Can a user select what language they want?

Can a user/customer, select what language they want to see everything in?
Or, do I have to install an individual zen-cart for each language I want to present the store in?
ie;
Russian -> zen-russian/
Chinese -> zen-chinese/

etc

or, if using UTF-8, can descriptions and so on be displayed in multiple languages?
I'd rather not have to have multiple installations of zen-cart for each language if I can help it.

I've looked through the logs, but can't seem to find a definitive answer.
Thanks if anyone can give a few pointers?

There are a number of language modules available for zencart - some are good, others questionable.

I don't have the need for additional languages, so cannot advise you on which are reliable. However, your question concerns the FUNCTIONALITY of additional languages within the zencart structure.

Language modules are similar to TEMPLATES, in that they provide customization for what are otherwise CORE zencart features.

So, for example, if you install a FRENCH language module, it will provide an option to render all zencart's CORE features in FRENCH. These will include all the site's "labels" and definition phrases.

It does NOT include translation of product data, for example.

After installing and configuring your Language Module, you will then need to manually translate all DYNAMIC information.

Someone else will have to advise on what character sets apply, and how to ensure that the proper symbols are rendered.