How to convert and store configurable items in a multi-language web application?

Question

I have a multi-language web application. I am converting all the controls i.e. labels, drop down, text, and messages using resource file.

Problem:

For example, registration page has drop down of Prefix- Mr, Mrs,Miss etc. This prefix data comes from a table and is configurable i.e We are having a configuration web page for the same.

There are many other configurable things and corresponding pages.

My question is how to convert this data into other language and how to save the same as it cannot be done with resource file.

Anyone having practical ideas can guide me.

Answer 1

If it's user configurable, then it's not practical to use resource files, for users can configure whatever they need.

So, if I understood correctly, I think the only practical solution is having translations in a table for each value users enter.

Since users can enter values in any language it can get tricky.

I would choose a default required language, say english, so whenever users manage the values (Title or prefix in your sample), they have to manage them in pairs, i.e. their language and english.

So, if the locale is french, when they check the index of titles, they see two columns, one for french and one for english.

If it's the first time the french user enters the view, then there are no french values, so the user has to add the french translation for the english values al ready registered.

If the user adds a new [french] value, then she/he has to enter the english translation too.

It looks a litle cumbersome and may be not very practical, but it's an option!

Best,

PD: Hey, please share the solution when you get to it!