Design Converter
- Technologies
Flutter
React
Shopify
Flutter
React
Shopify
- Resource
Discord
Discord
Design Converter
Flutter
React
Shopify
Flutter
React
Shopify
Discord
Discord
Education
Developer Advocate
Last updated on Jan 13, 2025
Last updated on Jan 13, 2025
When developers set out to translate HTML, they must consider how each HTML element, attribute, page layout, and element fits into the broader document structure. This article will explain best practices for employing the translate attribute, handling placeholder text, and using translation tools like Google Translate to achieve high-quality multilingual content.
HTML translation refers to the process of converting the content of an HTML document from one language to another. This can be done manually by a human translator or automatically using machine translation software. The goal is to make the content accessible to a global audience, allowing users to read and interact with the website or application in their native language. Automatic translation systems, such as Google Translate, can speed up this process, but it’s crucial to ensure that the translated content remains accurate and contextually appropriate.
The act of translating HTML involves converting textual content from one language to another. When you translate an entire page, you should pay attention not only to visible text but also to hidden text in attributes like the title attribute. For instance, you might mark the first paragraph to prevent translation while allowing the content in the second paragraph to remain translatable. In many cases, you can rely on Google Translate or other services to do an automatic translation, but it is still vital to know how to manage the translate attribute within your HTML tags.
Some developers wonder, “How do I translate an HTML page?” A simple approach is to mark specific HTML elements with translate="yes" so they are considered translatable. Other times, you might set translate="no" to exclude content from being converted into the target language. Because the default is usually that everything is translatable, the translate="no" is a powerful feature for preserving specialized word usage. The key point is that you, as the developer, control what the translation engine processes.
If you want to convert an entire HTML page into English (en-US) or any other language, you have to strategically apply the translate attribute to element nodes. Keep in mind that strings in code comments or intricate placeholders may not always translate properly with automatic translation. For better results, you must ensure your HTML document is well-structured, using the doctype HTML at the top. Whether you plan to translate from French to en-US or from en-US to another language, always verify that your final text reads naturally.
The translate attribute is an attribute used in HTML elements to indicate whether the enclosed text is considered translatable. By default value, translate is set to "yes", so any element carrying text will be translated by translation tools. If you explicitly set translate="no", you instruct the translation service to skip that specific text. This is quite helpful when you have brand names or code blocks that should remain in the original language.
For example, let’s say you have a special word “SuperBrand” that you do not want to translate. You can mark it up like this:
1<p translate="no">SuperBrand</p>
This ensures that Google Translate or any other translation system ignores that text. Conversely, everything else in that paragraph can use the translate attribute set to "yes" if you want it to translate into the target language. This approach keeps crucial terminology intact.
Another example might involve code snippets or user instructions you do not want changed. Suppose you have a snippet of JavaScript that references a function name. Mark it with:
1<code translate="no">myFunction()</code>
By telling the system to translate everything else except that snippet, you avoid introducing errors. It’s all about balancing what should remain a direct string (often a placeholder or brand name) versus what is open for translation.
As noted, the default value of the translate attribute in HTML is "yes". This feature simplifies workflows, because most plain text is presumably translatable. If you do nothing, entire paragraphs, headings, and other HTML elements will be up for translation. However, if you need to override this, you can switch the attribute value to "no". When you do so, be sure to verify that your markup is correct.
For example, you might have an external placeholder for a form input that needs to remain as “SKU” in every language. If that placeholder text is embedded in the HTML, you can set:
1<input type="text" placeholder="SKU" translate="no">
Here, the title attribute could also come into play if you wanted to give a translator a suggestion or explanation. The primary point is that the default is to translate everything unless specified otherwise, so always confirm your local preferences.
When dealing with values that should never shift languages, the best practice is to label them with translate="no". That might be a French brand name or a user-specific token. Because the default value is "yes", you remain in control by selectively negating translatable element segments. This level of detail ensures Google Translate or other translation tools do not mistakenly translate a crucial string.
Developers frequently ask, “Which translator is used in HTML?” Technically, HTML itself does not define a single translator. Instead, we rely on platforms like Google Translate or other services to process the text. However, the real magic lies in marking up your HTML tags to translate effectively. For a good example, consider paragraphs, headings, and anchors. By incorporating the translate attribute, you let external translation software identify what is up for translation.
If you want to translate a heading, you simply place translate="yes" on the <h1> or <h2> tag. If you want to keep an entire paragraph in a different language, set translate="no". Because there are many HTML elements (such as <p>, <a>, <strong>), it’s smart to keep track of which element has an attribute set to "yes" or "no". By carefully applying these tags, you can shape how your entire page is translated.
