CNET Editors' review
With the increasing size of video and audio files, hard-drive space can be at a premium, especially on computers over two years old. Monolingual helps you free up disk space on a Mac by removing data the computer uses only when actively supporting other languages.
Available at no cost, Monolingual is a small, easy-to-run program. The software is only compatible with version 10.7 or higher of Mac OS X. It runs quickly and is supported by detailed instructions and troubleshooting information. The program walks you through the language deletion process, making it simple to use. As indicated in the troubleshooting section, the language data removed cannot be brought back without totally reinstalling the operating system. For inexperienced computer users, it would be easy to remove languages and configurations necessary for normal operation, so beware.
Monolingual performs its function well and has excellent user instructions. If you need a bit more space on your hard drive, this software could prove to be useful.
Publisher's Description
From Ingmar Stein:
Monolingual is a program for removing unnecessary language resources from Mac OS X, in order to reclaim several hundred megabytes of disk space.
I don't know about you, but I use my computer in only one (human) language -- English. And I'm willing to bet that you do too, albeit perhaps not English. So why do you have a bunch of localization files for the Mac OS X operating system filling up your hard drive? Enter Monolingual -- a handy utility for reclaiming your space for more useful things... like international mp3 files, email or whatever you like.
What's new in this version: Fixed an issue when upgrading from Monolingual 1.5.0 or 1.5.1.
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All versions:
4.2 starsout of 110 votes
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Current version:
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My rating:
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"Crash with Lion"
Version: Monolingual 1.5.3
Pros
No pros since it crashes with Lion
Cons
Crashes with LION!
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"Safe to Use with Mountain Lion"
Version: Monolingual 1.5.2
Pros
Very easy to use
Harmless to appsCons
Takes a while to complete. On my i7 equipped iMac it took about 15 minutes to finish. Little longer on an i5.
Summary
I've used this app with two relatively recent vintage iMacs (mid 2010 & late 2011) running under both Snow Leopard and Mountain Lion with absolutely no ill effects. The app reported saving me approximately 3.4GB of space. I didn't run the architecture function as I use DivX which likes the PowerPC option.
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"Great app.Reclaimed 3.5GB"
Version: Monolingual 1.4.5
Pros
Hi, I ran monolingual through my mac os x 10.5 it took just over an hour, boring. But it cleaned out 3.5GB of useless language files etc. I wasn't sure about the architectures so I didn't delete any of them at all. Over all great app. Thanks cnet
Cons
Took just over an hour. Boring. If that is a con?
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"Removes all unwanted language, and architecture files."
Version: Monolingual 1.4.5
Pros
Tick the unwanted language files & architectures, Initially you will save Gigabytes of space. F the developer is to be congratulated for keeping this beauty up to date.
Cons
Beware if you tell it to remove the language that you work in. You will need to do a full OS reinstallation - NO way around it. But remember, it does ask you to check.
Summary
This is a wonderful app that works, and works fast, effectively and is FREE! Once you have chosen what you want removed and hit the GO button, it asks you to check - a nice reassuring thing! An annoying little personal quirk, once I have established what files i want removed, every time I run it on my iMac (3.06 Ghz), it remembers exactly what to remove and keep. Yet on my 15" Macbook pro, it insists on forgetting my language preferences and i have to check about a dozen unwanted languages each time. A small glitch that i suspect is local to my machine. The developer is to be congratulated on keeping pace with the architectural changes and is good at bringing forth appropriate updates.
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"This update is OK"
Version: Monolingual 1.4.5
Pros
poter "alleggerire" le applicazioni e, di conseguenza, l'hard disk
Cons
Non poter scegliere a quale applicazione lasciare la lingua
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"could have been my fault, crashed my MacBook"
Version: Monolingual 1.4.4
Pros
easy to install and easy to destroy your system files
Cons
I ran the program, selecting to keep all English versions, but after running first iTunes would not load (therefore could not synch my iPhone or iPad), then Kernel Panic ensued and machine would not start up. TimeMachine to rescue, luckily
Summary
"Buyer beware" , even though it was free, cost me a day of my life to restore and return to Prior to Monolingual
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"It did everything that it was supposed to."
Version: Monolingual 1.4.4
Pros
It freed up over a gigabyte of space on my hard drive.
Cons
I haven't figured out how to undo some of my choices.
Summary
Excellent. It does what it is supposed to.
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"Quick and culls unused languages"
Version: Monolingual 1.4.4
Pros
It does its job. Get rid of the languages you will never use or need.
Cons
An app. is designed for a specific purpose; somehow certain apps. should
be built into the system you are using or you should have a choice prior to
installation of a system as to what languages you reallly need and want.Summary
Clutter is our enemy. Weed out or cull if you like unused languages.
This is a specific app. designed especially for that purpose. It does
its job without fanfare. -
"Easy to use and works great"
Version: Monolingual 1.4.4
Pros
Removes languages that you do not need taking up space.
Cons
Have not found any negatives.
Summary
Works great.
Does exactly what it is supposed to do. -
"Excellent one-trick pony"
Version: Monolingual 1.4.4
Pros
It is highly efficient at removing localized files in languages you don't want.
Cons
None really
Summary
Some of the software I use comes localized in 15 or more languages. Monlingual lets me choose what to keep - in my case English and Spanish. On 180 gb of files, it saved nearly 5 gb of drive space in the cleanup. Not a bad thing!

















