Translator Helps Deliver Baby...

In Tucson, Arizona, a Language Line translator helped deliver a baby over the phone last weekend, according to this article in the Arizona Star. The baby’s family all spoke Spanish, so when the father-to-be called 911 to report that his wife was about to give birth, the language barrier made an...

The Spanish-Language Rule Book Gets a Mu...

Spanish is spoken all over the world. It is the official national language in 21 countries, but in each of those countries, it sounds just a little bit different. For example, according to Wikipedia, in Spain, butter is called mantequilla. In Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay, it is called manteca....

Slades Seasonal Chart Topper Gets Transl...

The BBC has reported that Slades Christmas hit ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’ has been translated into Welsh. Nevarro, from Cardiff and Llanelli got permission to translate and perform the some from original 70’s rocker Noddy Holder. The cover of the 1973 number one will be played on music strand...

Google Fined Over French Books...

According to the BBC a Paris court has fined Google 300,000 euros (£266,000) in damages and interest for copyright infringement of books owned by French publisher La Martiniere. La Martiniere was one of many publishers to take Google to court for digitising books without explicit permission. Google...

Microblogging Service Plurk Attracts Asi...

When it comes to microblogging, Twitter is king. However, according to this article on PC World, its sovereignty is being threatened in several Asian countries by upstart microblogging service Plurk, which offers the support for local languages and alphabets that Twitter largely lacks. Right now, Plurk...

Cornell Develops Sign-Language Mobile Ph...

These days, almost everyone has a mobile phone. But what about people who are deaf or hearing-impaired? Until now, deaf people have been able to able to use cell phones in a limited fashion, for texting only. Texting is a valuable communication option, and providers like T-Mobile have long offered “data-only”...

Microsoft to Translate Windows 7 into 10...

Microsoft has joined the cause of linguistic diversity. The software giant just announced that it will be releasing its new product, Windows 7, in 10 different African languages by 2011. The software will be available in languages including Sesotho sa Leboa, Setswana, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Afrikaans, Hausa,...