Welsh language gets boost online

16 Jul 2004

Although the Welsh language has had official recognition for the past ten years, it has so far been ignored by the big software companies, but this could be set to change with the development of Korrect, an online dictionary for open source developers.

Designed to improve the environment for the use of Welsh in computing, Korrect is an online dictionary containing all the translated terms from eight open source Welsh language software developments.

Since March last year about 30 open source developers have been working to create a Welsh version of open source desktop applications. The dictionary now contains more than 100,000 technical terms and shows not just the word but also the context it was used in.

Because developers can check what terms are already in use, this should speed up future translations.

Welsh speakers have never had a suite of desktop applications in their own language before.

Kevin Donnelly, co-ordinator of the Welsh translation of KDE, told The Register: "We've got about 30 people working on nine projects across Wales. This online dictionary will speed development - we should have most of a business desktop available in Welsh by this time next year."

Microsoft announced in January this year that it was starting work on a Welsh version of Office.

Sources: The Register

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