website with mixed languages

I've seen quite a few sites that offer multiple languages where English was not their native tongue. Sorry can't think of one off the top of my head to give you as an example.

Their homepages often first appeared in their native language. They had a list of flags, usually near the right top corner. Some included near the top of the page (above the fold) links like "View this site in English" and what I would guess was the same phrase in the other languages available. What I remember finding interesting was that many didn't change the language of their menus - the majority appearing only in English.

While visiting the English pages the flags were still displayed, usually along with an invitation to return to the site's native language.

While I think most folks will get the idea from the flags, I found it more inviting when the site offered additional languages in (sorry can't think of better expression) plain English.

I looked at the pages you are playing with. Looks great. I would put the language switch going both ways and maybe on the Dutch one use Dutch as the label. Are you planning on allowing folks to switch languages when they land on interior pages too?

Hope I've helped a little.

I admire you multi-lingual folks as I sit here knowing only a handful of German and Spanish words and two Russian words - Nyet and Das Vadanya (and probably spelt wrong too - lol).

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I looked at the pages you are playing with. Looks great. I would put the language switch going both ways and maybe on the Dutch one use Dutch as the label. Are you planning on allowing folks to switch languages when they land on interior pages too?

yes at least at the main pages and the link pages and maybe the contact page.


Thanks YMC, what about the flag from great britain, is this clear for people from the US?

At least I have some main entries where I can splitt the site (the snippets page is mostly entered by not dutch speaking people) and the current main page is mostly entred by dutch people. I suggested the snippet link on almost every english language link page...(like here at webdigity)

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Thanks YMC, what about the flag from great britain, is this clear for people from the US?

I think there is a flag that is half british, half USA. Maybe this would be better

I'm using [en] for english and [nl] for dutch to make my site multi-lingual (working on it on www.moduhost.nl )

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hm I did already a lot of research and created a system like this before: www.bergtoys.com this page is using the country code to select a default language.

I have to admit I was kinda miffed when the sites I visited used the English flag ; but then I realized we are talking about the English language and although I don't know for fact; I would assume England is where English came from in the first place. 

I think the British flag works, but since the site is originating from Europe it would be even more appropriate in this case.

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hello,

I changed the pages like I posted before:

dutch version: http://www.finalwebsites.com/

english version: http://www.finalwebsites.com/portal/

I think there is a clear entry to the english langauge pages if a not dutch speaking visitor will reach the main page. The menu is changed if the languages are switched.

Please tell what do you think, thanks!

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That's much better, but maybe you should do it reverse.

I mean you should have the docroot for english and the portal/ for dutch (just an opinion)

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I mean you should have the docroot for english and the portal/ for dutch (just an opinion)

I don't think that this is good, the dutch mainpage has TOP results in google, I don't want to loose them, maybe for later (if the portal page is PR5 too...)

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Oh, I thought your traffic was for english searches.

In that case you are just fine

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Oh, I thought your traffic was for english searches.

In that case you are just fine

I have traffic for both languages, this why I splitted the sites...thanks

Hi Olaf i have solved multilanguage problem in my CMS

http://trinityhome.org/~visionto/Home/index.php?front_id=1

login at:
http://trinityhome.org/~visionto/Users/index.php?front_id=9

hope this gives you an idea ...

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Hi Olaf i have solved multilanguage problem in my CMS

http://trinityhome.org/~visionto/Home/index.php?front_id=1

login at:
http://trinityhome.org/~visionto/Users/index.php?front_id=9

hope this gives you an idea ...

I think you get this wrong, its not about how to create multi language websites but how to navigate them clear and easy.

But try it by yourself...check reply no. 26 of this thread.

ah, ok sorry

if this is of any help olaf, when im browsing multi lingual sites if i dont see a flag or something that represents english language i will quickly close the site anyway, and usually, around the top of the site, there is a (as i think nik mentioned earlier) a half usa flag/half britain flag.. and yes this is also a separate site for each language .. the way nik did thetopsites i really like, it was set to english for me soon as i got there, and a greek version is plainly clear with a greek flag

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if this is of any help olaf, when im browsing multi lingual sites if i dont see a flag or something that represents english language i will quickly close the site anyway, and usually, around the top of the site, there is a (as i think nik mentioned earlier) a half usa flag/half britain flag.. and yes this is also a separate site for each language .. the way nik did thetopsites i really like, it was set to english for me soon as i got there, and a greek version is plainly clear with a greek flag

Ok but if you reach the site at www.finalwebsites.com you're able to navigate to the english version? (you will reach one of the other pages, I think)

yep. your flag is in plain view and easy to see (i like the big arrow)

this is a site i would not simply close because i cant read it but i am german anyway so wouldnt need english in your case

whats German got to do with his site? You got to lay off that bong dude!

But I agree, the flag is very noticable and won't be missed by visitors I think.

his site is written in dutch which is very similair if not almost the same as german..

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his site is written in dutch which is very similair if not almost the same as german..

didn't know that... lol (a typical comment from a german)

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