Google Translation launches Persian tool
Google has added Persian (Farsi) to Google Translate. The new service means that users can translate text from Persian to English and vice versa. Blogs, emails, tweets and Facebook messages can all be automatically translated with the new feature.
The new service was announced on Google’s official blog:
"Like
YouTube and other services, Google Translate is one more tool that Persian speakers can use to communicate directly to the world, and vice versa - increasing everyone's access to information."
The translation service has been introduced in light of recent events in Iran. Government crackdowns on the media have seen a number of demonstrators use the internet to report news and information. Social networking site Twitter has been described as a facilitator for reformist demonstrations, with Iranian users sharing the location of protests and rallies.
More sites announce Farsi translation tool
Google employee Matt Cutts spoke at length about the new translation service in a blog entry last week.
"Is the translation going to be perfect? No. But I saw multiple people around the web asking for this, so I’m glad that Google is offering this translation tool so quickly."
The move by Google comes after it was announced that popular social site Facebook has also launched language support for Farsi. The official Facebook blog revealed the new service on Friday 18 June.
"Today we’re making the entire site available in a beta version of Persian, so Persian speakers inside of Iran and around the world can begin using it in their native language."
