Joomla! Documentation™

The "J1.5" namespace is an archived namespace. This page contains information for a Joomla! version which is no longer supported. It exists only as a historical reference, it will not be improved and its content may be incomplete and/or contain broken links.

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Joomla! uses three language packages, one for the front end, one for the administrator and one for installation. Ideally you will create all three.

A translation pack consists of an xml file, a blank index file and a set of *.ini files containing the language strings for your language. The easiest way to understand this structure is to look at the files in the language/en-GB folder of your Joomla! installation.

This is an excerpt from en-GB.mod_login.ini

BUTTON_LOGIN=Login
BUTTON_LOGOUT=Logout
DESCLOGINFORM=This Module displays a username and password Login form. It also displays a link to retrieve a forgotten password.  If User registration is enabled, (refer to the Global Configuration settings), then another link will be shown to invite Users to   self-register.
ENCRYPT LOGIN FORM=Encrypt Login Form
FORGOT_YOUR_PASSWORD=Forgot your password?
FORGOT_YOUR_USERNAME=Forgot your username?
GREETING=Greeting

To create a package for your language you change the strings to the right of the =.

Many people find it helpful to use the Translation manager extension. This helps by automating the creation of the files.

Language naming convention in Joomla are language and ISO code. Use 2 letters when available. The list is available here.

This reference concerns country codes

Because language strings may change it is best to create your packages using either the nightly build or subversion.

Name of package should be: xx-XX //using your language's ISO code.

Locale: Information on available locales may be found here.

If, for any reason, ini or xml language files are edited manually with a text editor, they have to be saved with the encoding UTF8 NO BOM.

For practical information on the way to make core Translation files for Joomla 1.0, please see forum: http://forum.joomla.org/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=254709.

And for Joomla 1.5 see the forum: Building Extension's Language Pack for J1.5

Guidelines for developers to facilitate translation: Language Guidelines for 3rd Party Extensions