Internationalization (i18n) in Next.js Quiz Quiz

Explore the key features and best practices of implementing internationalization (i18n) in Next.js applications. This quiz challenges your understanding of locale routing, translation file structuring, language detection, and optimization for multilingual web projects.

1. Locale Routing Behavior

   When enabling internationalization (i18n) in a Next.js project, which of the following is the default behavior regarding locale-based routing?

   1. Locales are appended to the URL path as a prefix, such as /en/about.
   2. Locales are added as URL query parameters, like /about?lang=en.
   3. Locales are stored only in cookies without modifying the URL.
   4. Locales require manual configuration on each page's server logic.

   Explanation: Appending the locale as a URL prefix is the default routing approach when internationalization is enabled, making the user's language clear and bookmarkable. Storing locales only in cookies or using query parameters is not default and may hinder sharing or SEO. Requiring manual locale configuration on each page would not scale efficiently and is not the standard method. Only the prefix approach allows seamless navigation and automatic locale detection.

2. Translation File Structure

   In a Next.js application supporting multiple languages, which approach is considered best practice for managing translation files?

   1. Write all translations inline within each page component.
   2. Store separate JSON translation files for each locale in a dedicated locales folder.
   3. Save translation strings in a global JavaScript object visible to all pages.
   4. Keep all locale-specific content mixed in a single large text file.

   Explanation: Separate JSON files organized by locale make translations manageable, scalable, and maintainable for multiple languages. Inline translations inside component files or global objects quickly become unmanageable as the app grows. Mixing all languages in a single text file leads to confusion and increases the risk of errors. Using organized folders keeps translations structured and easy to update.

3. Automatic Language Detection

   What mechanism allows a Next.js application with i18n support to automatically serve users content in their preferred language upon their first visit?

   1. Users must always manually select their preferred language on the homepage.
   2. The application inspects the Accept-Language header from the browser request.
   3. A fixed default locale is hardcoded for all users regardless of their settings.
   4. Next.js defaults to the last language selected by previous users.

   Explanation: By reading the Accept-Language header, the application determines the user's language preference and selects the appropriate locale. Defaulting to the last visitor's language or a hardcoded setting ignores the individual user's preferences. Requiring manual language selection on every visit results in poor user experience. Automatic detection streamlines localization for users globally.

4. Localized Static Generation

   When using static site generation with i18n, how are localized versions of a page typically handled?

   1. Localized routes require dynamic server-side rendering only.
   2. Only the default locale is statically generated; others are ignored.
   3. Each locale results in a separate static HTML file for that page.
   4. All locales are bundled into a single static HTML file.

   Explanation: Static site generation with i18n produces separate files for each locale, enabling fast localized responses. Generating only the default locale or bundling all locales into one file fails to deliver properly localized content. Server-side rendering is not the only way to support multiple locales; static generation improves performance for all supported languages.

5. Fallback Locale Behavior

   If a translation is missing in the current locale’s file, what default action does an i18n-savvy Next.js setup perform?

   1. It removes the untranslated content from the page.
   2. It displays an error page to the user.
   3. It provides a random translation from any available locale.
   4. It falls back to a designated default locale’s translation.

   Explanation: Falling back to a default locale ensures users see content rather than errors or missing data when translations are incomplete. Displaying an error or removing content disrupts the user experience. Selecting a translation at random can confuse users and is not effective for localization. The fallback mechanism provides a consistent and predictable user interface.