Global Voices Online

Tiago Dória [pt] tips bloggers about Der Mundo, a multilingual publishing tool for blogs whose “idea is to follow a hybrid model in which machine and the readers themselves translate”. The Brazilian blogger remarks that besides culture differences, the language barrier is still a conversation stopper in the web.

GT!Blog explores 30 years of history to answer the question: Why didn't Japan create the iPod?

Jorge Saiete [pt] is very disappointed that some people in Mozambique believe that native languages, such as Xangana, Xitswa, Ndau, Nhugwe, Macua, and Chuabo should be avoided and are often reprimanded and labeled as language of evil. “I think the national languages are our heritage that most deserves to be saved, and the way we can do is passing them (languages) on to our children”.

Eugénio Costa Almeida [pt] breaks the news that the deal to standardize the Portuguese language in all countries was ratified in the Portuguese Parliament and within six years new spelling rules may be adopted. “Everyone has thought about “getting into the habit” but the most important thing was forgotten: children who will begin studying.”

Window on Eurasia writes about “Siberian language.”

Signifyin' Guyana is enjoying reading a book about Ebonics, but says: “If I ketch any one of my students writing that way, he or she gon get a straight up F.”

Ansam, a male blogger from Kuwait, is receiving mixed signals over his name.

“I feel at home in my language–this brash, sexy combination of Standard-American-slang-Guyanese-creolese in which I speak and write. I own it. I am comfortable in it. I have no problem showing it off”: Blogging has helped Signifyin' Guyana realise how much she loves to write.