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Configure Languages and Localization

⏱ 15 minutes intermediate

Why configure languages

Section titled “Why configure languages”

Multilingual sites need each language enabled and configured before editors can translate content. Fallback chains ensure visitors see content in a related language when a translation is missing. Language permissions control which editors can publish in each language.

Enable a new language

Section titled “Enable a new language”
  1. Navigate to Settings > Manage Website Languages.
  2. Click Add Language and select the language from the list.
  3. Set the language to Enabled.
  4. Verify by switching to the new language in the editor toolbar. You should see the language option available.

Set a fallback language chain

Section titled “Set a fallback language chain”

Fallback languages display when a page has no translation in the requested language.

  1. Open Settings > Manage Website Languages.
  2. Select the language you want to configure fallbacks for.
  3. In the Replacement Language section, choose the fallback language.
  4. Save changes.
  5. Verify by viewing a page that has no translation in this language. You should see the fallback language content.
Configure fallback in code (PaaS)
csharp 
// In an initialization module
[InitializableModule]
public class LanguageConfig : IInitializableModule
{
    public void Initialize(InitializationEngine context)
    {
        var langBranchRepo = context.Locate.Advanced
            .GetInstance<ILanguageBranchRepository>();

        var french = langBranchRepo.Load("fr");
        french = french.CreateWritableClone();
        french.IsActive = true;
        langBranchRepo.Save(french);
    }

    public void Uninitialize(InitializationEngine context) { }
}

Set the default language

Section titled “Set the default language”

The default language is the master language for your site. All new content starts in this language.

  1. Go to Settings > Manage Website Languages.
  2. Locate your default language and click Edit.
  3. Check This is the default language for the site.
  4. Save changes.
  5. Verify by creating a new page. It should open in the default language.

Assign language permissions

Section titled “Assign language permissions”

Language permissions restrict which users or groups can edit content in each language.

  1. Open Settings > Manage Website Languages.
  2. Select the target language.
  3. Under Access Rights, click Add Users/Groups.
  4. Select the users or roles that should have access.
  5. Set permissions to Read, Create, Edit, or Publish as needed.
  6. Save changes.
  7. Verify by logging in as a restricted user. They should see only their permitted languages.

Configure URL segments per language

Section titled “Configure URL segments per language”

Each language can have its own URL segment for the same page.

  1. Open a page in the editor.
  2. Switch to the target language.
  3. Navigate to the SEO or Settings tab.
  4. Edit the URL segment field to match the translated page name.
  5. Save and publish. Verify by browsing to the localized URL.

Common issues

Section titled “Common issues”
IssueCauseFix
Language not in editor toolbarLanguage not enabledEnable it in Website Languages
Fallback not showingNo replacement language setConfigure the fallback chain
Editor cannot translateMissing language permissionGrant access in language settings