Software localization

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Introduction

Software localization (or localisation) could mean simple "translation of software" to another language, including adaptation of some formats (e.g. measures and dates) and currency. But usually, software localization implies more.

Firstly, software should be internationalized (I18N), i.e. desiged so that it can be adapted to various languages and regions without engineering changes. It is "stuff that has to be done once" in principle.

Localization ("L10N") means adaption of a product following the needs of a particular population in a precise geographic region. Such a definition implies that translation includes linguistic, cultural and ergonomic aspects. (Le grand dictionnaire terminologique). McKethan and White (2005) define localization as “the process of adapting an internationalized product to a specific language, script, cultural, and coded character set environment. In localization, the same semantics are preserved while the syntax may be changed.” The authors further argue that “Localization goes beyond mere translation. The user must be able to not only select the desired language, but other local conventions as well. For instance, one can select German as a language, but also Switzerland as the specific locale of German. Locale allows for national or locale-specific variations on the usage of format, currency, spellchecker, punctuation, etc., all within the single German language area.”

Gregory M. Shreve (retrieved 10:49, 21 January 2010 (UTC)) adds adaptation of "non-textual materials". {{quotation|Localization is the process of preparing locale-specific versions of a product and consists of the translation of textual material into the language and textual conventions of the target locale and the adaptation of non-textual materials and delivery mechanisms to take into account the cultural requirements of that locale.

Usually localization extends to local subcultures like German Swiss (de_ch) or French Suiss (fr_ch). software translators may adapt the following strategry:

• Create a generic translation for one language, e.g. fr and then add specific local variants on top.
• Only create one translation, e.g. fr and then translate into one specific locale, e.g. fr_ch and have users cope with it. Most often, this is the case in free open source software.

Finally, the term Software globalization (G11N), also known as National Language Support is the combination of software internationalization and localization.

Since we shall focus on translation of open source software, we shall stress the importance of "ergonomic aspects" as a priority. Ergonomic translation means both "surface usability" (users can understand the meaning of UI interface elements and system messages) and cognitive ergonomic (user can get meaningful tasks done with the system).

Abbreviations for internationalization, localization and globalization

Internationalization is known as I18N is a funny acronym called numeronym, where 18 stands for the number of letters between the first i and last n in internationalization.

Localization is known as l10n (or L10N) , is composed of the l of localization, followed by 10 letters (ocalizatio) and the final n of localization.

In short: G11N = I18N + L10N

Issues

Infrastructure and people

In a larger project, the list of types of participants can be quite long: E.g. Gregory M. Shreve identifies: Project managers, Translators (Generic), Localization Translators (Specialists), Terminologists, Internationalization/Localization Engineers (Software Background), Proofreaders, QA specialists, Testing engineers, Multilingual Desktop publishing specialists.

Now, what would the absolute minimal rules in a volonteer-based open source project ?

• one person to coordinate software development and translation
• one person to coach translators (can be the one above)
• translators

On the code side

Language files

All output messages to the user must be defined as a kind of constant that the programmers will use

Name of the constant should be meaningful to translators. E.g.

Languages files must be separate (if terms are not in a database)

Encoding

• Use Unicode

Space and Layout

• Space of text fields: Some languages are more verbose and one must plan for that, by using wider icons, menu items, user input fields and such or else use a "fluid" design.

Managing volonteers in an open source project

Opensource projects don't have the funding to pay professional translators. This situation has disadvantages but also some advantages.

Disadvantages: Quality of the translation, completion (untranslated strings for new versions, missing languages, etc.)

Advantages: Meaninfulness of the translation (often translators are users, i.e. they have know how of the tool which "normal affordable" translators do not have.

I (10:49, 21 January 2010 (UTC)) believe that there ought to be some strategies to improve volonteer translation efforts. The main issues:

(1) Motivating people to help and to continue translating

(2) Make sur that translation is usable (see next item)

Technical infrastructure

Translators should "see" what they translate. This implies concerns several items. When translating a string, the translator should be able to see:

• The name of the constant (which must be meaningful, e.g. "modulename.mainmenu.edit" or "modulename.errormsg.upload.xxx")
• A meanigful short description. This description may include a link to a glossary.
• All other translations (languages strings) the translator understands (e.g. if I translate to German, I'd like see both English and French)
• (If possible) the constant displayed in the interface. That of course requires extra programming. Or even better: be able to edit strings directly on the interface

• Tools for consistency
  • When translating hundreds of strings (and the situation gets worse if it's done by several people) there should be a way to search through all terms in all modules in three ways:
• Find same expressions in the target language and display an other language next to it
• Find same expressions in another language and display the target strings next to it
• Be able to edit and consult a short glossary that includes the most important terms (might be combined with the general user manual)
• (dreaming) direct access to some online translation dictionary like the english/french grand dictionnaire terminologique

Links

Definitions

• Internationalization and localization (Wikipedia)

Short howtos

• How to Localize Software (Developer-resource.com, retrieved 10:49, 21 January 2010 (UTC)).

• Software Localization versus Translation, TranslatorsCafé.com, by Alexander Schunk. Submitted on March 22, 2008

Issues to look at

Classes

• Software Localization MCLS 600012 taught by Gregory M. Shreve. (2001, retrieved 10:49, 21 January 2010 (UTC)). Includes PPT and HTML files for reading. Also available here
  • Lecture 1
  • What is Software Localization? A list Alexa Dubreuil that summarizes the course syllaus

Softare

• Trados® Freelance™, Atril Déjà Vu, STAR Transit, SDLX™, IBM TranslationManager,

Bibliography

• Dohler, Per N. (1979). Facets of Software Localization, A Translator's View. Translation Journal 1, July 1997. (retrieved 10:49, 21 January 2010 (UTC))

• McKethan, Kenneth A. (Sandy)Jr. and Graciela White (2005). Demystifying Software Globalization, Translation Journal 9 (2), April 2005. HTML, retrieved 10:49, 21 January 2010 (UTC).