LOCALE
Section: Linux User Manual (5)
Updated: 2014-06-13
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NAME
locale - describes a locale definition file
DESCRIPTION
The
locale
definition file contains all the information that the
localedef(1)
command needs to convert it into the binary locale database.
The definition files consist of sections which each describe a
locale category in detail.
Syntax
The locale definition file starts with a header that may consist
of the following keywords:
- <escape_char>
-
is followed by a character that should be used as the
escape-character for the rest of the file to mark characters that
should be interpreted in a special way.
It defaults to the backslash (\).
- <comment_char>
-
is followed by a character that will be used as the
comment-character for the rest of the file.
It defaults to the number sign (#).
The locale definition has one part for each locale category.
Each part can be copied from another existing locale or
can be defined from scratch.
If the category should be copied,
the only valid keyword in the definition is
copy
followed by the name of the locale which should be copied.
Locale category sections
The following category sections are defined by POSIX:
- *
-
LC_CTYPE
- *
-
LC_COLLATE
- *
-
LC_MESSAGES
- *
-
LC_MONETARY
- *
-
LC_NUMERIC
- *
-
LC_TIME
In addition, since version 2.2,
the GNU C library supports the following nonstandard categories:
- *
-
LC_ADDRESS
- *
-
LC_IDENTIFICATION
- *
-
LC_MEASUREMENT
- *
-
LC_NAME
- *
-
LC_PAPER
- *
-
LC_TELEPHONE
LC_ADDRESS
The definition starts with the string
LC_ADDRESS
in the first column.
The following keywords are allowed:
- postal_fmt
-
followed by a string containing field descriptors that define
the format used for postal addresses in the locale.
The following field descriptors are recognized:
-
- %a
-
Care of person, or organization.
- %f
-
Firm name.
- %d
-
Department name.
- %b
-
Building name.
- %s
-
Street or block (e.g., Japanese) name.
- %h
-
House number or designation.
- %N
-
Insert an end-of-line if the previous descriptor's value was not an empty
string; otherwise ignore.
- %t
-
Insert a space if the previous descriptor's value was not an empty string;
otherwise ignore.
- %r
-
Room number, door designation.
- %e
-
Floor number.
- %C
-
Country designation, from the <country_post> keyword.
- %z
-
Zip number, postal code.
- %T
-
Town, city.
- %S
-
State, province, or prefecture.
- %c
-
Country, as taken from data record.
Each field descriptor may have an 'R' after
the '%' to specify that the
information is taken from a Romanized version string of the
entity.
- country_name
-
followed by the country name in the language of the current document
(e.g., "Deutschland" for the
de_DE
locale).
- country_post
-
followed by the abbreviation of the country (see CERT_MAILCODES).
- country_ab2
-
followed by the two-letter abbreviation of the country (ISO 3166).
- country_ab3
-
followed by the three-letter abbreviation of the country (ISO 3166).
- country_num
-
followed by the numeric country code (ISO 3166).
- country_car
-
followed by the code for the country car number.
- country_isbn
-
followed by the ISBN code (for books).
- lang_name
-
followed by the language name in the language of the current document.
- lang_ab
-
followed by the two-letter abbreviation of the language (ISO 639).
- lang_term
-
followed by the three-letter abbreviation of the language (ISO 639-2/T).
- lang_lib
-
followed by the three-letter abbreviation of the language for library
use (ISO 639-2/B).
Applications should in general prefer
lang_term
over
lang_lib.
The
LC_ADDRESS
definition ends with the string
END LC_ADDRESS.
LC_CTYPE
The definition starts with the string
LC_CTYPE
in the first column.
The following keywords are allowed:
- upper
-
followed by a list of uppercase letters.
The letters
A
through
Z
are included automatically.
Characters also specified as
cntrl,
digit,
punct,
or
space
are not allowed.
- lower
-
followed by a list of lowercase letters.
The letters
a
through
z
are included automatically.
Characters also specified as
cntrl,
digit,
punct,
or
space
are not allowed.
- alpha
-
followed by a list of letters.
All character specified as either
upper
or
lower
are automatically included.
