GIA SHERVASHIDZE

Computers, computer programs, the Internet and other information technologies are used as actively in Georgia as they are in other developed countries of the world. Word processors, data bases, electronic spreadsheets, electronic mail and the Internet are utilized with nearly equal intensity as elsewhere. There is one significant difference, however: a foreign user can communicate with the computer in his native tongue, whereas in Georgia, English and Russian dominate the world of information technology.
 
Typically, governmental programs aimed at the development and integration of a state language into the global information space will be effective in all countries of the world. The European Union pays much heed and allocates significant resources to its member countries to ensure full inclusion in the common information system (suffice it to name a certain five-year mega-project with an overall cost of 3.6 billion euros).
 
 In Georgia, the State Language Program and Presidential Resolution #865 “Regarding Urgent Measures on Promoting Information Development in Georgia” (August 4, 2000) serve the same purpose.
 
In this article we attempt to provide an overview of the conversion of computer programs and the Internet to Georgian (the so-called Georgianization of the programs), summarizing the work that has been performed to date and discussing the general concept of Georgianization.
 

General principles of transition
to the Georgian language

   The major problem associated with the conversion of computer programs to Georgian is that in Georgia the support of the Georgian language is either only partially realized within the basic operational user systems (Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP) or is not realized at all. The same is true for less widespread operational systems such as Unix/Linux and MAC. Taking this into account, rather complicated and specific work must be carried out to resolve this problem. Our view of the general concept of the conversion to Georgian is as follows:
 
   Determination of letter-signs (including punctuation and special symbols);
   Single-byte (8-byte - 256 symbol) digital page determination (Disk Operational System);
   Single-byte digital page determination for Windows and Linux operational systems;
   Single-byte digital page determination (for MAC OS);
   Official international registration of digital pages;
   Offering additional letter-signs to Unicode international standards if necessary;
   Standardization of 'local' formats (numbers, dates, etc.);
   Designing of major 8-byte systemic fonts (dot fonts for menus, dialogues and file names);
   Designing of major 8-byte fonts (curvilinear - TrueType, PostScript);
   Designing of major Unicode fonts (curvilinear - TrueType, PostScript);
   Development of keyboard standard(s);
   Development of keyboard 'manager' programs;
   Creation of DOS-ANSI-Unicode mutual digitizers;
   Incorporation of adequate changes into the operational systems register;
   Changes to forwarding addresses in the operational systems;
   Terminology development (general computer, Internet, etc.);
   Elaboration of Georgian language support packages (internationalization);
   Translation of programs to Georgian (localization);
   Creation of an automatic switcher to the dialogue languages (globalization);
   Checking (testing) of program efficiency and user requirement compliance.

   The project of the complete Georgianization of the popular Netscape 6 Internet Browser was financed by the Open Society - Georgia Fund. According to the project, the initial plan was to translate (localize) Netscape 6 and make it available for users in Georgia.