Posted by stpaultim on Thu, Jan 29, 2026 - 12:59pm --- Updated: Jan 29 '26 - 1:03pm

Olaf and I were just talking about Multilignual support and modules for Backdrop CMS. One problem we identified for which there may already be a solution is finding a way for an admin to select a preferred language for admin menus that is NOT the same as the front end language. 

Use case is an Enlish speaking support person is working on a Multilingual site and fixing bugs with the French translation of the content. When I do this, the admin US also switches to French and I have a diffcult time navigating admin functions without switching back to English (both front and back end). 

Is there a way in Backdrop Core or through contrib modules to override the site language selection for only the admin menu?

Comments

Olafski's picture

Thu, Jan 29, 2026 - 1:33pm by Olafski

Use case is an English speaking support person working on a multilingual site and fixing bugs with the French translation of the content.

I found one solution for your use case. It works only if English is the default language of your site.

  • Go to the Detection and Selection page for languages (admin/config/regional/language/detection).
  • Pull the method "Default language" to the top, and save the list. "Default language" is now above the "URL" method.
  • Open a French content edit form. The interface language is English.
  • NB: In the frontend, you can still switch the content language manually.