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Microsoft launches an Arab version of Visual Studio 2010 in corporation with several Arab universities

Now, Arab developers can download free translation and Arabic notes and tips

Riyadh: After three months from launching the development platform, Visual Studio 2010, Microsoft launched an Arabic CLIP kit with translated technical documents. CLIP kit's Arabic version is available now for free download through Microsoft's download center and Dreamspark software.

The CLIP kit works as an application in the development platform, it displays translation in a separate dialogue and a tips tool appears whenever the user moves the mouse on the user interface of Visual Studio 2010. The project of Arabizing technical documents is part of Microsoft's continuous efforts to provide free local translation.

Dr. Mohamed Said Abo Gabal, Computer Engineering Professor at Alexandria University, is responsible for the translation project said "Arabic speakers of limited knowledge of the English language face problems while dealing with technical applications and development platforms. Users' limited knowledge of language is regarded a barrier in converting their ideas and innovations to complete projects. Therefore, an Arabization of Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 technical document was essential because it is considered one of the main international application development platforms. This huge accomplishment was achieved in a short period due to the cooperation between Arab scientific institutions and Microsoft. Uploading the translation on the internet for Arab developers to propose suggestions to enhance it was an achievement." Said stated that the recently released CLIP kit is characterized by a general Arabic translation property in the sense that it translates the user's interface to Arabic in all the applications that operate with Windows. Also, the user can add translation for any non-translated English word on the interface.

The translation of those documents was done through merging human translation with mechanical methods. The Arabic notes, tips and tricks can be displayed besides the original English content. Additionally, Microsoft uploaded the translated documents on one of the Wikis where the public can take part in refining the current translation.

Samir Noman, President of Microsoft Arabia said "Microsoft seeks providing local versions of its applications to facilitate the usage for those who are not proficient in the English language. Regarding application development platforms, the local version is essential as developers need to continuously revise the technical documents at different stages of the development process. Therefore, Microsoft cooperated with several Arab universities and specialized institutions to provide the best possible translation for the technical documents of Visual Studio 2010 to help develop the Arab community. Microsoft is proud to launch the Arabic kit only a few months following the launch of the original product."

The translation project has been achieved as a result of the cooperation between Microsoft and several Arab universities where 39 students in Computer Systems department at Ain Shams Universities translated 2 million and 400 thousand words and 22 students from Kuwait University translated 1 million and 700 thousand words. 15 students from Mathematics and Computer Sciences department at Yamamah University in Saudi Arabia translated 700 thousand words. Also, other parties contributed in the translation project such as members of Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals and Microsoft Student Partners which lead to an increase in the amount of participants to 70 people. The project's end result was translating more than 4.5 million words from technical documents in 6 months and 8 students from Computer Engineering at Alexandria University who participated in the translation process chose the final version of the Arabic CLIP kit.

This project sets a great example of fruitful cooperation between Microsoft and the Academic community. Microsoft seeks covering more products and languages for those who are trying to learn more about Microsoft's techniques and products and are restrained by their limited knowledge of English.

This translation process is the second Arabic interface whereas the first translation was done for the documents of Visual Studio 2008 platform.

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© Press Release 2010