Localization: How to Make Your Site Go Round...

Localization is the 'process of altering a program so that it is appropriate for the area in which it is used.' The industry has come to see this issue is relevant to more than just software applications - indeed web sites have the same needs for accessibility via localization. Localization of a web site is done in order to meet the language and cultural needs of a target audience(s). Localization is the key to increasing the universality of the Web.

McDill, Kate. EServer (2001). Design>Language>Localization

Localization in a Time of Shrinking Budgets  

Suggests ways that technical communicators can implement cost-effective localization.

Butland, Philip. Intercom (2004). Articles>Language>Localization

Localization in Japan and China

While localization often involves common challenges across all languages and international markets, localizing into Asian markets can be particularly challenging for a number of reasons. The most obvious challenge for many of us is understanding the language itself. Multi-byte character sets and different levels of formality tend to make these projects a bit more complex. They often require more time, slower translation time, and more thorough review and quality assurance.

SDL International (1999). Design>Language>Localization>East Asia

Localization Industry Standards Association

Consisting of over 200 corporate clients and their globalization solutions partners -- the LISA provides best practice, business guidelines and multi-lingual information management standards for making enterprise globalization a reality.

LISA. Organizations>Language>Localization>International

Localization. It's Big in Japan

How do you carry out usability research in a country where you don't speak the language and where the customs are very different from you own? How can you perform a study where you need to largely rely on an interpreter for communications between you and your participants? And most importantly, how do you translate research findings into a design that is culturally appropriate and yet in alignment with corporate directives?

Malcolm, Casey. Usability Professionals Association (2007). Articles>Usability>Localization>Japan

Localization Management of a Horizontal Software Product  

Successful localization of software and documentation for foreign-language markets requires thorough planning, effective systems, skillful project management and excellent communication. Working as a team, Rocky Mountain Translators, a 17-year old translation company based in Boulder, Colorado, and a Hewlett-Packard Division in California, describe a successful association localizing a horizontal software product. The unique perspectives of each company provide the backdrop to an in-depth discussion of the steps involved in this partnership process.

Burns, Ann Lyn and Kristy Roesner. STC Proceedings (1993). Articles>Language>Localization

Localization of Digital Games: The Process of Blending for the Global Games Market  

The process of localizing digital games can be significantly different from the process of localizing productivity software.

Thayer, Alexander and Beth E. Kolko. Sakson and Taylor (2004). Articles>User Interface>Localization

Localization of Single-Source Content  

One of the key motivators of adopting a single-source approach for documentation is the potential cost savings available through the reduced cost of translation. By consolidating multiple documents, version updates, and similar products, translations may be leveraged across components. By creating single-source content with translation in mind, authors are able to create documents that are easy to localize, increase consistency, and reduce costs. The article below provides a summary of the translation benefits of single-sourcing and offers advice for designing a single-source strategy from a localization perspective.

Jones, Adam. STC Proceedings (2002). Design>Language>Localization>Content Management

Localization Planning

Localization is the process of customizing your application for a given culture/locale. Localization consists primarily of translating the user interface. Proper planning will help ensure your application is localized in a timely and cost effective manner.

Microsoft (2004). Articles>Language>Localization

Localization Takes Hold in Turkey  

Describes the current state of the localization market in Turkey, how EU membership will impact the industry and the importance of standards. In a sidebar, Rebecca Ray, Global Business Editor, explains how the Turks’ longstanding custom of linguistic and cultural assimilation makes doing business in the country a refreshing and enjoyable challenge for global business people.

Oygur, Vedat. LISA (2004). Articles>Language>Localization

Localizing for Mobile Devices: A Primer

The mobile world and localization: designing for mobile communications; small screens; screens of various types; keyboards versus styluses; operating systems for mobile devices; proper internationalization is necessary.

LISA (2001). Articles>Language>Localization>Web Design

Localizing Multimedia

Multimedia localization is a slow process. It's complicated and, technically, very challenging. It can also be very costly. Based upon the size of the applet, it costs five times as much as routine localization. It is also subject to mavericks, which means no two companies do the same thing; and no two developers in the same company do the same thing. That means every time you take the puzzle apart, it's a brand new task. A company which produced numerous products and had them developed by third-party developers or different teams within its own company, creates a different puzzle each time for you to take apart.

O'Leary, Glyn. SDL International (1998). Design>Language>Localization>Multimedia

Lost in Translation?  

The task of communicating in a global environment requires planning, sensitivity and expert help. The authors have developed a series of check lists and tips to guide writers, editors, and other members of the localization team through the process.

Sellin, Robert and Elaine Winters. STC Proceedings (1997). Articles>Language>Translation>Localization

Lost in Translation?  

The first two hours are spent in the simulation Elaine’s Game - which gives participants the experience of temporarily belonging to another culture and interacting across cultures with other members of the workshop. It is a proven way to expand awareness of other points of view. The first two handouts explore culturally biased material in a concrete way; participants are expected to collaborate and rewrite a portion of an article. The third handout is an example of how meaning changes through translation into two languages (Japanese and French) from American English.

