Dual XP OS on 2 hard drives?

Long story, but….
Moved to France, Pc with XP HE SP2 (English language), had to re-format and re-load XP, BUT, had to buy French language version. The English programmes don’t like talking to the French OS!
End result, Microsoft are suppling me with an English language version, which leads me to the question.
I have 2x200GB hard drives. Can I load English XP onto one drive, French XP onto the other, and apportion the programmes according to their operating language? If so, how?
I am not computer illiterate, but I am not a young whizz-kid either!
Thanks in advance
Mick