Software Localization Brief Introduction from Golden View

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All the goods today undoubtedly become more and more globalized and internationalized enforcing translation providers to offer more than mere language translation. This is especially obvious in the world of software…

The information technology has redefined translator’s working activity and skills that it’s even not necessary to mention any more. All the goods today undoubtedly become more and more globalized and internationalized enforcing translation providers to offer more than mere language translation. This is especially obvious in the world of software, where the product itself consists nearly exclusively of localization information.

Quality assured software localization is not done by someone, besides translators, it involves a variety of other specialists like programmers, localization engineers and project managers. Efficient software localization always take advantage of specialized tools, if don’t, the process will become tough and time-consuming.

I. Software localization definition
Localized software always “speaks” the language of your customers in your target country, so it implies more than mere language translation of the software’s user interface. Such service provider should localize other aspects of the product like the form of time and date and the style. Basically, software localization consists of three procedures, that is, graphic user interface, on-line help and documentation.

Graphic user interface - Featuring the extension .rc., they are usually just segments of the resource file that needs to be translated.

Help files - Initially in .rtf format, Help files are compiles and converted into hypertext format. Although most content in the file needs to be translated, hidden text like hyperlinks and "+" footnotes should not be translated.

Documentation - This process usually doesn’t need to translation. It usually includes the following files:
Client-prepared file formats and incidental files
Word processing
DTP files
Readme files

II. Frequently-used software in localization process
1. Operational system software, for example, Windows, Macintosh, Solaris, Unix and Linux.
2. Common software for document handling and communication
Word processor including Microsoft Word, Windows notepad, Ultra Edit
Spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel)
Database software including Microsoft Access, Lotus Notes
Extracting/decompressing software (WinZip)
Uploading and downloading software, for example, CuteFTP and WS_FTP
Screen capture software (SnagIt)
Image manipulation software like Adobe Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro
Comparison file and folder software (Windiff)
Document segmentation and consolidation software, for example, MaxSplitter
Disk partition and backup software (Norton Ghost)
Management software (Microsoft Project)
Communication software, such as Lotus Notes, Microsoft Outlook Express, Microsoft MSN Messenger, and AOL Instant Messenger
3. Specialized software
Alchemy CATALYST
PASSOLO
RC-WinTrans
Translation Memory or Computer Aided Translation (CAT) Applications (TRADOS and STAR Transit & TermStar)
DTP software, such as FrameMaker, CorelDraw, Illustrator and Freehand
Resource file viewing and editing software, including Microsoft Visual Studio, Microsoft Visual Studio.Net, Ultra Edit and LXP UI Suite
Document format editing software, including Help Workshop, Html Workshop, and Html QA.
Automatic test software (Silk Test)