Another example is an <img> tag carrying alt text in its alt attribute. You might decide to let that alt text translate, or keep it in your original language if it represents a brand name. The same logic applies to the title attribute of any element that needs extra explanation. Ultimately, tags and their attributes help you decide if and how an HTML page will translate, ensuring you preserve essential string data.
An HTML document consists of various elements, such as headings, paragraphs, images, and links, each with its own attributes and content. Understanding the structure of an HTML document is crucial for effective translation. Translators need to identify which elements require translation and how to handle them correctly. For instance, while visible text in paragraphs and headings needs to be translated, certain attributes like alt text for images or title attributes may also require attention. Properly translating these elements ensures that the final document is consistent and meaningful in the target language.
There are several techniques used in HTML translation, each with its own advantages and challenges:
This involves translating the content of an HTML document manually, often using a translation tool or a human translator. While this method ensures high accuracy and contextual relevance, it can be time-consuming and labor-intensive.
This method uses machine translation software to automatically translate the content of an HTML document. Tools like Google Translate can quickly convert large amounts of text, but the quality may vary, and some context or nuances might be lost.
Combining manual and automatic translation techniques, hybrid translation aims to balance speed and accuracy. Automatic translation systems handle the bulk of the work, while human translators review and refine the output to ensure high-quality translations.
Some advanced web applications rely on JavaScript to manipulate text in real time. This can complicate attempts to translate content. If your code inserts a placeholder or textual string into the page, that might never appear in the static files. As a result, external translation tools such as Google Translate may miss those dynamic areas unless you plan carefully.
When you rely on JavaScript, keep in mind that the translate attribute must be present on the actual element in the final rendered DOM for the text to become translatable. If your code updates the innerHTML of a <div>, you’ll need to ensure that element is still marked with translate="yes" or inherits that property from a parent element. The same logic applies if you have a placeholder in a dynamic <input> tag.
For example, a snippet like:
1document.getElementById("dynamicText").innerHTML = "Hello World";
will only be recognized by certain automatic translation services if the <div id="dynamicText" translate="yes"> is set. Otherwise, the text might remain unaffected, or it might translate incorrectly. Always do a final pass to identify dynamic code strings if you truly want to translate them.
The concept of a parent element is critical when controlling how child elements get translated. HTML allows you to nest tags inside each other, which means that if you set translate="no" on a parent element, every child element under it will adopt that same attribute value by inheritance—unless you explicitly override it.
For example, let’s say you have:
1<div translate="no"> 2 <p>This entire paragraph won't be translated.</p> 3 <span>Nor will this span.</span> 4</div>
Because the attribute is on the parent element, it propagates to all child tags. If you wanted one paragraph to remain translatable, you could do:
1<p translate="yes">This special paragraph is considered translatable.</p>
By overriding the attribute at the child level, you can regain control of that element.
When dealing with deeper nesting, always confirm that the translate attribute is set properly. A single misapplied translate="no" on a parent element can block translation for large sections of a page. Conversely, a single translate="yes" might cause unwanted string changes if you intended to keep some placeholders static. The principle of inheritance is vital, so plan accordingly.
The doctype HTML declaration at the top of your HTML document ensures modern browsers parse your page in standards mode. While it might seem unrelated to how you translate, including <!DOCTYPE html> ensures that all tags, attributes, and values are processed consistently. This helps translation tools function as expected.
When building a web page, always place <!DOCTYPE html> at the beginning of your files. This is a fundamental best practice, and it indirectly affects how external scripts like Google Translate interpret your markup. While the doctype HTML is not an attribute itself, it’s crucial for letting the browser (and by extension, some translation services) know how to handle your HTML content.
For example, if you accidentally omit the doctype HTML, the browser might switch to quirks mode, which can cause unpredictable behavior. Some advanced translate features or modern CSS style rules might not work consistently. Always keep the doctype in place to ensure your translate strategy remains stable, especially when combining JavaScript, placeholders, and dynamic text blocks.
An element can have a variety of attribute values that control behavior. The translate attribute specifically recognizes 'yes' and 'no' as values. 'yes' implies the text is considered translatable, while 'no' locks that text in the original language. Because some parts of your page must remain consistent, carefully choose when to override the default value.
Another example: if you have a <p> with translate="yes", everything within that paragraph typically gets translated. If there is a <span> inside with translate="no", the system will skip that portion. This layered approach is powerful for controlling precisely which string is translatable. Use these attribute values judiciously, especially if your document includes multiple languages or brand-specific placeholders.
A helpful note: the lang attribute on <html lang="en-US"> is not the same as the translate attribute. Setting your language to en-US is a meta indicator for search engines and screen readers, while translate="yes" or "no" directly instructs the translation tools. Both are valuable, but they serve different purposes.
