Translations is the editor for the interface text of TruCMS — every button, label, message and heading that is not your own page or post content. You can change the English wording, and translate it into each language you have added.
Languages → Translations (Edit Source). Each row is a key and the English text it stands for.
Everything the interface says is stored as a phrase: a short internal key (such as addToCart) and the text that appears (“Add to cart”). The English list is the source; each other language provides its own text for the same keys. A phrase can contain placeholders written like :name; keep them unchanged in every language, because TruCMS replaces them with real values (“Hello :name” becomes “Hello Taylor”).
Open Languages and choose Translations (or the gear beside English) to see all source phrases. Use it to change wording to match your business — for example “Book now” to “Reserve a chair”.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Search by key or value | Finds phrases by the key or by the text. Searching for the word you see on the site is the fastest way to find the phrase behind it. |
| Filter by file | Limits the list to one group of phrases (for example the booking screens, the shop or the admin panel). |
| Pencil | Edits the phrase. |
| Bin / check boxes | Deletes one or several phrases. Do not delete phrases that TruCMS or a plugin uses. |
| + | Adds a new source key. Only needed when you add your own screens. |
| Pages (1 of 184) | The list is long; use the arrows at the bottom to move through it. |
:name exactly as they are. Save.Translate the visible parts first
You do not have to translate all ~2,200 phrases. Start with what visitors see: the shop, the booking steps, sign-in and the footer. Use the search and the file filter to find them.
TruCMS stores the live interface text in language files on the server. The Translations editor works on a separate copy so you can edit safely. Two buttons keep them in step:
| Button | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Import (green) | Reads the language files of your site into the editor and adds phrases that are new. | After installing or updating TruCMS or a plugin, so new screens appear in the editor. Run it once per update; it is not needed in daily work. |
| Publish (red) | Writes everything in the editor back to the language files, overwriting them. A confirmation window warns you first. | After you edit or translate phrases, to make the changes live. |
Publish asks for confirmation because it overwrites the language files with the content of the editor.
Publish overwrites files
Publishing replaces the language files with what is in the editor. Make sure the editor is up to date (use Import after an update) before you publish, and keep a backup of your site (see Updating TruCMS).
Updates can bring new phrases. After updating, open Languages, choose Import, translate the new phrases, and Publish. Until then new text appears in English.
| Symptom | What to do |
|---|---|
| I changed a phrase but the site still shows the old text | You must Publish. If you did, clear the cache and the browser cache; see the FAQ. |
| A translation shows a strange word like :name | Placeholders must be kept as in the English phrase. |
| New screens of a plugin are not translated | Run Import so the plugin’s phrases appear, then translate them. |
| My wording disappeared after an update | You published before importing. Restore from your backup and use Import first next time. |