Content
Note: This guide is intended for TBA Berlin clients. For such projects with Easy Language, we usually use WordPress with Elementor and the WPML plugins for multilingualism.
LS page: recreate for original page
1. Open original page in the WordPress backend
Go to the desired page in the source language “Everyday Language” and select “Edit” (not: “Edit with Elementor”!) in the top menu.
2. Create Easy Language Translation
In the WPML language switcher (sidebar), ensure that the middle of the 2 buttons is selected (marked with a black background).
Click the plus icon next to “Easy Language”
The WPML Translation Editor will open automatically, containing a copy of all content from the original page, divided into individual paragraphs
→ WPML Documentation: Translate Elementor
Important: You should “Duplicate” not select the option, unless the target page is intended to always remain identical to the source page (no translation). This can be useful, for example, for the legal notice, to keep important legal texts identical in both language versions.
3. Convert Content to Easy Language
Edit the texts directly in the Translation Editor.
Important: Pay attention to the rules of Easy Language:
- Short sentences (max. 1 statement per sentence)
- Simple words (avoid or explain foreign words)
- No metaphors or figurative language
- Clear structure with paragraphs and headings
- Claude AI is a good aid, ChatGPT is not currently.
4. Publish Page
Click “Finish Translation” or “Complete Translation”.
Then click “Save”.
The cogwheel icon is spinning. When the process is complete, it will turn into a pencil icon. If it stops spinning but shows a cogwheel, the process has been interrupted.
Important additional step (not in the WPML guide, but recommended based on experience):
During the first translation, sometimes not all images are transferred or individual text parts are lost. Therefore:
On the original page, click “Update”.
The icon will turn back into a spinning cogwheel and then into a pencil (finished).
Click the pencil icon again to open the translation and check if all changes have been saved. If anything is missing, simply save again – it usually works perfectly on the second attempt.
With this step, images and missing translation parts were synchronized.
The easy-to-read version is now available.
Note: The new page may now also need to be added to the WordPress menus (in Easy Language). WPML offers a convenient menu synchronization feature for this.
LS page: change texts
1. Switch to Translation
Open the original page.
In the WPML Language Bar, click the pen icon next to “Easy Language”.
2. Edit Content
The WPML Translation Editor opens.
Make your changes.
3. Save
Click “Finish Translation”.
Click “Save”.
LS page: add texts after changes on the original page
Changes to the original page are not automatically applied to the Easy Language version.
How to tell if updates are needed:
- Instead of a pencil, the icon shows a non-spinning arrow-cogwheel, sometimes also a cogwheel (meaning: translation is not up-to-date or has been interrupted).
- Click on it to review the changes via the Translation Editor.
- Important: If content or the layout has been changed on the original page, these changes will also be applied to the Easy Language version when saving. This ensures that you do not lose any updates.
Regularly check whether updates also need to be applied to the Easy Language version.
Tips: Formatting & links
Bracket icon in the translation editor
With the bracket icon, individual translation segments can be combined.
This is rarely necessary – for example, if a sentence has been divided into 2 segments by a hard break, which would complicate the translation.
Transfer Bold, Italic, and Links
Below the text field, you will find clickable elements (e.g., for links or bold text).
Proceed as follows:
- Select the position in the translated text where the link or formatting should be placed.
- Then click on the corresponding element below (e.g., the link).
- The link or formatting will be inserted at the selected location.
The same principle applies to all formatting, such as bold or italic text.
