Change language of boot menu

English Install/Boot/Login
1

Hello

I have another question concerning my new Leap installation.

I have installed my system in english, but using a german keyboard. How can I make the boot menu displayed in english?

cat /boot/grub2/grub.cfg

ilinux-f0te:/home/florian # cat /boot/grub2/grub.cfg
## DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE#
# It is automatically generated by grub2-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
set btrfs_relative_path="y"
export btrfs_relative_path
if  -f ${config_directory}/grubenv ]; then
  load_env -f ${config_directory}/grubenv
elif  -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
  load_env
fi

if  "${env_block}" ] ; then
  load_env -f "${env_block}"
fi

if  "${next_entry}" ] ; then
   set default="${next_entry}"
   set next_entry=
   save_env next_entry
   if  "${env_block}" ] ; then
     save_env -f "${env_block}" next_entry
   fi
   set boot_once=true
else
   set default="${saved_entry}"
fi

if  x"${feature_menuentry_id}" = xy ]; then
  menuentry_id_option="--id"
else
  menuentry_id_option=""
fi

export menuentry_id_option

if  "${prev_saved_entry}" ]; then
  set saved_entry="${prev_saved_entry}"
  save_env saved_entry
  set prev_saved_entry=
  save_env prev_saved_entry
  set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault {
  if  -z "${boot_once}" ]; then
    saved_entry="${chosen}"
    save_env saved_entry
  fi
}

function load_video {
  if  x$feature_all_video_module = xy ]; then
    insmod all_video
  else
    insmod efi_gop
    insmod efi_uga
    insmod ieee1275_fb
    insmod vbe
    insmod vga
    insmod video_bochs
    insmod video_cirrus
  fi
}

if loadfont unicode ; then
  set gfxmode=auto
  load_video
  insmod gfxterm
  set locale_dir=$prefix/locale
  set lang=de_AT
  insmod gettext
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
insmod part_gpt 
insmod btrfs
set root='hd0,gpt2'
if  x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
   search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2  --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2   adae675c-f6fd-436e-aa0b-6cf1a74c944f
else
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root adae675c-f6fd-436e-aa0b-6cf1a74c944f
fi
insmod gfxmenu
loadfont ($root)/grub2/themes/openSUSE/ascii.pf2
loadfont ($root)/grub2/themes/openSUSE/DejaVuSans10.pf2
loadfont ($root)/grub2/themes/openSUSE/DejaVuSans12.pf2
loadfont ($root)/grub2/themes/openSUSE/DejaVuSans-Bold14.pf2
insmod png
set theme=($root)/grub2/themes/openSUSE/theme.txt
export theme
if  x${boot_once} = xtrue ]; then
  set timeout=0
elif  x$feature_timeout_style = xy ] ; then
  set timeout_style=menu
  set timeout=8
# Fallback normal timeout code in case the timeout_style feature is
# unavailable.
else
  set timeout=8
fi
if  -n "$extra_cmdline" ]; then
  submenu "Bootable snapshot #$snapshot_num" {
    menuentry "If OK, run 'snapper rollback' and reboot." { true; }
  }
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_tuned ###
set tuned_params=""
### END /etc/grub.d/00_tuned ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry  'openSUSE Leap 42.1'  --class opensuse --class gnu-linux --class gnu  --class os $menuentry_id_option  'gnulinux-simple-3a37c24a-3bd1-4fe0-ac62-63ea6035b16f' {
        load_video
        set gfxpayload=keep
        insmod gzio
        insmod part_gpt 
        insmod btrfs
        set root='hd0,gpt2'
        if  x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
           search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2  --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2   adae675c-f6fd-436e-aa0b-6cf1a74c944f
        else
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root adae675c-f6fd-436e-aa0b-6cf1a74c944f
        fi
        echo    'Linux 4.1.12-1-default wird geladen …'
         linuxefi /vmlinuz-4.1.12-1-default  root=UUID=3a37c24a-3bd1-4fe0-ac62-63ea6035b16f ro  ${extra_cmdline}  resume=/dev/system/swap splash=silent quiet showopts
        echo    'Initiale Ramdisk wird geladen …'
        initrdefi /initrd-4.1.12-1-default
}
submenu  'Erweiterte Optionen für openSUSE Leap 42.1' --hotkey=1  $menuentry_id_option  'gnulinux-advanced-3a37c24a-3bd1-4fe0-ac62-63ea6035b16f' {
         menuentry 'openSUSE Leap 42.1, mit Linux 4.1.12-1-default' --hotkey=2  --class opensuse --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os  $menuentry_id_option  'gnulinux-4.1.12-1-default-advanced-3a37c24a-3bd1-4fe0-ac62-63ea6035b16f'  {
                load_video
                set gfxpayload=keep
                insmod gzio
                insmod part_gpt 
                insmod btrfs
                set root='hd0,gpt2'
                if  x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
                   search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root  --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2   adae675c-f6fd-436e-aa0b-6cf1a74c944f
                else
                  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root adae675c-f6fd-436e-aa0b-6cf1a74c944f
                fi
                echo    'Linux 4.1.12-1-default wird geladen …'
                 linuxefi /vmlinuz-4.1.12-1-default  root=UUID=3a37c24a-3bd1-4fe0-ac62-63ea6035b16f ro  ${extra_cmdline}  resume=/dev/system/swap splash=silent quiet showopts
                echo    'Initiale Ramdisk wird geladen …'
                initrdefi /initrd-4.1.12-1-default
        }
}

### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries.  Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment.  Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if  -f  ${config_directory}/custom.cfg ]; then
  source ${config_directory}/custom.cfg
elif  -z "${config_directory}" -a -f  $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
  source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/80_suse_btrfs_snapshot ###
if  -f "/.snapshots/grub-snapshot.cfg" ]; then
  source "/.snapshots/grub-snapshot.cfg"
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/80_suse_btrfs_snapshot ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/90_persistent ###
### END /etc/grub.d/90_persistent ###

So here is the part

if loadfont unicode ; then
set gfxmode=auto
load_video
insmod gfxterm
set locale_dir=$prefix/locale
set lang=de_AT
insmod gettext

Is it

set locale_dir=$prefix/locale

or

set lang=de_AT

which I have to change for the language?

You see here is the menu entry in german

submenu  'Erweiterte Optionen für openSUSE Leap 42.1' --hotkey=1  $menuentry_id_option  'gnulinux-advanced-3a37c24a-3bd1-4fe0-ac62-63ea6035b16f' {
         menuentry 'openSUSE Leap 42.1, mit Linux 4.1.12-1-default' --hotkey=2  --class opensuse --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os  $menuentry_id_option  'gnulinux-4.1.12-1-default-advanced-3a37c24a-3bd1-4fe0-ac62-63ea6035b16f'  {
2

But my grub2-mkconfig settings differ from the grub file?

linux-f0te:/home/florian # grub2-mkconfig
Generating grub configuration file ...
#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by grub2-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
set btrfs_relative_path="y"
export btrfs_relative_path
if  -f ${config_directory}/grubenv ]; then
  load_env -f ${config_directory}/grubenv
elif  -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
  load_env
fi

if  "${env_block}" ] ; then
  load_env -f "${env_block}"
fi

if  "${next_entry}" ] ; then
   set default="${next_entry}"
   set next_entry=
   save_env next_entry
   if  "${env_block}" ] ; then
     save_env -f "${env_block}" next_entry
   fi
   set boot_once=true
else
   set default="${saved_entry}"
fi

if  x"${feature_menuentry_id}" = xy ]; then
  menuentry_id_option="--id"
else
  menuentry_id_option=""
fi

export menuentry_id_option

if  "${prev_saved_entry}" ]; then
  set saved_entry="${prev_saved_entry}"
  save_env saved_entry
  set prev_saved_entry=
  save_env prev_saved_entry
  set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault {
  if  -z "${boot_once}" ]; then
    saved_entry="${chosen}"
    save_env saved_entry
  fi
}

function load_video {
  if  x$feature_all_video_module = xy ]; then
    insmod all_video
  else
    insmod efi_gop
    insmod efi_uga
    insmod ieee1275_fb
    insmod vbe
    insmod vga
    insmod video_bochs
    insmod video_cirrus
  fi
}

