diff --git a/collects/drscheme/private/app.ss b/collects/drscheme/private/app.ss
index a4cb6ab031..a2752b1650 100644
--- a/collects/drscheme/private/app.ss
+++ b/collects/drscheme/private/app.ss
@@ -145,34 +145,7 @@
                                (λ x
                                  (send f close)))]
                [messages-panel (make-object vertical-panel% left-vp)]
-               
-               [this-version (version)]
-               [last-version (preferences:get 'drscheme:last-version)]
-               [last-language (preferences:get 'drscheme:last-language)]
-               [welcome-to-drs-msg (make-object message% (string-constant welcome-to-drscheme) messages-panel)]
-               [this-version-message (make-object message%
-                                       (format (string-constant version/language)
-                                               this-version 
-                                               (this-language))
-                                       messages-panel)]
-               [last-version-message
-                (let ([msg (cond
-                             [(and last-version
-                                   last-language
-                                   (not (equal? this-version last-version))
-                                   (not (equal? (this-language) last-language)))
-                              (format (string-constant parenthetical-last-version/language)
-                                      last-version last-language)]
-                             [(and last-language
-                                   (not (equal? (this-language) last-language)))
-                              (format (string-constant parenthetical-last-language)
-                                      last-language)]
-                             [(and last-version
-                                   (not (equal? this-version last-version)))
-                              (format (string-constant parenthetical-last-version)
-                                      last-version)]
-                             [else #f])])
-                  (and msg (make-object message% msg messages-panel)))])
+               [welcome-to-drs-msg (make-object message% (string-constant welcome-to-drscheme) messages-panel)])
           (for-each (λ (native-lang-string language)
                       (unless (equal? (this-language) language)
                         (instantiate button% ()
diff --git a/collects/drscheme/private/language-configuration.ss b/collects/drscheme/private/language-configuration.ss
index 8ea7634de8..7b26eff00c 100644
--- a/collects/drscheme/private/language-configuration.ss
+++ b/collects/drscheme/private/language-configuration.ss
@@ -46,10 +46,6 @@
       ;; if a language is registered with this position, it is
       ;; considered the default language
       (define default-language-position
-        (list (string-constant teaching-languages)
-              (string-constant how-to-design-programs)
-              (string-constant beginning-student))
-        #;
         (list (string-constant initial-language-category)
               (string-constant choose-a-language-language)))
 
@@ -119,9 +115,10 @@
 ;                      ;;;;                   ;;;;                                              ;;;;   
 
       
-      ;; language-dialog : (boolean language-setting -> language-setting)
+      ;; language-dialog : (boolean language-setting -> (union #f language-setting))
       ;;                   (boolean language-setting (union #f (instanceof top-level-window%))
-      ;;                    -> language-setting)
+      ;;                    -> 
+      ;;                    (union #f language-setting))
       ;; allows the user to configure their language. The input language-setting is used
       ;; as the defaults in the dialog and the output language setting is the user's choice
       ;; todo: when button is clicked, ensure language is selected
@@ -201,7 +198,7 @@
             (send dialog center 'both))
           (send dialog show #t)
           (if cancelled?
-              language-settings-to-show
+              #f
               (make-language-settings
                (get-selected-language)
                (get-selected-language-settings)))))
@@ -1333,7 +1330,6 @@
                         (string-constant r5rs-one-line-summary)
                         r5rs-mixin))
           
