XMLTV can carry text with language labels, including more than one title or description. A reader may choose a preferred language, a fallback, or the first available value. If guide text appears in an unexpected language, first check the supplied metadata and the player’s guide-language behavior.
Separate guide language from audio language
The text in the programme grid is not the same resource as an audio track inside the stream. Changing a guide-text preference does not necessarily change commentary or subtitles. Keep those requests separate when asking for support.
Inspect fallback behavior
A source may provide one language for some programmes and several for others. A reader can therefore display a mixed-language schedule even with a consistent preference. The missing preferred text may be a source limitation rather than a faulty setting.
Preserve identifiers during translation
If maintaining a personal guide, translate display text without changing channel ids or timestamps. Those keys connect records to the lineup. Renaming identifiers as though they were viewer-facing text can break the entire association.
A practical sequence
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An example to work through
A programme can have an English title and a Spanish description if the source supplies those fields that way. That combination says nothing about the available audio track.
Questions about this topic
Does changing EPG language change commentary?
Not by itself. Audio selection is a separate feature.
Can every player select among all supplied languages?
No. Reader behavior varies.
