Microsoft launches Afrikaans Language Interface Pack for Windows XP to preserve culture, enable access to technology

Microsoft South Africa today announced details of the general availability of the Afrikaans Language Interface Pack (LIP) for Windows XP, which forms part of Microsoft`s global local language programme.

Pfungwa Serima, managing director of Microsoft South Africa, said: "Partnership and collaboration are at the centre of how we do business and through our work with the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) and national government departments, the academic community; the many translators and the Afrikaans community; we have aimed to deliver a localisation that is linguistically correct for the South African market."

Before today`s announcement Microsoft provided desktop language coverage for approximately 40 languages globally. Through the technology available in the local language programme and collaboration with local and regional governments, Microsoft plans to add an additional 40 languages in the near future. This is the third of the earmarked languages planned for Windows XP in South Africa.

"We regard Microsoft`s local language programme as groundbreaking - to assist users with an interface in the languages of their choice and regard this as another important step towards actualising multilingualism," says Professor Cynthia Marivate, CEO of PanSALB.

Adds Serima: "We hope to encourage participation in the community and the world beyond, by providing South Africans with access to technology in local vernaculars that not only honours cultural distinctions, but facilitates the preservation of language and culture."

Standardising technical terminology is an important first step to developing a local IT industry and Microsoft South Africa has worked with academia to translate the core terms glossary for each of the languages in development. With a view to maintaining linguistic excellence, the completed glossaries are sent to the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), for verification and the sign-off of the final builds.

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"Available as free download, users can install the Afrikaans LIP as a layer on top of an existing original version of Windows XP.

"We know that we have a long way to go, to translate our 11 official languages, and are looking forward to working on additional languages for Windows Vista," concludes Serima.

"We look forward to a good working relationship with Microsoft and its local language programme - our partners in the development of functional computing and language skills," concludes Marivate.

To download the Afrikaans LIP, go to www.microsoft.com/southafrica.