How To Change League Of Legends Language In The Game

Ever wanted to hear your favorite champions trash talk in a different tongue? Or maybe you're learning a new language and want to immerse yourself while dominating the Rift? Understanding how to change League of Legends language can open up a whole new world of in-game experiences. Good news: it's easier than ever, no more digging through game files!
Here's a quick rundown of what we'll cover:
At a glance:

  • You can easily change both the Riot Client and the in-game language through the Riot Client settings.
  • Language options might vary based on your region.
  • Changing the language can enhance immersion or aid language learning.
  • Be aware of potential gameplay challenges if you're not fluent in the new language.
  • An alternative method involves modifying the League of Legends shortcut, but the Riot Client method is recommended.

Why Bother Changing Your LoL Language, Anyway?

Beyond the novelty factor, there are legitimate reasons to tweak your language settings in League of Legends.

  • Immersion: Hearing character voice lines and reading lore in their native language (or a language fitting their origin) can drastically improve the game's atmosphere.
  • Language Learning: What better way to practice a new language than by passively absorbing vocabulary and sentence structure while playing a game you already love?
  • Accessibility: If your native language isn't supported by default, changing the language can make the game playable.
  • Customization: Simply put, control over your gaming experience is always a plus.

The Easiest Way: Changing Language Through the Riot Client

Riot Games has thankfully streamlined the process. The official method, implemented in late 2023, is by far the simplest. Here's how it’s done:

  1. Open the Riot Client: Launch the Riot Client without logging in. This is important! You need to be at the login screen.
  2. Access Settings: Look for the profile icon in the top right corner of the client. Click it, and a dropdown menu will appear. Select "Settings."
  3. Riot Client Language: In the settings menu, the first option you see will be “Riot Client Language.” Use the dropdown menu to select your preferred language for the Riot Client itself. Change League Client Language can be a great way to become familiar with the new layout.
  4. League of Legends Language: Now, in the left-hand sidebar, select "League of Legends." Here, you'll find another dropdown menu where you can choose your preferred language for the in-game experience.
  5. Repair: After selecting your desired language, click the "Repair" button that appears. This will download the necessary language files.
    This might take a few minutes, depending on your internet speed. Once it's done, log in and enjoy League of Legends in your chosen language!

Alternate Route: Modifying the Shortcut Target (Use With Caution)

While the Riot Client method is recommended, there's an older workaround that still functions. Be aware, this method can sometimes be unstable or cause issues with game updates. However, if you want to know how it's done, here's the breakdown:

  1. Close the League of Legends Client: Make sure the game is completely closed before proceeding.
  2. Find the Shortcut: Locate the League of Legends shortcut on your desktop or in your Start Menu.
  3. Open Properties: Right-click the shortcut and select "Properties" from the context menu.
  4. Modify the Target Field: In the "Properties" window, you'll see a field labeled "Target." This field contains the path to the League of Legends executable file.
  5. Add the Language Code: After the existing text in the "Target" field (make sure there's a space after the last character), add the following: --locale=XX_YY. Replace XX_YY with the appropriate language code (see the list below). For example, to set the language to Japanese, you would add --locale=ja_JP.
  6. Apply Changes: Click "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes.
  7. Launch the Game: Launch the game using the modified shortcut.
    Example:
    Let's say the original "Target" field looks like this:
    "C:\Riot Games\League of Legends\LeagueClient.exe"
    To change the language to Spanish (Spain), you would modify it to look like this:
    "C:\Riot Games\League of Legends\LeagueClient.exe" --locale=es_ES

Language Codes: Your Key to Linguistic Domination

To use either the shortcut method, you'll need to know the specific language codes. Here's a handy list:

  • Japanese: ja_JP
  • Korean: ko_KR
  • Chinese: zh_CN
  • Spanish (Spain): es_ES
  • Spanish (Latin America): es_MX
  • English (US): en_US
  • French: fr_FR
  • German: de_DE
  • Italian: it_IT
  • Polish: pl_PL
  • Romanian: ro_RO
  • Greek: el_GR
  • Portuguese (Brazil): pt_BR
  • Hungarian: hu_HU
  • Russian: ru_RU
  • Turkish: tr_TR
  • English (Australia): en_AU
  • English (UK): en_GB

Potential Pitfalls: Things to Keep in Mind

Changing your League of Legends language isn't always a seamless experience. Here are some potential problems to consider:

  • Information Overload: If you're not fluent in the chosen language, you might miss crucial in-game information, such as enemy cooldown timers or objective callouts. Decoding League of Legends Lingo is useful for understanding the essential terms.
  • Client Navigation Issues: Changing the Riot Client language can make it difficult to navigate the client if you don't understand the language. Be prepared to blindly click around until you find the settings again!
  • Regional Restrictions: Some languages may not be available in all regions.
  • Shortcut Instability: The shortcut method can sometimes be unreliable and may be overwritten by game updates, requiring you to re-edit the shortcut after each patch.

Common Questions About LoL Language Settings

Let's address some frequently asked questions:

  • Will changing the language affect my ping? No, changing the language will not affect your ping or connection speed. It only affects the text and audio displayed in the game.
  • Can I change the language back easily? Yes, using the Riot Client method, you can change the language back to your default language at any time through the settings menu. With the shortcut method, you just remove the --locale=XX_YY from the target field.
  • Does changing the language affect my account? No, it has no impact on your account, rank, or any other account-related information.
  • Why are some languages missing from the list? The availability of languages depends on your region and the languages supported by Riot Games for that region.
  • Can I change the language for only one champion? No, you can only change the language for the entire game, not for individual champions.
  • Will the game automatically update to the new language settings? When using the Riot Client method, yes. The client will automatically download and install the necessary language files. With the shortcut method, the changes should be immediate upon launching the game.

What About Language in Other Riot Games?

The process is similar for other Riot Games titles, like VALORANT. Typically, you'll find the language settings within the game's settings menu or the Riot Client settings. However, the specific steps and available languages may vary. Always check the individual game's documentation for the most accurate information, and keep in mind that you may be able to Change LoL email language as well.

Master Your Multilingual Rift: Next Steps

Now that you know how to change League of Legends language, go forth and experiment! Try a new language, immerse yourself in the lore, or simply impress your friends with your linguistic prowess. Just remember to be mindful of the potential pitfalls and choose a language you can at least partially understand to avoid gameplay frustrations.
And finally, if you are having issues related to the game and language settings it is often worth checking in on Decoding LOL and Language forums to see if other players are having similar issues.