Multi-language configuration

Multi-Language Field Configuration is used to add language support for data in Infor HR Talent. This complements the previous support for translations of static text using installable language packs. Multi-language Field Configuration allows administrators to add translations for setup components. Examples are the descriptions of positions, jobs, and rating levels.

You cannot translate codes because they are used to find records in the database. Instead, you can translate the description of the codes. Transactional data such as comments, personal goals, and journal entries are also not translatable.

Together these features allow HR Talent users to view the application in their preferred languages. The translated data is also used in automated processes such as sending emails and generating documents. If a user attempts to view the application in a language that has not been defined, the base data is shown. The translations are intended for use by candidates, employees, and managers who are unfamiliar with base data.

Base data refers to the non-translated data that is entered in a consistent corporate language.

For a list of the fields for which you can specify translated text, see Multi-language fields configuration.

Multi-language configuration is an optional feature that is enabled when Infor HR Talent is installed, but requires some additional configuration.

For detailed steps to complete this setup, see Using multi-language configuration.

Translated data is stored in a second set of database tables. After defining a translation, the translation record cannot be deleted, but the translated text can be cleared in the record.

Translated text records are effective-dated, and the effective date is automatically set to the current system date when the record is entered. Translated data is not updated retroactively. If you retroactively change an organization's description, for example, the translation text is not updated.

Determining locale

To determine the language that is used for translations, one of three methods is used by the Infor HR Talent system:

  • Session key. If a candidate is accessing HR Talent through Candidate Space, the session key contains the language to use. If you have enabled multi-language configuration, then your Candidate Space URL must embed language information in the session key. This example is a session key for French:

    context.session.key.IsoLocale=FR

  • IsoLocale on the actor. Each actor record can have an IsoLocale field value. The value in that field is used to determine the language that is used when that actor accesses HR Talent. This method is used for Infor Rich Client users.
  • Web browser settings. If no language information exists in the session key, then HR Talent uses the language specified in the web browser settings. This method is used for employees and managers in the web interfaces (Employee Space and Manager Space).

Emails and documents

Email templates contain elements that can be translated, such as the message body text in a system-generated email. To take advantage of this feature, you must specify a Preferred Email Language field for each email template. When sending the email, you can select the role for which to use the preferred language. For example, if you select Supervisor, the email is sent in the Supervisor's preferred language. If you don't select a preferred language, the base data is used. If there are multiple recipients for an email, the single preferred language is used for all recipients.

Documents can be generated in a specific language. A rich text format (.rtf) document template is specified for each IsoLocale. For example, one version of the template can be written in English, and another version written in Swedish. When you define the document templates in Infor HR Talent, specify a Preferred Document Language to determine the document template file to use when generating the document. Documents that are associated with email notifications inherit the preferred language of the email.