-          #;
           (add-language
            (make-simple 'mzscheme
                         (list (string-constant initial-language-category)
@@ -1356,62 +1352,88 @@
       (define (not-a-language-message)
         (define (main)
           (o (string-constant must-choose-language))
-          (o "\n\n")
-          (o (string-constant using-a-text-book?))
           (o "\n")
           (insert-text-pls)
-          (o "\n")
-          (o (string-constant seasoned-plt-schemer-before))
-          (o (lang-link-snip (list (string-constant professional-languages)
-                                   "(module ...)")))
-          (o (string-constant seasoned-plt-schemer-after))
-          (o "\n\n")
-          (o (string-constant otherwise-use-before))
-          (o (lang-link-snip (list (string-constant professional-languages)
-                                   (string-constant plt)
-                                   (string-constant pretty-big-scheme))))
-          (o (string-constant otherwise-use-between))
-          (o (new link-snip%
-                  [words (string-constant otherwise-use-language-dialog)]
-                  [callback
-                   (λ (snip)
-                     (let ([new-lang
-                            (language-dialog #f
-                                             (preferences:get settings-preferences-symbol)
-                                             (find-parent-from-snip snip))])
-                       (preferences:set settings-preferences-symbol 
-                                        new-lang)))]))
-          
-          (o (string-constant otherwise-use-after)))
+          (display-plt-schemer)
+          (display-standard-schemer)
+          (display-future-choice))
         
-        (define (find-parent-from-snip snip)
-          (let loop ([snip snip])
-            (let* ([admin (send snip get-admin)]
-                   [ed (send admin get-editor)])
-              (cond
-                [(send ed get-canvas)
-                 =>
-                 (λ (c)
-                   (send c get-top-level-window))]
-                [else
-                 (let ([admin (send ed get-admin)])
-                   (and (is-a? admin editor-snip-editor-admin<%>)
-                        (loop (send admin get-snip))))]))))
-        
-        (define o
-          (case-lambda
-            [(arg)
-             (cond
-               [(string? arg)
-                (fprintf (current-error-port) arg)]
-               [(is-a? arg snip%)
-                (write-special arg (current-error-port))])]
-            [args (apply fprintf (current-error-port) args)]))
+        (define (display-future-choice)
+          (let* ([txt (new text:standard-style-list%)]
+                 [es (new editor-snip%
+                          [with-border? #f]
+                          [left-margin 0]
+                          [top-margin 0]
+                          [bottom-margin 0]
+                          [right-margin 0]
+                          [editor txt])])
+            (send txt insert (string-constant use-language-menu-item-in-future))
+            (send txt change-style
+                  default-sd
+                  0
+                  (send txt last-position))
+            (o es)
+            (o "\n")))
         
         (define (insert-text-pls)
           (for-each
            display-text-pl
-           (apply append (map get-text-pls (find-relevant-directories '(textbook-pls))))))
+           (quicksort
+            (apply append (map get-text-pls (find-relevant-directories '(textbook-pls))))
+            (λ (x y)
+              (cond
+                [(string=? (cadr x) (string-constant how-to-design-programs))
+                 #t]
+                [(string=? (string-constant how-to-design-programs) (cadr y))
+                 #f]
+                [else
+                 (string<=? (cadr x) (cadr y))])))))
+        
+        (define (display-plt-schemer)
+          (question/answer (string-constant seasoned-plt-schemer?)
+                           (list (string-constant professional-languages)
+                                 "(module ...)")
+                           (list "PLT-206-small.png" "icons")
+                           void))
+        
+        (define (display-standard-schemer)
+          (question/answer (string-constant looking-for-standard-scheme?)
+                           (list (string-constant professional-languages)
+                                 (string-constant plt)
+                                 (string-constant pretty-big-scheme))
+                           (list "r5rs.png" "icons")
+                           void))
+        
+        (define (display-text-pl lst)
+          (let ([icon-lst (car lst)]
+                [text-name (cadr lst)]
+                [lang (cddr lst)]
+                [using-before (string-constant using-a-textbook-before)]
+                [using-after (string-constant using-a-textbook-after)])
+            (question/answer (string-append using-before text-name using-after)
+                             lang
+                             icon-lst
+                             (λ (txt)
+                               (send txt change-style
+                                     italic-sd
+                                     (string-length using-before)
+                                     (+ (string-length using-before)
+                                        (string-length text-name)))))))
+        
+        (define (question/answer question lang icon-lst proc)
+          (display-two-line-choice 
+           icon-lst
+           (λ (inner-txt)
+             (send inner-txt insert (format "~a\n~a" question (string-constant start-with-before)))
+             (send inner-txt change-style default-sd 0 (send inner-txt last-position))
+             (lang-link-snip lang inner-txt)
+             (let ([before-pos (send inner-txt last-position)])
+               (send inner-txt insert (string-constant start-with-after))
+               (send inner-txt change-style 
+                     default-sd
+                     before-pos
+                     (send inner-txt last-position)))
+             (proc inner-txt))))
         
