I read most of the posts in this threat, and I was surprised to find out that nobody noticed a simple fact regarding the current dominance of the English language. I'm my view, the reason for such control was because the English Language was the lowest common denominator and in most cases the only alternative!!! Think about it, if you have a meeting with 5 people that speak 5 different languages, then the only way to communicate is to find a common communication standard and use it. Since English is a relative simple languages (I'm Portuguese) and has two great worldwide marketing agencies (technology and Hollywood) it gradually become the standard for business communication. The big reason for this is due to the current cost of accurate translation. The current methods are too slow and expensive to be used in most communications. But what if the translation of content become relatively cheap, accurate and fast. Then there would be no such thing of a standard language since everybody would be communicating in their own language. I'm not talking about automatic translation, since we are still far away from achieving a reliable, cheap and fast solution, I'm talking about utilizing the power of the internet to create a worldwide translation network that would allow 'real-time' translation by humans! We (at DDPLUS.CO.UK) are developing systems and solutions that will allow such system to be developed, our problem is that we are too small (based in London) to move very fast and the translation industry is not really interested in what we are talking about (so far). I am (dinis@ddplus.co.uk) quite happy to continue this discussion with whoever fells strongly about this issue, or wishes to be involved in our project.
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I read most of the posts in this threat, and I was surprised to find out that nobody noticed a simple fact regarding the current dominance of the English language.
I'm my view, the reason for such control was because the English Language was the lowest common denominator and in most cases the only alternative!!!
Think about it, if you have a meeting with 5 people that speak 5 different languages, then the only way to communicate is to find a common communication standard and use it. Since English is a relative simple languages (I'm Portuguese) and has two great worldwide marketing agencies (technology and Hollywood) it gradually become the standard for business communication.
The big reason for this is due to the current cost of accurate translation. The current methods are too slow and expensive to be used in most communications.
But what if the translation of content become relatively cheap, accurate and fast. Then there would be no such thing of a standard language since everybody would be communicating in their own language.
I'm not talking about automatic translation, since we are still far away from achieving a reliable, cheap and fast solution, I'm talking about utilizing the power of the internet to create a worldwide translation network that would allow 'real-time' translation by humans!
We (at DDPLUS.CO.UK) are developing systems and solutions that will allow such system to be developed, our problem is that we are too small (based in London) to move very fast and the translation industry is not really interested in what we are talking about (so far).
I am (dinis@ddplus.co.uk) quite happy to continue this discussion with whoever fells strongly about this issue, or wishes to be involved in our project.
Dinis Cruz (dinis@ddplus.co.uk)
Managing Director
DDplus Computer Solutions ltd
Innovation Labs
Watford Road
HA1 3TP
tel: 0181 3577352
fax: 0181 3577326
http://www.ddplus.co.uk