Managing Languages and Building a Multilingual Site in Joomla 6

Joomla 6 includes powerful multilingual features built right into the core — no plugins required. You can create a fully translated website with separate menus, articles, and modules for each language, all managed from one dashboard.

1. Why Use Joomla’s Multilingual Feature?

Multilingual websites allow you to reach a broader audience and improve SEO in multiple regions. With Joomla 6, you can easily manage language versions for every part of your site — including menus, categories, and content.

2. Installing Additional Languages

• Go to System → Extensions → Languages → Installed (Site).
• Click the Install Languages tab.
• Search for the language you want (e.g. “French” or “Vietnamese”).
• Click Install.

The new language will now appear in your Installed Languages list for both frontend and backend.

3. Setting the Default Language

• Go to System → Languages → Installed (Site).
• Click the Star icon next to your preferred default language.

This sets the default display language for your site’s frontend.

4. Enabling the Language Filter Plugin

To make multilingual features work, enable two core plugins:

• Go to System → Manage → Plugins.
• Search for Language Filter and enable it.
• Search for Language Code and enable it too (for SEO-friendly hreflang tags).

The Language Filter automatically detects language versions and switches based on visitor selection.

5. Creating Language Content Categories

Each language needs its own category structure:

• Go to Content → Categories.
• Create categories for each language (e.g., “News – EN” and “News – FR”).
• Set the Language field to the corresponding language.

This ensures articles for each language stay properly separated.

6. Creating Language-Specific Menus

• Go to Menus → Manage → Add New Menu.
• Create one menu per language (e.g., “Main Menu EN”, “Main Menu FR”).
• Assign each menu’s items only to that language.

Each language will have its own navigation structure.

7. Adding Language Switcher Module

To allow visitors to change languages:

• Go to Content → Site Modules → New.
• Select Language Switcher.
• Assign it to a visible position (like “header” or “topmenu”).
• Set its status to Published.

This will add a language selector (flags or dropdown) on your site.

8. Creating Multilingual Articles

Now you can create translated articles for each language:

• Go to Content → Articles → New.
• Enter the article in your chosen language and assign it to the corresponding category (e.g., “News – EN”).
• Set the Language field accordingly.

Repeat this process for each translation.

9. Linking Translations Together

To connect multiple language versions of the same article:

• Open one of the articles.
• Click the Associations tab.
• Select the equivalent article for each language.
• Save changes.

Now, when users switch languages, they’ll see the corresponding translated article automatically.

10. Setting the Default Home Page for Each Language

Each language must have its own “Home” page:

• Go to the language-specific menu (e.g., “Main Menu EN”).
• Create a new menu item (type: Featured Articles).
• Set it as Home and assign the correct Language.

Do this for every installed language.

11. Testing Your Multilingual Site

• Visit your site’s frontend.
• Use the language switcher to toggle between translations.
• Ensure the correct menus, articles, and categories display for each language.

12. Troubleshooting Tips

• Make sure each menu and article has a defined language — avoid leaving items set to “All”.
• Each language must have its own “Home” menu item.
• Enable the “Language Filter” plugin — it’s required for multilingual functionality.

13. Summary

With Joomla 6’s built-in multilingual system, you can easily build websites in multiple languages — complete with localized menus, content, and SEO. No extensions required — just enable, configure, and publish.

Next, we’ll move into Using the Media Manager to Organize Your Files.