How to Install and Use another Language in the Dictionary on Thunderbird

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If you send messages in more than one language, you can install additional spell-checking dictionaries to Thunderbird. After installing a dictionary, it is easy to switch from one language to another.

Language dictionaries are available as Thunderbird add-ons. See the Thunderbird add-ons - frequently asked questions for more information.

Install a new language dictionary

  1. In the menu bar, click the Thunderbird menu and select Settings.Click the menu button Fx89menuButton and choose Settings.
  2. Select the Composition panel, followed by the Spelling tab.
  3. Click Download More Dictionaries, then click OK to close the dialog.
  4. In the opened tab, scroll through the alphabetic list of dictionaries to find the one you want.
  5. Click Download Dictionary next to the language of your choice. This will open the page of the selected dictionary in your browser.
  6. In the opened page of the selected dictionary, click the green + Download Now button. A dialog will open.
  7. Click the OK button to download and save the .xpi file to your computer.
    Note: Most browsers have a default download location. Make a note of where it downloads to, and what it's called.
  8. In Thunderbird, click the menu button New Fx Menu and click Add-ons, or select Tools > Add-ons.
  9. Click the gear icon at the top-right corner to the left of the search box and then select Install Add-on From File…
  10. Browse to the location of the .xpi file of the dictionary you have downloaded, select it, and click Open.
  11. Click Install Now once the button is available.
  12. Restart Thunderbird if prompted.
  1. In the menu bar, click the Thunderbird menu and select Settings.Click the menu button Fx89menuButton and choose Settings.
  2. Select the Composition panel, followed by the Spelling tab.
  3. Click Download More Dictionaries, then click OK to close the dialog.
  4. In the opened tab, scroll through the alphabetic list of dictionaries to find the one you want.
  5. Click Download Dictionary next to the language of your choice.
  6. In the opened page of the selected dictionary, click the green Add to Thunderbird button.
  7. In the Software Installation window, click Install Now.
  8. Restart Thunderbird if prompted.

That's it! Your new dictionary is installed. To uninstall it, open the Add-ons Manager, find the dictionary on the Dictionaries or Extensions panel and click the Remove button next to it.

Switch between different languages

Select a language for one particular message

Right-clickHold down the Control key while you click in the message you are writing and select a language in the Languages menu.

TB switch dictionaries

Set the default language for all messages

  1. In the menu bar, click the Thunderbird menu and select Settings.Click the menu button Fx89menuButton and choose Settings.
  2. Select the Composition panel, followed by the Spelling tab.
  3. Select the desired language from the drop-down list.
  4. Click OK to close the dialog.

Dictionary popup menu

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