Locale: multi-language support

The locale module allows you to present your Drupal site in a language other than the default English. You can use it to set up a multi-lingual web site or replace given built-in text with text which has been customized for your site. Whenever the locale module encounters text which needs to be displayed, it tries to translate it into the currently selected language. If a translation is not available, then the string is remembered, so you can look up untranslated strings easily.

The locale module provides two options for providing translations. The first is the integrated web interface, via which you can search for untranslated strings, and specify their translations. An easier and less time-consuming method is to import existing translations for your language. These translations are available as GNU gettext Portable Object files (.po files for short). Translations for many languages are available for download from the translation page.

If an existing translation does not meet your needs, the .po files are easily edited with special editing tools. The locale module's import feature allows you to add strings from such files into your site's database. The export functionality enables you to share your translations with others, generating Portable Object files from your site strings.

Note: Enabling Locale module itself does not create or add any translations to the site. You need to import translations or create string translations by using Translate Interface option (Content Translation Module from Drupal core for Drupal 6 onwards)

In Drupal 7, you can:

• administer languages at Configuration & modules >> Regional and Language >> Languages.(admin/config/regional/language)
• manage strings for the localization: Configuration & modules >> Regional and Language >> Translate interface .(admin/config/regional/translate)
• download translation files from the Drupal translations page.

In Drupal 6, you can:

• administer languages at Administer >> Site configuration >> Languages.
• manage strings for the localization: Administer >> Site building >> Translate interface.
• download translation files from the Drupal translations page.

In Drupal 5, you can:

• administer localization at administer >> localization.
• manage strings for the localization: administer >> localization >> manage strings.
• add a locale language: administer >> localization >> add language.
• download translation files from the Drupal translations page.