Good news!
Now, you can create intranet sites in different languages.
Microsoft 365 now allows to create news and pages in user preferred language. Moreover, it shows site title, site navigation and site description in the preferred language as well.
Things to Remember before Launching a Multilingual SharePoint Communication Site
Though the process is quite easy, you need to keep a few things in mind before you launch this wonderful capability.
- The communication site you use must be created with site default language that you want to use. You cannot change the default language of your website later.
- Enable your site for using the multilingual features. Select the languages you want to make available. For more details on the available languages, click Languages supported by SharePoint.
- To create pages in multiple languages, use the translation feature. By using this feature, you can create a copy of the pages in default language.
Now, let us take a look at some tricks that will help you create and manage SharePoint Communication sites.
Create All Pages in Default or Primary Language
Default language is very important for the multilingual sites as all pages need to be created in the default language.
For example, English is your site language and you need the pages in French apart from English. In this case, you will create a page in English and then, translate it to French.
You can never just have a French page, without an English one.
Check the Location Language while Creating Location
The communication sites come with a default language.
The default language settings are often chosen when you create the location. You can select the location language after you provide the site identity.
You must consider the viewers in a particular location in addition to the content’s first language. For example, if English is the site’s default language, it can suit the need of global audience.
Double Check while Creating the Pages
While you create the pages of the website, ensure all web page titles are added as URL before you begin the translation.
A minor problem or negligence will not just be a waste of time, but will also cost you a lot in the long run.
Go for Customised View to Manage the Multilingual Pages
A customised view will help you monitor the problems.
The default or the primary language pages are stored in the Site Page library’s root. The alternate language pages remain in a folder of the library.
The folders are created automatically for the multilingual feature.
Do not rename them to avoid confusion.
Allow the Linked Pages an Identical Character
Be careful while publishing the pages and ensure that the entire group of pages is published under the same type.
You will not be warned if you publish a French page, selecting it as ‘Promote as news’ and publish the English page as Site page.
This will confuse the users as the same page will be displayed as news in one language and as a regular page in another language.
Adopting a little caution will help you take the advantage of this wonderful functionality of SharePoint. All the best!
