How to Use the Command 'check-language-support' (with examples)

The check-language-support command is an invaluable tool for Linux users, specifically those using Ubuntu, who need to ensure that their system is fully equipped with the necessary language support packages. This command searches your system for missing language packages based on the installed software and enabled locales, providing insights into what additional packages might be required for full language support. It’s particularly useful for ensuring that all linguistic features, such as translations, fonts, and input methods, are readily available for the corresponding languages.

Use case 1: Display a list of missing language packages based on installed software and enabled locales

Code:

check-language-support

Motivation:

You may find yourself in a situation where you have installed specific software or enabled certain locales on your Ubuntu system, but the language packages required for full functionality are missing. This gap can result in incomplete language support, such as missing translations or incorrect font rendering. By running the check-language-support command without any additional arguments, you can quickly discover which language packages are missing, thereby helping you to address this issue promptly and maintain smooth operation of your software in the desired languages.

Explanation:

• The command check-language-support on its own consults both the installed software on your system and the enabled locales. It then cross-references this information against the available language support packages in Ubuntu repositories, pinpointing those that are missing.

Example output:

language-pack-gnome-de
language-pack-kde-es
language-pack-gnome-it
...

This output lists the specific language packages that are missing from your system, signifying which ones you might need to install to ensure that your Ubuntu system has complete language support for the languages in question.

Use case 2: List packages for a specific locale

Code:

check-language-support --language en

Motivation:

There could be instances where your focus is primarily on ensuring that a particular language locale is fully supported within your system. Perhaps you are working on an English-centric project and want to make sure that all language support packages for English are correctly installed. By specifying a locale, you can narrow down the list to see only the necessary packages related to the English language, which can be an efficient way to handle locale-specific language setup without wading through unrelated package information.

Explanation:

• The --language argument specifies the locale for which you seek language support information, in this case, en for English. This narrows down the command’s search to only those packages necessary for comprehensive English language functionality.

Example output:

language-pack-en
language-pack-gnome-en
myspell-en-gb
libreoffice-l10n-en
...

In this output, you see the packages that provide full English language support. The listed packages are crucial for ensuring that the English locale on the system is complete, from basic language packs to specific software localization.

Use case 3: Display installed packages as well as missing ones

Code:

check-language-support --show-installed

Motivation:

It’s beneficial to gain a holistic view of both the installed and missing language packages to understand your system’s current language support status fully. This use case is particularly significant in controlled environments where you need to verify whether all necessary language support packages are already in place or if there’s a need to install additional ones. Displaying both sets of packages ensures transparency in language support management and assists in identifying gaps if any, thereby facilitating better administrative oversight.

Explanation:

• The --show-installed option extends the functionality of the basic check-language-support command by not only identifying the missing packages but also listing those that are already installed. This comprehensive output gives a complete picture of your language support landscape.

Example output:

Installed packages:
language-pack-en
language-pack-gnome-en
Missing packages:
language-pack-es
language-pack-gnome-es
...

This output indicates which packages are already on your system under the “Installed packages” section and shows what is lacking under “Missing packages.” This dual output is beneficial for evaluating the completeness of your system’s language support.

Conclusion:

The check-language-support command is a useful utility for managing language packages on Ubuntu systems. Whether you need to identify missing language packages, focus on a specific locale, or assess both installed and missing language packages, this command provides clear and actionable insights. By using the examples provided, Ubuntu users can efficiently address language support needs, ensuring their software operates optimally in their preferred languages.