This is at the heart of why I invented my String Theory of Databases. I was developing an invoicing program and wanted field labels and tooltips and even help files in other languages than English. So how would I switch? How would I have the user do this? ( Actually I found a way to capture their language in the database I’m using by looking at their default system language. )
It would have been very normal to simply create two or three copies of the database. One for each language. But that would require upkeep on three versions. Yes, there are other ways but all that I’ve seen are not very elegant in their approach.
I am getting a test database together to show you how it can be used for languages. In this very simple, yet powerful way, you can develop databases that are international. In the new way of defining tables and fields, you may find it an advantage to slowly build, say, the three top languages of your area into your solution. I have chosen English ( US ), Spanish ( Western ) and Chinese ( simplified ) as they are the top three [reference] languages in the United States of America.
All the best,
Brian