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Software Globalization
& Localization
- Globalization
is the process of making a product
multi-lingual. All language-related aspects
of the program are separated from the code,
and all aspects which vary with target
country are handled in a country-independent
way.
- Localization
is the process of adapting a global product
for a particular language and country.
Localization includes translations and other
conversion, and takes into account local
practices and culture, providing a product
which is comfortable to use in the target
country.
- Translation
is involved in most aspects of localization.
Accuracy and appropriateness of translation
are key to overall product quality.
- Retrofitting
is an informal term for localizating a
product which was not designed to be global.
It is the first step taken by most companies
entering the global marketplace.
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- Globalize your product
for the world
- Localize it for a
specific country
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- High-volume consumer
products require extensive localization, and
their volumes justify the cost.
- Low volume technical
products can often be sold with less complete
localization, because much of the
documentation is for reference only, and the
users are comfortable with English text.
Ficorp, Inc. can help with
the cost benefit analysis for your product/language
matrix.
Some of the issues to be
considered are:
 Screen Prompts |
User Responses |
| Help Files |
Error Messages |
| User Manuals |
Keyboard Compatibility |
| Setup Files |
Initialization Files |
| "ReadMe" Files |
Technical Manuals |
Other items requiring
localization, with examples:
| Topic |
English |
Other |
| Screen prompts |
File name |
Nom de fichier |
| Error Messages |
Error: File not
found |
Erreur: Fichier
absent |
| Help Screens |
English |
Translated |
| Currency Format |
$425.00 |
555 DM |
| Date/Time Display |
9/16/94 |
16.9.94 |
| Page Sizes |
8.5 x 11" |
Din A4 |
| Dimensional Systems
|
English |
Metric |
| Standard Sizes
(e.g.Wrenches) |
3/4" |
19 mm |
| Sorting Order |
|
|
| - Case sensitive |
ABC...XYZabc... |
AÄB...XYZaäb... |
| - Case insensitive |
AaBbCc |
AaÄäBb |
| Accents, diacritics
|
7-bit ASCII |
8 bit ASCII for ç
é ñ, double-byte |
| Text entry
direction |
Left-to-right only |
Bi-directional
(e.g. Arabic, Hebrew) |
| Font handling |
As typed |
Context sensitive
(Arabic) |
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Ficorp, Inc. works with
clients to make the localization process a success.
The steps are:
- Define aspects of your
software which could be localized, and
suggest localization strategies based on your
expected sales.
- Create a product
schedule for the localization process,
including benchmarks and dates.
- Provide professional
native translators who have recently lived in
target countries.
- Work closely with
translators to solve difficulties as they
arise, and to maintain consistency.
- Consult with your
design team on factors which ease the
localization process.
- Help define a truly
global product which does not need to change
from language to language.
- Prove target language
testing.
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