Systems and methods for automatic language selection for system user interface

This invention generally relates to devices for identifying persons by way of a portable memory medium, such as a card with memory. More particularly, the invention relates to portable memory media that provide automatic language selection for use with an interface in devices that identify persons by way of the portable memory media. A portable memory medium with memory means, e.g., a magnetic strip or integrated circuit, for storing personal data and a language identifier that identifies a preferred language of an owner of the portable memory medium. For example, an automated teller machine (ATM) card includes a language identifier that indicates a preferred language in which the ATM card owner desires to have an ATM machine present a user interface in the preferred language. When the ATM card is inserted into the ATM machine, the ATM machine reads the language identifier from the ATM card, identifies a preferred language associated with the language identifier, and presents a user interface in the preferred language. A secondary language identifier may also be used in the event that the original language identifier is not recognized.