I\'m trying to render a template in a different language using i18n. I did everything I could read about, from setting the language code, creating and compiling translation
Yes you do need to make message files as celopes suggests and then compile them
python manage.py compilemessages
But you will still have a problem.
Disable LocaleMiddleware for a bit, i.e. remove this
django.middleware.locale.LocaleMiddleware
from your middleware list. Don't use it if you do not need to switch the language at run time, but if you do need it, then there is a solution. I had the same problem before and someone explained this to me.
Also I had this weird issue before. Makemessages command would choke on strings wrapped with backslash in .py files.