[Resolved] Keep a single content for all translations
This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.
Problem: The client is developing a site and wants to use the same content (products, posts, categories, menus, and static content) across multiple languages without duplicating it. However, when switching languages, the content disappears despite setting it as 'not translatable' in WPML settings. Solution: We explained that setting content as 'not translatable' results in it not appearing in secondary languages. To have the same content appear across different languages without translating it, the content needs to be either shown as translated or duplicated. Duplicating content in WPML is a cloning process that keeps the content in sync across languages, allowing changes in URLs and links while maintaining the original content. We recommend setting the content to 'translatable - Show translated items if they exist or the original otherwise' to achieve this. For further guidance, check the documentation on displaying untranslated content in secondary languages here: https://wpml.org/documentation/translating-your-contents/displaying-untranslated-content-on-pages-in-secondary-languages/.
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Background of the issue:
I am developing a site and want to use the same products, posts, categories, menus, and static content for multiple languages. I only want to manage the main URL for each language, but the content should remain the same across all languages.
Symptoms:
When I switch languages, the content disappears. I have tried changing settings in WPML > Settings > Post Type Translation and Taxonomies Translation without success. I do not want to duplicate all the content, just use the same content for all languages.
Questions:
How can I use the same content for all languages without duplicating it?
Why does the content disappear when I switch languages?
Languages: English (English )Spanish (Español )Italian (Italiano )
Timezone: Europe/Rome (GMT+01:00)
Hello,
I'll help you get started while a supporter takes your case.
You mention you do not want to duplicate the content but leave the same. however what you want seems to require post duplication.
It's important to note that duplication in WPML is actually a cloning procedure that will ALWAYS keep the same content as the original (it will keep it in sync).
Why is it needed? well, while the content is the same, the languages, links, URLs may not be, this means that you'll be able to change these things while keeping the same content from the original language and maintain only the original page.
If you instead set the post type as not translatable, you will end up NOT having languages apart from the default language which could create discomfort on your users while navigating through the site, which is not ideal.
I hope this little piece of info made it more clear and maybe explained if this feature is the one you want to use.
The other option is to set the second translatable mode (translatable - Show translated Items if they exist or the original otherwise) but that option restrict you from having different URLs and will also not let the content appear if it's being filtered on other languages because that content doesn't exist so it seems post duplication is the best choice here.
If this doesn't work, then please let me know why so we can try to help you get what you need, if possible.
Hello Alejandro! First of all, thank you for your help.
So, would it be possible for me to keep the "not translatable" option, and have it appear in all languages? If that is possible, that would be great.
I only need the languages to manage domain redirection and some taxonomies.
When I select "not translatable" my products do not appear in all languages.
I understand that duplicating products can be the best option when you have separate content for each language, but that won't be the case for me. All my content will always be in English.
I've already followed this tutorial, and I managed to make it work by duplicating the content. However, I would like to know if I could do it without duplicating or copying, just showing my products and posts in English for all languages.
I would like to keep my store simple, without duplicates.
When I set it to "Don't translate", shouldn't my content appear for all languages, regardless of whether I duplicated or copied it?
Setting the content (posts, pages, products, etc.) to 'non-translatable' means that it won't appear in the secondary languages. If you want to show the content from the original language in the secondary languages without translating it, then you should show it as translated or duplicate it.
