We are thrilled to announce the latest release of the Autoglot plugin for WordPress, version 2.1. This update brings an array of new features, improvements, and fixes that will make your multilingual WordPress websites more user-friendly and inclusive.
Autoglot 2.1 includes important improvements in language switcher, language names, and overall improved performance and translation quality.
What’s New in Version 2.1?
Neutral Flags for Multiple Languages
One of the standout features in this update is the introduction of “neutral” flags for English, German, French, and Portuguese languages. Previously, the flags representing these languages were tied to specific countries, like the US or UK flag for English or the German flag for German. This caused confusion for websites targeting audiences in regions where these flags didn’t align with their primary user base.
With the new neutral flags, you can use a flag that represents the language without implying a specific country. For example, if your site is targeting users in Mexico, you can use the neutral Spanish flag instead of the traditional Spanish flag that represents Spain. Similarly, for German, you can use the neutral German flag instead of the one that represents Germany, making it ideal for sites targeting Austria or Switzerland.
Importance of Neutral Language Flags
Neutral language flags help overcome the limitations of country-specific flags. When building a multilingual website, your audience might come from various regions where a single flag could carry different meanings. Here’s why neutral language flags are a significant improvement:
- Inclusivity: By using neutral flags, you avoid the risk of excluding or offending users from different countries. For instance, using the Spanish flag to represent the Spanish language might alienate users from Mexico or other Spanish-speaking countries. A neutral flag resolves this issue and makes everyone feel included.
- Flexibility: Neutral flags offer greater flexibility for websites with a global audience. Whether you’re targeting English-speaking users in the US, Canada, Australia, or the UK, a neutral English flag can represent the language without implying a specific nationality.
- Clarity: Neutral flags can also provide clarity when displaying multiple languages. If your site caters to German-speaking users from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, using a neutral German flag avoids confusion and accurately represents the language.
- Brand Consistency: By using neutral flags, you can maintain a consistent branding approach across your website. This is especially valuable for businesses or organizations that operate in multiple countries or regions.
Neutral Flags in Autoglot Version 2.1
With Autoglot version 2.1, we’ve introduced neutral flags for several languages, including:
- English: Instead of the Union Jack or Stars and Stripes, the new neutral English flag can be used to represent English without focusing on a specific country.
- German: The neutral German flag can be used to represent the German language for audiences in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and beyond.
- French: Instead of the French tricolor, the neutral French flag allows you to reach French-speaking users from various regions without suggesting a specific country.
- Portuguese: The neutral Portuguese flag can be used for Portuguese-speaking audiences in Brazil, Portugal, or other regions without emphasizing a specific nationality.
Flexible Language Name Display Options
The ability to customize how language names are displayed is another major feature of this update. You can choose from several display formats, including:
- In their own languages: This option shows language names in their native format (i.e. Deutsch, Français, Español, etc.). It helps create a more authentic and inclusive experience for users.
- In English: If your audience is international, displaying language names in English can be helpful to ensure everyone understands the options (i.e. German, French, Spanish).
- As ISO Codes: ISO codes (DE, FR, ES) offer a standardized way to represent languages, providing clarity for multilingual websites.
- Combination of these: You can also mix and match the formats to suit your website’s design and user preferences.
This flexibility allows you to present language options in a way that best suits your website’s audience.
Minor Fixes to Prevent Irrelevant PHP Warnings
In this version, we’ve addressed some minor PHP warnings that could appear in specific scenarios. While these warnings didn’t affect the functionality of the plugin, they could be confusing for users and developers alike. By resolving these issues, we’ve made the plugin more stable and user-friendly.
Bug Fixes and Enhancements
Version 2.1 also includes a variety of smaller bug fixes and enhancements. These changes improve the overall performance and reliability of the plugin. Our team has worked hard to address reported issues and enhance the user experience. As always, we appreciate your feedback and encourage you to continue sharing your experiences with us to help improve Autoglot in future updates.
How to Get Autoglot Version 2.1
Here’s a step-by-step installation guide for Autoglot version 2.1. This guide covers everything from downloading the plugin to setting it up and troubleshooting common issues.
Step 1: Download the Autoglot Plugin
You can download Autoglot from either the official WordPress Plugin Repository or our website. Here’s how to do it:
- From WordPress Plugin Repository: Open your WordPress dashboard, go to “Plugins,” and click “Add New.” In the search bar, type “Autoglot” and press Enter. Look for Autoglot in the search results and click “Install Now.” Once installed, click “Activate.”
