NLS_LANGUAGE

Parameter type	String
Syntax	NLS_LANGUAGE = language
Default value	Operating system-dependent, derived from the NLS_LANG environment variable
Parameter class	Dynamic: ALTER SESSION
Range of values	Any valid language name

NLS_LANGUAGE specifies the default language of the database. This language is used for messages, day and month names, symbols for AD, BC, a.m., and p.m., and the default sorting mechanism. This parameter also determines the default values of the parameters NLS_DATE_LANGUAGE and NLS_SORT.

See Also: Oracle9i Globalization Support Guide for a complete list of languages and additional information on this parameter Your operating system-specific Oracle documentation and the release notes for your country