Manage translations (Multi-language)
What is Multi-language?
Multi-language is a feature of the LMS platform that allows the headings and descriptions of training content to be displayed in multiple languages. As author, you can set up one or more translations from among the languages available on the platform, and it will be the learner himself who selects, through the configuration of his profile, which one will be displayed.
How does it work
The Multi-language is set up through the Manage translations tool of the content Editor, available in courses, pathways and learning programs. It is therefore only accessible to users with Administrator or Author role. When creating a new content you choose the default language, which is the one you will start working with, and then add new translations in other languages, which you can enter manually or import through an XLIFF translation file.
Therefore, it is not necessary to create more than one course or duplicate it to make it available in multiple languages. The learner chooses which language to display by selecting the language in his or her profile, and can change it once the content has started without affecting the progress of the course.
To make the translation management tool available, the Multi-language feature must be enabled for the instance.
Choose the default language
Every time you create a new course, pathway or learning program, you must choose a Default language. It is the language in which you will start to create your content and it will serve as a base for the first translation you make, in the following translations you will be able to start from other languages. Its main function is to set the default language that will be shown when there is no translation available for the language selected by the student.
When creating a new content, in the Details tab you will see the Default language drop-down menu, where you can select the language in which you will start writing the contents.
Once the content has been created, you can change the default language as many times as you want, as long as it is not published. Once you publish it this option is blocked, even if you unpublish it later.
Manage translations
Once inside the Editor click on the three dots menu at the top right and you will see the option Manage translations, which you will use to work on this feature.
Click on this option and a side menu with options will be displayed:
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Translation tabs: at the top there is a bar with a series of tabs, one for each language set. At the beginning there is only one tab, for the default language, the rest will appear as you add new translations. The tabs lead to the translation sheet for each language.
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Translation sheet: in the central part of the screen you can see a list of all the content sections (mission blocks, activities...), each one with its title and description. Here you can enter the translations, although you can also do it with through an external file as you will see below.
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New language: at the bottom right the + button allows you to add new translations. Clicking on it displays a menu with the available language options:
To add a language check the box next to it, several languages can be selected at once. At the top is the Based on tab, where you choose which of the available languages to start from for the new translation. Finally click on Add to save the changes.
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Import and Export: If you go to one of the translations, you will see three buttons at the top. Import and Export are used to download and upload the files for the automatic translation. These text files in XLIFF format contain all the titles and descriptions of the content, plus a series of metadata, and can be processed by translation applications.
To get this file with the content click on the Export button and it will be downloaded to your computer. Once translated, click on Import and upload the file.
The upload process takes a few moments. If it is successful, when we go back to the tab you will see that the contents have been updated. If the message Error when trying to upload the file is displayed, check that the file format is correct
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Delete language: to delete any of the translations that have been added. Simply click and confirm the action, the translation file disappears from the list and the language will no longer be available.
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Save: to save changes.
Choose the language in the Learner portal
The language in which content is displayed in the Learner portal depends on the language the student has selected in his or her profile. If this matches one of the available translations, the content is displayed in this language. If it is not available, it is displayed in the default language of the content.
The student can change his/her profile language at any time and access the content in other languages. Simply click on the profile icon in the upper right corner, and select the option Your account.
Clicking on the Edit account button your profile card is displayed, with the Language drop-down menu.
Switch to any of the available languages and click the Save button at the bottom of the tab.
For further questions about multi-language, please refer to the FAQ article.