Configure a fallback language

Configure fallback and replacement languages to control what visitors see when content is not translated into their selected language. This prevents blank pages and ensures visitors always see content in a defined language.

On multi-language websites, only parts of the content exist in every available language. Translations are not yet complete, content is irrelevant for a specific language, or content should display in a defined language.

CMS provides the following language options:

• No fallback or replacement – Content is not visible to visitors browsing the website in a language without a translation.
• Fallback language – Content displays in the fallback language until a translation is available in the target language.
• Replacement language – Content displays in the replacement language regardless of other available translations. When you define a replacement language, the fallback language does not apply.

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Note

Fallback and replacement languages cause mixed languages to display on the website.

To configure a fallback language, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings > Languages and select a language, such as English.

2. Open the FallBack Language drop-down list and select the fallback language, such as English (United Kingdom).

   

Language settings are inherited from the parent page. To redefine language settings for a subpage, deselect Inherit settings from the parent page in the Language Settings dialog box, then define settings for the subsection.

The following articles provide related information:

• Translate content – Translate Optimizely CMS content into different languages.
• Optimizely Languages gadget – Extend the translation functionality in Optimizely CMS.