Request Translation in Smartling
There are two ways in which you can Request Translation in Smartling:
-
Select asset > Actions > Request Translation.
This option allows you to bulk-select multiple assets for translation.
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Click the information icon for an asset > Request Translation.
This option allows you to request translation for a single asset.
Both methods will open the two-step Request Translation wizard:
Step 1
- Choose to create a New Job or add the content to an Existing Job.
- Under Assets, ensure the assets selection is correct. Click the X to remove any asset listed.
- (Optional) Add a description for linguists.
- Select the Target Languages.
- Click Save Job and Continue to create the Job in Smartling.
Step 2
- Here you can see a cost estimate for the Job based on your selected workflows.
- If you edit the workflow(s), the estimate will update automatically.
- (Optional) Add a Job Due Date.
- Select Save for Later, to create the Job, but have the content sit in Awaiting Authorization. Select Authorize Job, to kick off the translation process.
We recommend selecting Save for Later, so you can review the strings in the Job before authorizing it for translation.
Product Variants
Shopify allows users to add variants for products that come in more than one option, such as size or color. If a product has variants, they will be included when you request the product for translation.
Automate Job Creation
The above steps outline how to request Shopify content for translation manually. For information on how you can automate Job creation, see our documentation on Automation Rules For Connector Content Translation.
Translation Delivery to Shopify
The Shopify Connector is file-based, meaning translation progress is tracked at the file level rather than the job level. When you request a Shopify asset for translation, the content is bundled into a JSON file and sent to Smartling for translation. Once the file is fully translated for a target locale, the translations for that locale are automatically delivered back to Shopify.
You can also trigger translation delivery manually at any time. To export translated content from Smartling to Shopify:
- From your Shopify project, click the Shopify tab
- Select the assets you would like to export translations for
- Click the Actions menu > Export Translation
You can also manually export translations from the Asset Details page.
Check Translation Status
You can check the translation status of any asset via the Asset Details page, by clicking the info icon next to an asset in the Shopify tab.
The Delivered column shows the date when translations were last delivered to Shopify. The state Completed means all content is translated and was successfully delivered back to Shopify. For more details on different states please see the info here.
Viewing Translations in Shopify
All translations are delivered back to the Translate & Adapt App within Shopify. Within this app, you can view the source text that was pulled into Smartling for translation and the translations that were delivered back to Shopify.
Example:
If you configure French as a global language in your Shopify store and French was also added as a language to your Canada market, your Smartling Language mapping will look like this:
In Translate & Adapt, when viewing French (Global) you will see Source: English as the reference. The French (fr-FR) translations will be displayed in the right-hand column.
When switching to French for Canada market (fr-CA), it will show Source: French (Global). The French (Canada market) fr-CA translations will be displayed in the right-hand column.
To open an asset in the Translate & Adapt app, click the More actions menu and select Localize.
For certain asset types, such as Links (Menus), you can open the content in the Translate & Adapt app by clicking the Localize button.
Adding or Editing Translations
Translations should not be added directly in Shopify, as the connector does not recognize translations added manually. If your team adds translations directly, they will be overwritten when the connector delivers translations.
If you need to edit translations after they have been delivered to Shopify, all edits should be made in Smartling. The connector does not track or recognize changes made directly in Shopify. If you edit translations in Shopify, those edits will be overwritten the next time the connector delivers translations for the asset. To ensure changes are preserved, always make edits in Smartling.