- From Our Website: Visit our official website and download the plugin. After downloading, go to your WordPress dashboard, select “Plugins,” and click “Add New.” Then, click “Upload Plugin,” choose the downloaded Autoglot file, and click “Install Now.” Once installation is complete, click “Activate.”
You may also download Autoglot directly from the official WordPress plugins repository.
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Step 2: Register in Autoglot Control Panel
- In order to start using Autoglot 2.1, register for free on our Autoglot Control Panel.
- The registration process is straightforward and grants you access to a host of powerful translation management features.
- You will receive your free API key that should be added to your WordPress Autoglot settings.
Autoglot Control Panel lets you control your translation expenses, track usage and order new translation packages.
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Step 3: Initial Configuration
After activating Autoglot, you’ll need to configure some basic settings to start translating your website. Here’s what to do:
- Go to Autoglot Settings: In your WordPress dashboard, find the “Autoglot” section in the sidebar and click it.
- Select Primary Language: Choose your website’s primary language from the list. This is the language that most of your content is currently in.
- Choose Translation Languages: Select the languages you want your website to be translated into. You can choose from a wide range of languages.
- Set Neutral Flags: If you’re using languages like English, German, French, or Portuguese, you can opt for “neutral” flags. This is especially useful if you’re targeting regions where traditional flags might be misleading. Neutral flags do not represent specific countries, making them ideal for international audiences.
- Set Language Display Options: Choose how you want the language names to appear. You can select native language names (autonyms), English, ISO codes, or a combination of these.
- Save Your Changes: Once you’ve configured the settings, click “Save” to apply them.
Step 4: Adding Language Switcher
To allow users to switch between languages, you’ll need to add a language switcher to your website. Autoglot offers several ways to do this:
- Widget: Go to “Appearance” – “Widgets” in your WordPress dashboard. Find the Autoglot widget and drag it to the desired location in your sidebar or footer. This will add a language switcher to your site.
- Shortcode: You can also use a shortcode to place the language switcher wherever you want within your content. The shortcode is
[ag_switcher] - Floating bar: If you’d like the language switcher in a floating bar, go to “Autoglot” – “Settings” and click on “Enable Floating Language Switcher”.
Step 5: Test the Translation
With Autoglot installed and configured, it’s time to test the translation:
- Open Your Website: Visit your website’s front end and interact with the language switcher to ensure it’s working as expected.
- Check Translations: Switch between different languages and check the translations for accuracy. If you notice any issues, you can adjust the settings in the Autoglot dashboard.
- Clear Cache (if applicable): If you’re using a caching plugin or a content delivery network (CDN), clear the cache to ensure the changes are reflected on the live site.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you encounter any problems during installation or configuration, here are some common issues and solutions:
- Plugin Not Installing: Ensure you’re using a compatible version of WordPress. Autoglot requires WordPress 5.0 or higher. If you’re installing from a downloaded file, make sure it’s not corrupted.
- Language Switcher Not Appearing: Double-check that you’ve added the language switcher to the correct location (widget, shortcode, or menu). If it still doesn’t appear, try clearing your site’s cache or re-adding the switcher.
- PHP Warnings: If you encounter PHP warnings, make sure your WordPress installation and other plugins are up to date. If the issue persists, contact our support team for further assistance.
With this guide, you should be able to install and configure Autoglot 2.1 with ease. If you have any questions or need additional support, please visit our support page, where you can contact our support team.
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Why Autoglot is the Best Translation Solution for Your WordPress Site
With this update, Autoglot continues to be the go-to solution for translating WordPress websites. Whether you’re building a business site, a blog, or an e-commerce platform, our plugin offers a comprehensive set of features to help you create a multilingual experience.
Here are some of the reasons why Autoglot is the best choice for your translation needs:
- Ease of Use: Our plugin is designed to be user-friendly, allowing you to translate your website with minimal effort.
- Customizable: With options to choose neutral flags and flexible language display settings, Autoglot offers customization options to suit your needs.
- Reliability: Our team is committed to providing a stable and reliable plugin, with regular updates to fix bugs and improve performance.
- Machine Translation: Autoglot uses cutting-edge machine translation techniques to ensure your content is accurately translated into multiple languages.
- Community Support: We have an active community of users and developers who provide support and share tips for getting the most out of Autoglot.
Thank you!
Thanks for reading, and we hope you enjoy the new features in Autoglot version 2.1! Stay tuned for more updates, tips, and best practices for creating a multilingual WordPress website.
