[Resolved] Overwritten translations and understand internal/acnhor links
This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.
Problem: The client is experiencing issues with WPML on their website. When editing original pages, the previously edited German translations are overwritten. They are also inquiring about the automatic application of glossary terms to translations and issues with translating anchor links and internal links using Themify builder.
Solution: 1. To prevent translations from being overwritten after updates to the original content, ensure that the 'Save to translation memory' option is used after making adjustments in the Advanced Translation Editor (ATE). 2. Glossary terms should be automatically added to translations. If they are not, check the glossary type and ensure it is set correctly. If using DeepL as the translation engine, change the quality to 'Formal' in WPML settings. 3. For translating anchors and internal links, search for 'http' in ATE and translate URLs manually if necessary. WPML attempts to adjust internal links automatically, but manual adjustment may be needed in some cases, such as when using a theme builder. 4. Update WPML plugins to the latest version for optimal performance and compatibility. 5. Increase the WordPress memory limit to at least 128M, preferably 256M.
Refer to the following documentation for more details:
We're in the progress of translating parts of website from English to German.
Translation mode is "Translate what you choose".
Here's our process:
We go to translation management - choose the page we want to translate - choose the target language with "translate" ticked and all other languages set to "nothing".
We then choose automatic translation and after that go to the advanced editor. Here we make our corrections and then publish the page.
The issue we face is, if we do any edits on the original pages, the previously edited German translation is overwritten. Can WPML be set to keep previously translated content and only add newly added content in the original language?
We've also added terms to our glossary. Are those not added automatically to the translations? If not, can it be achieved somehow to avoid translating them every time?
Lastly, we have quite a few anchor links and internal links. When a page is translated it doesn't translate the anchors so th elinks don't work. I've tried to do it manually in the translation editor as well but it still does'nt work. I've also tried to scan and adjust "Translate Link Targets" in the settings but didn't help either. We use Themify builder.
Thank you for contacting WPML support, I'd be happy to help you with this issue.
Can WPML be set to keep previously translated content and only add newly added content in the original language?
Yes, it should work like that. With the Translation Memory feature, the adjusted content will be displayed in Advanced Translation Editor (ATE) next time. You can try to click on the text "Save to translation memory" after adjusting the text and see how it goes, screenshot hidden link
We've also added terms to our glossary. Are those not added automatically to the translations?
The Glossary is added automatically to the translation. Which is the glossary type you are using? Is this "Name or proper noun"?
When a page is translated it doesn't translate the anchors so the links don't work
You can search for the keyword "http" and translate URLs in ATE. If it does not work, please share the page URL, I will check this on my end.
We did click the "Save to translation memory" text, but after we made an update of the content on the original page and I went back to the translate in the ATE everything was overwritten and i had to translate/edit the previously edited content again.
We use both types of glossary words and they are highlighted in the ATE but not automatically applied to the translated text. This relates to abovementioned as well. Even glossary words were overwritten.
Regarding link, I'll test with adjusting the links manually in the ATE. But usually, that's what scanning and adjusting target links should do right? Maybe it didn't work because I've changed the slug of the translated page?
1. Regarding the text translation, I would like to request temporary access (wp-admin and FTP) to your site to take a better look at the issue. Your next reply is set to private to share the info.
❌ IMPORTANT: Please backup your database and website before proceeding ❌
Then let me know how I can see/replicate the issue on your site.
2. Regarding the glossary, I see you are using DeepL translation engine, please go to WPML > Settings > Automatic Translation > Change the quality to Formal and recheck this issue.
3. WPML attempts to adjust the internal links to its translation as much as possible. But in some cases, it does not work. For example: an URL in the theme builder. Then you will need to translate the URL in ATE manually.
Additionally, the minimum requirements are 128M, but we do recommend 256M and the debug information of your site shows it set to 40M. Please check this link for more details https://wpml.org/home/minimum-requirements/.
You can increase it by adding the following code in your wp-config.php file, right before the /* That’s all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */ line:
Hello Long,
Sorry about the long waiting period.
We've followed your suggestions and it appears that our issues have been solved.
Before you close this ticket we have one last question. We've noticed that some of the image url's on our translated pages have been translated as well. So the images are missing.
Anything we can do to avoid WPML from translating image url's?
Thanks
New threads created by Long Nguyen and linked to this one are listed below:
It looks like another issue. We can handle one issue per ticket only, if you see the main issue of this ticket with ATE is resolved, please mark it as Resolved. I will split your new issue into another ticket.
