Multilingual Systems: A
brief introduction
We have used
the phrase "Multilingual Systems" to refer to computer programs which permit
user interaction with the computer in one or more languages, where the language
can be selected dynamically, either at the time of invocation of the program
or subsequently during its execution. Typically, a Multilingual
System will permit users to interact with computers in their own mother
tongue. Such a system will have far reaching consequences in our country
(India) where English is not spoken or understood by the majority of
the people living in areas away from urban environments.
Over the years,
the bulk of software development in India has been carried out primarily
through the English language. Knowledge of English is essential for the development
of Information Systems since virtually all development packages rely
on English specific input. Current software development tools
can also be used to develop an application that incorporates little or no
English in its user interface. Hence Multilingual Systems are not only
feasible at the level of an application program but can also present
a truly localized environment for a user desiring to interact with computers
in regional languages. This approach has the added advantage of providing
uniformity across computer systems where, regardless of the machine
(PC, MAC, Workstation etc.) the user will see the same interface.
Multilingual
systems catering only to the display of information are easier to design and
build. The phenomenal growth of the internet has created the need for internationalization
of the web where, using the right software tools, one can present information
in the form in which it would be received best. However, technical challenges
faced in implementing such Multilingual Systems and the lack of standards
have retarded the development, especially in respect of the languages of
India.
In the
past, Multilingual systems in Indian languages have basically concentrated
on data preparation and printing (DTP). The increasing demand for using computers
in the vernacular has forced developers to look at the user interface
with seriousness. The efforts at the Systems Development Laboratory,
IIT Madras, reflect the desire on the part of the students of the lab, to
provide a quality Multilingual System for the country that is truly Indian
in concept, design and implementation.
Development
of Software to permit user interaction with computers in different languages,
was undertaken in the Systems Development Laboratory, Department of Computer
Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras during
the late eighties and has continued to this day. In the sections presented
below, we share with the readers our experiences in dealing with this interesting
but complex problem.
Computing in Indian Languages: A conceptual
Framework
General Introduction to Indian Languages
and Scripts
Phonetic Nature of Indian languages
Transliteration Principles
Data Entry methods suited for Indian scripts
Peculiarities of the Scripts and Writing
Systems of India
Electronic representation of Text in Indian
Languages: A discussion
Existing Standards for Codes in respect
of Indian Scripts
Unicode and ISCII: Specific limitations
Fonts for Indian Languages
Technical issues in providing support
within Operating Systems
(Language enabling versus
Localization)
Limitations seen in word processing or DTP
software.
