The other day my wife, who speaks fluent German, stumbled across the Language selector in Facebook. It’s not easy to find, actually, located at the bottom of your Facebook stream way down at the bottom of the page. While there she was curious about the choice, “Pirate English.” Naturally she had to try it and it comes as advertised. It changes your Facebook language to Pirate English.
Here’s how to do it:
- Scroll way down to the bottom of the page until you see the Facebook copyright as below.
- Click the current language (which is most like English) and the Languages dialog overlays the screen.
- Select Pirate English. Facebook begins to transform itself and when it stops, your page should look something like this.
Be sure to check your email from Facebook while you’re at it because it continues the Pirate theme. It’s a lot of fun and when you want to change back to regular English, just follow these instructions and choose English. Have fun.
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2013 update
The directions have changed since I first wrote this back in 2009:
1) Click the Gear icon at the top of the Facebook page and select Account Settings.
2) The account settings page opens and the language setting is the last one in the list.
3) Click the Edit link next to it. The Choose Primary drop-down list appears.
4) Click the drop-down list and you’ll still find Pirate English as an option.
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
No way, this is too hilarious! I love it!
If they have Pirate English, I’m surprised they don’t already have lolcat-ese, which has it’s own set of grammar… Cats can has grammar, Kitty Pidgin and asymmetrical tail-wags, and LOL-lexicography.
(Can you tell my parents are linguistic professors? Naaaaaah.)
You hide it well.
Perhaps there are other surprises in the wings. Who knows? Those wacky Facebook programmers have to do something to keep themselves amused.
Regardless, glad you enjoyed it. I thought it was pretty funny myself.
i did it and its aswsome!!!!!!!!
thx alot!!
This is so cool! I hope I don’t get more addicted to Facebook than I already am xD
I have done that and how do i get it back to english ?
Follow the same instructions above, but choose English instead of Pirate English.
Ron
It’s not there anymore
now they have English upside down and I really wanted to try it out!
Nevermind I Found It! Thank You So Much For Helping Find This Because I Was Wondering How You Do It!
How does it work on iPad? I don’t have pirate English in it T.T
Hannah:
Access Facebook using the browser on the iPad. Scroll down to the bottom of the page. Click the language name (probably English). Click the down arrow next to English and choose Pirate.
Ron
I couldn’t find it, all i see is upside down english
. Maryjane Cassady where did you find it?
jfjhifuifI couldn’t find it, all i see is upside down english . Maryjane Cassady where did you find it?
It is still there. Dang some of y’all dumb! On side under Facebook © 2013
click English (US) or whatever lingo u got it. Menu will pop up. Click English(Pirate) Enjoy & Yer doom be at hand, ye lice-infested swabbie… Sail ho!. I’ll giv’ ye a taste o’ the cat, ye scrappy sea bass… Blimy!. Ye’ll not get our treasure, ye mutinous swine… Hoist the Jolly Roger!.
Folks,
I wrote that piece a long time ago. The interface has changed a lot since then. To change your language, click the little gear icon in the upper right-hand corner of the screen and select Account Settings. Click Language (the last setting) and you’ll find Pirate English as an option.
Ron
It seems to be gone now
Hi Christine:
It’s still there. Just that the interface has changed dramatically since we wrote this back in 2009. To find it now:
1) Click the Gear icon at the top of the Facebook page and select Account Settings.
2) The account settings page opens and the language setting is the last one in the list.
3) Click the Edit link next to it. The Choose Primary drop-down list appears.
4) Click the drop-down list and you’ll still find Pirate English as an option.
Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thanks, However I
am having difficulties with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I can’t join it.
Is there anybody having identical RSS problems?
Anyone who knows the solution will you kindly respond?
Thanks!!
happy Pirates Day!!
how does this work?
I wrote this a long time ago. The instructions have changed:
1) Click the Gear icon at the top of the Facebook page and select Account Settings.
2) The account settings page opens and the language setting is the last one in the list.
3) Click the Edit link next to it. The Choose Primary drop-down list appears.
4) Click the drop-down list and you’ll still find Pirate English as an option.
I do not know if it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else experiencing issues with your website.
It looks like some of the written text in your posts are running off the
screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening
to them too? This may be a issue with my browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
Many thanks
Sounds like a browser issue.
OH MY GOD THERE IS UPSIDE – DOWN ENGLISH TOO!!
Hmmm…I’ve changed my language option to Pirate on Facebook and whilst the page itself has translated…the posts I write havent. I’m sure they used to??
I go to account settings then general and there is no language button