NewsForge | OpenOffice.org, FOSS, and the preservation of Gaelic

06-July-2005

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[ Open-Source , Public Policy , Shared Bookmark ]
Good news about the Scots Gaelic localisation of Open Office. An interesting point is made in this NewsForge piece about the potential of open source to support cultural and linguistic diversity

A very good point made here: open source gives communities the power to ensure that their language can be used for computing work. Coming from Nova Scotia - where there was more Scots Gaelic spoken than in Scotland last time I checked - and living in Welsh-speaking Gwynedd, I can see how much this means to communities whose first language is declining. Good news!

By itself, the release of OpenOffice.org for Scots Gaelic is a small event within the communities of free and open source software (FOSS). It is only one of the more than 50 localizations available for OpenOffice.org 1.x. However, the release shows a potential for FOSS that is often overlooked, particularly by those for whom English is their native language. Specifically, FOSS has the potential to help resuscitate a declining language and thereby aid in revitalizing a disintegrating culture.

NewsForge | OpenOffice.org, FOSS, and the preservation of Gaelic

Mike Malloch; 06-July-2005 10:09:23; forum (0) help

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