Two Ways to Configure Language for PostgreSQL (Including Examples)

There are two main approaches to change the language of messages in PostgreSQL:

1. Setting the lc_messages parameter: This is the preferred method and works on most platforms. It involves modifying the postgresql.conf configuration file.
2. Changing the system locale: This approach involves modifying your operating system's locale settings which can affect other applications as well. It's generally recommended to use the first method whenever possible.

Example: Changing to English (US) in postgresql.conf

1. Locate the postgresql.conf file. This file is typically found in the following locations:

   • Linux/macOS: /etc/postgresql/<version>/main/postgresql.conf (replace <version> with your PostgreSQL version, like 14)
   • Windows: <path-to-postgresql-installation>/data/postgresql.conf

3. lc_messages = 'en_US.UTF-8'
   

Additional Notes:

• The lc_messages parameter can also be set for individual sessions using the SET lc_messages command within the psql client. However, this setting only applies to the current session and doesn't persist across restarts.
• Changing the system locale might affect other applications besides PostgreSQL, so use this method cautiously.

Related Issues and Solutions:

• If changing lc_messages doesn't work on Windows: This might be due to limitations in the Windows version. You can try deleting all files except the desired language folder within the postgresql\share\locale directory and then restarting the server. However, this approach is not officially supported and should be used with caution.