Mobile OS Language Change? (Symbian, Windows Mobile)

[RadioRaiders]

Is it possible to change the languge of the OS on a phone running Windows Mobile?

I heard somewhere it may be possible with Symbian? And in some Windows Mobile phones, you can choose the languge the first time you turn it on, or change the language by conencting the phone to a PC and inseting the original install CD? (<- both just rumors, I have no idea)

Normally, I would assume a OS on a phone is no different than an OS on a computer, and in that case, changing the language would mean doing a complete re-install.

[Bugwart]

As with a PC, there are several aspects to the language used on a phone. These are:

1. Displaying the language
2. Entering text in another language
3. Switching menus to another language

.

Displaying another langauge is simple if the other language uses ASCII characters. This is the case for Germanic and Romance languages. Other languages, including many Slavik languages, CJK character based languages, Thai, Kmer, Arabic, Hebrew, and many others require the correct fonts to properly display the language. The Windows Mobile installation is relatively simple, but requires either an install program or some registry hacking.

Entering non-ASCII character sets requires additional software. Windows PCs require installing an "IME" for each entry method. I use EFFY 4.0 on my Windows smartphone to enter Chinese, Korean and Japanese.

Switching menus will require at least a partial re-install of the OS.

I am confident that Symbian can be modified to display and enter non-ASCII characters, although I have not personnaly tried to do this. Symbian has non-ASCII versions of its OS in use in many countries. I beleive that each Symbian non-ASCII version is available to re-flash Sybian phones.

[RadioRaiders]

Originally Posted by Bugwart

Switching menus will require at least a partial re-install of the OS.
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I want to switch the menu from German to English. Yes, I think you're right, I'd need the install CD to do that. Can I download it from somewhere? Or would I need to go back to the carrier I bought it from?

[Bugwart]

There is a lot of software and firmware available for download (free and for sale)
I can't guess your phone or carrier, so I can not suggest whether your carrier might re-flash your phone..