         ;; get-text-pls : path -> (listof (list* string string (listof string))
         ;; gets the questions from an info.ss file.
@@ -1440,17 +1462,41 @@
                   qs)
                 '())))
         
-        (define (lang-link-snip lang)
-          (new link-snip%
-               [words (car (last-pair lang))]
-               [callback
-                (λ (snip)
-                  (change-current-lang-to lang))]))
-
+        (define (lang-link-snip lang txt)
+          #;
+          (let ([before (send txt last-position)])
+            (send txt insert (car (last-pair lang)))
+            (let ([after (send txt last-position)])
+              (send txt change-style link-sd before after)
+              (send txt set-clickback before after 
+                    (λ (txt start end)
+                      (change-current-lang-to lang txt)))))
+          
+          (send txt insert
+                (new link-snip%
+                     [words (car (last-pair lang))]
+                     [callback
+                      (λ (snip)
+                        (change-current-lang-to lang snip))])))
+        
+        (define o
+          (case-lambda
+            [(arg)
+             (cond
+               [(string? arg)
+                (fprintf (current-error-port) arg)]
+               [(is-a? arg snip%)
+                (write-special arg (current-error-port))])]
+            [args (apply fprintf (current-error-port) args)]))
+        
+        (define arrow-cursor (make-object cursor% 'arrow))
+        
         (define link-snip%
           (class editor-snip%
             (init-field words callback)
 
+            (define/override (adjust-cursor dc x y editorx editory event) arrow-cursor)
+            
             (define/override (on-event dc x y editorx editory event)
               (when (send event button-up?)
                 (callback this)))
@@ -1471,29 +1517,41 @@
             (send txt insert words)
             (send txt change-style link-sd 0 (send txt last-position))))
         
+        #;
+        (define link-snip%
+          (class string-snip%
+            (init-field words callback)
+
+            (define/override (adjust-cursor dc x y editorx editory event) arrow-cursor)
+            
+            (define/override (on-event dc x y editorx editory event)
+              (when (send event button-up?)
+                (callback this)))
+            
+            (define/override (copy)
+              (new link-snip% [words words] [callback callback]))
+            
+            (super-make-object words)
+            (inherit get-flags set-flags set-style)
+            (set-style link-style)
+            (set-flags (cons 'handles-events (remq 'is-text (get-flags))))))
+        
+        (define italic-sd (make-object style-delta% 'change-style 'slant))
+        
         (define link-sd (make-object style-delta% 'change-underline #t))
         (define stupid-internal-define-syntax1
-          (send link-sd set-delta-foreground "blue"))
+          (begin (send link-sd set-delta-foreground "blue")
+                 (send link-sd set-family 'default)))
         
-        (define (display-text-pl lst)
-          (let ([icon-lst (car lst)]
-                [text-name (cadr lst)]
-                [lang (cddr lst)])
-            (display-two-line-choice 
-             icon-lst
-             lang
-             (λ (inner-txt)
-               (send inner-txt insert (format "~a\n~a" text-name (string-constant start-with-before)))
-               (send inner-txt change-style err-style-delta 0 (send inner-txt last-position))
-               (send inner-txt insert (lang-link-snip lang))
-               (let ([before-pos (send inner-txt last-position)])
-                 (send inner-txt insert (string-constant start-with-after))
-                 (send inner-txt change-style 
-                       err-style-delta 
-                       before-pos
-                       (send inner-txt last-position)))))))
+        (define default-sd (make-object style-delta% 'change-family 'default))
         
