Slashdot Mirror
France National Library Attacks Google Book Effort
An anonymous reader writes "The National Library of France is not happy with Google's effort to scan and integrate millions of books into its Web search. Jean-Noel Jeanneney, President of the library, wrote in an editorial that he is concerned Google's initiative to digitalize volumes at five leading libraries will reflect a unipolar worldview dominated by the English language and American culture. Jeanneney is pushing for European libraries to follow in Google's footsteps. Google said it was surprised by Jeanneney's remarks and noted, 'This is a first step for us; we can't do everything at once.'"
i just don't understand why
When Google first got started in the Yahoo-era, I also wrote an editorial about how little result Google gave back in 1999, I almost gave up on it.
Rock that crushes, Paper & Scissors that don't matter.
Doesn't he realize that English is the only language that matters? :P
...at the mortuary.
I am very small, utmostly microscopic.
You mean an english speaking company with english speaking employees is starting off with english literature?!
"It is better to risk sparing a guilty person than to condemn an innocent one." - Voltaire
"Google said it was surprised"
Nooo, it can talk, and it's got emotions... Run away!
My <1000 UID is with a hot chick
I think the editorial would have been much more powerful and effective if it was written and presented in a language that people actually read. /ducks
"Google Book Effort Draws French Ire" But then again, what doesn't?
Do Not Eat iPod Shuffle
Dispatch a couple Germans into Paris. They'll surrender.
No English translation of the editorial?
the french are assholes
...that I have to start eating "freedom fries" again?
Interesting that Google's close to monopoly position is correctly identified. Perhaps this will convince those Google lovers who seem to forget that Google is a rapacious corporation intent on maximising shareholder return.
They do not provide a public service - search the net by hand instead!
Besides what is a French person doing complaining about things like this? The French are the biggest language snobs on the planet.
The French are the biggest language snobs on the planet.
Ironically, the word ironically is often used incorrectly.
i don't aglee with you. this is veli veli wrong. lere is no future for engilsh. the future of english is Hinglish and Chinglish. :-)
If they were still small, they could do something like kill French language support for one day, replacing the franco page with a fake offer to "Upgrade your language" to either English, German or Chinese.
Fansworth: And this is my Universal Translator. Unfortunately, it only translates into an incomprehensible dead language.
Cubert: Hello.
Translator: Bonjour.
Farnsworth: Crazy gibberish!
Cubert: Don't you have any worthwhile inventions?
How do you say hello in American-English?
With your mouth full of fried food
Given Google's efforts in other languages, it seems strange to me that they'd not continue their project in other languages.
As far as Google's efforts in other languages go, on behalf of the Klingon community, I would like to comment that I find Google's trivial attempt to court persons of Klingon extraction patronising and ultimately meaningless, in light of their apparent indifference to the immediate necessity for action with respect to the digitisation of the Klingon language corpus.
It is evident that Google favours and priveleges English language works over works of Klingon origin, and such bias will not go unnoted.
"Something Good Happens in the World"
or
"Something that is Completely Harmless to France"
or
"Somebody wants to Buy Something of Nazi Origin From Somebody in another country while living in non-France"
or
"Somebody wants to write 'France' on their Web Site"
or
Anything
and France responds feeling they can police the entire freakin' world with their moronic superior-acting judges or presidents of some-or-another organization. Idiots.
Oh, they're just still miffed about that whole "french military victories" thing. ;-)
(Yes - I know how it works.)
You would think if this guy wanted to be taken seriously by someone outside of France he would at least publish the editorial in English for god's sake.
How about this: since the editorial is in French, I think it's only fitting to post the Google translation of the editorial
Ahem. Posts such as this are required by law to be first in French, then in English.
hawk
This is mainly because Germans never shut up , trust me i married one
That meant *how* many weeks avoiding british food?
hawk
In 150 years you won't be able to find German being spoken anywhere except hell.
Here is the google english translation of the Frenchman's comments about google making english the homogenous language of the world
Slashdot, would a spell-checker for posting be too much to ask? It's not rocket science!
Looks very interesting, BUT EVERYTHING IS IN FRENCH! How the hell am I supposed to read it?
My mom always said, "Jim, you're 1 in a million." Given the current population, there are 7000 of me. God help us all!
And when a company owned and operated by Americans far surpasses anything the "superior" European continent can produce, it must really be gauling... er, galling.
;-)
Says the American, whose national Trade Balance is totally pwned by China.
SCO employee? Check out the bounty
Professor: And this is my Universal Translator. Unfortunately, it only translates into an incomprehensible dead language.
Cubert: Hello.
Translator: Bonjour.
Professor: Crazy gibberish!
"There is no time, sir, at which ties do not matter," Jeeves, (Jeeves and the Impending Doom)
(Side note: I'm generally on the side of the French in these little Franco-American spats. I saw a SUV that had a "Boycott France" bumper sticker today, and considered sticking a note under his wiper that said something to the effect of "Y'know, you have the French to thank for the philosophy of free speech that allows you to show that sticker without danger of your tires getting slashed...")
Now, had that SUV been riding on Michelin tires, you would have had such a wonderful opportunity...
Actually, considering they invented radial tires, it still could have been fun.
-Charles
Learning HOW to think is more important than learning WHAT to think.
No, but I've read Shakespeare in the original Klingon. Lack of personal hygiene, lots of yelling, everybody dies. Cool.
OMG Dud! Lyten up! Eye Speil prefeclly phyn!
In Soviet Russia History writes old people.
Unfortunately the opinion piece was written in French, so no one will ever know for certain.