---
sourceDocument: Yokohama ServiceNow AI Platform Administration
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/yokohama/platform-administration

 Release :

    - yokohama

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Yokohama ServiceNow AI Platform Administration

ft:clusterId :

    - platadm

bundleId :

    - platadm

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Set a fallback language

# Set a fallback language {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Yokohama
* 
* Updated January 30, 2025
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

Set a fallback language to be used when user interface text is not translated in the
user's preferred language to accommodate the language needs of your users.

## Before you begin

Activate the languages that your users need. For more information, see [Activate a language](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/GAthMpLLFYvGUKHgyxOgdw "By default, the language supported by the platform is American English. You can activate plugins for other supported languages if you have the admin role.") for supported languages or [Translating to an unsupported language](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/ppWb4V0GVaHyW3JsG8QDJA "Translate the interface of an instance to a language for which ServiceNow does not provide an internationalization (I18N) plugin.") for custom translations.

Role required: admin

## About this task

By default, if a UI string is not translated in the preferred language of an instance
session, it displays in English. Setting fallback languages creates a three-level
hierarchy in which an intermediate language is used before defaulting to English.
Setting a fallback language also means you don't need to add custom translations for
UI strings that are suitable in the fallback language and users get UI strings in
the languages most appropriate for them.

For example, you could set the fallback language for Mexican Spanish to Spanish. If a
UI string is not translated in Mexican Spanish, it displays in Spanish instead. If a
Spanish translation is not available either, the UI string displays in English. As
an admin, you would need to provide custom translations of UI strings in Mexican
Spanish only when the translation differs from the Spanish translation.  
Note:  
To turn off fallback languages and always fall back to English, add the glide_i18n.language_fallback_enabled property to the System Properties \[sys_properties\] table and set the value to <kbd class="ph userinput">false</kbd> .

## Procedure

1. Navigate to AllSystem LocalizationLanguages.
2. In the Languages \[sys_language\] table, select the name of an active language.
3. In the Fallback field of the language record, select the name of the fallback language.  
   You can select only an active language as the fallback language. You cannot set English as the fallback language because it is the default fallback language.
4. Select Update.

*[\>]: and then