How to install a language in Drupal

Updated on Dec 10, 2015

It is important to generate a full backup of your Drupal website before any new installations or major changes on it. This way, if something goes wrong with your website, you will always have a working copy that can be restored. This is a good practice, which will allow you to edit and manage your Drupal installation without worrying that it may get corrupted.

Create a Backup

It is recommended to create Drupal backup, before making major changes on your website. This allows you to restore it to a fully operational state if something goes wrong.

If you would like to create a multi-lingual website with Drupal, there is an easy way to achieve that.

The Language Installation process in Drupal includes:

step

Enable Locale and Localization Update

Log into your website as administrator and access the Modules tab from the main menu.

Access modules menu in Drupal

Locate the Locale module and check it.

Enable locale module in Drupal

Scroll down to the bottom and click on the Save configuration button.

step

Add new Language

Click on the Configuration tab from the main menu.

Access Configuration menu in Drupal

Scroll down to the Regional and Language section and select Languages.

Access languages feature in Drupal

Click on the Add language button and select the one that you would like to add from the drop-down box. When you are ready, simply click on the Add language button.

Add preferred language

step

Download Translation and Import a Language

You need to download the Drupal translation into the language you wish to enable on your website. You can check the available translation via the official website of the product. There is a Drupal Translations section on the website and you will be able to search for one that you need.

Now, navigate to the Configuration tab from the main menu and locate the Regional and Language section and click on the Translate Interface.

Access translation interface in Drupal

Select the Import tab.

Access Import tab in Drupal

Edit the following options:

Language file - Select the language file of your translation.
Import Into - Select your new language.
Text Group -Built-in interface.
Mode -Select the "All existing translations are kept, only new strings are added" option.

Upload transaction package in Drupal