Mageia forum

Having tried to adjust the language settings--and then looked at online discussions--my impression is that after Mageia 2 is installed, there is no simple way to add additional languages. Is this true?

I think that the way I did that is simple. I use KDE.

I opened Mageia Control Center and opened Add and remove sofware. I added packages "locales", "locale-xy" and "kde-l10n-xy" where xy is abbreviation for language to add. I also removed unused languages. Then I opened "System Settings" for KDE. In "Country/Region" tab "Locale" I did changes to my liking. Some more info about KDE and locale settings in Mageia 2 Errata.

When searching the software install gui on Mageia Control Centre for language packs do not forget to set the two drop down menus in the top left to 'All' so you can see packages without a GUI.

Then in the left hand panel expand the 'System' entry and you will see an entry called 'Internationalisation'. In there you will find language packs for all sorts of applications. Take your pick.

lokshan wrote:Having tried to adjust the language settings--and then looked at online discussions--my impression is that after Mageia 2 is installed, there is no simple way to add additional languages. Is this true?

When you say language settings what exactly do you mean?

Is it support for other languages in the DE? Is it support for different keyboard distributiion? Is it the user interface for a certain application?

The way you put it seems to be like the DE and the language for the whole system, but then; why would you install it using some language and then want to switch everything? Unless, of course, you are using a live cd or a dual boot cd with no support for your final language!!

Please specify your DE, Gnome, KDE...etc.

I had wanted to be able to change the language in the system and DE.
I had installed the system in Chinese (from the Gnome live CD, then switching to LXDE desktop), but later wanted to let people use the computer who don't know Chinese.
Previously I was used to distros even more noob-oriented than Mageia, where all of this was done through the system settings GUI (Gnome Language Selector). LocaleDrake confused me by not having an option to install additional languages.

Adding "locale-xy" packages solved the problem. I hadn't realized that Gnome Language Selector was doing this behind the scenes.

Thank you to everyone who helped!