Public bug reported: The current Kubuntu method of installing support for new languages and changing which language gets highest preference is broken because it only affects KDE applications. The system language (as set by the LANG and LANGUAGE environment variables) isn't changed, and the language support for added languages is incomplete - for example missing localisation packages for Firefox, Libreoffice and spell checkers, among others.
This is a side-effect of the deprecation of the language-selector-kde package, which used to give Kubuntu users the same fuctionality as gnome-language-selector by creating an extra module in KDE System Settings. The missing functionality should be integrated into the KDE System Settings Locale control module, as mentioned in this comment https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/language- selector/+bug/1013626/comments/4 To reproduce: 1. Freshly installed Kubuntu 14.04 system. KDE System Settings->Locale->Language. 2. Add language (in my example German). Wait while Locale module installs the necessary packages. 3. Move language (German) to top of the priority list, above the default American English 4. Logout of KDE, log back in Expected Results: All necessary language files for both KDE applications (e.g. Dolphin) and non-KDE applications (e.g. Firefox, Libreoffice) is installed. All programs which have German translations available display in German. Environment variables are set so that command line programs also run in German (where translations available), eg: tim@localhost:~$ ls notthere ls: Zugriff auf notthere nicht möglich: Datei oder Verzeichnis nicht gefunden In short - the same effect you'd get by using gnome-language-selector Actual Results: Only the language of KDE applications is changed. Firefox, LIbreoffice, command line programs, bash environment vars, and all other programs remain in English. In other words you have a half-half system as far as language support is concerned. Workaround: sudo apt-get install gnome-language-selector gnome-language-selector ProblemType: Bug DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04 Package: kde-workspace 4:4.11.8-0ubuntu6 ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-24.46-generic 3.13.9 Uname: Linux 3.13.0-24-generic x86_64 ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu3 Architecture: amd64 CurrentDesktop: KDE Date: Wed May 7 15:01:57 2014 InstallationDate: Installed on 2014-04-29 (7 days ago) InstallationMedia: Ubuntu-Server 14.04 LTS "Trusty Tahr" - Release amd64 (20140416.2) PackageArchitecture: all SourcePackage: kde-workspace UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install) ** Affects: kde-workspace (Ubuntu) Importance: Undecided Status: New ** Tags: amd64 apport-bug trusty -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1317115 Title: KDE Locale module support for changing language is incomplete To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/kde-workspace/+bug/1317115/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs
