Install languages

JEM is installed with English (en-GB) language files by default. Additional languages can be installed separately with JEM language packs.

A JEM language pack only adds translations for JEM. The Joomla language itself must already be installed on the site before JEM can use that language.

What Language Packs Do

JEM language packs provide translated language files for the JEM component, modules, and plugins. They do not translate your event content, venue descriptions, categories, articles, or menu titles.

  • JEM interface text: translated by JEM language files.
  • Joomla interface text: translated by Joomla language packages.
  • Your own content: translated manually by the site administrator or content editors.
Some language packs may be incomplete. Missing or outdated strings can appear in English until the translation is completed and a newer language pack is installed.

Before Installing a JEM Language Pack

First make sure the matching Joomla language is installed and enabled on your site.

  1. Log in to the Joomla administrator area.
  2. Go to System → Install → Languages.
  3. Search for the language you want to use.
  4. Install the Joomla language package.
  5. Go to System → Manage → Content Languages.
  6. Confirm that the language is available and published if your site uses multilingual content.
  7. Set the site or administrator language as needed in Joomla's language settings.
If the Joomla language is not installed, the JEM language pack may not install or activate the translated files for that language.

Download the JEM Language Pack

Official JEM language packs are available from the JEM download area. Download the language pack that matches your JEM release line.

  • Use a JEM 4 language pack for JEM 4.5.0 on Joomla 5.
  • Use a JEM 5 language pack for JEM 5.0.0 on Joomla 6.
Do not install an old language pack over a newer JEM version unless it is marked as compatible. Old language files can leave new JEM strings untranslated.

Install the Language Pack

Install the JEM language pack with the standard Joomla extension installer.

  1. Download the JEM language pack ZIP file.
  2. Log in to the Joomla administrator area.
  3. Go to System → Install → Extensions.
  4. Open the Upload Package File tab.
  5. Select the JEM language pack ZIP file.
  6. Upload and install the package.
  7. Clear Joomla cache if translated strings do not appear immediately.

After Installation

Check both the frontend and administrator areas, because JEM includes language strings for the component, modules, plugins, and frontend views.

  • Open Components → JEM in the administrator.
  • Check JEM Settings, event edit pages, venue edit pages, and registration pages.
  • Open frontend JEM menu items such as event lists, calendars, venue pages, and event detail pages.
  • Check published JEM modules if your site uses them.
  • Check JEM plugins if they output text on your site.

Updating Language Packs

When JEM is updated, new language strings may be added. Update the JEM language pack after updating JEM, especially after moving to a new major JEM version.

  • Update JEM first.
  • Install the matching current JEM language pack afterwards.
  • Clear Joomla cache if old text remains visible.
  • Review language overrides, because overrides may hide newer translated strings.
Installing a newer JEM language pack updates the translated JEM language files. It does not change your event content, menu items, categories, venues, or Joomla language settings.

Incomplete or Missing Translations

If a translation is incomplete, JEM may show the original English text or a language constant. This usually means that the language pack does not yet contain a translation for that string.

  • Check that the correct JEM language pack version is installed.
  • Check whether the Joomla language is installed and active.
  • Check whether a Joomla language override is replacing the expected text.
  • Install a newer language pack if one is available.

Language Overrides

For small wording changes, use Joomla language overrides instead of editing JEM language files directly. Overrides are stored by Joomla and are safer during updates.

Do not edit JEM language files directly on a production site unless you are maintaining a custom language pack. Direct file edits can be overwritten when JEM or the language pack is updated.

Help Translate JEM

JEM translations are maintained by the community. If your language is incomplete, outdated, or missing, you can help by contributing translations through the JEM translation project.

  • Use the JEM on Transifex documentation to learn how translations are managed.
  • Use Language overrides for local site-specific wording changes.
  • Use the official download area to install released language packs.

Troubleshooting

The language pack installs but JEM is still in English

  • Confirm that the Joomla language is installed.
  • Confirm that the language is selected for the site or administrator area where you are testing.
  • Clear Joomla cache and browser cache.
  • Check that the language pack matches your installed JEM version.

Some strings are translated and others are not

  • The translation may be incomplete.
  • The JEM version may include new strings not yet translated.
  • A newer language pack may be available.
  • A language override may be changing or hiding the expected text.

A language constant is displayed

A visible text such as COM_JEM_EXAMPLE_TEXT usually means that the matching translation string is missing. Update the language pack or add a Joomla language override for the affected string.

Related Documentation