Multilingual website

[Pilfo]

Not sure whether this is the right forum, but does anybody know how I can make my site readable in any language?

Can I add a drop down menu or suchlike, with code (Dreamweaver) whereas the potential customer can translate the whole of the site into their own language?

Regards
Pilfo

[Webnauts]

You can do that with the Google Translator.
But it will not be the most optimal translation.
Automatic translations are not the best option.

Better get them translated by professionals, if you being serious about doing business.

This is the accessibility and usability point of view.

[Pilfo]

I have found a good translator that is easy to use.

Take a look at my site now at www.rsd-hygienics.co.uk/homemainframe.html

Regards
Pilfo

[wolfk]

My website is bi-lingual. I am a German native speaker and have been living in Britain for a long time.

I would strongly advise against using any translation software or online automated service if you want to retain a little credibility. Automatic translations are good for a laugh, and that's about it.

Take this example. I translated the following sentence from English to German using Google's translator (http://www.google.com/language_tools?hl=en):
After a light lunch, I took my dog for a walk and stopped for a cup of coffee on my way back.

The translation *should* read: Nach einem leichten Mittagessen ging ich mit meinem Hund spazieren und trank einen Kaffee auf dem Heimweg.

This is Google's interpretation: Nach einem hellen Mittagessen nahm ich meinen Hund für einen Weg und stoppte für eine Schale Kaffee auf meiner Weisenrückseite.

The Google translation does not make much sense at all. Translated back into English, it would be something like this: After a light-coloured lunch I took (as in taking something away) my dog for a way and stopped for a cup of coffee on my wise backside (the word Weisenrückseite does not exist).

And then, of course, I let Google translate its own translation back into English: After a bright lunch took I mean dog for a way and stopped for a bowl coffee on my way back.

If you are serious about multi-lingual websites, don't even consider automatic translations.

Wolf
www.wolfkettler.co.uk/

[Webnauts]

Very well explained Wolf. Good point!