Foreign language internet
The foreign language internet refers to the body of web pages in a language other than English.
Overview
Traditionally, English has been the ‘lingua franca’ of the internet. However, with the spread of global internet access, the number of foreign language internet users is rapidly rising, with English accounting for just 27% of internet users in 2011 [1].
In the face of this rising global web usage, projects such as the W3C Multilingual Web have recognised the need for a standardised web. Strategies involve creating standards and best practices on the foreign language internet, recognising shared issues, and finding ways to solve these. [2]
Business Interest
The foreign language interest is of great interest to online businesses [3] and digital marketers [4] as competition for business and search engine rankings on the foreign language internet is lower than that on the English-speaking internet owing to there being less foreign language content.
This means it’s easier to reach the top of the search engines in a language other than English. [5]
Research
Much research has been conducted in the realm of the foreign language internet. A recent EU-wide survey by Eurobarometer investigated foreign language use on the internet [6] which found that 9 out of 10 EU internet users preferred to access websites in their own language.
Likewise, the Common Sense Advisory’s ‘Can’t Read, Won’t Buy’ report found internet users were four times more likely to make a purchase if they’re given information in their own language.[7]
References
- ^ "Top Ten Internet Languages". Internet World Stats. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
- ^ "About Multilingual Web". World Wide Web Consortium. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
- ^ "Firms ignore the foreign language internet at their peril". BBC. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
- ^ "Why you business must embrace the foreign language internet". mashable. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
- ^ "Business neglects foreign language internet". The Telegraph. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
- ^ "User language preferences online". Eurobarometer. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
- ^ "Abstract View". Common Sense Advisory. Retrieved 14 July 2011.