How translation works in Finalsite's Mobile App

Misty Flowers

April 22, 2025 16:38

Finalsite’s mobile app ensures your school community stays informed in their preferred language. This article covers how the app interface (buttons and menus) and managed content (news and events) are translated.

💡Quick answers

How does it work? The app uses Google Cloud Neural Machine Translation (NMT) to translate news, events, and chat messages in real-time, focusing on context and natural flow rather than word-for-word replacement.
What languages are supported? The app interface is currently verified for 57 primary languages via Google Cloud NMT.
How do I change my language? By default, the app follows your phone’s system settings. You can manually override this by going to App Profile Settings and selecting a specific language.
Does it translate everything? It translates all text-based content (News, Events, and Chat). It does not translate text inside images or PDF attachments.
How do I see the original message? Simply tap the translated text in a chat or message to toggle between the translation and the original language.

Translation in the mobile app interface

Feature	Details
Supported content	App menus, navigation buttons, news, and calendars
Language count	57 verified languages
Primary control	Mobile device settings or app profile
Fallback	Defaults to English if a language is unsupported

The technology behind our translation

Finalsite uses neural machine translation (NMT) powered by Google Cloud. NMT uses deep learning to translate entire sentences at a time. This allows the system to recognize context, preserve grammar, and maintain the natural flow of your school’s communications. By using this "neural" approach, the mobile app provides much higher accuracy for official menu items and news feeds.

Supported languages

The app interface is currently verified for 57 primary languages. View the full reference for these supported languages and their ISO codes via the Google Cloud Translation Documentation.

Change your language

By default, the app translation follows the mobile device's language settings. If the device is set to an unsupported language, the app will default to English. Users can also manually choose their preferred language in the App Profile Settings, which will override the device's global settings for a customized experience.

Device settings: By default, the app follows your phone's global language.
App profile: To override your phone settings, go to App profile settings and manually select your preference.

FAQS

Q: If I send a message in my language, how will the recipient see it?
A: The recipient will see your message in their own preferred language automatically. For example, if you type a message in English and the recipient has their app set to Spanish, the message will appear in Spanish on their screen in real-time.

Q: Can I see the original message before it was translated?
A: Yes. If you want to verify the original wording of a message, simply tap the translated text. The app will toggle to show you the original language used by the sender.

Q: What happens if a user’s preferred language isn't on the list of supported languages?
A: If a user selects a language that is not currently supported for the app interface, the menu items and buttons will default to English. However, the Chat feature may still be able to translate their specific messages depending on the dialect.

Q: Does the translation work for images or PDF attachments?
A: No. Currently, our translation engine only processes text-based content within the app and chat. Text contained within images (like a photo of a flyer) or uploaded PDF documents will remain in their original language. We recommend adding a text summary to your message to ensure all users can understand the key details of an attachment.

Q: Will push notifications be translated?
A: Yes. Push notifications for news, alerts, and events are processed by the translation engine. The notification will arrive on the user's phone in the language they have selected in their App profile settings.

Q: Does the app translate news stories pulled from the website?
A: Yes. Any news content published through the Finalsite CMS that appears in the app’s news feed will be translated in real-time when the user opens the story.

Q: Are calendar event locations and map links translated?
A: The text description of a calendar event is translated. However, specific address strings and proper names of locations are usually left in their original format to ensure that map applications (like Google Maps or Apple Maps) can still recognize the location data accurately.

Q: Does the translation work for screen readers?
A: Yes. Because the translation engine converts the text at the code level, assistive technologies like VoiceOver (iOS) and TalkBack (Android) will read the translated version of the text, supporting your district's digital equity goals.

Q: Is there a cost to the user for these translations?
A: No. The translation service is built directly into the Finalsite mobile app. There are no fees or additional data charges for users to access content in their preferred language.

Best practices for content translation

1. Keep headlines clear and literal

Avoid using puns, wordplay, or "cutesy" titles for news stories or events. The AI may take these literally, leading to confusing headlines.

Avoid: "A 'Tee-rific' day at the golf fundraiser!"
Better: "Successful golf fundraiser raises money for athletics."

2. Use standard date and time formats

Using clear and consistent structures helps the AI identify a schedule and translate specific time markers accurately.

Best practice: Instead of "This Fri @ 7," use "Friday, Oct 12 at 7:00 PM." This ensures the day and time translate correctly across all 57 verified languages.

3. Structure news stories with descriptive headings

Pro-tip: Use short, descriptive headers within your news stories. This provides the translation engine with "anchors" to understand the context of the paragraphs following them.

4. Provide alt-text for important image info

Since the translation engine cannot read text inside images, any info in a photo must be included in the text body of the news story or event description.

Example: Think of the text body as the "accessible version" of your flyer. Always include the event details (date, time, location) in the text.

5. Avoid local abbreviations

Common local abbreviations for buildings or school names may be ignored or mistranslated by the AI.

Avoid: "Meeting in the HS Lib."
Better: "Meeting in the high school library."

6. Test high-stakes announcements

Best practice: For emergency alerts or policy changes, have a native speaker check the app interface to ensure the "tone" of the translation is appropriate and clear.