Software Localization Systems

1291 Words3 Pages

Software localization is the process of adapting a software product to the linguistic, cultural and technical requirements of a target market. This process is labour-intensive and often requires a significant amount of time from the development teams. It is also quite costly as the cost of translating a language is anywhere from $50,000 to $500,000 per language.

Software Localization is the changing of a piece of software to suit the needs of a different target market. This could mean changing the language, interface or technical workings of the software so the new target market can use the software just as easily as the original target market. It is usually started while the original source software is still being developed.

Procedure for Localization:

Preparation Stage:

Before starting the localization process it is important to outline the goals that you want to achieve at the end of the localization. This is important as Localization can get quite complicated and you may end up forgetting what you originally set out to do.

Examining the software architecture may help make the localization process more manageable. Programs store and read from certain directories and changing the software for a different country may mean changing the name of the directory.

Using an ISO from a different country means the directory name will change.

For example, A Spanish program may look for files under an ES directory.

Translating the language from this would involve copying all the files and translating to the specified language.

Alternatively you can internationalise the code which means taking all the English text and placing it into a common resource file. When the program is started you can set it to call the resource ...

... middle of paper ...

...the localization if a problem ever arises.

Language Translation:

Translating a language using specialised software doesn’t always work out. Translation software such as Google Translate can change the meaning of a phrase.

Sometimes it is best to have a translator on backup to check the translations of a phrase.

Works Cited

http://www.sdl.com/technology/language-technology/what-is-software-localization.html

http://www.project-open.com/whitepapers/localization/l10n_biz_view.html

http://translation-blog.multilizer.com/real-life-example-of-software-localization-process/

http://translation-blog.multilizer.com/top-reasons-for-translation-crowdsourcing/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowdsourcing_software_development

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10-things/10-things-to-consider-when-you-outsource-it/3538/#.

http://is2.lse.ac.uk/asp/aspecis/20010021.pdf

More about Software Localization Systems

Open Document