Translating a web page

As we try to make websites more accessible for everyone, it can be easy to forget that not everyone speaks English as their first language. Here is a quick guide on how to translate a page into a different language in the most popular browsers.

Chrome

  1. The browser will automatically detect if the language on a webpage is different to your default language
  2. A pop-up to the right of the address bar will offer the option to translate the page
    Google Chrome pop-up language selector
  3. If the pop-up does not appear, there is a Google Translate icon next to the address bar
    Google Chrome translate icon
  4. If you click on the three dots that appear in the Google Translate pop-up, you have options to always translate pages in this language
    Google Chrome pop-up translation options
  5. Chrome mobile also has a similar dialogue box asking if you want to translate the page

Safari

  1. A “translation available” message appears in the address bar when you view a page in a foreign language.
    Safari translation available message
  2. Clicking on the “Translate” icon opens up the menu of translation options. From here, you can download languages and opt to enable offline translations.
    Safari translation icon
    Safari translation options

Edge

  1. The browser will detect if the language on a webpage is different to your preferred language. A menu appears asking if you want to translate the page:
    Edge translation popup
  2. There is also a “translate” icon in the menu bar which will offer the same prompts if clicked:
    Edge translation popup
  3. You can also tell Edge to always translate pages in this language going forwards
  4. On mobile, there’s also a pop-up dialog box, or tap the three horizontal lines (bottom right), swiping to the left on the icon and then tapping “Translate”

Firefox

  1. When on a page in a language different from your computer’s default, a pop-up prompt will ask if you want to run a translation. Click to translate now, or click the button in the address bar to do it later
  2. Opening Settings - general (from the applications menu) also gives you more translation options around languages
    Firefox menu
    Firefox settings

Apple Mobile

  1. On iPhone / iPad, you can translate text, voice, and conversations into any supported language
  2. Go to the “translate” app, tap the language you want to translate your selected text (or translate your voice and listen to the translation)
    iPhone translate

Android Mobile

  1. Exactly the same as on a computer, the Chrome browser will automatically detect if a webpage is in a foreign language and ask if you want to translate
  2. The Google app also has the option to translate text, either typed in or from a picture or screenshot
    Android translate