Difference for browsers that already translate
Enviado: 25 Jan 2026, 17:43
Extension Description:
This extension allows users to translate individual posts without affecting the rest of the forum's interface. It uses the GTranslate engine to provide a granular translation experience.
Why use this instead of built-in browser translation?
I've seen some comments mentioning that modern browsers (Chrome, Edge) already have built-in translation. While true, this extension solves three major issues that browser-level translation causes:
1. Interface Preservation: Browser translation often translates everything—including usernames, button labels, forum categories, and technical terms. This can break the forum layout and make navigation confusing. My extension **only** translates the post content area, keeping the forum UI in the user's preferred language.
2. Multilingual Topics: In threads where users speak different languages (e.g., an English post followed by a Portuguese reply), browser translators often get confused or "double-translate" content. This extension allows the user to surgically translate only the specific post they don't understand.
3. User Experience & Inclusivity:** It makes the forum more welcoming to international members who might be intimidated by a language barrier. Providing a visible, easy-to-use button says "we are a global community" and assists users who may not be tech-savvy enough to use browser tools.
Key Features:
- Translate" and "Reset" buttons** on every post.
- Dynamic Language Detection:** Automatically sets the default language based on the user's phpBB session (`{S_USER_LANG}`).
- Clean Reset:** A dedicated button to revert the post back to its original state without refreshing the page.
- Privacy-Focused: Uses `notranslate` tags to ensure that private data, usernames, and UI elements are never sent to translation servers.
- Browser translation is a 'sledgehammer' approach. This extension is a 'scalpel'. It gives the user control over exactly what gets translated and when, preserving the integrity of the forum's design."
Browser translation is a 'sledgehammer' approach. This extension is a 'scalpel'. It gives the user control over exactly what gets translated and when, preserving the integrity of the forum's design.
This extension allows users to translate individual posts without affecting the rest of the forum's interface. It uses the GTranslate engine to provide a granular translation experience.
Why use this instead of built-in browser translation?
I've seen some comments mentioning that modern browsers (Chrome, Edge) already have built-in translation. While true, this extension solves three major issues that browser-level translation causes:
1. Interface Preservation: Browser translation often translates everything—including usernames, button labels, forum categories, and technical terms. This can break the forum layout and make navigation confusing. My extension **only** translates the post content area, keeping the forum UI in the user's preferred language.
2. Multilingual Topics: In threads where users speak different languages (e.g., an English post followed by a Portuguese reply), browser translators often get confused or "double-translate" content. This extension allows the user to surgically translate only the specific post they don't understand.
3. User Experience & Inclusivity:** It makes the forum more welcoming to international members who might be intimidated by a language barrier. Providing a visible, easy-to-use button says "we are a global community" and assists users who may not be tech-savvy enough to use browser tools.
Key Features:
- Translate" and "Reset" buttons** on every post.
- Dynamic Language Detection:** Automatically sets the default language based on the user's phpBB session (`{S_USER_LANG}`).
- Clean Reset:** A dedicated button to revert the post back to its original state without refreshing the page.
- Privacy-Focused: Uses `notranslate` tags to ensure that private data, usernames, and UI elements are never sent to translation servers.
- Browser translation is a 'sledgehammer' approach. This extension is a 'scalpel'. It gives the user control over exactly what gets translated and when, preserving the integrity of the forum's design."
Browser translation is a 'sledgehammer' approach. This extension is a 'scalpel'. It gives the user control over exactly what gets translated and when, preserving the integrity of the forum's design.