[Sigkm-l] UNESCO releases English version of its publication on languages in cyberspace

[Puna Das]

UNESCO releases English version of its publication on languages in cyberspace
19-01-2009 (Paris)

UNESCO releases the English version of its publication "Securing a Place for a Language in Cyberspace", which first appeared in French in 2007 and has been translated in several languages since then. The original version was prepared with the assistance of the Latin Union and the intellectual contribution of the expert Marcel Diki-Kidiri.

Consistent with the UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Promotion and Use of Multilingualism and Universal Access to Cyberspace, this publication aimes at facilitating decision-making on the inclusion of new languages in cyberspace. 

Cyberspace is open to all languages of the world, since its infrastructure is not subject to a central authority which can decide how it should be used. It is sufficient, in principle, to link a computer to an Internet access provider in order to post online texts, graphics or audio data in the language of one’s choice. 

However, implementing this principle, which is a fundamental factor of democracy at the global level and inclusive knowledge societies, requires a number of technical conditions, and human and financial resources. 

In this publication, the author explains as simple as possible how to ensure that a language which is poorly endowed in linguistic and/or information technology resources, not to mention human resources, may find its proper place in cyberspace and be active there. 

The publication is meant to be didactic and to accompany, step-by-step, all those who may join UNESCO at any given stage on the path to putting all poorly endowed languages into cyberspace. 

The text of the publication is available online in English, French, Spanish, Russian and Portuguese: click here: 
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001497/149786E.pdf


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Anup Kumar Das
New Delhi, India
http://anupkumardas.blogspot.com/
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