Translation vs Multi-lingual

Translation: If you plan to have your site only in your native language, you will need to localize (translate) the theme strings. For theme string translation, please follow the steps below.

Multilingual: However, if you want to have your site available in more than one language, you will need an additional multilingual plugin like Polylang.
This plugin is needed in addition to the steps below. Use the steps below to translate theme strings into multiple languages, while use the Polylang plugin to translate your content like widgets, posts and menus into multiple languages.

Theme Translation / Localization

Translating your theme is pretty easy with WordPress. Essentially, it involves 2 steps:

1. Switch your WordPress language. This takes care of all the default WordPress strings
2. Install a plugin like Loco Translate to translate the theme specific strings
   (if your theme supports HootKit plugin, you can use LocoTranslate to translate HootKit’s widgets strings as well)

1. Switching WordPress Language

Change your default WordPress language by going to Settings > General. If you do not see the option below, you will need to update your WordPress. If you have translated your site in the past for previous WordPress versions (which used wp-config.php to init translation), then you will need to remove the translation code from your wp-config file.

2. Translating Theme Strings

1. Install and activate the Loco Translate plugin.
2. In your wp-admin, go to Loco Translate > Themes
3. Click your active theme. Then click on New Language
   
   
   
   
4. Select your language in the next screen.
   We highly recommend using the global directory to store your translations. This way you wont lose your translations when you update the theme or WordPress.
   
   
   
   
5. When translating, remember to Sync your file the first time (recommended).
   After the first time, you need to sync the file only when you update the theme (optional).
   
   

3. Translating HootKit strings(only for themes which support the HootKit plugin)

If your wpHoot theme supports HootKit plugin widgets, you can translate the plugin strings as well. These steps are identical to the steps above.

1. Install and activate the Loco Translate plugin.
2. In your wp-admin, go to Loco Translate > Plugins
3. Click HootKit. Then click on New Language
4. Select your language in the next screen.
   We highly recommend using the global directory to store your translations. This way you wont lose your translations when you update the theme or WordPress.
5. When translating, remember to Sync your file the first time (recommended).
   After the first time, you need to sync the file only when you update the plugin (optional).