Visual Language Switcher

A visual, configurable language switcher for Backdrop CMS with country flags from FamFamFam. Perfect for multilingual sites wanting intuitive, visual language selection.

This is an original Backdrop CMS module, not a port from Drupal. It provides modern, visual language switching as a maintained alternative to abandoned solutions.

🚀 Features

• Country Flags - Visual language identification with FamFamFam flag icons
• Multiple Display Modes - Flag with name, flag only, or text only
• Native Language Names - Displays languages in their native form (Deutsch, Español, Français)
• Responsive Design - Works perfectly on all devices
• Admin Configuration - Simple settings page for display preferences
• No JavaScript Required - Lightweight and fast

📦 Installation

1. Download and extract to your modules/ directory
2. Ensure FamFamFam flag icons are in the flags/ subdirectory
3. Enable at Modules (admin/modules)
4. Configure at Configuration → Regional → Visual Language Switcher (admin/config/regional/visual-language-switcher)
5. Place block at Structure → Block layout (admin/structure/block)

Note: When installing manually, you can use modules/custom/ for organization, but Backdrop's installer will place contrib modules in modules/.

⚙️ Configuration

Display Options:

• Flag with Name - 🇩🇪 Deutsch (visual + clear)
• Only Flag - 🇩🇪 (compact, visual)
• Only Name - Deutsch (text-only, accessible)

Settings:

• Display mode - Choose how languages appear to users

🎯 Usage

1. Enable module and configure display preferences
2. Ensure languages are configured in Backdrop's locale settings
3. Place block in any region (typically header/navigation)
4. Users can intuitively switch languages with visual cues

🛠️ For Developers

Template Override:

Override the language switcher output by creating: templates/links--visual-language-switcher.tpl.php

CSS Styling:

.visual-language-switcher {
  display: flex;
  gap: 10px;
  align-items: center;
}

.visual-language-switcher .language-flag {
  width: 20px;
  height: 15px;
  border-radius: 2px;
}

🤝 Contributing

We welcome contributions! Please feel free to:

• Submit issues and feature requests
• Create merge requests with improvements
• Suggest additional flag mappings or display options

👤 Credits

Developed by Max Elements
This is an original Backdrop CMS module, built specifically for the Backdrop ecosystem as part of the Max Elements Toolbox.

📄 License

This project is licensed under the GPL-2.0-or-later License - see the LICENSE file for details.

🏢 About Max Elements

Visual Language Switcher is maintained by Max Elements, providing premium web development and cybersecurity solutions.

🧰 Max Elements Toolbox

Max Elements Toolbox represents our commitment to building and maintaining quality Backdrop CMS modules and themes for the community.

This toolbox includes:

• Essential utility modules (like Dynamic Copyright and Visual Language Switcher)
• Professional themes
• Client-proven solutions
• All maintained long-term as part of our business offerings

Visual Language Switcher is part of this ongoing initiative to contribute quality tools to the Backdrop ecosystem.

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Built with care for the Backdrop CMS community 🛠️