Characters also specified as
cntrl,
digit,
punct,
or
space
are not allowed.
- digit
-
followed by the characters classified as numeric digits.
Only the
digits
0
through
9
are allowed.
They are included by default in this class.
- space
-
followed by a list of characters defined as white-space
characters.
Characters also specified as
upper,
lower,
alpha,
digit,
graph,
or
xdigit
are not allowed.
The characters
<space>,
<form-feed>,
<newline>,
<carriage-return>,
<tab>,
and
<vertical-tab>
are automatically included.
- cntrl
-
followed by a list of control characters.
Characters also specified as
upper,
lower,
alpha,
digit,
punct,
graph,
print,
or
xdigit
are not allowed.
- punct
-
followed by a list of punctuation characters.
Characters also
specified as
upper,
lower,
alpha,
digit,
cntrl,
xdigit,
or the
<space>
character are not allowed.
- graph
-
followed by a list of printable characters, not including the
<space>
character.
The characters defined as
upper,
lower,
alpha,
digit,
xdigit,
and
punct
are automatically included.
Characters also specified as
cntrl
are not allowed.
- print
-
followed by a list of printable characters, including the
<space>
character.
The characters defined as
upper,
lower,
alpha,
digit,
xdigit,
punct,
and the
<space>
character are automatically included.
Characters also specified as
cntrl
are not allowed.
- xdigit
-
followed by a list of characters classified as hexadecimal
digits.
The decimal digits must be included followed by one or
more set of six characters in ascending order.
The following
characters are included by default:
0
through
9,
a
through
f,
A
through
F.
- blank
-
followed by a list of characters classified as
blank.
The characters
<space>
and
<tab>
are automatically included.
- toupper
-
followed by a list of mappings from lowercase to uppercase
letters.
Each mapping is a pair of a lowercase and an uppercase letter
separated with a
,
and enclosed in parentheses.
The members of the list are separated
with semicolons.
- tolower
-
followed by a list of mappings from uppercase to lowercase
letters.
If the keyword tolower is not present, the reverse of the
toupper list is used.
The
LC_CTYPE
definition ends with the string
END LC_CTYPE.
LC_COLLATE
The
LC_COLLATE
category defines the rules for collating characters.
Due to
limitations of libc not all POSIX-options are implemented.
The definition starts with the string
LC_COLLATE
in the first column.
The following keywords are allowed:
- collating-element
-
followed by the definition of a collating-element symbol
representing a multicharacter collating element.
- collating-symbol
-
followed by the definition of a collating symbol
that can be used in collation order statements.
The order-definition starts with a line:
- order_start
-
followed by a list of keywords chosen from
forward,
backward,
or
position.
The order definition consists of lines that describe the order
and is terminated with the keyword
order_end.
The
LC_COLLATE
definition ends with the string
END LC_COLLATE.
LC_IDENTIFICATION
This category contains meta-information about the locale definition.
The definition starts with the string
LC_IDENTIFICATION
in the first column.
The following keywords are allowed:
- title
-
followed by the title of the locale document
(e.g., "Maori language locale for New Zealand").
- source
-
followed by the name of the organization that maintains this document.
- address
-
followed by the address of the organization that maintains this document.
- contact
-
followed by the name of the contact person at
the organization that maintains this document.
- email
-
followed by the email address of the person or
organization that maintains this document.
- tel
-
followed by the telephone number (in international format)
of the organization that maintains this document.
- fax
-
followed by the fax number (in international format)
of the organization that maintains this document.
- language
-
followed by the name of the language to which this document applies.
- territory
-
followed by the name of the country/geographic extent
to which this document applies.
- audience
-
followed by a description of the audience for which this document is intended.
- application
-
followed by a description of any special application
for which this document is intended.
- abbreviation
-
followed by the short name for this document.
- revision
-
followed by the revision number of this document.
- date
-
followed by the revision date of this document.
In addition, for each of the categories defined by the document,
there should be a line starting with the keyword
category,
followed by:
- *
-
a string that identifies this locale category definition,
- *
-
a semicolon, and
- *
-
one of the
LC_*
identifiers.
