Problem in translations timing in custom theme

  • ioclaudio

    (@ioclaudio)


    2 weeks, 3 days ago

    Hi,
    I’ve a problem with the timing of string translations in a custom theme.
    I’ve defined the domain in this way:

    add_action('after_setup_theme', 'tuo_tema_load_textdomain', 0);
    function tuo_tema_load_textdomain() {
      load_theme_textdomain('my-textdomain', get_template_directory() . '/languages');
    }

    However now I have this warning:

    Notice: The _load_textdomain_just_in_time function was called incorrectly. The translation loading for the text domain my-textdomain was triggered too early…

    because in some modules I’ve defined constants like this:

    define(
     'DLI_SPINOFF_STATUS',
     array(
      'In attività' => __( 'Cerca area tematica', 'my-textdomain' ), 
      'Cessata' => __( 'Cessata', 'my-textdomain' ),
     )
    );

    I need to translate these values. What’s the best way to have constants translated without triggering the warning?

    Thank you very much.

    Claudio

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • threadi

    (@threadi)

    2 weeks, 3 days ago

    Take a look at this article: https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/03/12/i18n-improvements-6-8/

    I would therefore say that you no longer need to use load_theme_textdomain() if you set the information in the theme header as described.

    Then I would recommend that you do not store any translations in constants. Find another way that doesn’t lead to this problem.

    finlaythomas34

    (@finlaythomas34)

    1 week, 4 days ago

    You’re getting the _load_textdomain_just_in_time warning because you’re calling __() too early—before your theme’s textdomain is loaded with load_theme_textdomain().

    This happens when constants like DLI_SPINOFF_STATUS are defined at the top level of your code, which runs before WordPress has loaded translations.

    Solutions

    1. Use a function instead of a constant:

    function get_dli_spinoff_status() {
        return array(
            'In attività' => __( 'Cerca area tematica', 'my-textdomain' ),
            'Cessata' => __( 'Cessata', 'my-textdomain' ),
        );
    }

    Call this function where needed. It ensures translations are only used after they’re loaded.

    2. Delay constant definition:

    add_action('after_setup_theme', 'define_dli_spinoff_constants');
    function define_dli_spinoff_constants() {
        define('DLI_SPINOFF_STATUS', array(
            'In attività' => __( 'Cerca area tematica', 'my-textdomain' ),
            'Cessata' => __( 'Cessata', 'my-textdomain' ),
        ));
    }

    But constants are not ideal for translated text. Functions are safer and more flexible.

    Thread Starter ioclaudio

    (@ioclaudio)

    5 days, 7 hours ago

    Thanks to both of you for your suggestions.

    Claudio

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
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