-        (define (display-two-line-choice icon-lst lang proc)
+        (define link-style 
+          (send (editor:get-standard-style-list)
+                find-or-create-style
+                (send (editor:get-standard-style-list) find-named-style "Standard")
+                link-sd))
+        
+        (define (display-two-line-choice icon-lst proc)
           (let* ([outer-txt (new text:standard-style-list%)]
                  [outer-es (new editor-snip% (editor outer-txt) (with-border? #f)
                                 [left-margin 0]
@@ -1521,22 +1579,43 @@
             (let ([err-sd (make-object style-delta% 'change-italic)])
               (send err-sd set-delta-foreground (make-object color% 255 0 0))
               err-sd))
-          
+      
+        ;; change-current-lang-to : (listof string) -> void
+        (define (change-current-lang-to lang-strings snip)
+          (let ([parent (find-parent-from-snip snip)]
+                [lang (ormap
+                       (λ (x)
+                         (and (equal? lang-strings (send x get-language-position))
+                              x))
+                       (get-languages))])
+            (unless lang
+              (error 'change-current-lang-to "unknown language! ~s" lang-strings))
+            
+            (let ([new-lang
+                   (language-dialog #f
+                                    (make-language-settings lang
+                                                            (send lang default-settings))
+                                    parent)])
+              (when new-lang
+                (preferences:set settings-preferences-symbol new-lang)
+                (when (is-a? parent drscheme:unit:frame<%>)
+                  (send (send parent get-definitions-text) set-next-settings new-lang))))))
+        
         (main))
       
-      ;; change-current-lang-to : (listof string) -> void
-      (define (change-current-lang-to lang-strings)
-        (let ([lang (ormap
-                     (λ (x)
-                       (and (equal? lang-strings (send x get-language-position))
-                            x))
-                     (get-languages))])
-          (unless lang
-            (error 'change-current-lang-to "unknown language! ~s" lang-strings))
-          (preferences:set settings-preferences-symbol
-                           (make-language-settings lang
-                                                   (send lang default-settings)))
-          (message-box (string-constant drscheme)
-                       (format 
-                        (string-constant drschemes-language-now-set)
-                        (car (last-pair lang-strings)))))))))
+      ;; find-parent-from-editor : editor -> (union frame #f)
+      (define (find-parent-from-editor ed)
+        (cond
+          [(send ed get-canvas)
+           =>
+           (λ (c) (send c get-top-level-window))]
+          [else
+           (let ([admin (send ed get-admin)])
+             (and (is-a? admin editor-snip-editor-admin<%>)
+                  (find-parent-from-snip (send admin get-snip))))]))
+      
+      ;; find-parent-from-snip : snip -> (union frame #f)
+      (define (find-parent-from-snip snip)
+        (let* ([admin (send snip get-admin)]
+               [ed (send admin get-editor)])
+          (find-parent-from-editor ed))))))
diff --git a/collects/drscheme/private/main.ss b/collects/drscheme/private/main.ss
index 8a1d512c5d..2f41462fef 100644
--- a/collects/drscheme/private/main.ss
+++ b/collects/drscheme/private/main.ss
@@ -320,12 +320,6 @@
                  (void))
                (super-new))])
       (handler:set-recent-items-frame-superclass drs-handler-recent-items-super%))
-      
-      ;;
-      ;; Show expanded language dialog when version changes
-      ;; 
-      (preferences:set-default 'drscheme:last-version #f (λ (x) (or (string? x) (not x))))
-      (preferences:set-default 'drscheme:last-language #f (λ (x) (or (symbol? x) (not x))))
 
       (cond
         [(current-eventspace-has-menu-root?)
diff --git a/collects/drscheme/private/rep.ss b/collects/drscheme/private/rep.ss
index 7e6e3716a7..56b0826ca1 100644
--- a/collects/drscheme/private/rep.ss
+++ b/collects/drscheme/private/rep.ss
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ TODO
           ensure-rep-shown   ;; (interactions-text -> void)
 	  ;; make the rep visible in the frame
 
-          needs-execution?   ;; (-> boolean)
+          needs-execution   ;; (-> boolean)
 	  ;; ask if things have changed that would mean the repl is out
 	  ;; of sync with the program being executed in it.
           
