Troubleshooting Languages Not Displaying Correctly in WordPress

If WordPress translation is not working or is not correctly displaying another language, there needs to be a change to the WordPress code.

Understanding why languages don't display properly in WordPress and how to fix them helps you solve problems, customize your site, and improve user experience. With this knowledge, you can manage your WordPress site more effectively, ensuring it meets the needs of a global audience. This guide will lay down step-by-step instructions on.

• Why is Language Not Displaying Correctly in WordPress?
• How to Fix WordPress Language Issue
• Summary

Why is Language Not Displaying Correctly in WordPress?

Languages not displaying correctly in WordPress can occur due to various reasons:

• Incorrect Configuration: Make sure you have properly configured the language settings in WordPress. This includes setting the site language in the WordPress settings and ensuring that the correct language files are installed.
• Missing Translation Files: If you're using a language other than English, ensure that the translation files for your desired language are installed and up to date. Sometimes, incomplete or outdated translation files can cause display issues.
• Theme and Plugin Compatibility: Some themes and plugins may not fully support multilingual functionality or may require additional configuration to work properly with multiple languages. Your themes and plugins should be compatible with your chosen language setup.
• Cache and Caching Plugins: Cached content can sometimes interfere with language switching. If you're using caching plugins, clear the cache to see if that fixes the issue.
• Incorrect Language Tags: Check your theme files and content for incorrect language tags. Make sure that language attributes are properly set in HTML elements, especially in themes and plugins that output dynamic content.
• Character Encoding Issues: Ensure that your database and WordPress files are encoded correctly to support the characters used in your chosen language. UTF-8 encoding is generally recommended for multilingual websites.
• Server Configuration: Sometimes, server configurations can cause language display issues. Check with your hosting provider to ensure that the server supports the language requirements of your WordPress setup.
• JavaScript Conflicts: If you're using language switchers or translation plugins that rely on JavaScript, conflicts with other JavaScript code on your site could cause display issues. Check for JavaScript errors in your browser's console and try deactivating other plugins temporarily to identify conflicts.
• Browser Cache: Sometimes, browsers can cache content and display outdated versions of your site. Try clearing your browser cache or testing in a different browser to see if the language display issue persists.

By troubleshooting these potential causes, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue with languages not displaying correctly in WordPress.

How to Fix WordPress Language Issue

To troubleshoot the issue, follow these steps:

1. Open the file <WordPress_install>/wp-includes/gettext.php (where "WordPress_install" is the directory you choose to install WordPress to).

   Note:

   • For detailed instructions on how to edit files in File Manager, check out File Manager - How to Create, Remove, and Edit Files.
   • You also have the option to edit your file using your chosen FTP client.
2. Look for the code below:

    // $MAGIC1 = (int)0x950412de; //bug in PHP 5
     $MAGIC1 = (int) - 1794895138;
     // $MAGIC2 = (int)0xde120495; //bug
     $MAGIC2 = (int) - 569244523;
   

3. Change it to:

   // $MAGIC1 = (int)0x950412de; //bug in PHP 5
     $MAGIC1 = 2500072158;
     // $MAGIC2 = (int)0xde120495; //bug
     $MAGIC2 = 3725722773;
   

4. Save your changes.

Summary

Troubleshooting language display issues in WordPress requires attention to various factors such as correct settings, updated translation files, plugin compatibility, cache management, and addressing server and encoding issues. By following step-by-step instructions and considering the use of translation plugins, you can effectively manage language-related challenges. Mastering these troubleshooting techniques not only enhances website management but also ensures a seamless user experience for a diverse global audience.