[Chapter-delegates] ICANN translation programme update

[WWWhatsup]

http://www.icann.org/magazine/images/translation-logo.jpg 

The issue of internationalizing ICANN is a significant issue for the organization, and one of the biggest steps in that process is the translation of materials into the main Internet languages.

For the past 10 months, ICANN’s Translation Committee has been working on making this possible. An independent translation expert was hired in November 2007 to draw up a translation programme for the organization. The process was outlined during a special session 

http://losangeles2007.icann.org/files/losangeles/LA-WS-Translation-31OCT07.txt  at the Los Angeles meeting in November 2007. Many members of the community as well as ICANN staff were subsequently interviewed and a draft translation programme 

http://www.icann.org/translations/draft-translation-programme-v2.2-13feb08-en_EN.pdf  [pdf] produced and outlined in a second session at the Delhi meeting in February [transcript 

https://delhi.icann.org/files/Delhi-WS-TranslationPolicy-13feb08.txt ].

A public comment period 

http://www.icann.org/public_comment/public-comment-200803.html#translation-programme  on that programme was opened on 13 February and closed on 14 March. A summary/analysis 

http://forum.icann.org/lists/translation-programme/msg00012.html  of the comments was posted a few days later.

That comment period will be opened again this week with an online survey that is aimed at providing a greater response - and so greater awareness of the programme - from the community. 

Input from the public comment periods, online survey, and two public meetings will be reviewed by two independent experts and a revised programme produced. The intent is to have that version of the programme discussed and approved at the upcoming Paris meeting in June so the translation committee can begin implementing it. 

A number of different pilot projects are being tested including: automated translation of mailing lists; staff language programmes; community translation wikis; phone conference interpretation; and others. If ruled successful, they will be used more widely. ICANN also expects to work exntensively with the community in finding joint solutions to the provision of non-English material. 

Key dates:

* Apr 08: Online survey on Translation Programme goes live
* Jun 08: Paris meeting (programme review 

http://par.icann.org/en/node/65  and possible approval) 

ICANN staff contact(s): Kieren McCarthy 

mailto:kieren.mccarthy at icann.org  (Corporate Affairs)


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