LingoHub

A fallback language is a designated backup language that LingoHub falls back on when content isn't available in a target language.

Without a fallback language, missing translations can lead to broken layouts, blank text labels, or raw system keys appearing in your product. Setting up fallback languages ensures your users always receive a complete and functional experience, even if a specific segment hasn't been localized yet.

Fallback languages can be configured in your project settings to handle file export behavior and within your Glossary to simplify translation work in the Editor.

When content in a target language is missing, LingoHub automatically evaluates your configured fallback settings:

During file exports: When generating translated resource files for export, LingoHub automatically fills any empty (untranslated) target segments with content from your designated fallback language to prevent blank strings or raw code in your application.

In the Glossary: Fallback languages ensure that translators and LINA receive relevant term suggestions even if a term isn't translated in the exact target locale yet. For example, if a Glossary entry is missing for Austrian German (<code>de-AT</code>), but German (<code>de-DE</code>) is set as its fallback language, the Editor will suggest the <code>de-DE</code> term from your Glossary instead. This helps maintain consistency and provides immediate context across related locales.

1. During file exports: When generating translated resource files for export, LingoHub automatically fills any empty (untranslated) target segments with content from your designated fallback language to prevent blank strings or raw code in your application.
2. In the Glossary: Fallback languages ensure that translators and LINA receive relevant term suggestions even if a term isn't translated in the exact target locale yet. For example, if a Glossary entry is missing for Austrian German (<code>de-AT</code>), but German (<code>de-DE</code>) is set as its fallback language, the Editor will suggest the <code>de-DE</code> term from your Glossary instead. This helps maintain consistency and provides immediate context across related locales.

Ready to set up fallback languages? Check out our step-by-step guides for <a href="https://help.lingohub.com/en/articles/6686704-how-to-manage-the-fallback-language-settings">project file exports</a> and <a href="https://help.lingohub.com/en/articles/6686720-use-cases-and-advices-for-the-fallback-language-feature">Glossary suggestions</a>.

When you define fallback languages across multiple related locales, LingoHub creates a fallback chain.

The primary source language does not automatically act as the end of a fallback chain unless configured, and source languages cannot have a fallback language assigned to them.

Consider a project with English (en) as the primary source language, localized into German (Germany) (de-DE) and German (Austria) (de-AT):

Source language: English (<code>en</code>)

Target language: German (Germany) (<code>de-DE</code>) → Fallback: English (<code>en</code>)

Target language: German (Austria) (<code>de-AT</code>) → Fallback: German (Germany) (<code>de-DE</code>)

- Source language: English (<code>en</code>)
- Target language: German (Germany) (<code>de-DE</code>) → Fallback: English (<code>en</code>)
- Target language: German (Austria) (<code>de-AT</code>) → Fallback: German (Germany) (<code>de-DE</code>)

1. Pluricentric &amp; regional language variants

Fallback languages are ideal when localizing into regional variants of a primary language, such as:

English: Australian (<code>en-AU</code>) or British (<code>en-GB</code>) falling back to US English (<code>en-US</code>).

German: Austrian (<code>de-AT</code>) or Swiss (<code>de-CH</code>) falling back to standard German (<code>de-DE</code>).

- English: Australian (<code>en-AU</code>) or British (<code>en-GB</code>) falling back to US English (<code>en-US</code>).
- German: Austrian (<code>de-AT</code>) or Swiss (<code>de-CH</code>) falling back to standard German (<code>de-DE</code>).

Instead of translating identical content twice, you only need to translate regional differences (e.g., localized terminology or spelling variations). Unmodified segments automatically fall back to the primary regional language.

If you manage multiple brand variants or white-label products that share most of their copy, set the core brand language as the fallback. You only need to create unique segments for brand-specific deviations.

Couldn't find what you were looking for? Reach out to our team at <a href="mailto:support@lingohub.com" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">support@lingohub.com</a>, and we will gladly assist you.

What is a fallback language?

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What is a fallback language?

How fallback languages work

Multi-level fallback chains

Example fallback chain

Use cases

1. Pluricentric & regional language variants

2. Multi-brand product lines

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