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<p class=MsoNormal>I continue to work on localization ("L10n") policy
as an emerging area of policy action and studies that overlaps largely with
language policy on the one hand, and information and communications technology
(ICT) policy on the other. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>In a recent perusal of a March 2003 document of the Tanzanian
Ministry of Communications and Transport entitled "National Information
and Communications Technologies Policy" I noted several mentions of
language and complementary aspects of culture and community that represent
complementary (to translation) aspects of localization.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Typically from what I read of ICT policy, local languages
are mentioned in the context of relevance of content and production of local
content, but not language as an access issue (access is often read narrowly in
terms of physical access to ICT and not the broader sense that incorporates also
how people can interact with the software and input systems that may be in
languages they do not know so well).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>The ICT policy document is available at <a
href="http://www.tzonline.org/pdf/ictpolicy2003.pdf">http://www.tzonline.org/pdf/ictpolicy2003.pdf</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Some excerpts:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>(2.3.2 Locally relevant content) “... Despite the
innovation of relatively few websites, the Web has yet to become a dominant
medium for society to communicate, particularly because of the few websites
that are in Kiswahili. However, an encouraging phenomenon is that Kiswahili is
recognised as being the African language with the greatest Web presence.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>(3.9.1 Local content - Issues) “... ICT needs to
be a conveyor of locally relevant messages and information, providing
opportunities for local people to interact and communicate with each other,
expressing their own ideas, knowledge, heritage and culture in their own
languages. Local content should also be perceived as a driver for local job and
wealth creation.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>(3.9.3 Local content - Policy Challenges) ...<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>“ii. Repackaging traditions, cultures, indigenous
knowledge, and traditional wisdom arts as<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>potential multimedia content.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>“iv. Promotion of electronic publishing of local
materials.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>“vi. Using the Kiswahili language for content
creation.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>“viii. Promotion of community participation in
initiatives for compiling local content.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>(3.9.4 Local content - Policy Statements) <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>“1. The Government will promote the use of the ICT for
preserving and dissemination of<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>indigenous knowledge and traditional cultures.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>“3. The Government will encourage the wider use of
Kiswahili in developing local content in<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>order to promote local culture, attract local end users as
well as the Tanzanian diaspora.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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