Pretty late, I had the same problem, from what it looks like is that the language is called "Unicode" so just go to a file named " DeviantArt Pein-Sempai - Student, Digital Artist
If the menu text appears as strange symbols or squares, it often means your system lacks the necessary Japanese language support (Unicode) or the language.conf file is corrupted.
To successfully change the language, it's crucial to understand the subtle differences between the two main versions of the software—SAI Ver.1 and SAI Ver.2—as they handle languages differently.
Launch the software again. The interface should now display in your chosen language. If it doesn't, double-check that you've placed the file in the correct location and that you're using a compatible language file for your specific SAI version. paint tool sai change language
(usually located in C:\Program Files\Systemax Software Development\SAI or wherever you extracted it). Locate the lang.ini file .
A: No, changing the language file should not affect your custom brushes, textures, or other user settings. However, the SAI 2 method ( sai2.ini modification) will not change brush or material names, which may remain in the original download language.
only to find the interface in a language you don’t speak—or if you’re simply looking to switch between versions—you’ve likely noticed there isn't a simple "Language" button in the settings menu. Pretty late, I had the same problem, from
Changing the language in Paint Tool SAI requires a bit more effort than clicking a simple dropdown menu, but it's entirely achievable with the methods outlined in this guide. Whether you're using SAI Version 1.x with its language.conf file replacement method, or SAI Version 2 with the sai2.ini modification approach, you can customize the interface to your preferred language.
SAI 1 does not have a built‑in language switcher in the UI. You must manually edit a file.
Look for a line that specifies the language (it might say "Unicode" or "Japanese"). Edit it to your preferred language (e.g., "English") and save the file. Restart SAI: The interface should now display in your chosen language
PaintTool SAI's interface language is determined by the files included with the version you install. Official SAI releases typically ship in Japanese with an English translation available; community-made language patches can add other languages. To change the language:
Open sai2.ini using a plain text editor such as Notepad, Notepad++, or any code editor.
Method 1: Changing Language in PaintTool SAI 2 (Recommended)
Paste the downloaded English lang.dll file into the main folder.