diff --git a/bumblebee/modules/datetime.py b/bumblebee/modules/datetime.py
index e1b9236..64df23e 100644
--- a/bumblebee/modules/datetime.py
+++ b/bumblebee/modules/datetime.py
@@ -6,6 +6,9 @@ Parameters:
     * datetime.format: strftime()-compatible formatting string
     * date.format    : alias for datetime.format
     * time.format    : alias for datetime.format
+    * datetime.locale: locale to use rather than the system default
+    * date.locale    : alias for datetime.locale
+    * time.locale    : alias for datetime.locale
 """
 
 from __future__ import absolute_import
@@ -13,8 +16,6 @@ import datetime
 import locale
 import bumblebee.engine
 
-locale.setlocale(locale.LC_TIME, locale.getdefaultlocale())
-
 ALIASES = [ "date", "time" ]
 
 def default_format(module):
@@ -28,9 +29,15 @@ def default_format(module):
 class Module(bumblebee.engine.Module):
     def __init__(self, engine, config):
         super(Module, self).__init__(engine, config,
-            bumblebee.output.Widget(full_text=self.get_time)
-        )
+            bumblebee.output.Widget(full_text=self.get_time))
         self._fmt = self.parameter("format", default_format(self.name))
+        self._lcl = self.parameter("locale").split(".")
+
+        # can't use the default in "parameter" because we split the
+        # string, while 'getdefaultlocale' already returns a tuple
+        if self._lcl is None:
+            self._lcl = locale.getdefaultlocale()
+        locale.setlocale(locale.LC_TIME, self._lcl)
 
     def get_time(self, widget):
         return datetime.datetime.now().strftime(self._fmt)