Friday, July 28, 2006 Microsoft Strengthens African Language Support with Afrikaans (Business Day) MICROSOFT South Africa has released a software conversion kit that translates its Windows operating system into Afrikaans. The language interface pack is available as a free download and sits on top of the existing Windows XP operating system. It translates 400000 words and phrases, including all menu items, tool bars, help files and error messages. Microsoft has already released software overlays to convert Windows into Setswana and Zulu. Its local developers work on the language conversion projects with the Pan South African Language Board, academics, translators from various communities and the departments of education, communication and science and technology. One of the most time-consuming aspects is to translate the glossary of core technology terms into the different languages. To ensure linguistic excellence, the completed glossaries are sent to the language board for approval before they are incorporated into the software. Internationally, Microsoft now provides about 40 language converters and plans to add 40 more. Its next operating system, Vista, will support multiple minority languages from the start. 4:15:15 PM    comment [] How do you say Wal-Mart in German? (AP) Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has announced that it will sell its 85 stores in Germany to Metro AG, a move that effectively ends a nearly decade-long effort by the world's largest retailer to crack the market in Europe's biggest economy. The company entered the German market in 1997 and employs 11,000 people. But Wal-Mart has struggled to break into the German market. A top investment analyst in Germany was quoted as saying that cultural differences were responsible for the downfall of the US retail giant: Wal-Mart had trouble winning over German consumers, who tend to be very price-focused and would rather drive to a different store if they know they can buy something cheaper. Furthermore, the analyst added, consumers rejected some of Wal-Mart's signature features, like stores outside of town centers, employees required to smile and heartily greet customers, or baggers at checkouts. 4:10:28 PM    comment [] © Copyright 2007 Global Translations.

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