![Zlango is Web 2.0 Hieroglyphics for Email, Facebook, Mobile & More [Israel Media Tour]](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/archives/05JKun8BElZZM2k9XLooKea/hero-image.fill.size_1248x702.v1647017222.gif)
Company Name: Zlango
Founded in: 2004
Location: Tel Aviv
Zlango is an icon service that converts your plain English into icons that you can use for mobile messages, chat, and email. The Tel-Aviv based company, funded by Benchmark Capital and Accel Partners, was founded in 2004 by Yoav Lorch, whose background is in linguistics, writing and business. Lorch spent several years as a writer and translator, publishing and illustrating a handful of childrens books and plays, and writing over 200 television scripts before moving into the tech scene.
At first blush, Zlango seems kind of silly, but then I discovered how broad Zlango's vocabulary is. I imagine a lot of teens having fun thinking of naughty things to say--er, show with Zlango's service. Given the number of ways in which Zlango can be used, there's something for just about everyone. If you don't want to download any software, you can just use the Web-based translation tool, type a message and then send it off to a friend. The message they receive will be in email format.
If you'd rather just type email messages in Zlango directly in your email client, you can download Zlango's software and go at it. There's also a downloadable option for Zlango to be installed in your ICQ chat, and your mobile phone as well. Zlango also recently launched My Say, a Facebook application that allows users to create statements using Zlango, show them off on their profiles, and send messages to friends.
