
- Begin Translation:
-
- Select the Sentence: In Poedit, click on the sentence you want to translate. The selected sentence will appear in the “Source text” text box.
- Enter the Translation: Type your translation into the “Translation” text box. As you proceed to the next sentence, your translation will appear in the subsequent column, confirming it has been saved.
- Save Regularly: Continue translating each sentence and ensure to save your progress regularly.
- Handling Special Characters: Pay attention to special characters such as apostrophes, single quotes, and ampersands. These may need to be converted to HTML entities to ensure they display correctly in different browsers. If needed, refer to a reliable resource for a list of HTML entities.
- Save and Export: Once you have completed translating all the sentences, click “Save.” This action saves the translated POT file in your chosen location, now ready for use.
By following these steps, you ensure a thorough and accurate translation of your Ninja Forms, making your WordPress site accessible and user-friendly for a multilingual audience.
Naming POT files
WordPress requires a specific naming convention for translation files to function correctly. This convention includes the language code (e.g., “pt” for Portuguese), followed by the country code (e.g., “_SE” for Sweden), resulting in filenames like “sv_SE.pot” for Swedish.
For plugins like Ninja Forms, the plugin name is also included, making the file name “ninja-forms-sv_SE.pot”. Here is a complete list of language and country codes to help you identify your locale.
Step 3: Submit the translated Ninja Forms file
After translating, submit your POT file to your developer for implementation, or contribute directly to the WordPress community here.
Congratulations on localizing your WordPress form.
Embracing multilingual WordPress forms is the way to go!
Translating your WordPress form into multiple languages goes beyond mere convenience; it is a strategic imperative that can impact user engagement, satisfaction, and ultimately, the success of your project.
In addition to improving the user experience, multiple-language WordPress forms demonstrate your commitment to creating a global community around your products or services. Your audiences are more likely to engage with and invest in a product that speaks their language.
Translate your Ninja Forms and position yourself to resonate with a broader spectrum of clients, fostering inclusivity and breaking down language barriers that might hinder your product or service adoption.
Did you know….
Did you know the Ninja Forms core plugin is free? It comes packed with a bunch of awesome features, like calculations, unlimited submissions, submission management, spam protection, and more. Check out all the features that come included for free in the Ninja Forms core plugin!
Besides our free features, we offer over 40 different integrations to help match your needs and wants into a form-building experience unlike any other. Unlike our competitors, all our add-ons can be purchased individually in one-, five-, or twenty-site licenses. Need more add-ons? We recommend going with one of our membership plans, including additional discounts for even more add-ons!
Want to learn more about Ninja Forms? Check out our frequently asked questions to get your answers right away!
