Windows 10 Language Support Adds Fourteen Local Kenyan Dialects

Windows 10 now supports 14 Local Kenyan Languages including Kikuyu. (Lockscreen image provided by Mutua Matheka)

“Windows 10 ushers in a more personal era of computing in a mobile first, cloud first world.” Satya Nadella on Windows 10

The above quote by Microsoft’s CEO defines the vision for Windows 10. Due on July 29th, the Redmond based software giant aims to have it running on 1 billion devices by 2017. Among the many improvements that Windows 10 ushers in, expanded regional support will be something that will be welcomed by users across the globe. In addition to Kiswahili, Windows 10 Language Support now has 14 local Kenyan dialects. These include:

• Embu
• Gusii
• Kalenjin
• Kamba
• Kikuyu
• Luo
• Luhya
• Masai
• Meru
• Oromo
• Samburu
• Somali
• Taita
• Teso

The above languages fall in the “Regional language settings” category. This setting provides date, time, currency and measurement in the chosen language. As Windows 10 is one operating system that spans across devices, all these languages are available on Windows 10 Smartphones as well. To access these settings on the Windows 10 go to the Settings > Time & Language > Date & Time > Additional Settings > Region.

Kiswahili is supported in the full language setting (keyboard, spelling, user interface).

The one area where we still don’t have local language support throughout the operating is in speech. However, since Cortana is a feature that Microsoft is working on to deploy globally, it is only a matter of time before Swahili speech support is added.

Kenya is not the only African country to receive increased language support. Microsoft has made a tremendous effort to add more key languages for each country on the continent. for example Tanzania now has 8 additional languages, while Uganda has 3 more.

To try out Windows 10 on your PC or Lumia smartphone, join the Windows Insider Program.