The
LC_IDENTIFICATION
definition ends with the string
END LC_IDENTIFICATION.
LC_MESSAGES
The definition starts with the string
LC_MESSAGES
in the first column.
The following keywords are allowed:
- yesexpr
-
followed by a regular expression that describes possible
yes-responses.
- noexpr
-
followed by a regular expression that describes possible
no-responses.
- yesstr
-
followed by the output string corresponding to "yes".
- nostr
-
followed by the output string corresponding to "no".
The
LC_MESSAGES
definition ends with the string
END LC_MESSAGES.
LC_MEASUREMENT
The definition starts with the string
LC_MEASUREMENT
in the first column.
The following keywords are allowed:
- measurement
-
followed by number identifying the standard used for measurement.
The following values are recognized:
-
- 1
-
Metric.
- 2
-
US customary measurements.
The
LC_MEASUREMENT
definition ends with the string
END LC_MEASUREMENT.
LC_MONETARY
The definition starts with the string
LC_MONETARY
in the first column.
The following keywords are allowed:
- int_curr_symbol
-
followed by the international currency symbol.
This must be a
4-character string containing the international currency symbol as
defined by the ISO 4217 standard (three characters) followed by a
separator.
- currency_symbol
-
followed by the local currency symbol.
- mon_decimal_point
-
followed by the string that will be used as the decimal delimiter
when formatting monetary quantities.
- mon_thousands_sep
-
followed by the string that will be used as a group separator
when formatting monetary quantities.
- mon_grouping
-
followed by a sequence of integers separated by semicolons that
describe the formatting of monetary quantities.
See
grouping
below for details.
- positive_sign
-
followed by a string that is used to indicate a positive sign for
monetary quantities.
- negative_sign
-
followed by a string that is used to indicate a negative sign for
monetary quantities.
- int_frac_digits
-
followed by the number of fractional digits that should be used when
formatting with the
int_curr_symbol.
- frac_digits
-
followed by the number of fractional digits that should be used when
formatting with the
currency_symbol.
- p_cs_precedes
-
followed by an integer that indicates the placement of
currency_symbol
for a nonnegative formatted monetary quantity:
-
- 0
-
the symbol succeeds the value.
- 1
-
the symbol precedes the value.
- n_cs_precedes
-
followed by an integer that indicates the placement of
currency_symbol
for a negative formatted monetary quantity.
The same values are recognized as for
p_cs_precedes.
- int_p_cs_precedes
-
followed by an integer that indicates the placement of
int_currency_symbol
for a nonnegative internationally formatted monetary quantity.
The same values are recognized as for
p_cs_precedes.
- int_n_cs_precedes
-
followed by an integer that indicates the placement of
int_currency_symbol
for a negative internationally formatted monetary quantity.
The same values are recognized as for
p_cs_precedes.
- p_sep_by_space
-
followed by an integer that indicates the separation of
currency_symbol,
the sign string, and the value for a nonnegative formatted monetary quantity.
The following values are recognized:
-
- 0
-
No space separates the currency symbol and the value.
- 1
-
If the currency symbol and the sign string are adjacent,
a space separates them from the value;
otherwise a space separates the currency symbol and the value.
- 2
-
If the currency symbol and the sign string are adjacent,
a space separates them from the value;
otherwise a space separates the sign string and the value.
- n_sep_by_space
-
followed by an integer that indicates the separation of
currency_symbol,
the sign string, and the value for a negative formatted monetary quantity.
The same values are recognized as for
p_sep_by_space.
- int_p_sep_by_space
-
followed by an integer that indicates the separation of
int_currency_symbol,
the sign string,
and the value for a nonnegative internationally formatted monetary quantity.
The same values are recognized as for
p_sep_by_space.
- int_n_sep_by_space
-
followed by an integer that indicates the separation of
int_currency_symbol,
the sign string,
and the value for a negative internationally formatted monetary quantity.
The same values are recognized as for
p_sep_by_space.
- p_sign_posn
-
followed by an integer that indicates where the
positive_sign
should be placed for a nonnegative monetary quantity:
-
- 0
-
Parentheses enclose the quantity and the
currency_symbol
or
int_curr_symbol.
