Microsoft translates software into African languages (fwd)

[Phil CashCash]

qe'ciyéew'yew' (thanks) Carol,

Phil Cash Cash
UofA, ILAT



> ----- Message from CMcMillan at WVC.EDU ---------
>     Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2003 17:10:37 -0700
>     From: "McMillan, Carol" <CMcMillan at WVC.EDU>
> Reply-To: Indigenous Languages and Technology
<ILAT at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU>
>  Subject: Re: Microsoft translates software into African languages
(fwd)
>       To: ILAT at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
>
>
> I have to note that, of the languages listed in the announcement
> below, Afrikaans is not an indigenous language.  It is the language
> of the Afrikaaners, the Dutch-descent European-Africans, the primary
> supporters of apartheid.
>
> The massacre of the children of Soweto in the 1970's was due to the
> aparthied government's mandate that all K-12 schools in Soweto would
> no longer function in English, but in Afrikaans.  Families saw this
> as the language of aparthied and of the oppressors.  The people of
> Soweto staged a peaceful protest; children did not attend school on
> the day that classroom instruction was to be switched from English to
> Afrikaans.  Instead, they gathered in front of the church to walk
> through town.  The police opened fire on them, killing at least 70
> elementary school children and wounding many others.
>
> We often think in terms of English being the only language of
> oppression, but we also need to be vigilant about other
> non-indigenous languages gaining power as a replacement for English.
> I am glad that the software for African language translation has been
> developed.  I hope that it is as thorough a tool for the truly
> indigenous languages as it will be for Afrikaans.
>
> tac' halaxp,
> Carol McMillan
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Phil CashCash [mailto:cashcash at EMAIL.ARIZONA.EDU]
> Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2003 8:33 PM
> To: ILAT at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
> Subject: Microsoft translates software into African languages (fwd)
>
>
> Microsoft translates software into African languages
> http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/2003/09/28/business/technology/tech10.asp
>
> A software tool that will help computer programs to be translated
> into
> six African languages has been developed by Microsoft.
>
> Zulu and Afrikaans programs are ready for demonstration after three
> months of work by six members of Microsoft's technical team. The
> other
> languages in development are Setswana, Xhosa, Swahili and Sepedi.
>
> The software makes it easier for people speaking indigenous languages
> to
> get to grips with technology.
>
> "During the last decade, we have seen the impact of technology in
> building South Africa into a socioeconomic leader in Africa. We
> believe
> there are no limits to the potential South Africans can reach if
> equipped with the information and communication tools in their
> language
> of choice," said Gordon Frazer, managing director of Microsoft South
> Africa.
>
> Khetsi Lehoko, deputy director-general in the national Education
> Department, said the development was appreciated particularly because
> computers were tools of learning. "It will contribute to the overall
> development of indigenous languages and raise their status," he said.
>
> Moss Gondwe, Microsoft's director for the public sector, said: "We
> struggled with terminology, like what to call the Internet in Zulu.
> Months of the year in Zulu would be difficult for urban kids to
> understand. We haven't finalised the terminology yet but we are
> looking
> to the public to make suggestions."
>
> He said the idea started when they looked at certain European
> countries
> that used indigenous languages.
>
> "We looked at France - people there can go into Windows and they are
> able to communicate in their own language. We thought it was
> imperative
> that we also develop local languages in order to address the
> population's communication needs," said Gondwe.
>
> Government departments and academics at universities were also
> consulted
> during the translation.
>
> "We couldn't develop local languages on our own. We had to involve
> the
> Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology and the
> Department
> of Communications. Potchefstroom University was very helpful with
> Afrikaans terminology," said Gondwe.
>
>
> ----- End message from CMcMillan at WVC.EDU -----