What is the WP Translations API in WordPress?
The WP Translations API in WordPress facilitates the translation of site content into multiple languages, usually implemented through third-party plugins such as WPML, TranslatePress, or others.
It connects a WordPress site to external machine translation services, automates the translation process, and stores translations locally for better performance.
Definition and Purpose
The API provides a standardized way for plugins to interact with external translation services like Google Translate, DeepL, or Microsoft Translator. This interaction allows WordPress users to translate pages, posts, theme strings, or plugin-generated content into various languages.
Plugins like TranslatePress enable seamless integration of these tools, offering automated and manual translation options.
Translation Workflow
Using translation APIs typically involves sending content from the WordPress site to the linked external service. The service processes the content, returns translated strings, and the translation plugin stores them locally in the database.
For example, TranslatePress uses DeepL or Google Translate to automate translations and saves the results on the WordPress installation. This reduces reliance on external queries after initial translations are fetched.
Local Storage Benefits
One primary feature of plugins utilizing WP Translations API is the ability to store translations locally. This improves site performance by reducing the need for repetitive external service requests.
Translated content is served directly from the WordPress database or relevant files, ensuring faster load times.
Configuration Requirements
To use translation services, appropriate API keys provided by the service provider are required. These keys are input into the translation plugin’s settings page within the WordPress admin area.
For example, integrating DeepL requires generating a key from the DeepL platform, while Google Translate integration involves enabling the API on a Google Cloud account and configuring billing to ensure proper access.
Manual Editing and Front-End Tools
Translation plugins often include tools for modifying automated translations.
For instance, TranslatePress includes a visual editor that allows users to manage translations directly from the front end. This editor provides a live view of the changes being made, simplifying the process of refining machine-generated translations for page content, strings, or shortcode outputs.
Glossary Functionality
To maintain consistency, many translation plugins support a glossary feature. These glossaries let site owners define specific terms, phrases, or names and their translations.
WPML, for example, includes an option to create glossary entries that guide the translation engine in applying consistent terminology. Glossaries are especially useful for translating technical terms or brand-specific language.
Integration with Other Plugins and Features
The API supports the translation of dynamic content generated by tools such as WooCommerce, Elementor, or custom plugins.
Plugins like TranslatePress ensure that e-commerce product pages, forms, and dynamically inserted strings are translated accurately and efficiently. This makes it possible to offer fully localized user experiences, even for complex websites.
Automatic and Manual Translation
Automatic translations rely on services like DeepL or Google Translate, providing quick language conversions. While these translations are efficient, they can sometimes lack accuracy, making manual adjustments necessary.
Features allowing manual translation correction ensure higher-quality results while still leveraging automated systems for efficiency.
Licensing and Usage Limits
APIs usually have usage limits defined by the provider. TranslatePress and other plugins clarify these restrictions when connecting to external services.
For instance, DeepL allows a specific number of characters to be translated for free, with overage costs applied based on usage. Google Translate also offers a free tier capped at 500,000 characters, with associated charges for exceeding this limit.