- 1
-
The sign string precedes the quantity and the
currency_symbol
or the
int_curr_symbol.
- 2
-
The sign string succeeds the quantity and the
currency_symbol
or the
int_curr_symbol.
- 3
-
The sign string precedes the
currency_symbol
or the
int_curr_symbol.
- 4
-
The sign string succeeds the
currency_symbol
or the
int_curr_symbol.
- n_sign_posn
-
followed by an integer that indicates where the
negative_sign
should be placed for a negative monetary quantity.
The same values are recognized as for
p_sign_posn.
- int_p_sign_posn
-
followed by an integer that indicates where the
negative_sign
should be placed for a nonnegative
internationally formatted monetary quantity.
The same values are recognized as for
p_sign_posn.
- int_n_sign_posn
-
followed by an integer that indicates where the
negative_sign
should be placed for a negative
internationally formatted monetary quantity.
The same values are recognized as for
p_sign_posn.
The
LC_MONETARY
definition ends with the string
END LC_MONETARY.
LC_NAME
The definition starts with the string
LC_NAME
in the first column.
Various keywords are allowed, but only
name_fmt
is mandatory.
Other keywords are needed only if there is common convention to
use the corresponding salutation in this locale.
The allowed keywords are as follows:
- name_fmt
-
followed by a string containing field descriptors that define
the format used for names in the locale.
The following field descriptors are recognized:
-
- %f
-
Family name(s).
- %F
-
Family names in uppercase.
- %g
-
First given name.
- %G
-
First given initial.
- %l
-
First given name with Latin letters.
- %o
-
Other shorter name.
- %m
-
Additional given name(s).
- %M
-
Initials for additional given name(s).
- %p
-
Profession.
- %s
-
Salutation, such as "Doctor".
- %S
-
Abbreviated salutation, such as "Mr." or "Dr.".
- %d
-
Salutation, using the FDCC-sets conventions.
- %t
-
If the preceding field descriptor resulted in an empty string,
then the empty string, otherwise a space character.
- name_gen
-
followed by the general salutation for any gender.
- name_mr
-
followed by the salutation for men.
- name_mrs
-
followed by the salutation for married women.
- name_miss
-
followed by the salutation for unmarried women.
- name_ms
-
followed by the salutation valid for all women.
The
LC_NAME
definition ends with the string
END LC_NAME.
LC_NUMERIC
The definition starts with the string
LC_NUMERIC
in the first column.
The following keywords are allowed:
- decimal_point
-
followed by the string that will be used as the decimal delimiter
when formatting numeric quantities.
- thousands_sep
-
followed by the string that will be used as a group separator
when formatting numeric quantities.
- grouping
-
followed by a sequence of integers separated by semicolons that
describe the formatting of numeric quantities.
-
Each integer specifies the number of digits in a group.
The first integer defines the size of the group immediately
to the left of the decimal delimiter.
Subsequent integers define succeeding groups to the
left of the previous group.
If the last integer is not -1, then the size of the previous group
(if any) is repeatedly used for the remainder of the digits.
If the last integer is -1, then no further grouping is performed.
The
LC_NUMERIC
definition ends with the string
END LC_NUMERIC.
LC_PAPER
The definition starts with the string
LC_PAPER
in the first column.
The following keywords are allowed:
- height
-
followed by the height, in millimeters, of the standard paper format.
- width
-
followed by the width, in millimeters, of the standard paper format.
The
LC_PAPER
definition ends with the string
END LC_PAPER.
LC_TELEPHONE
The definition starts with the string
LC_TELEPHONE
in the first column.
The following keywords are allowed:
- tel_int_fmt
-
followed by a string that contains field descriptors that identify
the format used to dial international numbers.
The following field descriptors are recognized:
-
- %a
-
Area code without nationwide prefix (the prefix is often "00").
- %A
-
Area code including nationwide prefix.
- %l
-
Local number (within area code).
- %e
-
Extension (to local number).
- %c
-
Country code.
- %C
-
Alternate carrier service code used for dialing abroad.
- %t
-
If the preceding field descriptor resulted in an empty string,
then the empty string, otherwise a space character.
