Paahijen – write in english, convert in local language and share in your blog/email..

July 30, 2007
By sinha

According to a recent study by online research and advisory firm JuxtConsult, only around 41 per cent of India’s 30 million Internet users prefer to browse online in English as compared to 59% last year. The study also reveals that the number of Internet users in urban India has grown by 28 % per cent at 30.32 million in April 2007 as against 23.60 million a year ago.

The local/regional content is on the rise and India Internet world needs all sorts of vehicles to make this happen.
Here are a few local language translation service that are currently available in the Indian Internet world:

  • Quillpad (reviewed here) is a great tool for language conversion and has been one of the earliest app in the local language domain(partnered with Rediff mail and Rediffbol).
  • Blogger’s transliteration - allows one to blog in hindi, and is so far the most accurate transliteration service
  • Paahijen (marathi word for “I want it”) is a great tool that serves as an online notepad/scratchpad for local language.
    All you have gotta do is to enter the words in english and Paahijen will get you the “converted” words in your language of choice. Copy/Paste the same in your email/orkut scraps/wherever you want to!

paahijen

Paahijen also offers a format free classified site (in regional launguages) called Tagwise

Fundamentally speaking, Paahijen isn’t much different from Quillpad (the end result is the same). But I strongly believe that we need more of such services that empowers the Indian community to write in their local languages.

Though the product is in an early stage, I do see great partnership coming Paahijen’s way (i.e. if they get their vernacular platform right!), since most of the current players have no idea on how to get the vernacular translation right!

At the same time, I urge Paahijen team to rethink about their domain name – please be a little more generic. I had a hard time typing the right name – how do you expect people to remember your URL then? Or if you want this to be marathi centric, you are defying the very purpose of your site.

What do you think? Do give Paahijen a spin and share your comments.

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               About the author - Ashish Sinha is a Startup Mentor/Product Strategy Coach, and the founder/chief editor of pluGGd.in. He has launched/managed couple of products (consumer as well as enterprise) in US and India, and now consults with startups/small businesses on their product/media strategy. He can be reached at: ashish (at) pluGGd.in [+91 98452 06443]
  • manoj
    I want to know how to convert english langauge paragaraph to Hindi
  • varun
    leela how to write in marathi
  • varun
    how to write in marathi leela
  • arjun
    i want a document to convert from english language to marathi
  • i want a document to convert in to 7 local languages
    i want the quote of it
  • kishore
    hi friend i want this matter in hindi languBrahmagupta, whose father was Jisnugupta, wrote important works on mathematics and astronomy. In particular he wrote Brahmasphutasiddhanta (The Opening of the Universe), in 628. The work was written in 25 chapters and Brahmagupta tells us in the text that he wrote it at Bhillamala which today is the city of Bhinmal. This was the capital of the lands ruled by the Gurjara dynasty.

    Brahmagupta became the head of the astronomical observatory at Ujjain which was the foremost mathematical centre of ancient India at this time. Outstanding mathematicians such as Varahamihira had worked there and built up a strong school of mathematical astronomy.

    In addition to the Brahmasphutasiddhanta Brahmagupta wrote a second work on mathematics and astronomy which is the Khandakhadyaka written in 665 when he was 67 years old. We look below at some of the remarkable ideas which Brahmagupta's two treatises contain. First let us give an overview of their contents.

    The Brahmasphutasiddhanta contains twenty-five chapters but the first ten of these chapters seem to form what many historians believe was a first version of Brahmagupta's work and some manuscripts exist which contain only these chapters. These ten chapters are arranged in topics which are typical of Indian mathematical astronomy texts of the period. The topics covered are: mean longitudes of the planets; true longitudes of the planets; the three problems of diurnal rotation; lunar eclipses; solar eclipses; risings and settings; the moon's crescent; the moon's shadow; conjunctions of the planets with each other; and conjunctions of the planets with the fixed stars.

    The remaining fifteen chapters seem to form a second work which is major addendum to the original treatise. The chapters are: examination of previous treatises on astronomy; on mathematics; additions to chapter 1; additions to chapter 2; additions to chapter 3; additions to chapter 4 and 5; additions to chapter 7; on algebra; on the gnomon; on meters; on the sphere; on instruments; summary of contents; versified tables.

