How To Fix ST408 - Source and target language must not be identical

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: ST - Terminology Database

• Message number: 408

• Message text: Source and target language must not be identical

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message ST408 - Source and target language must not be identical ?

  The SAP error message ST408 ("Source and target language must not be identical") typically occurs when you are trying to perform a translation or language conversion in SAP, and the source language is set to be the same as the target language. This is not allowed because there would be no change in the text if both languages are identical.
  Cause:
  The error arises when:
  
  You attempt to translate text from one language to another, but both the source and target languages are set to the same language code (e.g., both set to English).
  This can happen in various SAP transactions or programs that involve language-dependent data, such as translation tools or text maintenance.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the ST408 error, you should:
  
  
  Check Language Settings: Ensure that the source language and target language are different. For example, if the source language is English (EN), the target language should be something else, like German (DE) or French (FR).
  
  
  Modify Translation Request: If you are using a translation tool or transaction, go back to the settings and change either the source or target language to ensure they are not the same.
  
  
  Review Custom Programs: If this error occurs in a custom program or report, check the code to ensure that the language parameters are being set correctly and that there is logic to prevent identical source and target languages.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: If you are unsure about the correct languages to use, refer to SAP documentation or your organization's language policy for guidance on supported languages.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: This error can occur in various transactions, such as SE63 (Translation) or SE78 (SAPscript forms).
  Language Codes: Familiarize yourself with the language codes used in SAP (e.g., EN for English, DE for German, FR for French) to avoid confusion.
  Translation Management: If you are involved in translation management, consider using SAP's translation management tools to streamline the process and avoid such errors.
  
  By ensuring that the source and target languages are different, you should be able to resolve the ST408 error and proceed with your translation tasks in SAP.