if loadfont unicode ; then
  set gfxmode=auto
  load_video
  insmod gfxterm
  set locale_dir=$prefix/locale
  set lang=de_AT
  insmod gettext
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
Found theme: /boot/grub2/themes/openSUSE/theme.txt
insmod part_gpt 
insmod btrfs
set root='hd0,gpt2'
if  x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
   search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2  --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2   adae675c-f6fd-436e-aa0b-6cf1a74c944f
else
  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root adae675c-f6fd-436e-aa0b-6cf1a74c944f
fi
insmod gfxmenu
loadfont ($root)/grub2/themes/openSUSE/ascii.pf2
loadfont ($root)/grub2/themes/openSUSE/DejaVuSans10.pf2
loadfont ($root)/grub2/themes/openSUSE/DejaVuSans12.pf2
loadfont ($root)/grub2/themes/openSUSE/DejaVuSans-Bold14.pf2
insmod png
set theme=($root)/grub2/themes/openSUSE/theme.txt
export theme
if  x${boot_once} = xtrue ]; then
  set timeout=0
elif  x$feature_timeout_style = xy ] ; then
  set timeout_style=menu
  set timeout=8
# Fallback normal timeout code in case the timeout_style feature is
# unavailable.
else
  set timeout=8
fi
if  -n "$extra_cmdline" ]; then
  submenu "Bootable snapshot #$snapshot_num" {
    menuentry "If OK, run 'snapper rollback' and reboot." { true; }
  }
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_tuned ###
set tuned_params=""
### END /etc/grub.d/00_tuned ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-4.1.12-1-default
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd-4.1.12-1-default
menuentry  'openSUSE Leap 42.1'  --class opensuse --class gnu-linux --class gnu  --class os $menuentry_id_option  'gnulinux-simple-3a37c24a-3bd1-4fe0-ac62-63ea6035b16f' {
        load_video
        set gfxpayload=keep
        insmod gzio
        insmod part_gpt 
        insmod btrfs
        set root='hd0,gpt2'
        if  x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
           search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2  --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2   adae675c-f6fd-436e-aa0b-6cf1a74c944f
        else
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root adae675c-f6fd-436e-aa0b-6cf1a74c944f
        fi
        echo    'Loading Linux 4.1.12-1-default ...'
         linuxefi /vmlinuz-4.1.12-1-default  root=UUID=3a37c24a-3bd1-4fe0-ac62-63ea6035b16f ro  ${extra_cmdline}  resume=/dev/system/swap splash=silent quiet showopts
        echo    'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
        initrdefi /initrd-4.1.12-1-default
}
submenu  'Advanced options for openSUSE Leap 42.1' --hotkey=1  $menuentry_id_option  'gnulinux-advanced-3a37c24a-3bd1-4fe0-ac62-63ea6035b16f' {
         menuentry 'openSUSE Leap 42.1, with Linux 4.1.12-1-default' --hotkey=2  --class opensuse --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os  $menuentry_id_option  'gnulinux-4.1.12-1-default-advanced-3a37c24a-3bd1-4fe0-ac62-63ea6035b16f'  {
                load_video
                set gfxpayload=keep
                insmod gzio
                insmod part_gpt 
                insmod btrfs
                set root='hd0,gpt2'
                if  x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
                   search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root  --hint-bios=hd0,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd0,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt2   adae675c-f6fd-436e-aa0b-6cf1a74c944f
                else
                  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root adae675c-f6fd-436e-aa0b-6cf1a74c944f
                fi
                echo    'Loading Linux 4.1.12-1-default ...'
                 linuxefi /vmlinuz-4.1.12-1-default  root=UUID=3a37c24a-3bd1-4fe0-ac62-63ea6035b16f ro  ${extra_cmdline}  resume=/dev/system/swap splash=silent quiet showopts
                echo    'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
                initrdefi /initrd-4.1.12-1-default
        }
}

### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
Found Debian GNU/Linux (8.2) on /dev/sdd2
menuentry  'Debian GNU/Linux (8.2) (on /dev/sdd2)' --class gnu-linux --class gnu  --class os $menuentry_id_option  'osprober-gnulinux-simple-0cd50fa5-8935-4e48-a181-45d0e740db5b' {
        insmod part_gpt 
        insmod ext2
        set root='hd3,gpt2'
        if  x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
           search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd3,gpt2  --hint-efi=hd3,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci3,gpt2   0cd50fa5-8935-4e48-a181-45d0e740db5b
        else
          search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 0cd50fa5-8935-4e48-a181-45d0e740db5b
        fi
        linuxefi /boot/vmlinuz-3.16.0-4-amd64 root=UUID=0cd50fa5-8935-4e48-a181-45d0e740db5b ro quiet
        initrdefi /boot/initrd.img-3.16.0-4-amd64
}
submenu  'Advanced options for Debian GNU/Linux (8.2) (on /dev/sdd2)'  $menuentry_id_option  'osprober-gnulinux-advanced-0cd50fa5-8935-4e48-a181-45d0e740db5b' {
         menuentry 'Debian GNU/Linux (on /dev/sdd2)' --class gnu-linux  --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option  'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-3.16.0-4-amd64--0cd50fa5-8935-4e48-a181-45d0e740db5b'  {
                insmod part_gpt 
                insmod ext2
                set root='hd3,gpt2'
                if  x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
                   search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root  --hint-bios=hd3,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd3,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci3,gpt2   0cd50fa5-8935-4e48-a181-45d0e740db5b
                else
                  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 0cd50fa5-8935-4e48-a181-45d0e740db5b
                fi
                linuxefi /boot/vmlinuz-3.16.0-4-amd64 root=UUID=0cd50fa5-8935-4e48-a181-45d0e740db5b ro quiet
                initrdefi /boot/initrd.img-3.16.0-4-amd64
        }
         menuentry 'Debian GNU/Linux, with Linux 3.16.0-4-amd64 (on  /dev/sdd2)' --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os  $menuentry_id_option  'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-3.16.0-4-amd64--0cd50fa5-8935-4e48-a181-45d0e740db5b'  {
                insmod part_gpt 
                insmod ext2
                set root='hd3,gpt2'
                if  x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
                   search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root  --hint-bios=hd3,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd3,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci3,gpt2   0cd50fa5-8935-4e48-a181-45d0e740db5b
                else
                  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 0cd50fa5-8935-4e48-a181-45d0e740db5b
                fi
                linuxefi /boot/vmlinuz-3.16.0-4-amd64 root=UUID=0cd50fa5-8935-4e48-a181-45d0e740db5b ro quiet
                initrdefi /boot/initrd.img-3.16.0-4-amd64
        }
         menuentry 'Debian GNU/Linux, with Linux 3.16.0-4-amd64 (recovery  mode) (on /dev/sdd2)' --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os  $menuentry_id_option  'osprober-gnulinux-/boot/vmlinuz-3.16.0-4-amd64-root=UUID=0cd50fa5-8935-4e48-a181-45d0e740db5b  ro single-0cd50fa5-8935-4e48-a181-45d0e740db5b' {
                insmod part_gpt 
                insmod ext2
                set root='hd3,gpt2'
                if  x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
                   search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root  --hint-bios=hd3,gpt2 --hint-efi=hd3,gpt2 --hint-baremetal=ahci3,gpt2   0cd50fa5-8935-4e48-a181-45d0e740db5b
                else
                  search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 0cd50fa5-8935-4e48-a181-45d0e740db5b
                fi
                linuxefi /boot/vmlinuz-3.16.0-4-amd64 root=UUID=0cd50fa5-8935-4e48-a181-45d0e740db5b ro single
                initrdefi /boot/initrd.img-3.16.0-4-amd64
        }
}

### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries.  Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment.  Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
if  -f  ${config_directory}/custom.cfg ]; then
  source ${config_directory}/custom.cfg
elif  -z "${config_directory}" -a -f  $prefix/custom.cfg ]; then
  source $prefix/custom.cfg;
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/80_suse_btrfs_snapshot ###
if  -f "/.snapshots/grub-snapshot.cfg" ]; then
  source "/.snapshots/grub-snapshot.cfg"
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/80_suse_btrfs_snapshot ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/90_persistent ###
### END /etc/grub.d/90_persistent ###
done

Where its in english

submenu  'Advanced options for openSUSE Leap 42.1' --hotkey=1  $menuentry_id_option  'gnulinux-advanced-3a37c24a-3bd1-4fe0-ac62-63ea6035b16f' {
         menuentry 'openSUSE Leap 42.1, with Linux 4.1.12-1-default' --hotkey=2  --class opensuse --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os  $menuentry_id_option  'gnulinux-4.1.12-1-default-advanced-3a37c24a-3bd1-4fe0-ac62-63ea6035b16f'  {

And there ist also my Debian installation?

Does anybody know how to change the language of the splash screen boot menu?

Thanks in advance

3

If you choose English as system language (YaST->System->Language), the boot menu should be in english.
The keyboard layout has no influence on the language.

You have to recreate the menu though after switching the language.
Enter YaST->System->Boot Loader for that and just press OK, or run “sudo grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg”.

If you want to change the menu’s language to something else than your system language, try something like this:

sudo LANG=en_us grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg

You might have to do that again after updates though, as the updates might recreate the menu in your system language.

Unfortunately I am not aware of a way to explicitly specify the language for grub2’s menu entries…

Is it

set locale_dir=$prefix/locale

or

set lang=de_AT

which I have to change for the language?

You see here is the menu entry in german

The grub.cfg does contain german strings (hardcoded), it won’t help to set locale_dir or lang to change them.

Also, you shouldn’t modify grub.cfg yourself, your changes will be overwritten.

4

Thank you very much. Worked perfectly for me:)