Farsi Language Interface Pack available now as free download to remove language barriers for Farsi speakers

Dubai, July 28th 2004: Microsoft today announced the availability of a Farsi Language Interface Pack (LIP) that enables the Farsi language for its most popular productivity applications. The LIP can be installed on top of the English language version of Office 2003, to Farsi-enable Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint applications.

The Farsi LIP has been developed as part of Microsoft's Local Language Program (LLP), a global initiative that fosters the development of regional language groups, enabling them to preserve and promote their language and culture while benefiting from continuing IT advancements. The program works with developers and local interest groups to create Language Interface Packs, which enable the customization of leading Microsoft software applications and platforms with local language capabilities. The LLP is enabling people around the world to work with PCs in their native languages, some of them for the first time.

"At Microsoft, we are committed to working with communities all over the world on programs and initiatives that address their specific challenges and meet the needs of their citizens," said Assem Hijazi, Localization Program Manager, Microsoft Corporation. "Empowering communities and individuals around the world to reach their full potential is a top priority for Microsoft. Through the Local Language Program, we hope to provide opportunities to people of all regions, locales and languages, and enable them to realize that potential, through removing language barriers to accessing technology."

Language Interface Packs are developed by Microsoft in cooperation with local governments and communities to ensure that the local languages are defined, standardized and agreed on by users of the language, resulting in consistent local terminology across components.

For the Farsi LIP, development work was handled at Microsoft's facilities in Dublin and the US, while a team in Dubai worked on the linguistic elements, including a 25,000 word Farsi dictionary. The local academic community was also involved in the project. Two students from the University of Sharjah and one from the American University Dubai worked with the team in Dubai on testing and creation of the Farsi dictionary.

With LIPs, users can install one specific language version as a layer on top of an existing installation of Office Standard Edition 2003 applications. The Farsi LIP is available now as a free download from www.microsoft.com/middleeast/arabicdev.

"We are very pleased to be able to offer Farsi capabilities for our products to Farsi speakers around the globe," said Hijazi. "Microsoft has an ongoing commitment to local software development, and the language program plays an important part in involving communities in our projects and in enabling them to promote their language and culture while benefiting from continuing IT advancements."

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About Microsoft Corporation
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. Microsoft opened its Dubai-based Middle East office in 1991. Microsoft today has five subsidiaries in the Middle East region: Microsoft South Gulf which oversees Microsoft activities in the UAE, Oman, Yemen and Pakistan, Microsoft North Gulf which oversees Microsoft activities in Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, Microsoft Arabia covering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Microsoft East Med covering , Lebanon, Jordan, Cyprus and Malta and Microsoft Egypt. Microsoft Corporation's address on the World Wide Web is: www.microsoft.com Microsoft Middle East's Web site is: www.microsoft.com/middleeast

For further information contact:
Microsoft contact:
Haider Salloum
Dubai, United Arab Emirates            
Tel: 00-9714-3917000
Fax: 00-9714-3917001             
 
Media contact:
Mark Sutton
ASDA'A Public Relations
Tel: 00-9714-3344550
Fax: 00-9714-3344556
Email: m.sutton@asdaa.com

© Press Release 2004