At the outset you may well think that all you need to do is convert the conversational copy into the proposed languages right? Sorry it’s just not that straight forward.
3 things to consider.
1. How will you start the conversation in the correct language?
Some #chatbot platforms can adapt the conversation depending on the customers location. However, with the advent of VPN’s you can’t guarantee that this will always be correct.
One approach is to offer up the language choice at the beginning of each conversation. Of course you need to know all the conversation starting points and ensure you capture them all.
2. How will you offer up the language choice?
The simple approach is showing each country flag using the ones available as emojis but if you have lots of languages to support this can become cumbersome.
Another option is to have a phrase like ‘I would like to chat in English’ and vary the message for the chosen languages. Like using emojis, this too can become cumbersome if you decide to support many languages.
You could tell them exactly what languages you Chatbot can converse in. If it speaks French, say ‘je peux discuter en français’. If it can chat in Italian say ‘posso chattare in italiano’
You may ask them to tell you which language from the list they prefer by either typing the language or selecting it from a list.
The final option is to ask them in the languages you support, which language they prefer and let them free text the answer. This is the most human-like way to handle the language issue but is also the one that will take the most effort in terms of training your Chatbot to react to the responses.
3. How will you manage the translation and conversational copywriting?
I’m afraid that google Translate is just not going to cut it! Not only do you need to convert the conversational copy you also need to understand cultural norms such such as formality, tone and the preferred pace of conversation.
Your only really option is to find a copywriter in that language. If you can stretch the budget to a conversational designer in that language, even better.