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[Resolved] Add Custom Languages - extra questions concerning: custom flag, default locale format, language mapp...
This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.
Problem: The client needed to add custom languages for Belgium, Austria, and Switzerland, including details like code, default locale, and hreflang. They also inquired about sources for custom flags and the functionality of the language mapping column in WPML. Solution: 1) The choice of language code, default locale, and hreflang for custom languages is up to the client. We recommend consulting an SEO agency or a list of WordPress locale codes, such as Complete List of WordPress Locale Codes. 2) WPML does not provide an image database for custom flags; clients should use their own sources. 3) Language mapping is useful for automatic translations. It allows mapping a custom language to an existing language that supports automatic translation. This feature is available if the client is using the Advanced Translation Editor or Translate Everything mode in WPML. 4) For translating content, clients can manually translate or use the bulk duplication feature. More information on this can be found here: How to Duplicate Pages and Posts in Bulk.
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Background of the issue:
I want to add a custom language for the countries: Belgium, Austria, and Switzerland. I need to know the code, default locale, and hreflang for these custom languages. Additionally, I am looking for information on whether WPML has an image source for custom flags. I also noticed a language mapping column in the documentation but do not see it in my settings screen.
Symptoms:
N/A
Questions:
What should be the code, default locale, and hreflang for these custom languages: Belgium - Dutch, Belgium - French, Austrian - German, Swiss - German?
Does WPML have an image source for getting the custom flags?
What is the language mapping column mentioned in the documentation, and do I need it? If so, where should I activate it?
1) As for language code and info, that is up to you to decide what you wish to use, we can not advise on this, as these are custom languages. Maybe it is best to consult with an SEO agency and language code list for WordPress, for example:
- hidden link
2) We do not have an image database, you should use a custom one for your custom languages.
3) Language mapping is for when you wish to use an automatic translation, you can map your custom language to an existing language that supports automatic translation, for example in this case for Austria to German, and then use automatic translation to translate to German language.
Thanks for the link, then I know which locale codes to use.
The reason I want to add these local languages is to be more visible in Belgium and Austrian search engines to enhance my search engine optimization.
I still have a few questions using Dutch-Belgian as an example, and correct me if I'm wrong:
How do I activate language mapping in this screen (languages > add language > edit language)? Because I don’t see it at the moment.
In this article, I read that it’s not possible to automatically translate Belgian-Dutch to Dutch because your original language (Dutch) and target language (Belgian-Dutch) are the same. Automatic translation only works when translating between two different supported languages. Am I correct? And if so, how can I still copy the content (preferably in bulk)?
If I add the custom language Belgian-Dutch and automatically map this language to Dutch, all Dutch pages will be copied to a Belgian-Dutch version. Additionally, a Belgian-Dutch language flag will be added to the language menu on my website.
In this case, will there also be duplicate search results in Belgian search engines? (apart from the fact that search engines won’t see these copies as duplicate content due to the added hreflang code).
Is it also possible with WPML to configure the Dutch pages to get an nl_BE hreflang tag, in addition to the existing nl_NL hreflang tag? This way, the Dutch page doesn’t need to be copied.
Or am I misunderstanding something?
Looking forward to hearing the answers to my questions.
4) No, mapping language will not copy or do any action inside your website. It is only used to say to the translation editor what language is since it is not recognized and is custom.
5) I am sorry but I am not can not tell how Google will index and if will provide both Dutch and Belgian-Dutch in Dutch search results. If they are marked as translation, and Google fetches both languages as Dutch in their system, then that could be the case. But as said on this matter best is to advise with SEO agency.
6) You can try adding multiple hreflang, but the HTML lang code of that page will still be taken from the language code. As this is not tested, I am not sure how this will affect your results.
Maybe the best in this case is to have the page duplicated, and remain as duplicates, so Google knows Belgian-Dutch is the same as Dutch so there won't be both Dutch and Belgian-Dutch in results.
