Switch to a different language for user interface and help text.
GNOME Documentation Project
gnome-doc-list@gnome.org
Shaun McCance
shaunm@gnome.org
Александр Прокудин
alexandre.prokoudine@gmail.com 2011

# Change which language you use

shaunm

Explain how to install support for other languages. Requires us to document software installation.

You can use your desktop and applications in any of dozens of languages, provided you have the proper language packs installed on your computer.

Click your name on the top bar and select System Settings.

Open Region and Language and select the Language tab.

Select your desired language. Some translations may be incomplete, and certain applications may not support your language at all. Any untranslated text will appear in the language in which the software was originally developed, usually American English.

You have to log out and back in for these changes to take effect. Click your name in the top bar and select Log Out to log out.

There are some special folders in your home folder where applications can store things like music, pictures, and documents. These folders use standard names according to your language. When you log back in, you will be asked if you want to rename these folders to the standard names for your selected language. If you plan to use the new language all the time, you should update the folder names.

# Change the system language

When you change your language, you only change it for your account after you log in. You can also change the system language, the language used in places like the login screen.

Change your language, as described above.

Select the System tab.

Click Copy Settings.

Administrative privileges are required. Enter your password, or the password for the requested administrator account.