What is allowed in .ini files

Comments are made by a leading ";"

The translated string must be enclosed by double quotes.

COM_SAMPLE="Can not make the parameter file writable"

Do not split translations into multiple lines (only first line will show up).

COM_SAMPLE="Can not make the
parameter file writable"

If you want a new line, write

<br />

i.e.

COM_SAMPLE="Can not make the <br /> parameter file writable"
[Note]Ensure your translations are valid XHTML 1.0

Not <br>, not <br/> - only <br /> is valid.

If unsure, please use the current markup method.

[Note]Note

Files must be saved in UTF-8.

[Tip]Tip

Take care when using Double Quotes (") in your translation, used incorrectly it will break the translation.

Under Joomla! trying to escape double quote in language files will cause issues with some PHP versions :

COM_ISSUETRACKER_STICKY="My great \" string which is broken"

The way to escape double quote is the following :

COM_ISSUETRACKER_STICKY="My great "_QQ_" string which is broken"

This may seem strange, but it's the only way to escape double quote under Joomla!