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Microsoft Windows available in Welsh, new software available in Breton

Abergele 12/10/2004 , by Huw Morgan

From now on it will be possible to use popular Microsoft packages such as Word and Outlook in Welsh. This has been made possible after discussions between Microsoft and the Welsh Language Board. With many individuals as well as companies and public bodies using the Welsh language in their every day activities this is seen as a great step forward for the language.

The software runs with Windows XP and Office 2003 and offers Word, Excel, Explorer, Outlook and the control panel in Welsh. Microsoft already supplies Language Interface Packs for Irish, Maori and Hindi.

"This is without doubt a very important development for the Welsh language and confirms that the language is contemporary, relevant and useful," said Meri Huws, chair of the Welsh Language Board, during the launch. "Having familiar computer programmes such as Word and Outlook available in Welsh will increase the opportunities for people of all ages to use the language in their everyday lives, both at work and home."

The Interface Packs took fifteen months to develop and the English words carefully translated using everyday words therefore making it easy to use. All the menus and operations such as ‘file’ and ‘save as’ remain in their standard positions, making it easy to swap from English to Welsh versions. The software is available free of charge, either downloading from the Language Board and Microsoft websites or on a CD from the Language Board.

"The launch of Windows and Office 2003 in Welsh marks a real milestone for the language and fits in well with the Welsh Assembly Government’s vision for a bilingual Wales," said Alun Pugh, Minister in the Assembly with responsibility for the language. "I find it very encouraging that at a time of increasing globalisation, a huge multinational company still recognises the importance of supporting diversity in languages and culture."

The translating of the Microsoft menus and operations was undertaken by companies based in the north-west Wales heartland of the language, translation company Cymen and technology specialists Draig with assistance from Canolfan Bedwyr of the University of Wales, Bangor.

There is a free Welsh language spellchecker with Office 2003 and easy keystrokes to put circumflex accents on letters, including ‘w’ and ‘y’ which are unique to Welsh.

"As IT use continues to grow around the world, it is vital that users of all language backgrounds are able to access the benefits of new technology," said Terry Smith of Microsoft UK.

Meanwhile, the software FileZilla 2.2.9, Firefox 1.0, Thunderbird 1.0 and the search engine Google are now available in Breton following development work by the Breton IT organisation KAD (Korvigelloù An Drouizig). KAD also have available a Celtic language- friendly ‘C’hwerty’ keyboard. (Eurolang © 2004)

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Related links to this story Bwrdd yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Board) Microsoft UK Korvigelloù An Drouizig (KAD)