@@ -815,11 +815,10 @@ TODO
                  (ask-about-kill? #f))
           (define/public (get-in-evaluation?) in-evaluation?)
           
-          (define/private (insert-warning)
+          (define/private (insert-warning message)
             (begin-edit-sequence)
             (let ([start (get-insertion-point)])
-              (insert-before
-               (string-constant interactions-out-of-sync))
+              (insert-before message)
               (let ([end (get-insertion-point)])
                 (change-style warning-style-delta start end)))
             (insert-before "\n")
@@ -871,13 +870,13 @@ TODO
             (save-interaction-in-history prompt-position (- (last-position) 2))
             (freeze-colorer)
             
-            (let* ([needs-execution? (send context needs-execution?)])
+            (let ([needs-execution (send context needs-execution)])
               (when (if (preferences:get 'drscheme:execute-warning-once)
                         (and (not already-warned?)
-                             needs-execution?)
-                        needs-execution?)
+                             needs-execution)
+                        needs-execution)
                 (set! already-warned? #t)
-                (insert-warning)))
+                (insert-warning needs-execution)))
             
             ;; lets us know we are done with this one interaction
             ;; (since there may be multiple expressions at the prompt)
diff --git a/collects/drscheme/private/tool-contracts.ss b/collects/drscheme/private/tool-contracts.ss
index 50c4aeda3e..eb6db3177c 100644
--- a/collects/drscheme/private/tool-contracts.ss
+++ b/collects/drscheme/private/tool-contracts.ss
@@ -830,7 +830,7 @@
     (boolean? drscheme:language-configuration:language-settings?)
     ((union false/c (is-a?/c top-level-window<%>))
      boolean?)
-    drscheme:language-configuration:language-settings?)
+    (union false/c drscheme:language-configuration:language-settings?))
    ((show-welcome? language-settings-to-show)
     ((parent #t)
      (manuals? #f)))
@@ -857,7 +857,10 @@
    ""
    "The \\var{manuals?} argument is passed to"
    "@flink drscheme:language-configuration:fill-language-dialog %"
-   ".")
+   "."
+   ""
+   "The result if \\scheme|#f| when the user cancells the dialog, and"
+   "the selected language if they hit ok.")
   
   (drscheme:language-configuration:fill-language-dialog
    (opt->
diff --git a/collects/drscheme/private/unit.ss b/collects/drscheme/private/unit.ss
index b410aa51fa..52293e6fa9 100644
--- a/collects/drscheme/private/unit.ss
+++ b/collects/drscheme/private/unit.ss
@@ -469,12 +469,13 @@ module browser threading seems wrong.
               (set! next-settings _next-settings)
               (change-mode-to-match))
             
-            (define/public (needs-execution?)
+            (define/public (needs-execution)
               (or needs-execution-state
-                  (not (equal? execute-settings next-settings))))
+                  (and (not (equal? execute-settings next-settings))
+                       (string-constant needs-execute-language-changed))))
             
             (define/pubment (teachpack-changed)
-              (set! needs-execution-state #t))
+              (set! needs-execution-state (string-constant needs-execute-teachpack-changed)))
             (define/pubment (just-executed)
               (set! execute-settings next-settings)
               (set! needs-execution-state #f)
@@ -484,10 +485,10 @@ module browser threading seems wrong.
             (define/pubment (already-warned)
               (set! already-warned-state #t))
             (define/augment (after-insert x y)
-              (set! needs-execution-state #t)
+              (set! needs-execution-state (string-constant needs-execute-defns-edited))
               (inner (void) after-insert x y))
             (define/augment (after-delete x y)
-              (set! needs-execution-state #t)
+              (set! needs-execution-state (string-constant needs-execute-defns-edited))
               (inner (void) after-delete x y))
             
