subject: Non-Latin Script Can Now Be Used for Full Domain Names [print this page] Non-Latin Script Can Now Be Used for Full Domain Names
Now, Chinese, Arabic and other language readers will be able to browse the web more efficiently, thanks to a new innovation which allows non-Latin scripts to be typed into full domain names.
No matter what language you can read or write as a web developer, it's very important for you to be aware of these options as it will open the door for more international clients.
Currently, many European and English languages use the Roman or Latin alphabet, however; those who use other languages like Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Sinhalese, Tamil or Thai often use different alphabets, characters or symbols.
On May 5, the first domain names (IDNs) that were "internationalize" went online, which marked in history the first instance that non-Latin characters were used to spell out an entire domain name.
The first three countries to use Arabic characters in the end portion of their domain names were Egypt, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. This portion being referred to is called "ccTLD" or country code top-level domain.
Later that month, Russian was the first country to be able to use a Cyrillic internationalized domain name. Thus, Russians will be able to type the Cyrillic character "" instead of using dot-rf. This was made possible by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, aka "ICANN."
Rod Beckstrom, President and Chief Executive Officer of ICANN said, "This isn't just a minor change for the internet, it's a seismic shift that will forever change the online landscape. This is the beginning of a transition that will make the internet more accessible and user-friendly to millions around the globe, regardless of where they live or what language they speak."
Once more countries and websites start using the new non-Latin top-level format; users in other countries won't have to switch to Latin characters when entering the end of the domain name.
In the past, technical disadvantages kept domain names from being able to convert to other countries and could only use the Latin alphabet. However, after several years of hard work, ICANN opened in November 2009 and allowed for applications for the IDNs proposal.
Tina Dam, Senior Director at IDNs said, "The introduction of IDNs has been very complex from both a technical and policy level."
Currently, approximately 21 different countries and territories have applied for their own IDN code top-level domains ranging in 11 different languages.
