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Send to friendOur group translated the Google interface into Cebuano a few years ago, and not knowing the email address of Google, we sent hard copies to their management by registered express mail. We were not given the courtesy of a reply. While Spain has a Catalan Google and India has Google in a number of local languages, in the Philippines the only Google other than English is in Tagalog (also called by some as Filipino).That puts all the170 non-Tagalog languages at a disadvanage.
Approaching your local news
Approaching your local news outlet and requesting coverage of your effort might be a very effective way to get Google's attention.
Jane Mills
Gogle and approaching local news
eidos,
Thank yon so much for your suggestion. We will be doing that. In addition, we have now made confact with a Google representative through our conacts with WIKIMEDIA FOUNDATION. Let us hope something opsoitive will come out of this. From what we gather Google is very interested in localization for languages with at least one million speakers.
geronalino
I hope you post here with the
I hope you post here with the news story when it runs, if there is an url for it. I hope your project is successful. If a local media outlet doesn't move on the idea, try a neighboring media outlet, then a specialized one (eg. cyber related news) and so on. I doubt you would have to try that hard -- it is a story that sells itself.
If by chance you continue to have difficulty, perhaps I could help arrange news coverage. Let me know with an email if you've exhausted your efforts.
Jane Mills
Sugbuanon (CEbuano) Google Interface
Jane,
Thank you. Things are moving. The Project will be sponsored by a Member of the Provincial Board (the provincial leguislative body) of Cebu, who will make it a project of his committee which is responsible for language, culture and education. Google requires forming a team of 15-20 translators. The team has been formed, composed of 17 volunteers, almost all members of Ludabi, an association of writers in the Sugbuanon (Cebuano) language. The leader is the Secretary General of Ludabi. She is an IT expert and used to own an IT company engaged in multimedia and web development. Her line of work now is creative marketing andnevent organizing.
Google will email to the Team Leader its current search and navigation buttons for translation to Sugbuanon. The translation will have to be done following Google's way at a two-day workshop which is planned for February 25 and 26. The results will have to be reviewed by a panel of three experts in the language who are at the same time IT savvy. Then the translation will be submitted to Google. Will keep everyone posted on developments. For the time being, no press releases will be made.
geronalino
Congratulations. You've made
Congratulations. You've made so much progress in such a short time. Good luck with the project.
Jane Mills