Much ado about nothing ... I have heard it said that many of the 100 million inhabitants of E. Africa do not own even a radio, let alone a computer.
I have even heard that some 200 years after writing was introduced into the area, only about 25% can read or write, much less read, write or even speak Swahili (albeit pidgin at that -- especially in Uganda). Languages that have yet to make it into popular print will likely die as newer ones are adopted. I think that Microsoft is being hoodwinked into squandering their investor's money on a non-existent market. MN --- Edward Mulindwa <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > Story by ZEDDY SAMBU > > Publication Date: 04/23/2004 > > Microsoft software products will for the first time > have Kiswahili > options. > The project, to be launched within the next five > months, will be > included in the latest software applications, > Windows XP and MS > Office 2003. > > The three-phase programme will cover more than 100 > million people in > East Africa. Due to lack of a simplified language, > most users find > it > difficult to interact with most operating systems. > This has > contributed to the technological gap between rural > and urban areas. > > Microsoft country manager, Mr Louis Otieno, launched > the Microsoft > Local Language Programme at the company's offices in > I&M building in > Nairobi yesterday. He said the project will enhance > various > programmes in major universities. > > These include initiatives to standardise the > Kiswahili language, > spoken in six Eastern Africa countries. > > "We will first assess the existence of a glossary > and accelerate it > to completion within the next 8-12 months," Mr > Otieno said. > > The first and hardest step, that involves > development of a glossary > of standard words considered legitimate by the > Government and other > bodies, is to be completed in two months. > > The Mulindwas Communication Group > "With Yoweri Museveni, Uganda is in anarchy" > Groupe de communication Mulindwas > "avec Yoweri Museveni, l'Ouganda est dans > l'anarchie" > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor > ---------------------~--> > Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, > Epson, Canon or Lexmark > Printer at MyInks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or > more to the US & Canada. > http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511 > http://us.click.yahoo.com/mOAaAA/3exGAA/qnsNAA/TTwplB/TM > ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> > > **********LAWRIE GREEN EDUCATION 2004 Abuja > EXHIBITION of UK Schools !!!************* > <1> To obtain the best possible offers given > each individual circumstance; > <2>-To advise and guide you through at evry stage of > application process; > <3>-To consider your interest first at all times. > Lawrie Green Education - Prepararion for life. > contact:- [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://www.preparationforlife.com > http://www.preparationforlife.com/pages/_nigeria/lge_nigeria.html > ++++++++++++++ > Nigerians for Nigeria, rebuilding a Country where No > man is oppressed. - > --- > Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > **********Keep Hope Alive!!!************* > ****Internet Solution**** > A one stop solution for your web site. It is fully > Nigerian, with Hausa, Yoruba and Ibo Alphabets and > so many resources easy to use and a 24/7 support > access. Why go further when a Nigerian, try this > one you wont go elsewhere. I ve my signature to > it... http://www.africaservice.com > PJ Adamz Abuja Nigeria. > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/abujaNig/ > > <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email > to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > > > > -------------------------------------------- > This service is hosted on the Infocom network > http://www.infocom.co.ug __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Photos: High-quality 4x6 digital prints for 25¢ http://photos.yahoo.com/ph/print_splash -------------------------------------------- This service is hosted on the Infocom network http://www.infocom.co.ug
