In case the lang is set, default programs try to translate interface to this language.
Found a few tricks that could change it:
apt to download en translations
# sudo sh -c ‘echo ” Acquire::Languages \”en\”;” > /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/99translations’
delete already downloaded translations:
# rm -rf /usr/share/locale/et
# rm -rf /usr/share/locale/et_EE
This one worked for me, however I am not sure this is the correct way. So, think before you do that.
Update: the correct one is to set LANG for xdm/gdm or whatever you are running in pam.d to be not system wide.
I run xdm, so need to change locale for it.
1. create /etc/locale.conf with LANG=en_US.UTF8
# echo “LANG=en_US.UTF8” > /etc/locale.conf
Note, en_US.UTF8 must be existing system locale2. change pam.d config for xdm:
# vi /etc/pam.d/xdm
auth required pam_env.so envfile=/etc/locale.conf
instead of envfile=/etc/default/locale3. restart xdm
# /etc/init.d/xdm stop && /etc/init.d/xdm start
Now should any session be with language that is chosen in /etc/locale.conf
https://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-reference/ch08.en.html#_the_locale