How to Tame the “Select Language” Beast: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you tired of the bland and boring “Select Language” text in the Google Translate element’s dropdown list? Do you want to spice things up and make it align with your website’s tone and personality? Well, you’re in luck! In this article, we’ll show you how to change the “Select Language” text to the desired text you want, and it’s easier than you think!

Why Change the “Select Language” Text?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about why you’d want to change the “Select Language” text in the first place. Here are a few reasons:

• Branding consistency**: If you’re building a website or application with a unique tone and personality, the default “Select Language” text might stick out like a sore thumb. By changing it, you can maintain consistency with your brand’s voice and style.
• Localization**: If you’re targeting a specific region or audience, you might want to use a more familiar or culturally relevant phrase instead of the generic “Select Language”. This can help create a more immersive experience for your users.
• Accessibility**: For users with disabilities, a more descriptive text can be helpful in understanding the purpose of the dropdown list. By changing the text, you can provide a more accessible experience for your users.

The Magic Behind Google Translate Element

Before we start modifying the “Select Language” text, let’s quickly cover how the Google Translate element works. The Google Translate element is a JavaScript library that allows you to add translation functionality to your website or application. It’s a powerful tool that can be customized to fit your needs.

<script type="text/javascript">
  function googleTranslateElementInit() {
    new google.translate.TranslateElement({
      pageLanguage: 'en',
      layout: google.translate.TranslateElement.InlineLayout.SIMPLE
    }, 'google_translate_element');
  }
</script>

<div id="google_translate_element"></div>

In the code above, we’re initializing the Google Translate element and specifying the page language as English. We’re also using the simple inline layout for the translation dropdown list.

Changing the “Select Language” Text

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get to the good stuff! To change the “Select Language” text, we’ll need to use JavaScript to modify the Google Translate element’s configuration. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Get the Google Translate Element’s Instance

First, we need to get the instance of the Google Translate element. We can do this by using the `google.translate.TranslateElement.getInstance()` method.

<script>
  var translateElement = google.translate.TranslateElement.getInstance('google_translate_element');
</script>

Step 2: Modify the Configuration

Once we have the instance, we can modify the configuration using the `translateElement.getService().Configure()` method. We’ll pass an object with the new configuration settings.

<script>
  translateElement.getService().configure({
    'LABEL_PREFIX': 'Your desired text here'
  });
</script>

In the code above, we’re setting the `LABEL_PREFIX` property to our desired text. This will replace the default “Select Language” text with our custom text.

Step 3: Update the Translation Dropdown List

Finally, we need to update the translation dropdown list to reflect the changes. We can do this by calling the `translateElement.getService().updateElement()` method.

<script>
  translateElement.getService().updateElement();
</script>

And that’s it! You should now see your custom text instead of the default “Select Language” text.

Example Code

Here’s the complete example code:

<script type="text/javascript">
  function googleTranslateElementInit() {
    new google.translate.TranslateElement({
      pageLanguage: 'en',
      layout: google.translate.TranslateElement.InlineLayout.SIMPLE
    }, 'google_translate_element');
  }

  var translateElement = google.translate.TranslateElement.getInstance('google_translate_element');
  translateElement.getService().configure({
    'LABEL_PREFIX': 'Choose your language'
  });
  translateElement.getService().updateElement();
</script>

<div id="google_translate_element"></div>

In this example, we’re changing the “Select Language” text to “Choose your language”. You can replace this with any text you want.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Here are some common issues you might encounter and how to troubleshoot them:

Issue: The custom text doesn’t appear

If the custom text doesn’t appear, make sure you’ve added the `translateElement.getService().updateElement()` line after modifying the configuration.

Issue: The custom text appears, but it’s not translated

If the custom text appears, but it’s not translated, make sure you’ve specified the correct language code in the `pageLanguage` property when initializing the Google Translate element.

Conclusion

Changing the “Select Language” text in the Google Translate element’s dropdown list is easier than you think! By following the steps outlined in this article, you can customize the text to fit your website’s tone and personality. Remember to keep your branding consistent, consider localization, and prioritize accessibility.

Got any questions or need further assistance? Leave a comment below and we’ll be happy to help!

Property	Description
LABEL_PREFIX	The text that appears before the language options in the dropdown list.
LABEL_SUFFIX	The text that appears after the language options in the dropdown list.
LANGUAGES_PER_PAGE	The number of languages to display per page in the dropdown list.
LANGUAGE_FAMILY	The language family to use for the translation (e.g. “en” for English).

Here are some additional properties you can modify to further customize the Google Translate element. Experiment with different settings to find the perfect combination for your website or application!

1. Remember to test your changes in different browsers and devices to ensure compatibility.
2. Keep in mind that modifying the Google Translate element’s configuration may affect its behavior and performance.
3. If you’re using a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to load the Google Translate element, make sure to update the CDN link to reflect the changes.

Now, go forth and customize that “Select Language” text like a pro!

Frequently Asked Question

Get ready to master the art of customizing the Google Translate element!