Title: Native-Language Information

## Native Language Projects

Apache OpenOffice continues support for the legacy OpenOffice.org Native Language
Projects (N-L). The details of how the individual native language areas comply with 
Apache governance policies is still being discussed/determined (as of 16-Mar-2012). 

Currently, the scope of Native Language support consists of:

* Hosting of native language websites on [www.openoffice.org](http://www.openoffice.org/projects/native-lang.html).
Established native language "friendly" links have also established — for example, [fr.openoffice.org](http://www.openoffice.org/fr/)
* Native language mailing lists (as requested and needed). The establishment of any native language mailing list requires the approval of Apache OpenOffice
PMC and typically at least two moderators. Requests for additional native language mailing lists can be
made via the [dev mailing list](mailto:dev@openoffice.apache.org).
* [Native Language User Support Forums](http://user.services.openoffice.org/) (for some languages).
* A [Pootle server](https://translate.apache.org/) to aid with translation.   
See the local [Pootle User Guide](http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/Pootle_User_Guide) for more information.

If you are interested is initiating (or re-starting) a native language project, you
might find the recent [information posted on the Apache OpenOffice Planning wiki](https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/OOOUSERS/Native+Language+Projects) helpful.
This is a planning document only at this time, but it accurately reflects the typical process
for establishing a native language area. 

## Native Language Mailing Lists

Legacy OpenOffice.org were not automatically migrated to Apache OpenOffice. New native 
language mailing lists for the project are made at the request of an Apache OpenOffice
PMC (Project Management Committee) member, and after discussion and consensus on the
dev mailing list.  Additionally new mailing lists typically require at least two 
moderators to be established. Initiate setup requests through: [dev@openofifce.apache.org](mailto:dev@openoffice.apache.org)

Native language mailing list currently are:

* users-de@openoffice.apache.org (German users mailing list)
* general-ja@openoffice.apache.org (General Japanese mailing list)
* general-es@openoffice.apache.org (General Spanish mailing list)
* progetto-it@openoffice.apache.org (Italian project mailing list)
* utenti-it@openoffice.apache.org (Italian users mailing list)
* users-fr@openoffice.apache.org (French users mailing list)
* geral-ptbr@openoffice.apache.org (General Portuguese from Brazil mailing list)

Additional information and archives for these list as well as any other Apache mailing
list can be found at the [Available Mailing List page](http://mail-archives.apache.org/mod_mbox/).

Subscribe to any of these lists using the following format:

    "list name"-subscribe@openoffice.apache.org

For example: 

    users-de-subscribe@openoffice.apache.org

## Additional Information
The legacy web site [Native Language page](http://www.openoffice.org/projects/native-lang.html) continues
to be a valuable resource in learning more about OpenOffice.org's native language
endeavors.