Dual-language sites have two Site Configurations. One for English and one for the native language. Additionally, each dual-language site has a default language. This default language may be English or it may be the native language. To check, head to
The default-language Site Configuration is considered the base, or default, configuration for the site. This article describes how each section of the non-default-language Site Configuration overrides (or doesn’t) the default-language Site Configuration. This overriding capability allows for greater customization of both the English and the native language versions of the site.
This article does not cover what each section does or how each section is used. For information about that, go here.
The Cookie Prompt section is not linked between Site Configurations. This means that the non-default-language Site Configuration does not inherit from the default-language Site Configuration. This allows for translating of Cookie Prompt content if desired.
For example, if English is the default language and Spanish is the non-default-language, and I enter text for the Cookie Prompt on the English Site Configuration, the Spanish site will not also show a Cookie Prompt. Text would need to be entered in the Spanish Site Configuration for the Cookie Prompt to show up on the Spanish version of the site.
For the Homepage Image & Video section, the non-default-language Site Configuration will inherit from the default-language Site Configuration.
For example, if English is the default language and Spanish is the non-default language, and I add an image and a video to the English Site Configuration, that image and video will show up on both the English and the Spanish versions of the site. Furthermore, if I want to have a different video or image on the Spanish version of the site, I just have to add one or both to the Spanish Site Configuration.
For Site Images, the non-default-language Site Configuration inherits from the default-language Site Configuration, but it is not possible to override the Logo or Country Icon by setting new versions on the non-default-language Site Configuration. No matter what, the Logo and Country Icon as defined in the default-language Site Configuration, will be used for both versions of the site.
For example, if English is the default language and Spanish is the non-default language, and I add a new logo and/or country icon to the Spanish Site Configuration, the site will still only read the English Site Configuration values and will ignore the Spanish logo and/or country icon.
The Custom Links section is not linked between Site Configurations. This means that the non-default-language Site Configuration does not inherit from the default-language Site Configuration. This allows for translating of the Custom Links and/or defining different Custom Links for either version of the site.
For example, if English is the default language and Spanish is the non-default-language, and I enter a custom link on the English Site Configuration, the Spanish site will not also show that custom link. A custom link would need to be entered in the Spanish Site Configuration for it to show up on the Spanish version of the site.
The non-default-language Site Configuration inherits the values used in the default-language Site Configuration. Additionally, it is not possible to override the default-language values by making new selections on the non-default-language Site Configuration.
For example, if English is the default language and Spanish is the non-default language, and I change the page associated with the About page on the Spanish Site Configuration, the site will still only read the English Site Configuration value and will ignore the Spanish selection.
For Site Features, the non-default-language Site Configuration inherits from the default-language Site Configuration, but it is not possible to override the selections by setting new versions on the non-default-language Site Configuration. No matter what, the selections as defined in the default-language Site Configuration, will be used for both versions of the site.
For example, if English is the default language and Spanish is the non-default language, and I check to enable Internships on the English Site Configuration, it does not matter if the Spanish Site Configuration Internships is checked or not, both versions of the site will show Internships.
The non-default-language Site Configuration inherits the values set in the default-language Site Configuration. Things are complicated a little further because there are also default values that are used if nothing is defined in the default-language Site Configuration.
For example, say English is the default language and Spanish is the non-default language. If, in the English Site Configuration, I do not set a new Excerpt Length for Long, the default is used by both the English and Spanish versions of the site. If I set a new Excerpt Length for Long in the English Site Configuration, the English and Spanish versions of the site will use that new Excerpt Length. Then, if I set a different Long Excerpt Length on the Spanish Site Configuration, the Spanish site will use that Excerpt Length instead of the English Excerpt Length.
The Address Format is not linked between Site Configurations. Thus, if I define a new address format on the default-language Site Configuration, the non-default-language Site Configuration will not inherit from the default language.
For example, say English is the default language and Spanish is the non-default language. Since this section is not linked between configurations, I can define different address formats for both versions of the site. Additionally, if I do not define an address format for Spanish and/or English, the default defined by the system will be used.
The non-default-language Site Configuration inherits the values used in the default-language Site Configuration. Additionally, it is not possible to override the default-language values by making new selections on the non-default-language Site Configuration.
For example, if English is the default language and Spanish is the non-default language, and I input a new Default Email Address on the Spanish Site Configuration, the site will still only read the English Site Configuration Email Address and will ignore the Spanish Email Address.
The Contact Forms section is not linked between Site Configurations. This means that the non-default-language Site Configuration does not inherit from the default-language Site Configuration.
For example, if English is the default language and Spanish is the non-default-language, and I select a Default Contact Form on the English Site Configuration, the Spanish site will not use that selected default form. A default form would need to be selected in the Spanish Site Configuration for it to show up on the Spanish version of the site.
The non-default-language Site Configuration inherits the values used in the default-language Site Configuration. Additionally, it is not possible to override the default-language values by making new selections on the non-default-language Site Configuration.
The non-default-language Site Configuration inherits the values used in the default-language Site Configuration.