Language change via Self Service

I haven't tested, but it should go something like this.

1) Create a script called ChangeLanguage

#!/bin/sh
/usr/sbin/languagesetup -langspec $4

defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleLocale $4

2) Create a policy (call it set to French for example) that runs that script. In parameter 4, put in the language code. What's the code to use? I've no idea, hopefully you do. I used 'FR' and it worked. I expect it's the standard two character code used for languages (en, ja, fr, de, es, it, nl, sv, nb, da, fi, pt, zh-Hans, zh-Hant, ko)

I haven't tested any of that, but it should get you started. You may need to specify the region when setting the AppleLocale (so use parameter 5 with the language/region code available at https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/MacOSX/Conceptual/BPInternational/LanguageandLocaleIDs/LanguageandLocaleIDs.html). You may also need to specify the path fo the defaults command (defaults write /Users/$currentUser/Library/Preferences/.GlobalPreferences.plist)

edit: users should expect to logout/in before seeing any change.

@thoule Many Thanks for help! I test your script with the language code for english. Casper SUite run the code without error but after restart I don't see changes.

We normally set languages via configuration profiles like this one: https://github.com/amsysuk/public_config_profiles/blob/master/LocalisetoUK.mobileconfig

You could offer these in self service.

@c.knipping : this is probably no good idea. There are many other things that are set in .GlobalPreferences. for example, mouse speed, Force Touch Trackpad options and many more. Maybe your users are not very happy when their settings are getting overwritten...