User Language

The system provides support for multiple languages in a single environment. System users can use the system in their preferred language, as long as a translation into that language has been provided. By default, a user sees the system in their default language (which is defined on their user record). Also note, if enabled, users can use the Switch Language Zone to switch to another supported language real time.

Note: Normally, setting up the system for another language is an implementation issue, not an administrative set-up issue. However, there are several on-line administrative features that are used to set up a new language, and these are described here.

The following steps are required to support a new language.

Define a language code. Refer to Defining Languages for more information.
Copy descriptions of all language enabled tables from an existing translation. For example, you might copy existing English language translations. These copied values are not meant to be used by system users, but act merely as "placeholders" while they are being translated into the new language. It is necessary to do this as a first step in order to create records using the new language code created in the previous step.

Language based descriptions can be copied using a supplied batch process, NEWLANG.

Assign the new language code to your User ID, sign out, and sign back in again. Any on-line functions that you access will use your new language code. (You can change the language code for all users who plan to use/modify the new language).
Begin translations. You might start with screen labels, menus, look-up values, and error messages. On-line utilities have been provided to give you access to this system data. Refer to User Interface Tools and Database Tools for more information. All administrative control tables are language enabled as well. The descriptions (short descriptions, long descriptions, etc.) are all translatable.