Re: Question about localization

[Bill Burns <BillDB -at- ILE -dot- COM>]

Rahel writes:

> Localization loosely covers the following areas, depending on who you
> ask:
>
> * preparing the text for translation, usually in several langauges,
> keeping in mind issues translation issues (i.e. standard English,
> eliminating jargon, etc.)
> * translating for specific markets (i.e. Spanish for Spain, Mexico, or
> other South American countries)
> * developing systems that facilitate production of these translations
>
It means this, plus some. In addition to translation, it can include
reengineering or redesign of a product to meet the needs of those markets as
well. If we simply translated the strings on a UI that was bound for a
Hebrew-speaking audience in Israel, we wouldn't be doing the whole job.
Controls have to be resized and repositioned, data formats need to be
changed, and packaging may need adjustment as well. Hopefully, the source
files for the software were designed with such requirements in mind.

When it comes to WinHelp development or DTP, localization includes the
correct preparation of the source files so they can be used in localization
without requiring excessive rework. In some cases, translators work with
text extracted from source files. In other cases, they might work directly
in the document production tool or use something like Trados Translator's
Workbench. Correct use of paragraph and character styles, cross-reference
formats, and autogenerated text features is very important.

Bill Burns
ILE Communications/Eccentric Technology Consultant
billdb -at- ile -dot- com
> You can't gouge out your mind's eye.
>
>