    Brahmagupta's understanding of the number systems went far beyond that of others of the period. In the Brahmasphutasiddhanta he defined zero as the result of subtracting a number from itself. He gave some properties as follows:-

    When zero is added to a number or subtracted from a number, the number remains unchanged; and a number multiplied by zero becomes zero.

    He also gives arithmetical rules in terms of fortunes (positive numbers) and debts (negative numbers):-

    A debt minus zero is a debt.
    A fortune minus zero is a fortune.
    Zero minus zero is a zero.
    A debt subtracted from zero is a fortune.
    A fortune subtracted from zero is a debt.
    The product of zero multiplied by a debt or fortune is zero.
    The product of zero multipliedby zero is zero.
    The product or quotient of two fortunes is one fortune.
    The product or quotient of two debts is one fortune.
    The product or quotient of a debt and a fortune is a debt.
    The product or quotient of a fortune and a debt is a debt.

    Brahmagupta then tried to extend arithmetic to include division by zero:-

    Positive or negative numbers when divided by zero is a fraction the zero as denominator.
    Zero divided by negative or positive numbers is either zero or is expressed as a fraction with zero as numerator and the finite quantity as denominator.
    Zero divided by zero is zero.

    Really Brahmagupta is saying very little when he suggests that n divided by zero is n/0. He is certainly wrong when he then claims that zero divided by zero is zero. However it is a brilliant attempt to extend arithmetic to negative numbers and zero.
    age
  • kishore
    Brahmagupta, whose father was Jisnugupta, wrote important works on mathematics and astronomy. In particular he wrote Brahmasphutasiddhanta (The Opening of the Universe), in 628. The work was written in 25 chapters and Brahmagupta tells us in the text that he wrote it at Bhillamala which today is the city of Bhinmal. This was the capital of the lands ruled by the Gurjara dynasty.

    Brahmagupta became the head of the astronomical observatory at Ujjain which was the foremost mathematical centre of ancient India at this time. Outstanding mathematicians such as Varahamihira had worked there and built up a strong school of mathematical astronomy.

    In addition to the Brahmasphutasiddhanta Brahmagupta wrote a second work on mathematics and astronomy which is the Khandakhadyaka written in 665 when he was 67 years old. We look below at some of the remarkable ideas which Brahmagupta's two treatises contain. First let us give an overview of their contents.

    The Brahmasphutasiddhanta contains twenty-five chapters but the first ten of these chapters seem to form what many historians believe was a first version of Brahmagupta's work and some manuscripts exist which contain only these chapters. These ten chapters are arranged in topics which are typical of Indian mathematical astronomy texts of the period. The topics covered are: mean longitudes of the planets; true longitudes of the planets; the three problems of diurnal rotation; lunar eclipses; solar eclipses; risings and settings; the moon's crescent; the moon's shadow; conjunctions of the planets with each other; and conjunctions of the planets with the fixed stars.

    The remaining fifteen chapters seem to form a second work which is major addendum to the original treatise. The chapters are: examination of previous treatises on astronomy; on mathematics; additions to chapter 1; additions to chapter 2; additions to chapter 3; additions to chapter 4 and 5; additions to chapter 7; on algebra; on the gnomon; on meters; on the sphere; on instruments; summary of contents; versified tables.

    Brahmagupta's understanding of the number systems went far beyond that of others of the period. In the Brahmasphutasiddhanta he defined zero as the result of subtracting a number from itself. He gave some properties as follows:-

    When zero is added to a number or subtracted from a number, the number remains unchanged; and a number multiplied by zero becomes zero.

    He also gives arithmetical rules in terms of fortunes (positive numbers) and debts (negative numbers):-

    A debt minus zero is a debt.
    A fortune minus zero is a fortune.
    Zero minus zero is a zero.
    A debt subtracted from zero is a fortune.
    A fortune subtracted from zero is a debt.
    The product of zero multiplied by a debt or fortune is zero.
    The product of zero multipliedby zero is zero.
    The product or quotient of two fortunes is one fortune.
    The product or quotient of two debts is one fortune.
    The product or quotient of a debt and a fortune is a debt.
    The product or quotient of a fortune and a debt is a debt.

