Here is an article from DGDN, Dragon Game Design Network. I am sorry, but I have lost a valid link to their site. You will need a Hex Editor to do this.
The Language.dll file, or the Language_x1.dll file, can be found in the AOE2 main directory. They can be useful for many things,
Changing the default name of a particular unit or building
Editing all other text that appears during the game
Modifying the names and descriptions of the campaigns That is just to name a few, there are many more uses for this, practical and impractical alike.
To change the Language.dll file,
Find your AOE2 directory
Open the file, Language.dll using any hex editor
Find and modify any text you can find at your desire
Create a backup copy of the file, and then save
Now just run AOE2 and see your work If something goes wrong when are testing it, refer to these troubleshooting tips listed below,
Make sure that you leave the periods between each character alone
You can only use the same number of characters that the original text had
Confirm that you saved the Language.dll file as it's original name
Make sure you were editing it with a hex editor If all else fails, restore the file from the backup copy and try again.
As The Kestrel has pointed out, doing this will limit your players, but if you are set on doing it this way, than you might want to design with mods too.
"I take it that this is the Anastasia Scud pines for?" - Epic Commander
"What Ana said. Use sugar and the whip." - aka the Pilot
"I think you will realize the emphasis was on Ana and Cake." - Monk[This message has been edited by AnastasiaKafka (edited 02-18-2002 @ 11:08 PM).]