Google Malaysia makes debut (fwd)

[Phil Cash Cash]

Google Malaysia makes debut

By CHAN LEE MENG

PETALING JAYA: Since this Merdeka Day (Aug 31), local websurfers who use
the Google search engine have been redirected to www.google.com.my
instead of the usual www.google.com page. 

   You will see a Google Malaysia logo and get an option to search for
webpages in Malaysia. 

   The site still defaults to English, though you can set it show you
the Bahasa Malaysia page which will render the entire Google site in
BM. 

   Switching to the BM version will reveal somewhat amusing translations
of search engine terms. For example, Advanced Search is “Carian
Canggih” while Cached is “Disimpan Sementara.” And Google’s trademark
“I’m Feeling Lucky” button becomes “Saya Rasa Bertuah.” 

   The B.M. page has a few minor inconsistencies though, such as use of
the phrase “Bahasa Melayu” instead of Bahasa Malaysia, and references
to the Web which has been variously listed as “Jaringan” and “seluruh
Internet.” 

   Google’s Bahasa Malaysia page has actually been available for some
months (it was previously listed under “Malay”), although this is the
first time it is available at a local (.my) domain. 

   A quick check at the Mynic website (www.mynic.net.my) reveals that
the domain is owned by Kandiah & Associates Sdn Bhd located in Kuala
Lumpur.  

   The Google website has been translated into more than 140 languages,
including such diverse ones as Zulu, Tagalog, Swahili, and Scots
Gaelic. Google language options can be changed at
www.google.com.my/language_tools?hl=en. 

   The site is also available in synthetic languages like Esperanto and
Klingon. 

   In addition, Google is available in joke languages like Pig Latin,
Elmer Fudd, Hacker (leetspeak) and something called Borkborkbork. 

   Google website translations are the result of the Google in Your
Language programme (services.google.com/tc/Welcome.html), a largely
volunteer effort.  

   It should be noted that translations only cover the Google interface
and website – the search results still appear in their native
language.