Google seeks to fix derogatory translations of the word “gay”
When you type in the word “gay” into Google and then try to translate it to the Arabic language, predictably enough the translations are derogatory in nature. Many gay rights groups have spoken up about this, and now Google is going to fix the problem:
When the word “gay” is entered into Google’s translation tools, the word “luti” is returned, an Arabic equivalent of “sodomite”, to the ire of gay activists.
The translation tools of Google, one of the world’s leading internet corporations, are widely available on both Google’s website and in downloadable software.
In response, Google has vowed to ameliorate the issue shortly.
As always when it comes to search engines, there’s a debate to how much Google should tamper with their search results. Though I’m in favor of these changes, I’m also wary of the cultural contexts for the translations. As the article points out, there aren’t many non-derogatory words for “gay” yet in the Arabic language, since until recently there was no fight for gay rights in the Arab world.
Related posts: Interview with Queerty, Microsoft employees don’t even use MSN search
