One Step Closer To Native Web Addresses...

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, aka ICANN, is one step closer to allowing the first Internet addresses written completely in non-Latin characters. Previously, in October, ICANN had voted to allow non-Latin web addresses. On January 21st, they approved the first four non-Latin...

Google and IBM Tackle Ambitious Translat...

You may not realise it, but the internet sites you see when you surf the web are limited by the language you are surfing in. So, there’s always a part of the internet that you are shut out of. Possibly, according to this article on CNN.com, not for long, both IBM and Google are currently working...

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,...

Hit West End Show Pioneers Translation D...

The hit West End show Hairspray, currently showing at the Shaftesbury Theatre has introduced a pioneering system which translates the show into 8 languages according to the BBC. With one third of theatre audiences in London being tourists AirScript developers, Cambridge Consultants, hope the handsets...

Glasses that Translate Speech?...

It might sound like something out of a science fiction movie, but according to Reuters, a Japanese company is developing eyeglasses that can translate speech. The Tele Scouter consists of a pair of eyeglass frames attached to a microphone and a small computer. A tiny display unit is mounted on to the...

Message in a bottle...

A French love letter was found near Falmouth, Cornwall last week. The beer bottle was found by Martin Leslie, a coastguard manager, and his family as they walked on Praa Sands, near Falmouth. The bottle was poking out of the sand; its top was sealed with red candle wax. Inside was a three A4 pages handwritten...

Learning a Language? There’s an Ap...

When you’re trying to learn a new language, practice makes perfect.  How many times have you said to yourself, “I would love to learn another language in my spare time?” Since many of us lead very busy lives, finding that spare time to practice and learn can be challenging. However, if you...

Google and Facebook Release New Translat...

Both Google and Facebook released new translation tools for websites over the past week. Both companies announced the new tools on wednesday, in honor of International Translation Day. Google’s website translation gadget allows you to make your web content available automatically in 51 different...