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Kiswahili Language Software Launched by Microsoft

December 15, 2005

The software giant, Microsoft, launched the Kiswahili language software which would have excel, office, Outlook and Word programs in the Kiswahili version. This would target more than 110 million speakers of the Kiswahili language.

Microsoft manager, Patrick Opiyo said that the software will help standardize Kiswahili across the region since it has been accepted by the experts from a majority of the countries that use the language.

The African Virtual University (AVU) led the translation effort where linguists from East and Central Africa translated over 645,000 words in Windows and Office software while some 70,000 words were translated into the usage manuals.

The head of Information Technology at the African Virtual University , Sandra Aluoch, said that the goal is to provide the tools and content for a quicker access to technology at the local level by spreading it among the youths. East African computer users can now send a 'barua pepe' or literally a flying letter, the translation for 'email'.

Microsoft plans to tackle Zulu and Hausa, languages spoken in South Africa and Nigeria respectively, in the search for more African markets.

Source: Rediff