The multi-lingual capabilities in MOSS are very cool. You can create sites in non-English languages simply by installing the appropriate language pack. This is especially slick when you are using variations (will cover this in another post). Note, the installation process is not very intuitive so I’ll provide details below.
1. Download the appropriate files.
a. For MOSS, you will need the MOSS and WSS files
b. Remember there are specific 64bit versions
c. On each of the download pages, change the language in the selector to the language pack you want
d. Here are your download links
i. WSS Language pack http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=36EE1BF0-652C-4E38-B247-F29B3EEFA048&displaylang=en
ii. WSS Language pack SP1 http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=EF93E453-75F1-45DF-8C6F-4565E8549C2A&displaylang=en
iii. MOSS Language pack http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=2447426B-8689-4768-BFF0-CBB511599A45&displaylang=en
iv. MOSS Language pack SP1 http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=1F5C7D10-B4F9-482D-B0E5-9547A7F508E5&displaylang=en
2. Install the files
a. The install wizard will be in the language of the language pack… so know how to say ‘Next’ in that language!... or practice on the English version
b. Follow these steps
i. Install WSS Language Pack (don’t run the MOSS Configuration Wizard)
ii. Install MOSS Language Pack (don’t run the MOSS Configuration Wizard)
iii. Install WSS Language Pack SP1 (don’t run the MOSS Configuration Wizard)
iv. Install MOSS Language Pack SP1
v. Run the MOSS Configuration Wizard (choose to not disconnect from farm)
3. Test
a. Create a new site; you should see a drop down for Language which includes your newly installed language
b. Go to the new site and learn how to say ‘Site Actions, ‘Edit Page’ in a foreign language!