check-language-support

Display a list of missing language packages based on installed software and enabled locales

$ check-language-support

$ check-language-support [[-l|--language]] [en]

$ check-language-support --show-installed

check-language-support [options]

-h, --help
    Displays a help message and exits the program.

-v, --version
    Shows the program's version number and exits.

-l language_code, --language=language_code
    Checks language support specifically for the provided language_code (e.g., 'es' for Spanish).

-c, --check
    Performs a comprehensive check to ensure all installed languages are fully supported on the system.

-d, --dry-run
    Simulates the actions that would be performed without making any actual changes to the system.

--status-file=file
    Uses the specified file to report the status of the language support check.

--apt-cache-file=file
    Utilizes a specific APT cache file for retrieving package information, overriding the default.

--print-missing-language-packs
    Outputs a list of language packs that are identified as missing for the configured languages.

--print-status
    Prints the overall status of the language support check to standard output.

--no-daemon-reload
    Prevents the systemd daemon from reloading after operations, useful for debugging or specific scenarios.

The check-language-support command is a specialized utility primarily found on Debian and Ubuntu-based Linux distributions. It serves as a crucial component of the language-selector-common package, which facilitates the management and installation of language packs for various locales. Unlike generic system commands, check-language-support is specifically designed to assess the completeness of language support on a system.

Its core function involves verifying whether all necessary language packs, fonts, and input method components are correctly installed and configured for the languages chosen by the user. This often includes checking against a list of officially supported languages, typically stored in files like /var/lib/language-selector/supported-languages. When invoked, it identifies any discrepancies, such as missing translations for installed applications, incomplete font support, or misconfigured locale settings that could hinder a fully localized user experience.

While it can be run from the command line, its primary role is as a backend tool for graphical language settings applications, such as language-selector-gnome. These frontends utilize check-language-support to present users with an intuitive interface to add, remove, or repair language installations, ensuring that the system's language environment is consistent and functional. This command is vital for users who operate their systems in multiple languages or require robust localization features, preventing issues like untranslated menu items, incorrect date formats, or problems with character rendering. It significantly simplifies the often complex task of setting up comprehensive linguistic support in a desktop Linux environment.

check-language-support is not a universally available Linux command; it is primarily found and actively maintained within Debian and Ubuntu-based distributions as part of the language-selector-common package. Its utility is largely focused on desktop environments rather than headless server installations, as its main purpose is to ensure comprehensive graphical and textual localization for users. Furthermore, its functionality is tightly integrated with the language-selector suite of tools, meaning its standalone use might be less intuitive or effective for complex localization tasks without understanding the broader system it operates within.

While check-language-support can be executed directly from a terminal, its most common and intended use is as a backend component for graphical user interfaces like language-selector-gnome. These frontends provide a user-friendly way to manage installed languages, and they rely on check-language-support to perform the actual verification of language pack integrity and system configuration, often prompting users to install missing components or fix issues.

The command frequently references the file located at /var/lib/language-selector/supported-languages. This file contains a list of language codes that are officially recognized and supported by the language-selector system. check-language-support uses this list to validate user-selected languages against available language packs and ensure that the system adheres to the distribution's localization standards.

The check-language-support command's development is intrinsically linked to the evolution of desktop localization efforts within the Ubuntu and Debian ecosystems. It emerged as a crucial component of the language-selector suite, designed to simplify and automate the often intricate process of ensuring full language support for users. Before such integrated tools, configuring language environments, including installing correct fonts, translation files, and input methods, was a manual and error-prone task. check-language-support was specifically crafted to provide a robust backend for graphical language settings applications, allowing for programmatic checks and rectification of language support issues. Its continuous development reflects the ongoing commitment to making Linux more accessible and user-friendly for a global audience, ensuring that linguistic preferences are seamlessly integrated into the operating system experience.

language-selector-gnome(1), locale(1), dpkg(1), apt(8)