Change default source language and or target language - Multiterm Desktop

Hi all, 

I remember that many years ago, we were able to "set" the source language and target language in Multiterm  in order for it to "match" each target language need. 

Unfortunately, I don't remember what did we do to achieve such behaviour nor I was able to find a guide on how to do this. 

I spotted a reply from   in the post  RE: Where can I find the "setting" file for source/target languages of TB? but I'm optimistically hoping for a more elegant solution. 

TO test this, I'm using this glossary from RWS AppStore https://appstore.rws.com/Plugin/162  .

By default when I open this TB, the source language is set as Bulgarian and target language is set as Czech.

But as I operate with English and Slovenian I would like to change them and set them to open as: 
Source language: English

Target language: Slovenian

What is the most efficient way to "permanently" change default source and target language for this particular termbase, so that I don't need to waste my time whenever I open the termbase.




Thank you, 

Simon

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  • Probability score: 0.8  

    Question improvement suggestion: Provide specific details about the version of MultiTerm you are using and clarify if you have already attempted any of the suggested steps to change the default languages.  

    In the meantime, based on the information you have provided, here is a suggested answer to your question:  

    Hello Simon,

    To change the default source and target languages for your termbase in MultiTerm Desktop, you can follow these steps:

    **Step 1:** Open MultiTerm and navigate to the **Resources** tab.  

    **Step 2:** Click on the **Terminology** tab.  

    **Step 3:** Check off the termbase you would like to modify.  

    **Step 4:** Click the **Edit** button.  

    **Step 5:** Go to the **Language Fields** tab.  

    **Step 6:** Here, you will need to modify the languages. To set English as the source language and Slovenian as the target language, you may need to delete the existing languages and re-add them in the desired order. Remember, the first language in the list will be your source language, and the second will be your target language.  

    Please note that you cannot simply drag the languages to reorder them; you must remove and then re-add them. Make sure to keep track of the languages you remove to ensure you can add them back correctly.

    If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to ask!

    I hope this answer addressed your question. If not, please reject the answer, add the question improvement suggestion information, and click the RWS Community AI checkbox on the right to try again.  

    RWS Community AI

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  • I'm using Multiterm 2024, SR1 and CU2  18.1.2.3594.

    Indeed I see the order of the languages in the Termbases definition is such that BG is the first and Cs is second. But if I follow the steps and get to AI suggested **Step 6**, I can't delete existing languages as Termbase is not empty.  Completely understandable. 

    Termbase Wizard Step 3 of 5 screen showing selected language fields with BG (Bulgarian) and CS (Czech) highlighted. Error message dialog stating 'The termbase you have specified is not empty and cannot be modified in this way.' with an OK button.

    If I combine the above, adding info that I  cannot simply drag the languages to reorder them, I'm encouraging myself to follow the suggestion fom   to  ....    RE: Where can I find the "setting" file for source/target languages of TB? 

    1. Export Termbase content
    2. Create new Termbase based on the current one. 
    3. Modify the language ordering to have it as needed.
    4. Check all other fields and attributes didn't change
    5. Import  content into new Termbase with now definition.

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    [edited by: RWS Community AI at 12:14 PM (GMT 1) on 15 Sep 2025]