(Jordan Times) — The directors of a dozen centers working to introduce a universal networking language for the Internet came from around the world this week and met at Jordan’s Royal Scientific Society (RSS).
It was the first meeting of the directors of language centers undertaking the Universal Networking Language (UNL) project, which was launched under the supervision of the United Nations University in Japan in 1997.
Participating in the two-day meeting were directors of language centers from Spain, Italy, Brazil, Japan, Russia, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea, China, Greece and Jordan.
Their discussions focused on the ideal method of activating a translation system to eliminate language barriers by employing the UNL system through the Internet.
The directors also talked about expanding the scope of the UNL's benefits by enabling Internet users to acquire information listed in different languages by using their mother tongue.
The translation system includes modules to convert 16 languages into UNL, and is expected to incorporate all world languages in the next six years.
UNL translation takes place via an intermediary language with specifications known to all workers in the field. Text written in this language therefore becomes available in all the other languages through the Internet.
The RSS was earlier selected to undertake translation from various world languages into Arabic and vice versa.
RSS President Said Alloush said in his opening address at the meeting that the society would continue to provide all possible support for its Arabic Language Center, adding that the project was in line with King Abdullah's efforts to develop Jordan's capabilities in the field of information technology.
Alloush said the project would help remove language barriers, encourage communication through the Internet and assist in creating new opportunities in science, technology and business.
He also called for launching a large campaign to introduce the UNL system to all concerned governmental and non-governmental parties, and to acquire the support of governments and organizations around the world.
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
