The Three Step Process to Effective Multilingual Keywords

While it is often regarded as the lingua franca of the internet, English is not quite the dominant online force many imagine it to be. It is still the single most widely used online language, according to Internet World Stats, but Chinese is now running a close second – and three-quarters of all web surfers speak a native language other than English. Clearly, a multilingual approach is required to truly reach the global market the internet puts within reach.

More information at: http://www.searchenginejournal.com/the-three-step-process-to-effective-multilingual-keywords/23060/#ixzz0ve8FrAvd

7 Brain-Boosting Benefits Children Achieve When They Have The Ability To Speak Spanish

Dallas, TX (8/3/2010) – With the dwindling job market silently looming, Texas parents are concerned how to position their children for a promising future. And not be a victim of a “future” recession. According to the Census Bureau 29% Texas Households speak Spanish— the highest percentage in the country. Because of the high demand for Bilingualism in our communities, monolingual parents are looking to give their children a competitive advantage for their futures.

Kelly Mayberry, Educator and Director of Spanish Immersion Private School, Brilliance Academy shares some unknown revelations from parents. She explains, “I have parents who are working 2 jobs, just to put their child in a Bilingual school or Program.” “They vow not to let this opportunity pass by their child.”



More information at: http://www.seopressreleases.com/7-brainboosting-benefits-children-achieve-ability-speak-spanish/11217

Cantonese speakers defend their language

Hundreds of Chinese took to the streets in recent weeks in the southeastern cities of Hong Kong and Guangzhou to defend one of their most important treasures—their language.

The protests on July 25 and Aug. 1 were in response to recent calls by regional officials to increase Mandarin broadcast programs in the area. Mandarin is the official language of Beijing.

Cantonese-speaking activists called the move an attack on their language, according to Time. Cantonese is the predominant language spoken in Hong Kong, Guangdong province, the former Portuguese colony of Macao and in Chinatowns around the world.

More information at: http://newsdesk.org/2010/08/cantonese-speakers-defend-their-language/

Linguistic imperialism to hit China

Authorities in Beijing plan to make most residents - from hairdressers to policemen - learn English under a drive to convert the Chinese capital into a ‘world city’, state media said. The government programme - first launched in 2002 in preparation for the Beijing Olympics and recently renewed - calls for all kindergartens in the city to introduce English courses within five years, the Global Times said. A minimum of 60 percent of shop assistants, receptionists and hairdressers under 40 will also be required to pass English tests by 2015, as will 80 percent of police officers, the report said.

More information at: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\07\13\story_13-7-2010_pg9_7

EU begins the hunt for new translators

Brussels - The European Union's executive on Friday began the hunt for a new generation of translators to keep its bureaucratic wheels turning as officials announced a wave of hiring for July 13.The EU has 23 official languages and its executive, the European Commission, regularly translates key legal documents and briefings into all of them.But the current generation of translators and interpreters is coming up for retirement, leaving officials keen to start training their replacements now."EU citizens and the staff of the EU institutions cannot be expected to know all official EU languages. That is why a multilingual organization like the EU needs high-quality language services," the commission's vice-president in charge of administration, Maros Sefcovic, said.

More information at: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/334065,eubegins-hunt-new-translators.html

Language Translation: Man Versus Machine

Anyone who has visited a foreign country knows the difficulty of buying products in a foreign language. This confusion can be overwhelming, whether haggling on the street or buying online.

But, for ecommerce merchants considering language translation, determining which countries and languages to focus on can be daunting. Even coming up with an estimate for the number of speakers of the world’s most popular languages is difficult, as the numbers often become outdated as soon as they are published. Wikipedia cobbles together estimates from Encarta, Ethnologue and other sources, but these estimates are based on previous numbers and do not often include bilinguals.

More information at: http://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/2061-Language-Translation-Man-Versus-Machine

Brit school launches talking PCs for students who can't speak English

London, July 7 (ANI): A primary school where over 50 percent students do not speak English recently became Britain's first to provide every child with a computerised translator.

The scheme, dubbed "damaging and dangerous" by critics, will enable 60 per cent of the 384 pupils to communicate with teachers using the software.

Children type questions into the computer in their native language, which are translated out loud into English for the teacher.

Teachers type instructions for pupils which can be translated back into 25 different languages.

English-speaking pupils also use the translator to communicate with foreign classmates


More information at: http://news.oneindia.in/2010/07/07/britschool-launches-talking-pcs-for-students-who-cantspea.html