browserLanguage Property

Internet Development Index

Retrieves the current browser language.

Syntax

[ sLanguage = ] object.browserLanguage

Possible Values

sLanguageString that receives one of the values in the Language Codes.

The property is read-only. The property has no default value.

Remarks

In Microsoft® Internet Explorer 4.0 and earlier, the browserLanguage property reflects the language of the installed browser's user interface. For example, if you install a Japanese version of Internet Explorer on an English operating system, browserLanguage would be ja.

In Internet Explorer 5 and later, however, the browserLanguage property reflects the language of the operating system regardless of the installed language version of Internet Explorer. However, if Microsoft Windows® 2000 MultiLanguage version is installed, the browserLanguage property indicates the language set in the operating system's current menus and dialogs, as found in the Regional Options of the Control Panel. For example, if you install a Japanese version of Internet Explorer 5 on an English (United Kingdom) operating system, browserLanguage would be en-gb. If you install Windows 2000 MultiLanguage version and set the language of the menus and dialogs to French, browserLanguage would be fr, even though you have a Japanese version of Internet Explorer.

Note  This property does not indicate the language or languages set by the user in Language Preferences, located in the Internet Options dialog box.

Standards Information

There is no public standard that applies to this property.

Applies To

clientInformation, navigator

See Also

systemLanguage, userLanguage