trouble overriding language files

In order to customize my template, I created custom folders/files and then made changes in the custom english.php, header.php, and meta_tags within language/custom (i.e. deleting "powered by Zen Cart" and "tagline here") but the changes did not show on my site. Only after changing the files in languages/english.php did the changes show. Seems like the new php files are not overriding the core files? Can you help? Thanks!

Did you select your template (admin>>>tools)?

Look there to see what template the site is using.

If you have installed and loaded your custom template - and your edits are still not showing, the fault is not with zencart...

Thanks schoolboy. The admin says I'm using my custom template. If not with zen cart, where else could the problem lie? I am having an amazing time figuring this all out by the way. Thanks again for any help you are able to offer.

I finally figured out my problem. I created the file structure improperly. When I used the following structure, the override system works perfectly!

includes/languages/CUSTOM/english.php
includes/languages/english/CUSTOM/index.php
includes/languages/english/CUSTOM/meta_tags.php
includes/languages/english/CUSTOM/header.php (to change the logo)