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Language Selection Waste Homepages by Kristoffer Bohmann
A large number of European websites waste homepages on language selection while their American counterparts rarely commit this usability mistake. I recommend that multi-language sites use English as default.

Let the primary audience determine the default language

Anonymous says:: "Publish content in English on the homepage, while linking to sites in other languages in the homepage top." Reasonable assumption if the primary audience or company is in Fact English / English language but not otherwise.

Kristoffer Bohmann answers:: Well, I think this would destroy the site's appeal to an international audience. My key concern is how European sites can get the same high level of usability as their US counterparts. US sites don't need to waste pixels on offering and presenting multiple languages, European sites usually do. Bottom line, speak English if you want to attract an international audience. Speak the local language if you care more about a particular country. But don't force me to browse a site in Spanish if you want my money. No habla español.

Language selection not always avoidable

Jean-Marc Rodelet (www.dad.be) says: I feel you're being a little too radical here.
Actually, sometimes it's impossible to avoid language selection HP. If you take Belgium, where I work, you cannot choose a default language. This has too many political and cultural implications: a flemish user would feel very frustrated if he got a HP in french as default language.