             (inherit get-filename)
@@ -901,8 +902,8 @@ module browser threading seems wrong.
                   (let-values ([(base _1 _2) (split-path (mzlib:file:normalize-path filename))])
                     base)
                   #f)))
-          (define/public (needs-execution?)
-            (send defs needs-execution?))
+          (define/public (needs-execution)
+            (send defs needs-execution))
           
           (define/pubment (can-close?)
             (and (send defs can-close?)
diff --git a/collects/icons/r5rs.png b/collects/icons/r5rs.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ab428f9947
Binary files /dev/null and b/collects/icons/r5rs.png differ
diff --git a/collects/string-constants/english-string-constants.ss b/collects/string-constants/english-string-constants.ss
index 3da101327a..59b0e76a96 100644
--- a/collects/string-constants/english-string-constants.ss
+++ b/collects/string-constants/english-string-constants.ss
@@ -225,8 +225,14 @@ please adhere to these guidelines:
  (no-full-name-since-not-saved
   "The file does not have a full name because it has not yet been saved.")
  (cannot-open-because-dne "Cannot open ~a because it does not exist.")
- (interactions-out-of-sync
-  "WARNING: Interactions window is out of sync with the definitions window. Click Run.")
+
+  (needs-execute-language-changed
+   "WARNING: The language has changed. Click Run.")
+  (needs-execute-teachpack-changed
+   "WARNING: The teachpacks have changed. Click Run.")
+  (needs-execute-defns-edited
+   "WARNING: The definitions window has changed. Click Run.")
+  
  (file-is-not-saved "The file \"~a\" is not saved.")
  (save "Save")
  (please-choose-either "Please choose either \"~a\" or \"~a\"")
@@ -989,23 +995,23 @@ please adhere to these guidelines:
   ;;; from the `not a language language' used initially in drscheme.
   (must-choose-language "DrScheme cannot process programs until you choose a programming language.")
   
-  ; intro to using a textbook
-  (using-a-text-book? "Are you using one of the these textbooks?")
-  ; next two are used with each textbook
+  ; next two appear before and after the name of a text book (which will be in italics)
+  (using-a-textbook-before "Using ")
+  (using-a-textbook-after "?")
+  
+  ; next two are before and after a language
   (start-with-before "Start with ")
   (start-with-after ".")
+
+  (seasoned-plt-schemer? "Seasoned PLT Schemer?")
+  (looking-for-standard-scheme? "Looking for standard Scheme?")
+  (use-language-menu-item-in-future "Use the Language|Choose Language... menu item to change languages later.")
   
-  ; next ones are the default choices at the end of the list in the not-a-language-language error message
-  (seasoned-plt-schemer-before "Are you a seasoned PLT Schemer? Try ")
-  (seasoned-plt-schemer-after ".")
-  (otherwise-use-before "Otherwise, use ")
-  (otherwise-use-between ",\nor choose for yourself from the ")
-  (otherwise-use-language-dialog "language dialog") ; this one will become clickable and will open the language dialog
-  (otherwise-use-after ".")
-  
-  ; after clicking a language, this tells you that its done. The ~a is filled in with
-  ; the name of the language
-  (drschemes-language-now-set "DrScheme's Language is now set to:\n  ~a")
+  ; some of these belong ...
+  ;(otherwise-use-before "Otherwise, use ")
+  ;(otherwise-use-between ",\nor choose for yourself from the ")
+  ;(otherwise-use-language-dialog "language dialog") ; this one will become clickable and will open the language dialog
+  ;(otherwise-use-after ".")
   
