The translation process started three years ago, while the final moderation process took three months, Saeed told reporters, that the whole process was driven by volunteers. “I translated 753 strings and moderated 2,089 strings in less than three months and made Urdu the 18th language WhatsApp for Android is available in and has been translated to,” Saeed said in a post on Facebook.
Although Whatsapp users can already communicate in Urdu, using an Urdu keyboard, Saeed said his efforts were geared towards localizing the app itself for Urdu users. This included translating everything from the menu to the settings. Saeed, who was already working with Twitter as an Urdu localization moderator since 2012, signed up when Whatsapp called for volunteers for their translation project. Around three months ago the Whatsapp Urdu moderation process started, Saeed was promoted to Translation Administrator.
In case you are wondering if there really is a need for an Urdu version of Whatsapp, Saeed assures that a large proportion of Pakistani mobile internet users prefer Urdu. “It would also be beneficial for those looking to get connected with their national language again.”
The more human aspect of these volunteer-driven translation projects is that the individuals involved dedicate their energies entirely out of love for their languages. It remains to be seen if Whatsapp Urdu will be coming to iOS or Windows Phone next.
0 comments:
Post a Comment