Multi language web pages

bruntcraig · September 1st, 2003, 08:03 AM

How do I create a web page that will display in one of two languages;
1) dependent on a users browser setting
2) manually change display language by clicking a button

Craig

chadlupkes · September 18th, 2003, 07:45 PM

I'm surprised this has been in the que for this long without a reply. I'm just starting, but there should be a way to use an if statement to either load different html files depending on language preference, or even within the body of the original page. Then an onclick() function could be placed on a set of links or flag graphics to change the language on the fly; basically the page would reload with the new language text.

Does that help?

Chad Lupkes
[email protected]
http://www.seattlewebcrafters.com

bruce.benamran · October 12th, 2003, 05:19 PM

you have two different ways of doing it.
- Having the files existing in both languages in two different directories ( /en , /de , /fr ... )
- using the same html templates with dynamic text depending on the language.
In the second case ( which is best, because you can create easily a new language ), you should use a serverside script language, like php, and the easiest way would be to use a dictionnary file (the other way would need a database).
For example, if you have two files :
- fr.dictionnary.php (french) :
    $hello = "bonjour";
    $enter = "Veuillez entrer";
- en.dictionnary.php (english)
    $hello = "hello";
    $enter = "Please enter";

In your main file, when you know the language of the user (with javascript on the browser, or with a form ), you can map it in the codes for the languages you provide (don't forget to put one language by default).
let's say you have now a var called $lng that is equal to "fr";
in your main file :

<? include $lng.".dictionnary.php"; ?>
<html>
<head>
...
<body>
<? echo $hello; ?><br />
<a href="inside.html"><? echo $enter; ?></a>

This will display in french.

hope that'll help.

php/java developer
NTIC engineer