To change an existing translation to a new target language in WPML without losing content

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

Problem:
The client needs to switch the language setup from Bosnian ('bs') to Serbian ('sr'), including changing the flag and the language code on their website.
Solution:
We recommend the following steps to address this issue without needing to re-translate the content:
1. Add the Serbian language in WPML under 'Languages'. For detailed instructions, visit Editing WPML's Languages Table.
2. Duplicate the content from Bosnian to Serbian using the WPML 'Translation Dashboard'. For more information on how to do this, please see Duplicating Content.

If this solution does not apply to your case, or if it seems outdated, we highly recommend checking related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. Should you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to open a new support ticket at WPML support forum.

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Tagged: Documentation request, Exception

This topic contains 9 replies, has 1 voice.

Last updated by Andrey 1 week, 1 day ago.

Assisted by: Andrey.

Author	Posts
November 28, 2025 at 9:39 pm #17619050
milijanM	Background of the issue: I have a website where I am currently working on a translation. The client wanted the site to be in the Serbian language, but instead of the Serbian flag, the Bosnian flag should stand. Since Bosnian and Serbian are almost the same languages as writing, I did as he wanted, set Bosnian as a secondary language and started translating. However, when the client saw that the link contains the "bs" code instead of "sr" when the country flag is clicked, he gave up and now asks me to switch everything to the Serbian language, to set the flag of Serbia and that it now contains the "rs" code. Is there an easier way to solve this, to just replace the images of the countries and the code, or do I have to translate everything from the beginning in Serbian? Symptoms: The client is dissatisfied with the current language code 'bs' and flag setup, wanting it changed to 'rs' and the Serbian flag. Questions: Is there an easier way to switch the language code and flag without re-translating everything in WPML? Can I just replace the images of the countries and the code?
November 28, 2025 at 9:42 pm #17619067
milijanM	I would love to hear from the real person if this is the only solution suggested by the Chatbot...
November 29, 2025 at 12:03 am #17619183
Andrey WPML Supporter since 06/2013 Languages: English (English ) Russian (Русский ) Timezone: Europe/Kyiv (GMT+02:00)	Thank you for contacting WPML support. Unfortunately, there is no simple solution. You can change the country flag, but you cannot alter the existing language code. The steps are the same as those already suggested. To avoid re-translating everything, you need to: 1. Add the Serbian language in WPML → Languages https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/language-setup/editing-wpmls-languages-table/ 2. Duplicate content from Bosnian to Serbian in WPML → Translation Dashboard https://wpml.org/documentation/translating-your-contents/displaying-untranslated-content-on-pages-in-secondary-languages/#duplicating-content
November 30, 2025 at 9:32 pm #17621123
milijanM	To be honest I don't know how to do this, I followed the instructions given by your AI but when I duplicated one Post from Bosnian to Serbian, I got a page in Serbian with the original language text which is English...why didn't it show the text in Bosnian if I duplicated the Post in Bosnian???
December 1, 2025 at 3:11 pm #17623104
Andrey WPML Supporter since 06/2013 Languages: English (English ) Russian (Русский ) Timezone: Europe/Kyiv (GMT+02:00)	Thank you for your feedback. I suspect you duplicated the English post instead of the Bosnian one. I noticed that one of your screenshots has the source language as English. Try the following steps: 1. Go to WPML → Translation Dashboard 2. Choose the source language, Bosnian, and click to Filter 3. Choose one post and duplicate it to Serbian now 4. Check the results I have attached the screenshot for your review.
December 1, 2025 at 7:44 pm #17623824
milijanM	Before I continue, what do I do now with this duplicate page of English? How do I delete it?
December 1, 2025 at 7:46 pm #17623826
milijanM	See picture, thank you.
December 1, 2025 at 8:01 pm #17623857
Andrey WPML Supporter since 06/2013 Languages: English (English ) Russian (Русский ) Timezone: Europe/Kyiv (GMT+02:00)	You can delete that page by following these steps: 1. Go to Pages → All Pages. 2. Switch to the Serbian language (assuming this is where the duplicate English page appears). 3. Move the unwanted page to the Trash. 4. Open the Trash and click Empty Trash to remove it completely.
December 4, 2025 at 6:50 pm #17635972
milijanM	I think I managed to do as explained. I still have some difficulties with the translation, it is related that I have to translate the Footer complete and I have to set a different logo when the language is changed in both Header and Footer. New threads created by Andrey and linked to this one are listed below: https://wpml.org/?post_type=topic&p=17636089 https://wpml.org/forums/topic/split-translate-the-footer-complete/ https://wpml.org/forums/topic/split-set-a-different-logo/
December 4, 2025 at 8:24 pm #17636104
Andrey WPML Supporter since 06/2013 Languages: English (English ) Russian (Русский ) Timezone: Europe/Kyiv (GMT+02:00)	Thank you for your feedback. To keep everything organized and ensure each issue receives the proper attention, I’ve created separate support tickets for your latest questions. I will continue assisting you here regarding the footer translation: https://wpml.org/forums/topic/split-translate-the-footer-complete/ And here regarding the logo translation: https://wpml.org/forums/topic/split-set-a-different-logo/