Local Official Language (Kurdish) Disappeared on Google Maps for Northern Iraq Kurdish Region

[Herish Baban]

Hi, I am RER for Iraq working on several areas in Iraq. I noticed this morning that feature labels for Maps of Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and Duhok in Northern Iraq Kurdistan Region are only displayed in Arabic and English. Google maps stopped showing the feature labels in Kurdish, which is the official language in the region. The labels are not shown in any of the two main Kurdish scripts Arabic and Latin. The Kurdish language does not show in any of the zooming levels for the entire region and cities.  This looks odd because if there is a limitation to the number of languages, then Kurdish should be given priority as it is the local official language. Any explanation would be very much appreciated. 

[rjhintz]

Hi,

  Ok, let's start with the Map Maker representation of, for instance Erbil, also called Hawler. (I realize you're apparently speaking of GMaps, not Map Maker, but the place to start is Map Maker.)

Names appear somewhat screwed up.  I don't think English is an Official language for naming, for instance.  As you say, Kurdish names can be added in Arabic and Latin.  There are forms for both Arabic and Latin present.

How do you have your language preferences set?  It's helpful:

• to show Map Maker links for problem feature
  
• give your operating system
  
• give the browser and version
  
• for this case, report your language preference.
  

--

Rich

[Herish Baban]

Hi,

Thanks for your prompt reply.

Yes, I am talking about GMaps not Mapmaker.

Also, you are right, there are many language variations, I will try to do my best to explain the language for our region in Iraq. 

The official language is Kurdish (Arabic) and Kurdish (Latin) is also used, so it can be considered as official as well. Additionally, Kurdish is an official language throughout Iraq for official business, but in the rest if Iraq Arabic is mainly spoken by the people. In other words, Kurdish is used as official language alongside Arabic at the Iraqi parliament for instance.

As far as English is concerned, it is not an official language, but I think it is important to have English names for each feature as Google map is a worldwide service and is also serving visitors for any region or country.

So in summary, we need to have one name for any feature with one of these languages in priority order:

Kurdish (Arabic)-Official

Kurdish (Latin) - Official

English

Arabic - Official

Now, for the feature names displayed on Google Maps, it is necessary to have at least English and Kurdish (Arabic) showing.

I hope this helps.

Thanks very much.

Best,

Herish

--

Rich

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Review edits requests" group.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/map-moderating/-/_OGhYOpglZcJ.
To post to this group, send email to map-mod...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to map-moderatin...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/map-moderating?hl=en.

[Herish Baban]

Hi Rich,

The OS I am using is Mac OS X 10.6.8

Browser Safari and Google Chrome

Thanks,

Herish

[rjhintz]

Hi,

  English may be added as  Preferred name.  Also, other languages may have Preferred names such as French, Chinese, and Navajo.  

In this case, we want:

• Kurdish/Arabic Preferred, if it is known
  
• Kurdish/Latin Preferred, if it is known
  
• Arabic Preferred, if it is known
• English Preferred, if it is known 
  

If the Official name in Kurdish or Arabic is different and useful, these may be added as Official, but they are not needed.

Google Maps does not always follow Google Map Maker, depending on where Google gets its map data for a region.

I suggest correcting the names in Map Maker and then seeing if Google Maps displays the correct names.  When you review Google Map Maker, does it show the Kurdish names?

Also, try another browser.

--

Rich

[rjhintz]

Also, can you set your language preferences to Kurdish/Latin or Kurdish/Arabic?

--

Rich 

[Hiwa]

Has this issue been solved? I can see some Kurdish names Hirsh but as you say still does not show others.
I am actively involved in translating the map-maker by the way.

Best