How to translate a database?

Hi

I have a php website that is using a database. I want to translate the website in 5 languages. I know how to translate the text inside the html but how can i have the database translated? I don't want to have 5 databases. What is the general method used to translate a database? Should I have multiple databases for this..or is there a php command?

 

Can't you just add a new table with a short prefix for the languages? I mean, names shouldn't be translated and all, but just for descriptions etc.

 

There's really no automatic way of doing this. You'll need a table for each language.

 

Thank you!. Then I'll need to add separate tables for them.

 

To be honest, it depends, it isnt as simple as translating everything or creating duplicate tables.

What is the site? What is contained within the database? Sometimes you'd want to duplicate tables, other times you simply want to add a language column in the table, some tables need no change because they are language independant (eg a shopping cart table)

 

usually you can add some language columns