- tel_dom_fmt
-
followed by a string that contains field descriptors that identify
the format used to dial domestic numbers.
The recognized field descriptors are the same as for
tel_int_fmt.
- int_select
-
followed by the prefix used to call international phone numbers.
- int_prefix
-
followed by the prefix used from other countries to dial this country.
The
LC_TELEPHONE
definition ends with the string
END LC_TELEPHONE.
LC_TIME
The definition starts with the string
LC_TIME
in the first column.
The following keywords are allowed:
- abday
-
followed by a list of abbreviated names of the days of the week.
The list starts with the first day of the week
as specified by
week
(Sunday by default).
See NOTES.
- day
-
followed by a list of names of the days of the week.
The list starts with the first day of the week
as specified by
week
(Sunday by default).
See NOTES.
- abmon
-
followed by a list of abbreviated month names.
- mon
-
followed by a list of month names.
- am_pm
-
followed by the appropriate representation of the
am
and
pm
strings.
This should be left empty for locales not using AM/PM convention.
- d_t_fmt
-
followed by the appropriate date and time format.
- d_fmt
-
followed by the appropriate date format.
- t_fmt
-
followed by the appropriate time format.
- t_fmt_ampm
-
followed by the appropriate time format when using 12h clock format.
This should be left empty for locales not using AM/PM convention.
- week
-
followed by a list of three values:
The number of days in a week (by default 7),
a date of beginning of the week (by default corresponds to Sunday),
and the minimal length of the first week in year (by default 4).
Regarding the start of the week,
19971130
shall be used for Sunday and
19971201
shall be used for Monday.
See NOTES.
- first_weekday (since glibc 2.2)
-
followed by the number of the first day from the
day
list to be shown in calendar applications.
The default value of
1
corresponds to either Sunday or Monday depending
on the value of the second
week
list item.
See NOTES.
- first_workday (since glibc 2.2)
-
followed by the number of the first working day from the
day
list.
The default value is
2.
See NOTES.
- cal_direction
-
followed by a value that indicates the direction for the
display of calendar dates, as follows:
-
- 1
-
Left-right from top.
- 2
-
Top-down from left.
- 3
-
Right-left from top.
- date_fmt
-
followed by the appropriate date representation for
date(1).
The
LC_TIME
definition ends with the string
END LC_TIME.
FILES
- /usr/lib/locale/locale-archive
-
Usual default locale archive location.
- /usr/share/i18n/locales
-
Usual default path for locale definition files.
CONFORMING TO
POSIX.2, ISO/IEC TR 14652.
NOTES
The collective GNU C library community wisdom regarding
abday,
day,
week,
first_weekday,
and
first_workday
states at
https://sourceware.org/glibc/wiki/Locales
the following:
- *
-
The value of the second
week
list item specifies the base of the
abday
and
day
lists.
- *
-
first_weekday
specifies the offset of the first day-of-week in the
abday
and
day
lists.
- *
-
For compatibility reasons, all glibc locales should set the value of the
second
week
list item to
19971130
(Sunday) and base the
abday
and
day
lists appropriately, and set
first_weekday
to
1
or
2,
depending on whether the week actually starts on Sunday or Monday
for the locale.
BUGS
This manual page isn't complete.
SEE ALSO
locale(1),
localedef(1),
localeconv(3),
newlocale(3),
setlocale(3),
uselocale(3),
charmap(5),
charsets(7),
locale(7),
unicode(7),
utf-8(7)
Index
- NAME
-
- DESCRIPTION
-
- Syntax
-
- Locale category sections
-
- LC_ADDRESS
-
- LC_CTYPE
-
- LC_COLLATE
-
- LC_IDENTIFICATION
-
- LC_MESSAGES
-
- LC_MEASUREMENT
-
- LC_MONETARY
-
- LC_NAME
-
- LC_NUMERIC
-
- LC_PAPER
-
- LC_TELEPHONE
-
- LC_TIME
-
- FILES
-
- CONFORMING TO
-
- NOTES
-
- BUGS
-
- SEE ALSO
-
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Time: 02:55:20 GMT, September 18, 2014