By Reed Stevenson

(中文导读)
　　微软3月16日启动了一项旨在创建其他Windows和软件语言版本的项目，这涉及一些较为罕见的语言，例如阿姆哈拉语、加泰罗尼亚语以及威尔士语等，微软此举显然是意在让其软件产品渗透到全球各个角落。

　　微软Windows操作系统目前共有40个语言版本，在实施这一地方语言计划之后，微软希望在当地政府的帮助下将其Windows操作系统的语言版本扩大到80个。

　　微软负责与海外政府合作的高级副总裁麦吉-威尔德罗特(Maggie　Wilderotter)表示，将微软的Windows操作系统和Office办公软件本地化将鼓励当地软件工程师和企业建立本地软件产业和设计基于Windows操作系统的本地软件。

　　微软目前在美国和海外遇到了Linux操作系统的强大挑战。威尔德罗特表示，当地政府与学术机构将在各种语言版本的Windows操作系统研发过程中参与建立标准和术语表。

　　微软表示目前正与加泰罗尼亚地区政府合作开发一款本地语言版本的Windows操作系统，目前在西班牙、法国、意大利和安道尔生活的加泰罗尼亚人约有1100万。开发威尔士语版的Windows操作系统也是目前正在进行中的项目。

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. MSFT.O launched on Tuesday a program to create versions of Windows and its other programs in little spoken languages such as Amharic, Catalan, Gujarati and Welsh to spread its software to all corners of the globe.

The Local Language Program aims to double the 40 languages now available on Microsoft's personal computer software with help from local governments.

Maggie Wilderotter, Microsoft's senior vice president in charge of working with governments overseas, said localized versions of Microsoft's Windows and programs such as Office would encourage local software engineers and businesses to build Windows-based programs and local software industries.

Microsoft, based in Redmond, Washington, faces growing competition overseas and in the United States from Linux, the operating system that can be copied and modified by developers and users.

Wilderotter said local governments and academic institutions would be involved in setting standards, building glossaries and developing Windows in various languages.

These versions will be deployed by adding software to Windows XP, Microsoft's latest desktop operating system.

Microsoft said it was already working with governments in the Catalonian region, which cuts across Spain, France, Andorra and Italy, to develop a local version of Windows. Some 11 million people speak Catalan.

Welsh, the language of Wales in the United Kingdom, is another project currently under way.

Microsoft said it was preparing to deploy a version of Windows in Ethiopia's language of Amharic, and also expanding its offerings in Indian languages beyond Hindi to include nine more this year, such as Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Gujarati