    Brahmagupta then tried to extend arithmetic to include division by zero:-

    Positive or negative numbers when divided by zero is a fraction the zero as denominator.
    Zero divided by negative or positive numbers is either zero or is expressed as a fraction with zero as numerator and the finite quantity as denominator.
    Zero divided by zero is zero.

    Really Brahmagupta is saying very little when he suggests that n divided by zero is n/0. He is certainly wrong when he then claims that zero divided by zero is zero. However it is a brilliant attempt to extend arithmetic to negative numbers and zero.
  • Nitin Kumar
    Hello Friends
    I m developing a website.I developed a website for my client in English
    But now my client wants me to develop this site in Hindi or any other regional language.Can u help me how to do the same
    Thanks
  • rohit
    mujhe hindi sentence ko english me convert karna hai kaise kar sakte hain
  • rocky
    i want to tipe in my lagwage so my frandes can undurstand.
  • Ashish
    Thanks Abhijit for your inputs.
    By generic name, all I mean is a name which is easy to remember (and type).
    As of now, I still don't remember the exact spelling of Paaahijen (doesn't come out naturally:((..
    I agree there are names which were not generic, but got picked up - a few indian startups include ixigo,onyomo,ibibo etc..
    Anyways, I look forward to more stuff from you guys!
    -Ashish
  • Hi,

    I am one of the guys involved in paahijen. Let me say something about the name 'paahijen'.

    On one hand I might be tempted to agree with you that the name should be generic, but on the other hand, we kind of kept it like that, to allow it to become a generic word eventually. In hindsight, the name doesnt look an aweful choice. Just as an example I can think of a few names of startups that don't have a generic names, but thats still alright I guess. eg. what would you make out of 'zenter'? 'kijiji' or for that matter 'yahoo' and 'google'. It's only when the word becomes widely used, people start finding it obvious or generic.

    If you are confused 'cos of its marathi meaning, thats just to explain what the word means, nothing beyond that.. and certainly we are not marathi centric.

    Thanks for your review though. As there is more on paahijen, we'd keep you posted.

    Feedback/brickbats most welcome.

    -abhijit
  • Thanks for the info Prashant and Ravi!
    KeyTrans looks like a cool idea- though I wish they had exposed more such services..
    iit.edu too is quite a neat product, but I am a little hesitant with their disclaimer! :-|
  • there is one more early stage startup in this area by name of Tensor Technologies [http://www.t6india.com ]. Tensor is being incubated at IIT Delhi . I have seen their stuff . they have a array of interesting projects .
    like

    KeyTrans : A Web Based Hindi Translation tool
    http://www.t6india.com/keytrans/index.htm
    Meghdoot : a Tool for hindi SMS .

    i use Key trans very often . today reading your post i was excited to check out these new tools .
    but after examining these two tools "Paahijen" and one from iit.edu i can safely say that by far Key Trans is best .

    for example when you say something in CAPITAL letter . key trans can handle it and give right result but rest of the two services can't do it .
    i tried for a simple sentence "MERA NAAM PRASHANT HAI " you can check for your self .

    actually it seems that rest of the two tools are just a look up table based thingy and they haven't handled the exception of "CAPITAL " letters . something similar was done by Web Duniya few year back . but UI is good in both of them , well it seems one can't have every thing .
  • Arun
    Nice post..! and I completely agree with you on the domain name too - this is not at all a usable name..and its okay if this is just a timepass project for these guys.. But it they are serious, they better change it before it's too late!

    Nice product, pretty simple and easy to use.
  • Sri
    I see a growing trend with use of local flavor along with local language, I still have my reservations on JuxtConsult reports, when many people are flocking in, there is no point i see it going down.

    I feel there is tremendous potential and its always worth to be noted with Local Language than the global language

    check this: http://quillpad.com/
  • Another notable tool is Indian Language Converter,
    http://www.iit.edu/~laksvij/language/index.html

    This tool is available for free and can be incorporated in any website under GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE.

    We use this on our site to create Serach interface to search the web using Google API.
    In addition, hi.shunya.in uses it in their comments section of their blog.

    Ravi Venkatraman
    www.??????.com (www.xn--j2bd4cyah0f.com)
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