Tools for creating multilingual drupal sites that are semweb enabled

We are in the process of defining an outline of tools to be created in one of our initial ICT for development projects.

We have chosen Drupal as the content management system of choice, but are faced with a problem we know has no solution for now.

It is the following: how to build a multilingual site where the user selects his/her language from a menu from an initial index page.

Because we will be covering languages in the lesser known domain, according to www.ethnologue.com, would be most of the 6,909 known documented languages there will be little use for automated translation modules.

So we envision a hybrid solution which entails utilization of language modules including for translation management for the let us say 100 plus most popular and documented languages for which most search engines and other online services provide automated linguistic management services and additional modules for lesser known languages.

These could be plugged in on a one by one or package basis.

Another issue would be the fact that creating thesauri, ontologies and other tools necessary for application of linked data and semantic technologies would also force the creation of new tools.

Both the European Union and the UN are actively espousing open science and collaborative research with "citizen science' components and these are obviously only going to be successful if some measure of utilization of maternal languages is involved.

Who can point me to research planned, in progress or finished dealing with (1) linguistic module development for lesser known languages to be plugged in into Drupal or any other CMS, and (2) semantic tool development for lesser known languages?

 
Milton Ponson
GSM: +297 747 8280
PO Box 1154, Oranjestad
Aruba, Dutch Caribbean
Project Paradigm: A structured approach to bringing the tools for sustainable development to all stakeholders worldwide by creating ICT tools for NGOs worldwide and: providing online access to web sites and repositories of data and information for sustainable development

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