Let's talk about the process of making your software user interface and content available in many languages other than English so that it can be effectively used by users in different parts of the world. As software becomes more globalized and app-based, it's becoming more important for software businesses to localize their products.
There are many benefits to localized software, including increased user engagement and satisfaction, decreased customer support costs, and increased marketability.
In this blog post, we'll discuss the different aspects of localizing software in depth and give you tips on how to successfully localize your software products. Attention beginners and veterans! Let's dive in!
Do you have software that you want to make available in multiple languages and cultures? Localization is the process of adapting software to different languages and cultures, and translation is just one part of it. Just like your website is available in many languages on the Internet, your software needs that, too!
App translations can take a lot of time and coordinated effort of many people, from developers to localizers. But translation is just a part of the process of localizing applications.
Let's take a closer look at what software localization is, what it is not, and some of the different aspects that go into it.
When it comes to software, localizing it is key. It's important for several reasons. It ensures that the software is accessible to the target market and that it meets user satisfaction and marketability standards.
In order to localize a software product correctly, it's necessary to take into account a variety of factors, including culture, locale, and specific jargon.
App translations can be time-consuming and expensive, but they're worth it if you want your software to succeed in global markets. So, make sure to localize your software correctly, and watch it soar to new heights!
Businesses that want to stay ahead of the curve need to localize their software applications into multiple languages. This is essential for global success, as it allows customers in other countries to access their products.
Application translations are a huge part of the software industry and play a vital role in globalization. They are also an ultimate way to reach a wider audience and win their hearts&souls.
So, if you're looking to take your business to the next level, start by localizing your software applications into many languages. It's the first step on the long road to global success!
Related content: How Much Does Software Localization Cost?
Localizing software is an essential process that helps improve the user experience and satisfaction of customers. By making the software more accessible in various languages, localization can help promote market competitiveness.
Additionally, when software is localized correctly, it becomes easier for international users to understand and use the product. Quality workflow can help reduce software development costs, improve customer satisfaction, and increase customer retention.
So, if you're looking to reap the benefits of localizing software, keep these key points in mind: multilingual user interface, the quality language version, marketability, and user satisfaction.
Yes, there is a difference between the two!
Software localization is the process of adapting a software application to be used in a specific language or region. This might involve modifying the interface, and adding new market- or language-specific features (with right-to-left languages or languages with double-byte characters). Don't forget that software is not only about user interface but also user documentation like user guides or help.
Translation, on the other hand, is the act of translating strings from the source code from one language to another.
As localizing is often done in tandem with translating, the two terms are often used interchangeably (and this is plain wrong!), which can be misleading. It is much more than translation - it's a comprehensive process that involves a multitude of actions from many stakeholders, from developers to marketing people, aimed at modifying a software application to be used in a specific language or region.
One is needed for the other and very often the other is also translated. Confusing, we know. So, let's get to the necessary clarification here for a sec.
To translate software, you need translation software. Translation software lets you localize and translate applications smoothly and consistently. Additionally, very often, it offers a live view of your work so you can control how the application will look when your job is done.
Translation software also offers two features critical features for your work and project: translation memory (yes, that's that thing some call a "phrasebook") to store your translations and reuse them (which means a shorter time to market and savings on repeating text) and term base (that's that other thing some call "phrasebook", too, confusing, we know) for your custom approved glossary.
Translation software comes in many shapes and forms, more and more often steering far from ordinary CAT tools towards complex yet easy-to-use Translation Management Systems (TMS).
Stay tuned for a few names particularly useful for localizing software below!
Internationalization is the set of actions that prepare software code for localizing. It's often mistaken for localization, globalization, or even translation.
Find the differences:
To make things simpler for you:
Globalization = Internationalization + Localization
And by the way, a locale is a geographic region defined by a combination of language and culture norms. “Locale” is not to be confused with „language”!
