Translation agency Scriba translation services

Localisation

Localisation also means that the text is adapted in accordance with the culture, traditions and legislation of the target language. Most frequently, localisation concerns software and the translation and adaptation of websites, but user manuals, business cards, booklets and the like are also increasingly more subject to localisation. This is a relatively time and resource consuming process, which engages experts of different fields (developers, designers, translators, etc.), whose close cooperation in developing a product or service yields the best results.

In connection with the subject the abbreviations i18n and l10n are frequently used, the former referring to internationalisation and the latter to localisation. The abbreviations take the first and last letters of the words and the numbers 18 and 10 mark the number of characters that are contained between these.

As localisation requires rather extensive work, all details must be determined beforehand as accurately as possible. In comparison with ordinary translation, it is more important here that the provider of translation services would get the latest version of software or website. This is due to the fact that the process of localisation embraces so many people that need to review their work and make amendments, if necessary. Furthermore, as localisation is a process requiring time and resources, the above cases should be avoided.

Localisation is important in several respects.

• Firstly, people prefer to use products and services that are described in their mother tongue. This is understandable for the mother tongue is the easiest to understand.
• Secondly, localisation conveys to the client the notion that the client is important for the company no matter what language the client speaks, and that the service provider is ready to make an effort for the benefit of each client.
• Thirdly, a product that is not in conformity with national legislation, is difficult, if not impossible, to use. For example, business software produced in the UK may not automatically be used in Estonia.

The exact content and extent of localisation always depends on a particular project and product/service. Ideally, localisation is applied to everything related to a particular project starting with webpage and advertising and ending with user manuals and technical support. At the same time, some things may have to be left out of the localisation process in order to stay within the budget. Thus, some of the subpages of websites, which do not bear considerable importance in a particular cultural context, could be left aside. The extent and content of localisation is determined with a prior market survey.

Cooperation with client

If you have decided to penetrate into a new market with your product, the service provider thereof should certainly be contacted. It is expedient if starting from the very earliest stage, a localisation specialist works with you, helping you to highlight points, which should be considered in design, for example, in order to facilitate localisation. If you desire we can also help you find a website designer and developer. Preparations for localisation in greater detail have been accounted for hereunder.

In writing different texts we recommend you to use the help of at least one of our specialists as the quality of translation also depends on the quality of the original text. An expert is able to avoid from the outset potential errors in the original texts to be translated. Furthermore, you also ensure that the original texts have been professionally prepared and leave a good impression of the company.

Means of localisation

As it is a process involving many people, localisation is considerably aided by various linguistic and technological means. Nobody can ensure without these means that the experts of various fields would use general terms in the same way. A term base becomes even more important upon making innovations if for some reason they are made by a person who is used to apply somewhat different terminology.

For the same purpose, the use of translation memory is also necessary, and it is especially important that both translation memories and the term base would be available to all persons working in the localisation project. Software and websites often include repetition of information and the use of translation memories considerably reduces the workload.

In the localisation of websites an important role is also played by GMS (Globalization Management System), which is a specially developed search engine that constantly observes the content of a website, and informs the translator or editor of any changes and additions. On the basis of such information it is possible to make amendments also in other languages, without a translator having to monitor the website and its content on a regular basis.

What must be heeded in localisation

• The text has to be written in a clear and understandable manner so that its translation could be easy and fluent; one should avoid idioms and expressions with cultural connotation.
• The material to be translated should be easily available –not in engraved form, for example.
• The styling should be as flexible as possible, and should consider that the lengths of words are different in different languages.
• One should use the Unicode system to avoid problems with two-byte sign systems (e.g. Japanese).
• If you localise your product into several languages/cultures, it is important that all versions be ready at approximately the same time to enable simultaneous delivery, for otherwise clients and users may become accustomed to the original-language variant, and subsequent localisation is a waste of time and money.

Preparations for localisation

• market survey,
• internationalisation,
• styling,
• system development.

Localisation is preceded by a general market survey that is carried out in the cultural context of the target language, and which determines both advertising strategies as well as details that should be given more attention to in the process of localisation. In reality, localisation is a part of the company’s globalisation process. This is preceded by a preparatory stage – internationalisation, which in principle means the removal of technical obstacles and facilitation of the work of translators. One of the most important aim of internationalisation is the removal of the entire translated text from the programming code. As a result, that translators are not required to look for a necessary text or make changes to the code, which in turn prevents the emergence of errors in the program.

In terms of styling it is important to remember that words and expressions are not of the same length in different languages. This means that the width and length of website menus should be easily amendable if the website is to be translated into another language. At the same time, the modification of the size of certain elements should not affect the general picture. Therefore, it would be best, at this stage of styling, to use the services of a language expert who can anticipate the differences arising from the length of words.

Development should focus on ensuring that the system would support different languages and use should be made of the above-mentioned Unicode standard. Attention should be also given to various formats concerning presentation of addresses and dates.

Testing of localised material

Although internationalisation nearly ensures that no accidental changes are made into the code of localised software, the entire localised material should be tested before submitting it to the client. Testing helps to determine whether all functions of the interface operate as required, the dialog boxes are correctly styled and the program works as required. Testing is important in the case of both software and websites as either may include errors. The aspects to be given more attention to in testing depend on the particular project.