Sellin, Rob and Elaine Winters. STC Proceedings (1998). Articles>Language>Localization

Machine Translation - 2001 Has Already Arrived

The easiest way to cope with existing language barriers undoubtedly is the use of translation programs, electronic helpers that translate texts automatically. However, with high expectations meeting poor quality translation results in the past, press media regularly concluded that users had better learn the language themselves or employ at least a human translator. Yet a closer look at modern machine translation (MT) programs allows a more subtle view.

Bauer, Elisabeth. TC-FORUM (2000). Articles>Language>Localization>Machine Translation

Machine Translation - A New Dimension and What You Can Expect

Instead of 'translation', AltaVista offered me unbelievable junk, evidently, an unedited MT version of American promotional material. The text was unreal, the result of a myth: You click a button and the translation is staring at you. You are in the middle of a jungle.

Klein, Fred. TC-FORUM (1998). Articles>Language>Localization>Machine Translation

Machine Translation: An Objective Look and Primer  

Machine Translation is a wonderful technology partner for the technical communicator, saving, under the right circumstances, time and money. As with any partnership, roles, responsibilities, and accountability must be clearly defined. In this human-machine partnership, the technical communicator shoulders most of the responsibility. There are many translation systems available, and the one that is best for you can be identified by considering, among other things, the purpose of the translation, its audience, the document’s size, and the desired quality. Despite the sophistication of the systems currently on the market, a human translator is a requirement for most post-translation editing!

Luttrell, Carol. STC Proceedings (2001). Presentations>Language>Localization>Machine Translation

Machine Translation and Multilingual Technical Communication  

The demand by the global market for products which have been localized has brought a whole set of issues and concerns to international technical communication. Of particulur interest is the need to translate technical documentation into a number of languages without sacrificing the necessary timeto-market. Old solutions and processes are insufficient. This paper explores some of the computational tools now offered by the machine translation industry for the facilitation of multilingual document translation as modern corporations need it.

Bennett, Winfield Scott. STC Proceedings (1995). Articles>Language>Localization>Machine Translation

Machine Translation: General Overview  

This chapter introduces the main concepts and methods used for machine translation systems from the beginnings of research in the 1950s until about 1990; it covers the main approaches of rule-based systems (direct, interlingua, transfer, knowledge based), and the principal translation tools; and it concludes with a brief historical sketch.

Hutchins, W. John. Oxford Univ Press (2003). Articles>Language>Localization>Machine Translation

Machine Translation - Mystery, Misery or Miracle

As one of the first users of commercial MT in the United States, and as a senior professional translator, I see MT as one of many 'tools.' As an independent expert without connections to the industry I can be objective. Since 1980 I have used one system for years and have worked on and tested others. Few translators have years of experience in both the conventional and the MT fields.

Klein, Fred. TC-FORUM (1997). Articles>Language>Localization>Machine Translation

Maintaining Documentation Across Several Languages  

As more companies move into markets beyond their borders, many technical communicators are faced with this new situation of having to deal with more than one language for their documentation The costs and time involved in localising and maintaining these documents can be substantial. This paper briefly discusses some of our experiences and gives some pointers on how a technical communicator can ensure the successful maintenance of documentation across several languages.

Pereira, Reynold G. and Jennifer O'Neill. STC Proceedings (2003). Articles>Documentation>Localization

The Making of Technical Translations - The Personal Angle

My English at its best is only average. In fact: my English was much better when I was a student of chemistry. Since the time I have started working as a technical translator I have forgotten a lot of it. Nevertheless, my clients like my manuals very much. How does this happen?

Fuckner, Ingrid. TC-FORUM (1997). Articles>Language>Localization

Managing Content in Regulated Industries  

Global organizations, particularly those in regulated industries, have to juggle a wide range of competing priorities. They must have thorough documentation, clear internal and external communication, audience-appropriate marketing materials and many types of “fine print” carefully crafted. That means that many different departments, sometimes spread across geography, must be involved in all layers of the business. In a regulated field, multiple touchpoints mean multiple opportunities for triggering a regulatory error.

Giovanis, Kristen. tekom (2006). Articles>Documentation>Localization

Managing Large Localization Projects With Virtual Teams around the Globe  

Managing a large localization project into multiple languages with virtual teams around the globe requires careful planning and solid processes to ensure successful completion of the project within time and budget. It also requires shared responsibilities by all parties, strong technical and administrative support, daily project tracking, and excellent communication channels and norms to ensure performance and collaboration.

Warren, Marie-Anne and John Mulligan. STC Proceedings (1999). Articles>Management>Localization

Managing Multilingual Documentation  

The author discusses the importance of integrating translation early in the documentation process to avoid translation problems. Explore how multilingual documentation also has an impact on writing style, layout, review procedures, and a variety of other elements.

Dehaes, Christel. Intercom (2006). Articles>Documentation>Localization