CakePHP and internationalization

[SilverLining]

I'm working on a php site which needs a language switcher between two versions. I'm not experienced in php at all and though much of it is documented, I'm having trouble getting internationalization (l18n) sorted.

I've read about the default.po file, but was unable to automatically create this file. From my understanding the .po file is in place of a database. Is this correct?

The tutorials I have followed have loosely outlined making updates to core.php and app_controller.php but I'm not a programmer, so I can't write the code they mention.

Lastly, what is the best way to implement a language switcher? Is it by use of session variables and how would I go about this?

[SilverLining]

Can someone please steer me in the right direction or give me some guidelines as to how to get this working.