Tech Shout!

The popular video sharing Web site YouTube is now going international! The Google-owned Web site is creating international versions, which will still be called YouTube, but of course they will be in the local language.

According to Chad Hurley and Steve Chen, YouTube’s co-founders, local versions of YouTube will be available for nine countries namely Brazil, France, Britain, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain.

Until now, the YouTube Web site’s framework and navigation menus have been available solely in English, while user-generated video and comments could be posted in any language.

This was happening even though more than half of YouTube’s audience came from places outside the United States.

During the first stage of the international move, each site will offer fully translated local homepages and video search functions.
Over time, YouTube said that each national site will have an entirely “local” feel that will allow for country-specific video rankings and comments in various sections.

Users with computer Internet addresses in the nine countries will be offered the option to switch to the local sites. A series of flag icons will run along the top of YouTube sites, allowing users to jump to other country sites.