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This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.

Problem:
You need to change the default language of your site's frontend while keeping the backend/dashboard in English.

Solution:
To achieve this, follow these steps:
1. Understand that changing the default language in WPML affects both the frontend and backend. However, you can set a different language for the WordPress admin area. For detailed instructions, visit Setting the WordPress Administration Language.
2. To keep the backend in English while changing the frontend language:
- Navigate to Users > Profile in your WordPress dashboard.
- Set your preferred language for the backend under 'Language'.
- Ensure to disable the option 'Set admin language as editing language'.

If this solution does not apply to your case, or if it seems outdated, we recommend opening a new support ticket. Also, check the related known issues and confirm that you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. For further assistance, please visit our support forum.

This is the technical support forum for WPML - the multilingual WordPress plugin.

Everyone can read, but only WPML clients can post here. WPML team is replying on the forum 6 days per week, 22 hours per day.

This topic contains 19 replies, has 2 voices.

Last updated by Waqas Bin Hasan 7 months, 2 weeks ago.

Assisted by: Waqas Bin Hasan.

Author Posts
October 9, 2024 at 9:02 am #16268763

raniM

Background of the issue:
I need help changing the default language only in the frontend of my site, hidden link. I changed it yesterday, but it also changed on the backend, and I want to keep the backend/dashboard in English.

Symptoms:
The default language change affected both the frontend and backend, but I want it to only affect the frontend.

Questions:
How can I change the default language only on the frontend using WPML?
Is there a way to keep the backend language in English while changing the frontend language?

October 9, 2024 at 11:40 am #16269795

Waqas Bin Hasan
WPML Supporter since 05/2014

Languages: English (English )

Timezone: Asia/Karachi (GMT+05:00)

Hi,

Thank you for contacting the support.

When you change default language in WPML, it is changed on both ends (normally). However, if you want to keep the WP Admin in another language, please see https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/language-setup/setting-the-wordpress-administration-language/ for more details.

Regards.

October 9, 2024 at 11:50 am #16269826

raniM

Ok, I will check the link.

I also want to ask you if it is possible to just enable translations that is only for frontend?
I mean when I go in to String translation for translation jobs I only see the frontend translations that are needed to be translated. If possible to disable all admin, dashboard, woocommerce and backend texts in settings. Is it possible to do that?

Rani

October 9, 2024 at 1:01 pm #16270374

Waqas Bin Hasan
WPML Supporter since 05/2014

Languages: English (English )

Timezone: Asia/Karachi (GMT+05:00)

WPML only translates content which is presented on the frontend.

For the backend, it depends on the language you've selected in your profile. Please check the guide I shared with you previously.

You can also try the following:

- Go to Users > Profile
- Language: Set your preferred language
- Disable option "Set admin language as editing language"

October 9, 2024 at 2:03 pm #16270885

raniM

Ok thank you I will check this.

But it also translates plugins, admin text and elementors building texts etc.
How can I just enable it to only show me the websites text, information and warnings texts, nothing else? To disable all other texts?

October 10, 2024 at 9:23 am #16273777

Waqas Bin Hasan
WPML Supporter since 05/2014

Languages: English (English )

Timezone: Asia/Karachi (GMT+05:00)

Can you please explain more about it along with some screenshots or a screen-recording for better understanding?

October 10, 2024 at 11:03 am #16274418

raniM

I want to send you a recording but I can not upload it in the chat. I can only attache images.

October 10, 2024 at 12:37 pm #16275105

Waqas Bin Hasan
WPML Supporter since 05/2014

Languages: English (English )

Timezone: Asia/Karachi (GMT+05:00)

Please try a 3rd party service (i.e. Dropbox, Google Drive, hidden link">WeTransfer or etc) to share the video. Because here you can only attach images or screenshots.

October 10, 2024 at 12:53 pm #16275163

raniM

Yes I could do that. But then I think I need a direct email. Right?

October 11, 2024 at 9:45 am #16278420

Waqas Bin Hasan
WPML Supporter since 05/2014

Languages: English (English )

Timezone: Asia/Karachi (GMT+05:00)

You can upload any 3rd party service as mentioned in my previous message and then share the link in your next reply in this ticket. You don't need any direct email.

October 11, 2024 at 10:03 am #16278488

raniM

Here it is, the link.

hidden link

October 11, 2024 at 12:51 pm #16279738

Waqas Bin Hasan
WPML Supporter since 05/2014

Languages: English (English )

Timezone: Asia/Karachi (GMT+05:00)

Thank you for the video, I tried my best to understand your queries. Please consider followings:

FYI: I've recorded 2 videos to demonstrate the followings, please download from hidden link;

1) Admin Interface Language:
If you set the admin interface language from your logged in user profile properly, it should display WP Admin in that language. Please see https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/language-setup/setting-the-wordpress-administration-language/ or check the video "Recording - Changing Interface Language.webm" for an understanding.

However, if this isn't working correctly, then probably there's some issue which we can check further.

2) Unwanted Strings:
Unfortunately there's no way of determining that which string is used on frontend and which is for backend only. However, with WPML -> String Translation, you can remove the unwanted or untranslated strings.

Please see https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/string-translation/#how-to-delete-a-string or watch video "Recording - Removing and Searching Strings.webm" for an understanding.

3) Translating particular strings out of thousands available in the list:
In WPML -> String Translation, you can search for specific strings. You can search in "All domains" or in particular domain (i.e. woocommerce as you did). You can also filter the search for already translated or untranslated ones.

Please see https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/string-translation/#find-and-translate-strings-wpml or watch "Recording - Removing and Searching Strings.webm" for an understanding.

I hope this clarifies what you're looking for. For the #1, it may be an issue but only if you confirm about it, by following the video or the guide.

For #2 and #3, these are matter of understanding or how things work with WPML and String Translation.

Please let me know and I'll try my best to help you further on the matter(s).

P.S.: I'll be off for the weekend and 'll be able to attend on Monday.

October 15, 2024 at 9:28 am #16289663

raniM

I have solved the admin language now. But what I discover these days is that I now receive certain admin emails in Spanish, such as Wordfence, Cart abandonment, even orders, etc. How can I solve this?

Another thing I need help with is that I still have some texts that I can't find and can't translate. I have searched in String translations but can't find them. I will attach pictures of these text snippets, maybe will be easier for you to help me then.

Thanks in advance.

Sign In.png
Checkout.png
Carrito.png
October 15, 2024 at 10:40 am #16290041

Waqas Bin Hasan
WPML Supporter since 05/2014

Languages: English (English )

Timezone: Asia/Karachi (GMT+05:00)

Thank you for the updates and glad the original issue was fixed.

For the other question/issue, I recommend opening a separate ticket/chat because as per forum policy we can only handle one issue per ticket/chat. So you can get more to the point help, without mixing up several issues in one long ticket.

I'll also recommend checking https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/string-translation/finding-strings-that-dont-appear-on-the-string-translation-page/ for the strings which are not found in ST.

However, for any issue other than originally reported in this ticket, please feel free to report separately (as requested above).

October 15, 2024 at 11:04 am #16290135

raniM

Ok I will do so. Thanks

But how can I solve the Spanish admin emails? Because that is from the original issue. The language changing.