AMMAN - The internet has expanded greatly throughout the world, transforming it into a little village. It is now possible for anyone anywhere to reach global communities, scientific and non-scientific institutions alike. Small societies have been able to reach global markets quickly and easily, display their products and shop without the need for any type of mediation.
Yet there is the problem that the internet language in use now is English only in general. Despite the fact that there are numerous Arabic websites, we still are forced to write the main domain name in the English language. Therefore, there was a call by many users of this global network to Arabize these internet names with the purpose of simplifying their use and consequently increasing the number of hits/visits to important Arab websites by those who aren’t proficient in English.
The Jordanian News Agency met with a number of concerned parties to talk about the Arabization of internet websites. The manager of the regional department for information and communication systems at the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAGorg), Mr. Charles Shaban, said that the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which issues rules specific to the internet, has realized the significance of making internet website names in all languages. It recently has formed a committee to study this issue, which is made up of members from the organization and relevant global establishments.
Also, certain coalitions have been created that are concerned with the pluralization of languages of website names, such as the Multilingual Internet Names Consortium (MINC), which studies appropriate solutions to facilitate internet usage for everyone in their own language.
He added that Arabic is a major language on the internet, and that TAGorg began assisting global organizations in translating the materials of websites, adding that the website of the World Trade Organization (WTO) was translated, and the issues concerning the business sector at the WTO were Arabized. Additionally, issues of interest were Arabized at both the Business Sector and Intellectual Property (IP) bodies of the WTO.
Shaban elaborated that it is the right of everyone to use the internet and reach the site that he or she desires in the easiest way possible and in the language that the person is fluent in. He stressed that by Arabizing the sites, everyone can get close to the internet without feeling isolated, and can conduct e-commerce in one’s own language.
Shaban, who is a member of the MINC board, pointed out the obstacles that face Arabizing internet sites. He stated that the most significant impediment was related to agreement with internet service providers on creating a common standard for Arabization, as is the case with all languages of the world. He called for the collaboration of efforts amongst the parties concerned with Arabizing the internet, including technicians and linguists, stating that TAGorg coordinates with various Arab and global entities in this field.
National Information Center
The official responsible for domain names registration at the National Information Center, Ms. Ghazwah Malhas, said that with the spread of technology in all sectors and its reach to all parts of the population in the countryside and elsewhere, it has become necessary to communicate with society in a language it understands such that it can use modern technology through this language easily. She added that society shouldn’t be at fault if it is poor in a foreign language and would still like to utilize technology, and that there is no harm if this technical knowledge is available in a language it understands and can interact with.
She added that writing website names in Arabic will greatly simplify matters for internet users and grant them the opportunity to exchange information and utilize this information within the website that are available in Arabic which are constantly increasing.
She pointed out to the suggested solutions for Arabizing domain names such as integrating Arabic with English, which is still under study. There are large firms that are working on other solutions, not just for Arabization but also for translation in general as there are 3000 languages in the world, and this represents quite a challenge Malhas said.
Computer Technology Center
The chairman of the Computer Technology Center at the Royal Scientific Society (RSS), Dr. Saqr Abdulrahim, said that thanks to the internet there is a potential for learning and reaching the sites of longstanding universities whether by students or professors themselves, in order to benefit from methods of education and training for free or for inexpensive prices.
As for the Arabization of domain names, he stated that it is useful for those who arent’t fluent in English, yet there will still be a barrier there due to the fact that there are global sites rich with information yet are in the English language.
He called for encouraging translation programs in general, and the translation of databases in particular, in order to allow those who surf the internet to access information in the language that they need.
He pointed out that the United Nations University began designing an intermediary language that can translate to six global languages. The RSS was chosen to address issues related to the Arabic language, and in 2006 the program will cover all languages of the world such that one would write a letter in one language and the recipient would receive it his own language, whatever it may be.
Jordan Computers Society
The president of the Jordan Computers Society, Mr. Ahmad Alsaqqa, stated that there is a new global tendency to pluralize languages used on websites, such as French, Russian, German, Arabic and others.
He added that Arabizing site names will play a large role in opening this area to people who are non-fluent in English.
He stated that entry of website names when using the internet isn’t that significant anymore because of the availability of search engines, in addition to the fact that sites are linked to one another.
He elaborated that while it is exciting that website names are in Arabic, the focus should be that Arabization shows the efficiency of the Arabic language, since it is so broad and can absorb millions of foreign words and terms.