Multilingual FAQ
Can you give me an overview about the multilingual domain name process?
Why do I want a domain name in non-English characters?
Will my domain name work anywhere in the world?
If I currently have an English-language domain name is it protected in other
non-English languages and characters?
Are separate registrations necessary for registering a domain name in
multiple languages?
Why is .com/.net/.org not translated in my web address?
Do I need to know the non-English language characters for the version of my
domain name I intend to create?
Where can I get help translating my English-language domain name?
My language's character set isn't in the list. When will it be available?
How do I search for, register and display domain names using characters from
other languages?
Why can't I find my name in the WHOIS database?
How long until my domain
name works?
What will people see if they try to visit my Web site using my new name at
this time?
How do I change my
account information?
How do I change my DNS settings?
Is e-mail available using non-English language characters?
What can I do to register an Arabic or Hebrew domain name when I do not have
an Arabic or Hebrew keyboard?
Can you give me an
overview about the multilingual domain name ?
Sure. As of November 10, 2001 you are no longer limited to
English-language character domains when creating your Web identity. Now
anyone can create
domain names (Web addresses) in Korean, Japanese, traditional and
simplified Chinese characters.
Multilingual
domain name registration is available to you as part of
NextRegister.com's participation in a testbed being conducted by
the Global Registry. The testbed permits certified
registrars (approximately 20 companies worldwide) to submit
multilingual
domain names to the Registry in a manner similar to the current
system of registering English-language domain names.
When functional, the name you create will work just like any
English-character name in that you can enter it into your browser and be
taken to the corresponding Web site. The native language domain name will
be followed by .com, .net or .org.
Initially, your name will be reserved (parked) until sometime in the
future when the Global Registry is able to match your new name with the
Web site's location, also known as name resolution.
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Why do I
want a domain name in non-English characters?
There are many people just beginning to use the Internet, or more likely
to use it if there were less of a language barrier. For many of these
people, they would prefer the ability to enter a domain name in their
native language. Creating a presence by using a domain name in your
audience's native language makes your site easier for them to access and
provides a more positive online experience. Also, it may be to your
advantage to protect your English-language brand from being registered by
someone else in other available languages and character sets.
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Will my domain
name work anywhere in the world?
Yes. Your domain will work just like any other domain name as soon as the
Registry enables name resolution. However, you may need to update your
browser in order to accommodate the new characters in your language. For
most browsers, this update is free. See the question below regarding how
to update your browser. Please note: currently some older systems and
networks might experience problems recognizing multilingual domain names.
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If I currently have an English-language domain name is it protected in
other non-English languages and characters?
No. The name must be registered in each non-English character set if you
wish to protect it.
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Are separate registrations necessary for registering a domain name in
multiple languages?
Yes. Each language has a unique encoding type and therefore a unique
domain name. Each language requires its own registration process within
the language you select. For example, you cannot register Korean language
domain names using the Japanese language process. You must
register domain names in one specific language at a time.
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Why is
.com/.net/.org not translated in my web address?
The multilingual testbed uses this same English-language structure to
offer web addresses in non-English languages. The system used to manage
basic Internet functions around the world is still based on these
English-language top-level names.
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Do I need to know the non-English language characters for the version of
my domain name I intend to create?
Yes. You will need to know the specific characters in the native language
you wish to register the domain name.
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Where can I get help translating my English-language domain name?
If you need help translating or entering your desired domain name, we
offer several translation dictionaries in Korean, Japanese, traditional
and simplified Chinese languages.
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My language's character set isn't in the list. When will it be available?
There are plans to add more languages in the near future. As soon as these
languages are added to the Internet systems, NextRegister.com
will add them to our list. After the original launch of Korean, Japanese
and traditional and simplified Chinese, the next languages to be offered
will be Portuguese, Spanish and Arabic.
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How do I search for, register and display domain names using characters
from other languages?
In order for your computer and Internet browser to recognize non-English
language characters, they must be compatible in the language you are
attempting to use. Your computer and browser must be able to display and
enter non-English language characters to complete this registration
process.
You have the option of either using a computer with an in-language
operating system and special keyboard (or other input device), or software
capable of creating the in-language characters with the US-version of the
operating system (and a standard keyboard).
Most browsers today are capable of displaying in non-English characters
with the correct fonts and scripts. If your computer does not recognize
non-English language characters, try the following:
If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer browser: Visit the Microsoft
Windows Update site at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
If you are using the Netscape Navigator or Communicator browser: Visit the
Netscape Information for International Users site at
http://home.netscape.com/menu/intl/
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Why can't I
find my name in the WHOIS database?
Initially, WHOIS cannot be searched using non-English characters. The
WHOIS database will be updated at a later date to recognize the
non-English language characters. Until that time, your name will appear in
WHOIS by its RACE-encoded name and you can only search for non-English
domain names using RACE encoding language.
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How long until my domain
name works?
It has been reported that domain name resolution will begin about a few
months after the availability of the new names. Once the Global Registry
enables domain name resolution, and after you've successfully modified
your account with your DNS information, it will take up to 48 hours to
have your domain name working worldwide.
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What will people see if they try to visit my Web site using my new name at
this time?
Since there is no name resolution yet, if someone tried entering your name
in their browser, they would see the 404-error message (the site could not
be found). This will happen until the resolution process begins. Don't be
concerned; you are still the legal account holder of the domain name
during this period. However, it is important to understand that
multilingual domain names are being registered on a "test" basis.
Circumstances could arise that may affect your multilingual domain name
registration.
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How do I change my
account information?
Once you have an account and your new name is registered, you can use
"Manage Your Domain" to change information.
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How do I change my DNS
settings?
Initially, your name will have default DNS settings. You can change the
settings any time (using Manage Your Domain) after completing the
registration process, but the information will not be used until such time
as the Global Registry enables domain name resolution.
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Is
e-mail available using non-English language characters?
No. Under the current system, you will not be able to establish an e-mail
account based on non-English language characters. The domain name service
is separate from e-mail and unfortunately, the systems that handle e-mail
are not able to recognize or support non-English language characters at
this time.
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What can I do to register an Arabic or Hebrew domain name when I do not
have an Arabic or Hebrew keyboard?
NextRegister.com has provided their customers with a translator box
for translating domain names from English to other foreign languages
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Note: At this time,
the central registry is supporting the registration of multilingual
character domain names in an experimental test bed. Multilingual
character domain names are not yet and may not be functional on the
Internet and cannot be used for Web hosting, email services or any
other DNS related activity. By registering multilingual character
domain names at this time you understand and assume the risk that
your domain name registration may be temporarily or permanently
suspended or denied based on further developments by Internet
standard-setting bodies.
