Google Offers Search Engine in Romansch
Posted on: Thursday, 9 June 2005, 00:00 CDT
BERN, Switzerland - Not many people have heard of Romansch. But in the future, those looking for Web sites in Switzerland may find themselves trying to decipher this Latin-linked language.
That's because Google Inc., the Internet's leading search engine provider, is now offering its service in Romansch, a language spoken by just 35,000 people in the mountains of southeastern Switzerland, the company said Wednesday.
The Swiss government has passed laws to protect the minority Romansch language, such as requiring its use in schools and on bank notes, but speakers will now have the opportunity to "tschertgar il web" - or search the Web - in their native language.
Though the interface is in Romansch, results aren't limited to the language. Nonetheless, the initiative has been welcomed by Romansch groups, who have been seeking ways to keep their dwindling language alive.
Romansch, a direct descendant of Latin and one of Switzerland's four official languages, has struggled to cope with encroachment of German.
Source: Associated Press/AP Online
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