Windows8 Internationalization Efforts Expanded

Microsoft has expanded the efforts designed to internationalize the next major iteration of the Windows operating system, especially around terminology defining the evolution the platform’s evolution.

Softpedia readers might remember that the Redmond company asked users in China, Japan, Germany and France to help it translate some new technical terms in Windows 8 back in September 2011.

The software giant is doing it again, but this time around for no less than 23 languages on top of the initial four corresponding to the countries above.

“A few weeks ago we asked speakers of Chinese Simplified, Japanese, German and French help us translate the planned, new terminology in Windows 8. We got some brilliantly creative suggestions and insightful comments that will help us get the language experience just right in Windows 8,” revealed Microsoft’s Palle Petersen.

“We are now looking for feedback or alternative suggestions for another 23 languages (…).Some of the trickier terms include charms, apps, speed bump, thumb keyboard and many more.”

Start Screen and Tiles are also among the terminology for which Microsoft is accepting suggestions from users around the world.

I included a complete list with all 23 new languages that the company is focusing its Windows 8 terminology translation efforts at this point in time.

“It just takes a few simple steps to get started. Click your language [below], sign in with your Windows Live account and follow the simple one-off forum registration (no code needed),” Petersen said.

“Click the Glossary link and from there you will see the list of English source terms and our preliminary suggestions to help you along. Then it’s just a case of, for each term, deciding if you like the suggestions provided by selecting Suggest a Translation or Vote.”

According to Petersen, Microsoft will accept Windows 8 terminology translation suggestions only for the next 10 days, until November 21, 2011.

Here is the list of languages:
Arabic, Chinese (Traditional), Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Korean, Norwegian (Bokmål), Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Russian, Serbian (Latin), Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian.

11 November, 2011