A simple, accessible language switcher module

GitHub page

This language switcher module uses a simple radio button combination to allow users to change language. Note: This does not include any scripting to change languages.

Uses standard semantic radio button elements including "id" and "for" values.
Uses "role" and "aria-labelledby" to assign additional information to the radio group.
Uses hidden information to provide additional meaning for screen reader users
Includes clear focus state for keyboard only users

Examples

Unstyled

Choose a language for this website

FR Français

EN English

Unchecked by default

Checked by default

Code

Markup

<div class="language" role="radiogroup" aria-labelledby="language-switcher1">
  <p class="hidden" id="language-switcher1">Choose a language for this website</p>
  <div class="language__container--left language__container--fr">
    <input class="language__control" type="radio" id="language1-1" name="language-switch1">
    <label class="language__label" for="language1-1">
      FR<span class="hidden"> Français</span>
    </label>
  </div>
  <div class="language__container--right language__container--en">
    <input class="language__control" type="radio" id="language1-2" name="language-switch1">
    <label class="language__label" for="language1-2">
      EN<span class="hidden"> English</span>
    </label>
  </div>
</div>

SCSS

// language variables

$language-width: 55px;
$language-height: 30px;
$language-focus: #85bffd;
$language-border: #ccc;
$language-hover: #eee;
$language-checked: #ddd;


// language styles

.language {
  width: $language-width * 2;
  height: $language-height;
  font-size: 14px;
  line-height: 1;
  margin: 1em 0;
}

.language__container--left,
.language__container--right {
  position: relative;
  float: left;
  width: $language-width;
  height: $language-height;
  padding: 5px;
}

.language__label {
  position: absolute;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  width: $language-width;
  height: $language-height;
  border: 1px solid $language-border;
  padding: 7px 8px 5px 0;
  background-color: $white;
  background-repeat: no-repeat;
  background-position: 7px 7px;
  background-size: 14px;
  text-align: right;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

.language__container--left .language__label {
  border-radius: 4px 0 0 4px;
}

.language__container--right .language__label {
  border-left: 0;
  border-radius: 0 4px 4px 0;
}

.language__control:hover + .language__label,
.language__control:focus + .language__label {
  background-color: $language-hover;
}

.language__control:checked + .language__label {
  background-color: $language-checked;
}

.language__control:focus + .language__label,
.language__control:checked:focus + .language__label {
  z-index: 2;
  outline: 2px solid $language-focus;
  box-shadow: 0 0 8px $language-focus;
}


// country flags

.language__container--fr .language__label {
  background-image: url('../img/fr.svg');
}

.language__container--en .language__label {
  background-image: url('../img/gb.svg');
}

GitHub page