Desktop Software Localization Process

The software localization process is very dependent on the platform and the requirements. However, we can give you a quick overview of what you should expect. Please review the typical process below and contact us for your particular case. We will be very happy to discuss the localization process that will address your needs.

Internationalization Review and Pseudo-Localization

• Review the design and functionality of the English product to avoid possible problems that might occur during localization
• Build and test the software with pseudo-translation to correct internationalization issues ahead of time
  • hard coded strings – if there are hard coded strings, externalize them to resource files
  • foreign character display and input – to ensure the proper display of non ASCII character sets
  • region-specific input – to ensure input support for country and region-specific values (i.e., zip codes, date, telephone numbers, etc.)
  • room for text expansion – on average, translated text expands 25-35 percent. Truncation issues in multiple languages can be avoided by simply adjusting dialog boxes and text boxes before beginning translation
  • region-specific output – to ensure the proper display format for date, time, currency and other region-specific items
• Review external assets and include in software localization process (i.e., help files, user guides, etc.)
• Develop an effective software localization methodology, strategy, and implementation process
• Work with a development team for implementing the process and software localization tools (i.e., file management, source control, build automation, etc.)

Translation

• Develop a translation style guide for consistency across languages and projects. For example the translation style guide might say: ‘use Arial font for European languages and pt. size 16 for Headers.’
• Develop a translation glossary (i.e., dictionary) for terminology translation consistency, brand translation, trademarks, abbreviations etc.
• Implement language translation tools to eliminate manual work for implementing translated text (i.e., no copy/paste)
• Perform translation activities for graphical user interface (UI) strings, text embedded in images, and supporting documentation (i.e., help files, technical translation etc.)
• Utilize translation tools for ease of future updates, reduced translation costs, and consistency across projects

Localization Engineering and Build

• Localize graphics and images
• Compile help files, user guides, and other external assets such as help files, documentation, and wiki pages
• Address internationalization and localization related problems
  • Truncation issues – text and graphic
  • Layout problems
  • Font related issues
• Report functional and code related issues to development team
• Prepare localization testing environment per hardware/software requirements and create localized operating systems images if a new platform is being used
• Prepare software localization test cases for quality assurance testing

Localization Quality Assurance

• Last leg of the software localization process
• Full testing of application by expert localization testers/analysts
• Review of translated text in context
• Functional verification on localized operating systems and required platforms to ensure full functionality
• User interface testing
  • Font, images, layout
  • Display of foreign characters
  • Cultural appropriateness
• Ensure terminology consistency between user interface (UI) and documentation. For example, if the Help file says ‘click Exit to close the application’ confirm that the button reads ‘Exit’
• Take screen captures from the user interface (UI) to use in documentation, if necessary
• Feedback and suggestions from native speakers on many additional aspects allowing us to ensure that everything is correct and appropriate for a specific country and culture
• Read more about localization testing process

Check our FAQ page to find answers to commonly asked questions. Contact us at [email protected] for a consultation on customizing the software localization process to address your needs.