Setup Polylang for Knowledge Base
In this article we will use English as the primary Language and French as the second language.
Initial Setup
Install Polylang
After you install and activate Polylang, setup your languages. In this example, we are using English and French.
Choose The Primary Language
Choose your primary language. In this example we chose English.
Enable KB for Multi-Language
Go to the Knowledge Base Configurations screen and enable the Translations settings.
- Go to the Tools tab.
- Go to the Other tab.
- Enable the Polylang and WPML setting.
Create the Secondary Version of the KB Main Page
We started our first KB with the English Language. Next, we will convert all KB content, starting with the KB Main page.
In this example, the page that contains the KB shortcode (called KB Main Page) is called Help.
- The KB Main page.
- Click on the plus icon to create the French version of the KB Main page.
Set the Values for the Secondary Version of KB Main Page
- Enter the title in the secondary language. "Aider" is the French word for "Help".
- Copy the same KB shortcode from the page of the primary language (English in this example).
- Update the French slug as well.
- Publish the page.
Add KB Categories for the Secondary Language
To setup the French Version of KB Categories, click on the plus icon beside each category.
Create KB Categories for the Secondary Language
- Enter the French name of the category called "Frequently Asked Questions" which is "Questions Frequemment Posees"
- This is optional and typically not used since the slug is usually based on the category name and is automatically generated by WordPress.
- This shows that the new category will be part the French language. No change is required here.
- This shows other language versions, in this case English. No change is required here.
- Choose the icon to match the English version.
- Click the "Add New Category" button.
Repeat the steps for all KB categories
Create Articles for the Secondary Language
Click on the plus sign to add the French version of this article.
Add Article Content for the Secondary Language
- Add the French version of the article Title
- Add the French version of the article content
- Since this is the French version and you already created the French Categories the correct French Category should already be selected.
- Publish the article.
Repeat the steps for all the articles
Switch Between Language Versions of an Article
In previous steps we created both an English and a French version of an article.
Switch Between Language Versions of KB Main Pages
Each KB Main Page has its own language version.
Update Labels on the Frontend for Each Language
Use Polylang String search to find and update each language label if needed. For example, to update the Search Box and Article strings:
- Go to the Languages menu item.
- Select String translations.
- Find KB labels and update the text.
Note: Ensure that the language at the top is selected for the language that you want to update.
Note that admin page strings hardcoded in PHP files are not handled by the Strings translations list table. These strings are stored in .po/.mo files. You can translate them with tools like Poedit or the Loco translate plugin.
Update KB URLs to Match Each Language
Polylang (Free) English Version
- KB Main Page: www.website.com/help/
- Article Page: www.website.com/help/frequently-asked-questions/about-kb-add-ons/
- Category Archive Page: www.website.com/help/category/frequently-asked-questions/
Polylang (Free) French Version
- KB Main Page: www.website.com/fr/aider/
- Article Page: www.website.com/fr/help/questions-frequemment-posees/a-propos-des-modules-complementaires-kb/
- Category Archive Page: www.website.com/fr/help/category/questions-frequemment-posees/
In the above example, the RED slugs can only be changed via the Polylang PRO plugin. Read more about this in the Polylang documentation:
Translating URLS slugs
Once you have Polylang PRO installed and activated, you can update KB URLs as follows:
- Choose the language you wish to translate.
- Click on the Languages menu.
- Click on the Strings translations.
- Translate your KB main page URL.
- Translate your KB Main page URL and Category slugs.
- Translate your KB Main page URL and Tag slugs
- Save your changes.
Troubleshooting
If you are having issues with the translation of KB pages, categories and tags with Polylang, try the following:
- Deactivate and re-activate the Polylang plugin.
- Re-saved permalinks.
- Clear your site cache.
- Search Polylang documentation for answers: Polylang Docs
- Review Polylang Troubleshooting tips: Polylang Troubleshooting Docs
- Contact us for support: Support Form
