Windows goes African

Microsoft has officially released its first African language interface pack (LIP) for Windows XP as part of its global language programme.

Microsoft SA MD Gordon Frazer yesterday announced the general availability of the isiZulu LIP at the Sibaya Cultural Centre in eThekwini near Durban. He said the project had involved the support of several academic institutions, the national and pan South African language boards, and various government departments.

The isiZulu LIP is available as a free download to all users of Windows XP. Microsoft also intends making the application available on CD for users without Internet access.

Frazer noted that Microsoft`s local partners had been crucial in helping to understand the cultural and linguistic importance of terminology and ensuring the new interface is linguistically correct, which involved the translation of over 400 000 words and phrases.

"Language is one of the biggest barriers to using PCs for many people. With 50% of the population able to understand Zulu, the release of this first African LIP for Windows XP will make computing accessible to millions of South Africans for the first time, enabling learners and business owners to access a new word of information," said Frazer.

He said Microsoft intends to support all official languages in SA to ensure all the language barriers to information technology were eradicated.

eThekwini councillor James Nxumalo hailed the release of the isiZulu LIP as "new hope" for the economic development of SA.

"The introduction of a local language to the technological revolution in our country augurs well for the vision enshrined in our constitution and will encourage many people to develop an interest in computers, particularly those who are not highly educated," he said.

Ntaoleng Motaung, local language programme manager for Microsoft SA, demonstrated the isiZulu LIP. She pointed out that the entire user interface had been translated, including error messages, the Outlook Express e-mail client, and even the solitaire card game to teach basic mouse skills.

"What we are seeing here is the future of computing in Africa because it exposes the ordinary person to the benefits of using technology," said Motaung.

Jonathan Hatchuel, Windows client business group manager at Microsoft SA, said he believes Microsoft is on the verge of changing the face of computing in Africa.

According to Frazer, the development of the isiZulu and other soon to be released local LIPs has led to the creation of an African language competency within Microsoft SA, which it intends to expand.

"We plan to look much broader than SA in making Microsoft`s products more accessible and relevant to users in Africa and to this end we have already begun work on Swahili, which is a key language in the broader African context," says Frazer.

Microsoft SA has brought in language experts from East Africa to work on the Swahili LIP and plans to do the same for several West African languages. In addition to LIPs for Windows and MS Office, these projects will include developing localised icons, backgrounds and games.

"Localisation is not just about language, but also includes making our software products more relevant to particular user groups," said Hatchuel.

"In time, we envisage developing a team skilled in African language translations for software interfaces that can be accessed by the broader developer community to create opportunities for South African companies to develop software for a variety of different markets in Africa," said Frazer.