Dawit Bekele Addis Ababa University May 9, 2005 Multilingualism for cultural diversity and participation of all in cyberspace FOSS for facilitating language flows

Introduction Computers are becoming part of the lives of increasingly large number of people around the world Computers are becoming part of the lives of increasingly large number of people around the world In the developing world, language is becoming a major hindrance for the use of ICTs In the developing world, language is becoming a major hindrance for the use of ICTs Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) brings opportunities to solve this problem Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) brings opportunities to solve this problem This presentation will try: This presentation will try: To define localization and its importance To define localization and its importance How FOSS can be used to foster localization How FOSS can be used to foster localization Challenges of FOSS localization Challenges of FOSS localization Proposed solutions Proposed solutions

Localization Customizing a given software to the specificities of a country or region Customizing a given software to the specificities of a country or region Language Language Measurement systems Measurement systems Calendar Calendar Time system Time system Images Images Etc. Etc.

Importance of localization For bridging the digital divide For bridging the digital divide It’s easier to learn technology in one’s maternal language It’s easier to learn technology in one’s maternal language Only 10% of the population in Sub-Saharan African countries speak comfortably the official language of the countries Only 10% of the population in Sub-Saharan African countries speak comfortably the official language of the countries

Importance of localization … For conservation of languages and cultures For conservation of languages and cultures People spend more and more time “talking” to their computers People spend more and more time “talking” to their computers People are more and more required to pass through the computer to perform their daily activities People are more and more required to pass through the computer to perform their daily activities To write a letter To write a letter To register for school To register for school To pay bills To pay bills Etc. Etc.

Localization Proprietary software Proprietary software Example Example Microsoft Windows Microsoft Windows Microsoft Office Microsoft Office You buy the executable program You buy the executable program You don’t have the source code You don’t have the source code You cannot modify the program You cannot modify the program You can’t redistribute the software You can’t redistribute the software FOSS FOSS Example Linux Open Office You get the executable and the source code You have the right to modify the program You can redistribute the software

Proprietary software and localization The producer of the software is the one that performs the localization The producer of the software is the one that performs the localization The timing of the localization is chosen by the producer The timing of the localization is chosen by the producer Example: Microsoft decided to localize to Amharic, Swahili, etc. last year Example: Microsoft decided to localize to Amharic, Swahili, etc. last year Software producers generally localize for countries with major economic importance Software producers generally localize for countries with major economic importance The quality of the localization is generally good The quality of the localization is generally good The producer watches for the sustainability The producer watches for the sustainability

FOSS and localization Anybody can launch and implement a localization project Anybody can launch and implement a localization project Linux has been localized for more than 80 languages Linux has been localized for more than 80 languages The timing for the localization is not set by the producers The timing for the localization is not set by the producers Economic importance of a country has little impact on the choice to localize Economic importance of a country has little impact on the choice to localize Most localization projects are done by nationals Most localization projects are done by nationals Quality of the localization may be a problem Quality of the localization may be a problem The localization is mostly done by volunteers and not professionals The localization is mostly done by volunteers and not professionals There is rarely a well organized team There is rarely a well organized team There is rarely an accountable body There is rarely an accountable body Sustainability may be a problem Sustainability may be a problem The interest of the volunteers may shift to other activities The interest of the volunteers may shift to other activities Example: Localization level of Linux for Amharic decreased from 40% to 22% in a single year Example: Localization level of Linux for Amharic decreased from 40% to 22% in a single year

FOSS and localization … Duplication of efforts Duplication of efforts The localization projects are not decided by a single body The localization projects are not decided by a single body The projects are rarely coordinated The projects are rarely coordinated The same software may be localized for the same language by different projects The same software may be localized for the same language by different projects Consequences Consequences Wastage of scarce resources Wastage of scarce resources Duplication creates confusion Duplication creates confusion

FOSS and localization … What to do? What to do? Standardization Standardization Lack of standards creates confusion Lack of standards creates confusion Example: Translation of the word “file” into Amharic Example: Translation of the word “file” into Amharic What needs to be standardized? What needs to be standardized? The encoding system (UNICODE) The encoding system (UNICODE) The terminology The terminology Other specificities of the country/region Other specificities of the country/region Who should standardize Who should standardize ICT Authorities, standardization institutions, academic institutions ICT Authorities, standardization institutions, academic institutions Example: Standardization of ICT terminology in Ethiopia Example: Standardization of ICT terminology in Ethiopia Initial study sponsored by UNESCO’s initiative Initial study sponsored by UNESCO’s initiative Implemented by the ICT Authority Implemented by the ICT Authority Addis Ababa University prepares the draft standard Addis Ababa University prepares the draft standard Quality and standards authority Quality and standards authority

FOSS and localization … What to do? … What to do? … Coordination Coordination What make FOSS so interesting are the freedom it gives What make FOSS so interesting are the freedom it gives Centralization is not possible Centralization is not possible Coordination can Coordination can Avoid duplication of efforts Avoid duplication of efforts Improve the quality of localization Improve the quality of localization ICT professional associations or ICT Authorities can do the coordination ICT professional associations or ICT Authorities can do the coordination Example: Localization Industry Standards Association Example: Localization Industry Standards Association

Conclusion FOSS can help speed-up the localization to economically “less important” languages and cultures FOSS can help speed-up the localization to economically “less important” languages and cultures However, this will just be an illusion unless there is However, this will just be an illusion unless there is Proper standardization Proper standardization Proper coordination Proper coordination Proper support Proper support

Thank you for your attention