Software localization is much more than translating user interfaces from one language to another. It is the process of adapting a software program, to a specific location, i.e., to its language, standards and cultural norms as well as to the needs and expectations of a specific target market. A properly localized product also meets all the legal requirements of the user’s region.
A software product that has been localized properly has the look and feel of a product originally written and designed for the target market. Here are just a number of points that have to be considered, as well as the language, in order to effectively localize a software product or website: measuring units, number formats, address formats, time and date formats (long and short), paper sizes, fonts, default font selection, case differences, character sets, sorting, word separation and hyphenation, local regulations, copyright issues, data protection, payment methods, currency conversion, taxes.
GlocalExpert applies a standard localization process which includes the following basic steps:
Analysis of the material received and evaluation of the tools and resources required for localization
Cultural, technical and linguistic assessment
Creation and maintenance of terminology glossaries
Translation to the target language
Adaptation of the user interface, including resizing of forms and dialogs, as required
Localization of graphics, scripts or other media containing visible text, symbols, etc.
Compilation and build of the localized files for testing
Linguistic and functional quality assurance
Project delivery
Q: What is I18n/L10n?
A: Internationalization (I18n) is the process of designing an application so that it can be adapted to various languages and regions without engineering changes. The abbreviation is based on the fact that the rather lengthy word 'internationalization' starts with an 'i' followed by 18 characters followed by an 'n';
Localization (L10n) is the process of adapting software for a specific region or language by adding locale-specific components and translating text. The abbreviation is based on the fact that the rather lengthy word 'localization' starts with a 'l' followed by 10 characters followed by an 'n'.
And the same interpretation goes with G11n (globalization) and T9n (translation).
Q: What does the abbreviation GILT refer to?
A: GILT is an alphabetic acronym for Globalization, Internationalization, Localization and Translation.
Q: What is the relationship among translation, localization, internationalization and globalization?
A: The relationship between translation and localization/internationalization/globalization can be described as follows,
GILT = G11n + I18n + L10n + T9n;
G11n = I18n + L10n;
L10n > T9n.
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