Translation Rules let you give extra instructions to SiteTran’s AI Translator and Reviewer.
This is useful when you want certain phrases handled in a specific way without changing how everything on your site is translated.
For example, you can tell the AI to keep a brand name in English, use a certain tone, or apply a special instruction only when a phrase contains specific text. It's like your Glossary but more flexible and context-aware.
You can use Shared Resources, to share Translation Rules across sites on the same team so the same AI guidance can be reused in multiple projects.
What Translation Rules do
A Translation Rule gives the AI an extra instruction to follow when a phrase matches that rule.
Each rule includes:
- A rule name, so you can recognize it later
- An instruction for the AI
- The languages the rule applies to, or the option to apply it to all languages
- Optional conditions that control when the rule should apply
If a rule matches, SiteTran passes that instruction to the AI.
When to use Translation Rules
Translation Rules are best for broader guidance.
- Keep a product or brand name unchanged
- Use a formal or casual tone
- Keep button text short and natural
- Handle certain phrases differently based on text patterns
- Give the AI extra context for specific kinds of phrases
If you need to control one specific term, your Glossary is usually the better tool. If you need to give the AI a broader instruction, Translation Rules are usually the better choice.
How to create a Translation Rule
- Open the Translation Rules page for your site
- Add a new rule
- Enter a short, clear rule name
- Write the instruction you want the AI to follow
- Choose whether the rule applies to all languages or selected languages
- Choose whether the rule applies to every phrase or only when conditions match
- Test the rule with sample text
- Save the rule
How conditions work
If you do not want a rule to apply to every phrase, you can add conditions.
- Contains text: the phrase includes specific text anywhere in it
- Starts with: the phrase begins with specific text
- Ends with: the phrase ends with specific text
- Regex: the phrase matches a more advanced text pattern
If you are not comfortable with regex, ask your favorite model to help you write it, then test it at the bottom of the Translation Rule editor.
Examples
- Keep SiteTran in English: Always keep “SiteTran” in English. Do not translate it.
- Formal login text: Use a formal tone for login and account access text.
- Short menu labels: Keep this translation short and natural for a navigation item.
- Decimals in numbers: Always translate the decimal place in numbers like...
- Thousand delimiters in numbers: Always translate thousand delimiters in numbers like...
Tips for writing a good rule
- Keep the instruction short and clear
- Make each rule about one idea
- Use selected languages if the instruction only makes sense for certain languages
- Test the rule before relying on it
- Use simple text conditions before trying regex
A good way to start
Start with one simple rule and test it on real phrases.
The clearer your instruction is, the more reliably the AI can follow it.