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macwea · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 8:57 am Post subject: Vista goes Gaelic

Microsoft has announced a joint venture with Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the Gaelic development agency in Scotland, University of Strathclyde and Learning and Teaching Scotland to develop support for Scots Gaelic in Windows Vista and Office 2007. This new development will allow Gaelic speakers to use Microsoft software in their own language. The venture is funded with £45,000 from the Bòrd.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig is the statutory Gaelic Development Agency, established under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 to promote Gaelic both in Scotland and abroad. The Act, which was commenced in February 2006, requires the Bòrd to prepare a National Plan for Gaelic to establish a strategic approach to the development of the language and its culture.

The partners havel worked together to translate the 600,000 words and phrases that make up the text of Vista and Office 2007.

Allan Campbell, Chief Executive of Bòrd na Gàidhlig said: "We are pleased to be able to fund this project and delighted that Microsoft has taken an interest in supporting and developing Gaelic in this way". "Information technology is crucial to the development of Gaelic as it is for any language in the 21st century. It's vital that speakers can use it on their computer whether they're sending an email, updating a diary or writing a policy document. This programme allows them to do so in Gaelic. "This will have an important impact for learners as a first class education tool and for experienced Gaelic speakers - in the home, the work place or at school."

The partnership was formed when the University of Strathclyde's innovative laptop initiative, which brings cutting edge technology to students and staff, identified the need for software support for Gaelic speakers on their Gaelic-Medium teacher training courses.

Brian Henderson, Joint Programme Manager and Head of Strathclyde's Laptop Initiative, said: "When we approached Microsoft and Bòrd na Gàidhlig about the possibility of creating Gaelic software, we were overwhelmed by their enthusiastic response". "The University plays a proud role in supporting the next generation of Gaelic primary teachers and we are delighted to be both overseeing the translation work and jointly managing the programme. The new software will be an invaluable tool - not only for our students and staff, but for the whole Gaelic community."

Gaelic will become the 63rd language to be translated as part of Microsoft's wider global local language programme, in which Microsoft partners with governments and local language specialists to develop user interfaces in many minority languages across the world.

Raymond O'Hare, Microsoft's Regional Director in Scotland said: "This is excellent news for Gaelic speaking Scots and underlines Microsoft's commitment to ensure that its software is accessible to a growing number of community and heritage language speakers. 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."

SLG · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 3:00 pm Post subject:

Ah bheil seo ri fhaighinn an dràsta?