5 Expert Tips for Mastering the Software Localization Process

5 Expert Tips for Mastering the Software Localization Process
5 min read
20 October 2022

When you decide to adapt your software product for international markets to reach a broader audience and enjoy ongoing growth, the initial enthusiasm for the project might easily obscure the amount of work involved.

So, how is software localized? To make sure your product is able to support different languages and cultures in the long run,, you need a clear strategy from the start.

Early adopters may purchase your product even without a localized user interface, but for your global product launch to be complete, it’s key to have the right localization process in place. Let’s see how best you can implement it to make the most of your software localization effort.

Build a software localization team first

Fight the temptation to launch your localization efforts with only one or two developers at the beginning. You'll find that they are juggling initiatives with "greater importance" while simultaneously losing momentum on the launch of your product.

Instead, you should establish a specialized software localization team, which should consist of a dedicated localization manager, professional linguists, skilled developers, testing specialists, and other outside contractors who are familiar with the most effective procedures for localizing websites and apps.

This will speed up the process of learning and socializing internationalization processes, as well as keep projects on track.

Always have UX in mind

5 Expert Tips for Mastering the Software Localization Process

Source

Some languages, such as German, require up to 35% more screen width than the equivalent English sentence. Other languages, such as Spanish or French, may require up to 25% expansion.

Mobile applications typically have less storage space than desktop or cloud applications. To provide the desired user experience, your UX team may need to incorporate flexibility for character expansion and reduction, and the software must be able to accommodate this.

If your content includes dates, numbers, currencies, videos, and images, you must also determine the extent to which they may require localization. This can significantly enhance the uniformity of your software and the overall user experience.

For example, you must adhere to character constraints. If there is no additional wiggle room in the design, setting character limits for the translator ensures that the final content fits within the design.

Similarly, text for drop-down menu items typically consists of one or two words as opposed to short sentences, even though they may potentially fit inside the screen's dimensions; this context must be communicated to the translation provider.

Context is important too

5 Expert Tips for Mastering the Software Localization ProcessSource

When it comes to translating projects for software localization, context plays a crucial role. In traditional language projects, translators are usually provided with complete texts to translate, and the texts themselves provide sufficient context for the translators to understand them.

However, in the process of software localization, translators are only provided with software strings, which can either be empty or joined end-to-end to form a variety of different sentences. Software strings can be either short sentences or single words (string concatenation).

When they’re removed from their context, the strings generated by software localization can be difficult to translate, which can ultimately result in quality problems.

Find a reliable translation solution

To guarantee that your product is properly received in new language markets, it’s imperative that you choose a localization agency that has extensive experience in the process of software localization.

In spite of the fact that there are a lot of factors to think about throughout your quest for the ideal partner or tech solution, there are a few requirements that must absolutely be met:

  • Make sure that their localization process is in tune with your development process and that it integrates smoothly into the workflow you already have.
  • Confirm that they can meet your deadlines and stay within your budget, as well as that they have a team of in-country linguists and integrated technology solutions to create excellent translations.

Don’t forget to embed localization in your development workflow

To incorporate localization into your workflow, you must have a solid foundation, which means you must internationalize your software program.

Internationalization is the act of developing software that can be translated into several languages and locales without requiring engineering changes. On the other hand, localization is the process of adapting internationalized software for a specific locale or language by translating textual content and incorporating locale-specific elements.

When your settings are perfect, you will be able to work on translations and the construction of new features virtually concurrently. As adding new languages or translations doesn’t necessitate a code change, translators and developers can work concurrently during the sprint.

Conclusion

Integrating localization into your entire development workflow will ensure that all of your translations are accurate on the same day that your product updates are made available to customers.

This ensures that every end-user has a complete understanding of the functionality of your product. After all, that will ultimately determine your project’s success.

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Alex 9.8K
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