Background of the issue:
I have been changing content, including images, texts, and layouts, and translating them so they reflect on my other languages. The issue can be seen on this page: hidden link
Symptoms:
The layouts are only partially translated. Additionally, the AI translation mixes between formal and informal tone in German, which is not acceptable.
Questions:
Why are the layouts only partially translated?
How can I ensure consistent tone in AI translations?
Languages: English (English )Spanish (Español )Italian (Italiano )
Timezone: Europe/Rome (GMT+02:00)
Hello there!
The reason why the AI is not consistent has to do with something that will be fixed in the upcoming 4.8 version. We'll release a beta soon and that will allow you to set a better context (company name, target, etc) that will allow you to tell the AI what kind of language you want it to use.
In the meantime I can do that for you if you tell me the tone and type of formality you want the translations to be in.
About the layouts: since they are partially translated, could it be they come from different places? like a layout that contains different global sections or something like that?
Or if that's not the case, do the parts not translated come from elements of one of the add-ons you have for divi (like divi boosters, for example or "supreme modules").
If they com from elements that are not compatible with WPML it's expected they do not get translated, but if that's the case we may have a solution for it 😀
Hi! Thanks for the reply. Can you kindly let me know how and where I can let you know the tone for the translation to be used with AI? I use Divi Booster and Divi Supreme. I will see if what you wold me works and if i can translate the builder template and than its correct. Just wish it was easier -.- I am terribly worried about constantly missing parts for translation and causing hundrets of errors on my site again.
New threads created by Itamar and linked to this one are listed below:
Languages: English (English )Spanish (Español )Italian (Italiano )
Timezone: Europe/Rome (GMT+02:00)
You can't do that yourself for now, not until WPML 4.8 is released. It will be in the WPML 4.8 version (I'll try to see if I can enable it remotely for you, though but can't promise anything right now).
In the meantime, answer me this, which will surely improve the AI's translation:
- What kind of tone do you wish it to use
- Should it have a casual approach, a technical one
- What's the target user of your site (what kind of people will access or read your site)
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About The divi Modules, it's likely the missing translations come from one of the third party modules which probably isn't WPML Compatible. They would be handling that compatibility if they are not on our official list but you can give this guide a try and try: https://wpml.org/documentation/support/multilingual-tools/
I can also help you out if you identify the elements that are not working and then send me a copy of the plugin that create such elements. I'll try to register them for you and tell you what to do next, is that ok?
Please answer our second-tier supporter questions and proceed with his suggestions.
Additionally, I want to add the following link, which could help you with maintaining compatibility with Divi's custom elements.
thank you for your prompt replies. I think it is necessary to split the ticket as I will need more assistance with the translations of divi elements and compatibility. here are my instructions for the german translation: WPML Translation Guidelines for Unique-Universe.blog (EN > DE)
General Tone & Style
Use du (informal) instead of “Sie” throughout the translation.
Adopt a friendly, conversational, and personal tone—as if speaking to a friend.
Use short to medium sentence lengths for readability.
Prefer active voice ("Du entdeckst...", not "Es wird entdeckt...").
Keep the text warm, real, sensory, and helpful—don’t make it sound like a brochure.
Cultural & Historical Sensitivity
Avoid historically charged or insensitive terms:
"Slaves" → "versklavte Menschen" (never use "Sklaven")
"Tribes" → "indigene Bevölkerungsgruppen"
"Columbus discovered..." → "Europäische Entdecker trafen auf..."
Avoid stereotypes or generalizations (e.g., "The locals are always friendly").
Translate with awareness of Caribbean and African diasporic contexts—do not Europeanize cultural references.
Transcreation Guidelines
Do not translate literally. Focus on meaning, emotion, and intent.
Idioms and cultural references should be adapted to sound natural in German.
EX: “Skip the crowds” → “Lass die Massen hinter dir”
EX: “A warm hug” → “eine herzliche Umarmung”
If a literal translation sounds unnatural, rephrase freely to preserve tone.
Glossary Entries (EN → DE)
WPML Technical Instructions
Enable Glossary & Translation Memory to apply the above terms consistently
Sample Transcreations
Original (EN): "Traveling to Tobago is like stepping into a warm hug – laid-back, colorful, and full of surprises." German: "Eine Reise nach Tobago fühlt sich an wie eine herzliche Umarmung – entspannt, farbenfroh und voller Überraschungen."
Original (EN): "Skip the crowded beaches and discover where the locals go for sunset." German: "Lass die überlaufenen Strände hinter dir und genieße den Sonnenuntergang dort, wo auch die Locals hingehen."
Thanks for sharing this. I believe it can be a good start to add as context for the PTC translation (WPML AI). I'm consulting our second-tier supporter about this.
Meanwhile, could you please also provide the following information about your site?
- Site Context
- Site Topic
- Site Purpose
- Site Audience
Please note that my weekend hours are Friday to Saturday. If you need further assistance, I'll be available to continue checking this issue and helping you next week.
In addition to the above, our second-tier supporter suggested that, as an example, I will share with you the context we inserted for our website https://wpml.org/:
This is the official website of WPML, the WordPress Multilingual plugin, by OnTheGoSystems. The visitors of the website are people who build WordPress sites and need them to be multilingual. The site needs simple language with easy readability. Content uses a conversational tone and should be as concise as possible.
