This guide explains how to change the language of your WordPress site, set the admin interface language for individual users, and adjust date and number formats.
Changing the site language
The site language controls the language used in WordPress-generated text — things like "Leave a Reply", "Search Results", navigation labels, and date formats. It does not translate your own content.
To change it:
- Log in to your WordPress Dashboard.
- Go to Settings, then General.
- Find the Site Language dropdown.
- Select the language you want from the list.
- Click Save Changes.
WordPress downloads the language pack automatically. The change takes effect immediately.
Setting the admin interface language
The site language setting affects both the front end (what visitors see) and the Dashboard. However, individual users can override the Dashboard language for their own account.
To change your personal admin language:
- Go to Users in the WordPress Dashboard.
- Click on your username, or click Profile.
- Find the Language dropdown.
- Select your preferred language.
- Click Update Profile.
This only changes the Dashboard language for your account. Other users and the front-end language remain unaffected.
Date and number formats
When you change the site language, WordPress adjusts date and number formats to match the locale. For example, switching to a European language may change the date format from "April 4, 2026" to "4 April 2026" and use commas instead of full stops in numbers.
You can customise these formats manually:
- Go to Settings, then General.
- Scroll down to Date Format and Time Format.
- Select from the options provided, or enter a custom format string.
- Click Save Changes.
Using Irish (Gaeilge)
WordPress supports Irish as a site language. Select Gaeilge from the Site Language dropdown. WordPress will download the Irish language pack and apply it to all interface strings that have been translated. Some less common strings may still appear in English if they have not been translated by the community yet.
Plugins and theme translations
Changing the site language tells WordPress to look for translation files for your plugins and themes as well. Most popular plugins include translations for common languages. If a plugin does not have a translation for your chosen language, its interface text will remain in the plugin's default language (usually English).
Some plugins manage their own translations separately. If you need a specific plugin translated, check the plugin author's website or the WordPress translation platform at translate.wordpress.org for available language packs.
Multilingual sites
If you need your actual content (pages, posts, products) available in more than one language, you need a multilingual plugin. This is different from changing the site language, which only affects the WordPress interface. Popular options include WPML and TranslatePress. These plugins let you create translated versions of each page and let visitors switch between languages.
FAQ
Q: Will changing the site language translate my pages and posts?
A: No. Changing the site language only affects the WordPress interface — things like button labels, menu text, and date formats. Your own content (pages, posts, and media) stays exactly as you wrote it. To offer your content in multiple languages, you need a translation plugin like WPML or TranslatePress.
Q: Can different users have different admin languages?
A: Yes. Each user can set their own admin interface language in their profile. Go to Users, click on your profile, and choose a language from the Language dropdown. This only affects what that user sees in the Dashboard — it does not change the language visitors see on the front of the site.
Q: Is WordPress available in Irish (Gaeilge)?
A: Yes. WordPress has a Gaeilge language pack. Select it from the Site Language dropdown in Settings. The translation coverage varies — some strings may fall back to English if they have not been translated yet. You can contribute to the Irish translation at translate.wordpress.org.
Frequently asked questions
Will changing the site language translate my pages and posts?
No. Changing the site language only affects the WordPress interface — things like button labels, menu text, and date formats. Your own content (pages, posts, and media) stays exactly as you wrote it. To offer your content in multiple languages, you need a translation plugin like WPML or TranslatePress.
Can different users have different admin languages?
Yes. Each user can set their own admin interface language in their profile. Go to Users, click on your profile, and choose a language from the Language dropdown. This only affects what that user sees in the Dashboard — it does not change the language visitors see on the front of the site.
Is WordPress available in Irish (Gaeilge)?
Yes. WordPress has a Gaeilge language pack. Select it from the Site Language dropdown in Settings. The translation coverage varies — some strings may fall back to English if they have not been translated yet. You can contribute to the Irish translation at translate.wordpress.org.
Last updated: 4 April 2026