[Plugin: Polylang] better style language switch and snippet.

First, I would like to thank you for your positive feedback.

I don’t know more of WPML than the last non-commercial version that I tested more than one year ago just before starting this project. I did not purchase the commercial version since I don’t need it ?? and my goal is not to mimic WPML. In fact my objective is very different: lightness and simplicity (when WPML can sell features and professional support). Obviously, since Polylang is about 1/10 the weight of WPML (I refer to the version I tested), it certainly can’t reach all its features… Maybe someone will one day write an extension to Polylang to get a sexyer language switcher which will fit your needs. I prefer to let that to theme designers and concentrate on core features.

However, I can’t let you write that qtranslate is “shitty” without reaction. Some people thought and still think that it is the best non commercial multilingual plugin. I tested it a year ago too. And I believe that its author made a very goog job, especially with WordPress integration and ease of use. I did not choose to use it because of these ‘tags’ issue. But in fact, qtranslate is quite old now and worked with versions of WordPress which may not have allowed to do a multilingual extension the way Polylang does.

Could you be kindly teach me how to insert a bit of code to my site’s header?

I just need a snippet, or something similar, a short form code, so I can keep away from my template’s useless widget area.

Thank you so much
Best
BB

Did you look at the function pll_the_languages described in the doc ?

Hi,

I agree with BBPress about Polylang. Like him, I appreciate its simplicity and i’m searching the way to create a language switcher, not in the sidebar (using the widget), but in the top right corner of my site. For information, I’m using a WPshower theme, Imbalance.

I already read the function pll_the-languages described in the doc and I still don’t know what I have to do.

Do I have to introduce this line of code : pll_the_languages($args);
in my style.css or in my functions.php?

I will propose you one way.
in header.php:

Replace:

<?php else: ?>
    <a href="<?php bloginfo("url"); ?>/"><img src="<?php echo get_option('imbalance_custom_logo'); ?>" alt="<?php bloginfo('name'); ?>" /></a>

    <?php endif ?>
  </div>
</div>
<div id="menu">
  <div id="navicons">

by:

<?php else: ?>
    <a href="<?php bloginfo("url"); ?>/"><img src="<?php echo get_option('imbalance_custom_logo'); ?>" alt="<?php bloginfo('name'); ?>" /></a>
    <?php endif ?>
  </div>
  <?php if (function_exists('pll_the_languages')): ?>
    <ul id='language-switch'><?php pll_the_languages(); ?></ul>
  <?php endif; ?>
</div>
<div id="menu">
  <div id="navicons">

In style.css, add:

#language-switch {
	float: right;
}

#logo {
	float: left;
}

.lang-item {
	display: inline;
}

It’s better to create a child theme so that your modifications will be not overwritten when you will update your theme.

Thanks Chouby !!! It works perfectly !

I’m not a theme developer and I don’t feel really good with child themes, but I just decided to explore both options. First, I maked the changements directly in the wp’s editor and it works. Then, in order to make things the smart way, I did a child theme with two files : style.css and header.php. And it steel works.

What I did : My child’s header.php file is entirely repeating the parent’s one, except in the “<?php else…navicons”> where I putted what Chouby told me.
My style.css has only the child’s theme identification and the Chouby’s sentence :

/*
Theme Name:     Imbalance Child
Theme URI:      https://mysite.com/
Description:    Child theme for the Imbalance theme
Author:         My Name
Author URI:     https://mysite.com/
Template:       imbalance
Version:        1.19
*/

@import url("../imbalance/style.css");

#language-switch {
	float: right;
}

#logo {
	float: left;
}

.lang-item {
	display: inline;
}