Heya @CarolineS!
I've got 8 languages at moment so I'll try to share what helped BUT disclaimer, there is a lot i don't know, and most likely don't have setup correctly 😞
In general, what's the recommended process for launching a new language?
- It is critical you have someone who speaks the language review the site to ensure translations are accurate and support you along the way. I tried a few times to teach my language SMEs how to use Studio and Text Keys but found it was easier to do just handle all of that myself. The only downside, once I make the change the SME needs to review again. We use a super basic process of the SME taking a screenshot, adding a # next to each issue, and giving me the correct text.
Once I have a language pack on production, will it automatically be used if the user selects that language in their profile? Or can I enable / disable?
- My understanding is the user can change their profile language at will after registration, but the default language is set depending on where they accessed the site. E.g. If I landed on your French page, when I register French will be set as my default language within my settings,
What is used to determine the user's interface language? Is it just based on the language set for that category? Or does the user get any say about it based on the language set in their browser?
- I'll defer to a dev here but my understanding is language selected by default is what you set in the admin, unless you have freemarker doing some browser based language detection, and routing accordingly
What is used to determine the language in which platform emails are sent
- Deferring to Khoros here but I think it uses the users profile, OR in my experience, the last language the user was viewing when they were on the site. E.g. I'm viewing on French site, despite English being my profile language any emails I get some community afterwards are French until I go back into Community, and purposely select English
What other questions do I not even know to ask?
- No so much a Q but one regret I have is not going a better job managing my text key changes across all of the languages. I'd recommend using a tracking sheet so one key isn't missed in a specific language
- Updating phrasing for areas like the notification feed where support for singular, and plural notifications is something you dont want to overlook.
Personally i wish I had more knowledge in this area - languages are hard 😞
I hope this helps!
