Google’s email service Gmail is now available in the Irish language, the search giant revealed today.
Although Google launched Gmail more than 10 years ago and is now available in 71 languages, it is only now that a version is available as Gaeilge (in Irish).
Globally, more than 425m people use Gmail, making it one of the most popular email systems on the planet.
From today, anyone who wishes to switch to Gaeilge to email friends in Irish can do so right now in Gmail Settings.
Google said its team worked on translating more than 60,000 words and phrases into the Irish language to make them compatible with Gmail.
Cultural identity
“Language is the foundation for communication and an important part of cultural identity and according to the last census, 1m people in Ireland speak Irish,” said Laura Brassil, Dublin localisation team.
“This project was a global effort with our teams in Mountain View, California, Zurich in Switzerland, and here in Dublin working together with Irish-language experts who volunteered their time to make this happen.
“Our EMEA headquarters is located in Dublin, so it is fantastic that Gmail is now available in Irish.
“Our meitheal of local googlers and volunteers translated over 60,000 words and phrases into Irish. I’d like to offer a ‘míle buíochas’ to Prof Kevin Scannell of the University of St Louis, Missouri, who first approached us with the idea and all our Irish-language experts and enthusiasts for their commitment to Gmail as Gaeilge,” Brassil said.
Irish flag image via Shutterstock