Many developers ask, “How do you translate HTML to another language?” Usually, the first step involves using translation tools like Google Translate or Microsoft Translator. You can often upload your files directly, or paste your markup into an interface. If you do so, ensure that your translate attribute usage is consistent so you only translate content that needs it.
For example, if you want to turn a French HTML document into en-US, the translation engine looks for all sections labeled translate="yes". Then, it processes those strings. By setting the attribute value to 'no' on brand names, placeholders, or code references, you keep them intact. This method is especially handy when you want to create a bilingual or multilingual page quickly. Once done, you can preview the new page, confirm the changes, and click save.
A pro tip is to do a final pass with a human translator who can refine any awkward phrasing that Google or other machine-based systems might produce. Google Translate is powerful, but it might not always capture context perfectly. Combining the translate attribute logic in your HTML tags with a professional review ensures your page remains coherent and culturally appropriate.
Dealing with placeholder text in form inputs is a common scenario. A placeholder is a string that appears inside an <input> box before the user enters anything. By default, this text is translatable because most placeholders are part of the user-facing HTML content. If you have an <input placeholder="Search the site...">, it’s generally safe to let it translate.
However, if your placeholder is something like “SKU-1234,” and you want to keep it universal, you set the translate attribute to "no". For example:
1<input type="text" placeholder="SKU-1234" translate="no">
This ensures that the placeholder won’t become “SKU-1234” in French or any other language. The same approach works for specialized word placeholders that should remain uniform across all locales.
Always remember that placeholders can be overlooked by certain translation tools. A note here is that not all external systems reliably identify placeholder text. So if you want consistent behavior, keep an eye on how your chosen services handle placeholders. If it fails to translate or fails to skip as desired, you may need to insert the placeholder as a visible string with translate="yes" or "no" for clarity.
To ensure high-quality HTML translations, it’s important to follow best practices:
• Use the Translate Attribute: Specify which elements should be translated and which should not by using the translate attribute. This helps maintain the integrity of brand names, code snippets, and other non-translatable content.
• Provide Clear Instructions: Give translators detailed guidelines on how to handle specific elements and attributes. This ensures consistency and accuracy throughout the translation process.
• Consistent Terminology and Formatting: Use consistent terminology and formatting to avoid confusion and maintain a professional appearance.
• Testing and Reviewing: Thoroughly test and review translations to catch any errors or awkward phrasing. This step is crucial for ensuring the final product is both accurate and user-friendly.
Before the advent of modern translation tools and techniques, online translation services used various legacy approaches to manage translations:
• Class Attribute: Developers used class="notranslate" to specify which elements should not be translated. This method is still supported by some services but is less efficient than modern techniques.
• Style Attribute: Similarly, style="notranslate" was used to prevent certain elements from being translated. While functional, this approach is not as reliable as using the translate attribute.
• JavaScript Functions: Some developers relied on JavaScript functions to translate specific elements and attributes. While this method offered flexibility, it often required more complex coding and was prone to errors.
These legacy approaches have largely been replaced by more efficient and reliable modern translation techniques, but understanding them can be useful for maintaining older websites or applications.
Let’s walk through a more comprehensive example. Suppose you have a page featuring a short paragraph with mixed text. One portion is a brand name you never want changed, and another portion you do want translated.
1<p> 2 Welcome to <span translate="no">BrandX</span>! 3 <span translate="yes">We hope you enjoy our services.</span> 4</p>
In this scenario, “BrandX” remains the same, but the rest is translatable. This is a typical use of the translate attribute.
Another example involves including a title attribute that offers a suggestion or tooltip:
1<img src="logo.png" alt="Logo" title="Corporate Branding" translate="no">
Here, the image title stays out of translation. Meanwhile, an adjacent <p translate="yes"> might contain a greeting for new users. Combining these approaches ensures only the desired text is processed.
Finally, if your developer team is using advanced code to load content dynamically, ensure your markup includes translate="yes" or "no" as needed. Watch out for a parent element with translate="no" that might accidentally block entire sections from translation. By double-checking your inheritance chain, you’ll avoid confusion and keep the values of the attribute consistent across all tags.
We’ve covered how to translate HTML, how to handle placeholders, how to set the translate attribute, and why the doctype HTML is vital for standards compliance. When it comes to managing language settings, always keep in mind the difference between lang="en-US" for specifying the document language and translate="yes" or "no" for controlling translation processes. Every element in your page can be fine-tuned to ensure a smooth user experience.
Tired of manually designing screens, coding on weekends, and technical debt? Let DhiWise handle it for you!
You can build an e-commerce store, healthcare app, portfolio, blogging website, social media or admin panel right away. Use our library of 40+ pre-built free templates to create your first application using DhiWise.