  ;;; debug language
  (unknown-debug-frame "[unknown]")
diff --git a/collects/string-constants/italian-string-constants.ss b/collects/string-constants/italian-string-constants.ss
deleted file mode 100644
index e52e4cfce2..0000000000
--- a/collects/string-constants/italian-string-constants.ss
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,9 +0,0 @@
-
-(module italian-string-constants "string-constant-lang.ss"
- (is-this-your-native-language "Is Italian Your Native Language?")
-
- (are-you-sure-you-want-to-switch-languages
-  "This will change the language of the GUI, which requires you to restart DrScheme. Are you sure?")
-
- (interact-with-drscheme-in-language "Interact with DrScheme in Italian")
-  )
diff --git a/collects/string-constants/string-constant.ss b/collects/string-constants/string-constant.ss
index 6f0c104b96..54753695ae 100644
--- a/collects/string-constants/string-constant.ss
+++ b/collects/string-constants/string-constant.ss
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@
                       (prefix french: "french-string-constants.ss")
                       (prefix dutch: "dutch-string-constants.ss")
                       (prefix danish: "danish-string-constants.ss")
-		      (prefix italian: "italian-string-constants.ss")
                       (prefix portuguese: "portuguese-string-constants.ss")
 		      (prefix japanese: "japanese-string-constants.ss")
                       (prefix traditional-chinese: "traditional-chinese-string-constants.ss")
@@ -24,8 +23,42 @@
   (define (set-language-pref language)
     (put-preferences (list 'plt:human-language) (list language)))
   
+  ;; table : (listof (list symbol regexp regexp))
+  ;; this table indicates what the default value of the natural language
+  ;; preference is. the first regexp is used under Windows and the second
+  ;; is used on other platofmr.s All regexps are compared to the result
+  ;; of (system-language+country)
+  (define table
+    '((english #rx"^en_" #rx"^English_")
+      (spanish #rx"^es_" #rx"^Espanol_")
+      (german #rx"^de_" #rx"^German_")
+      (french #rx"^fr_" #rx"French_")
+      (dutch #rx"nl_" #rx"^Netherlands_")
+      (danish #rx"^da_DK" #rx"^Danish_")
+      (portuguese #rx"^pt_" #rx"Portuguese_")
+      (japanese #rx"^ja_" #rx"^Japan_")
+      (traditional-chinese #rx"^zh_(HK|TW)" #rx"Chinese_China")
+      (simplified-chinese #rx"^zh_CN" #rx"Chinese_(Hong|Taiwan)")))
+      
+  ;; default-language : -> symbol
+  ;; uses `table' and system-language+contry to find what language to start with
+  (define (default-language)
+    (let ([slc (system-language+country)])
+      (let loop ([table table])
+        (cond
+          [(null? table) 
+           'english]
+          [else
+           (let ([ent (car table)])
+             (if (or (regexp-match (cadr ent) slc)
+                     (and (cddr ent)
+                          (regexp-match (caddr ent) slc)))
+                 (car ent)
+                 (loop (cdr table))))]))))
+ 
+  
   ;; language : symbol
-  (define language (get-preference 'plt:human-language (lambda () 'english)))
+  (define language (get-preference 'plt:human-language (lambda () (default-language))))
     
   (define-syntax-set (string-constant string-constants this-language all-languages)
     ;; type sc = (make-sc symbol (listof (list symbol string)) (union #f hash-table[symbol -o> #t]))
@@ -39,7 +72,6 @@
        (make-sc 'german german:string-constants #f)
        (make-sc 'dutch dutch:string-constants #f)
        (make-sc 'danish danish:string-constants #f)
-       (make-sc 'italian italian:string-constants #f)
        (make-sc 'portuguese portuguese:string-constants #f)
        (make-sc 'japanese japanese:string-constants #f)
        (make-sc 'traditional-chinese traditional-chinese:string-constants #f)