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    Web-lingo merges with Scotland's Rubric

    Cape-based translation company Web-lingo has merged with a Scottish provider of software localisation services, in a deal that will see it extend its reach beyond its traditional markets. Its partner is Rubric, an Edinburgh-based provider of localisation services to the high technology industry.
    Sonette Hill
    Sonette Hill

    Web-lingo, which was founded by Johannesburg-born Sonette Hill 13 years ago, provides translation and editing services in 85 languages. According to teh company it is experiencing demand for translation services into and from at least a dozen African languages as foreign investment increases throughout Africa.

    The company names Microsoft, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, FNB, Development Bank, IPM, NPA, Centre's for Disease Control and Prevention and Oxford University Press among its clients.

    Adapting to regional differences

    The new partnership will enable Rubric to establish a strategic presence in South Africa and throughout the continent where localisation needs are also on the rise. To localise software means to adapt it for language and regional differences as well as for the technical requirements of a target market. Rubric clients include Amway, Adobe, Cisco, Toshiba and Bose.

    "More companies are seeing the need to localise content into the 10 official South African languages as well as other African languages. South Africa is a major development hub for mobile applications and producers of those applications require extensive automated localisation services. It is our aim to bridge the gap between technology and SA language translations by using technology and enterprise wide terminology management software," says Hill.

    Hill named CEO

    Hill will become CEO of Web-lingo, the new company created by the merge.

    Rubric and Web-lingo have already begun to partner on a number of projects for international clients. One project will see the company translate ten million words into the 10 official South African languages. To complete this within the eight-week deadline Hill has retained the services of four project managers, 300 African linguists and 40 DTP specialists.

    Web-lingo will become a division of the Rubric Group.

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