Localizing software is a critical aspect of making sure your software is appealing to international users. A multilingual user interface is a great way to increase the appeal of your software, but making sure the UX is perfect takes time and effort.
Don't forget about localizing - it's an important part of the workflow that can make or break the app's success. Make sure all the text is legible, the typography is on point, and that all language directions are followed. Additionally, make sure you're mindful of character length, and - we can't stress that enough - Unicode!
Remember, localized content is a critical part of cross-cultural marketing and user experience plays a vital role here!
Related content: Localizing Software? Here's the Buyer's Guide for You!
It's time for a quick look at the basics of localizing applications on mobile platforms. First, the main mobile platforms: iOS and Android. Each of them has specific internationalization and localization requirements to translate applications.
Collectively, localizing a mobile app differs from desktop software translation in many aspects due to completely different user interface design and user experience. This affects string lengths, for example. You use your mobile apps in different ways and many times for different purposes, right? Well, when localizing, you need to take it into account.
That's why it's important to pick the right platform and process for this specific use case.
Localizing software is an important task that requires a lot of dedication and skill. These days, it's become more important than ever as software is localized for various platforms and systems like Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS. These two environments require different localization engineering efforts and different translation and testing environments.
That's why before localizing can even begin, the software must be properly designed and prepared for the target environment and of course, the audience.
Once localizing is complete, the application can be distributed to consumers in their language of choice.
If you localize your software, it can boost user engagement and satisfaction by providing a better desktop experience for local customers. So, if you're looking to get your software localized, make sure to follow these tips!
Localizing software can be a complex and time-consuming process. That's why it's important to have a plan and a project manager who can coordinate the efforts of various team members.
Before starting to localize, it's important to take into account various factors, such as the target market, the software's features, and the user interface. Before you can translate and localize, you need to internationalize your app first in order not to run into any issues down the line.
Once that stage is complete, localization testing needs to be carried out to ensure the accuracy of the localized output.
The final step is to release localized versions of the software into the target markets. With a little bit of planning and coordination, localizing can be a breeze!
When it comes to localizing software, there are many file formats that application developers work with. These depend on the platform a given piece of software will be released to.
Localizable resources for Microsoft Windows may include many file formats like RESX. On macOS, it can be XIB or STRINGS files.
There are many other localizable formats available depending on the platform, desktop or mobile, a given piece of software will be released to. For each platform, app developers need to perform specific setup actions to move smoothly forward with their product localization.
Localization comes in many shapes and colors depending on the software product. But there are a few common denominators, one of them being translation software that ensures an easy process. There are many tools and platforms you can use to get the job done quickly and accurately. Unfortunately, Microsoft Office is not enough this time. You need many great features this time, including translation memories, term bases, and other lifesavers.
Some of the most popular options include:
QT and their QT Linguist - by the way, you must watch this video from them:
Each has its strengths (visual and WYSIWYG are great modes) and weaknesses (not every translation software is good for all software translations); it's important to choose the right one for your specific needs.
Before getting started though, make sure you have a clear understanding of what software application translation entails so that you can better select which translation software will suit your needs best!
If you are planning on localizing your software, you will need to choose a translator or translation agency that can do it for you. There are three main types of providers: freelance translators, translation agencies, and machine translation (if you must use Google Translate, make sure you're not using the free public version - read Google Translate Terms&Conditions to check if you are OK with the lack of any privacy here before the launch).
Whichever option you choose, make sure the provider is experienced in localizing software for your industry. This will ensure that the translations are accurate and error-free. Set your priorities first. As they say: "Good, fast, cheap - you can only pick two!". Choose wisely as your global software launch is at stake here!
By translating your software into various languages, you can reach a wider audience and increase the chances of users adopting and recommending it. But what's the sequence of events to get to that point?
There are five main steps involved in the translation process:
Each step has its unique challenges that need to be accounted for during the translation process. For example, you need to consider which is the best for your project: the standard (yes, some call it old-school) waterfall process (fancy email or FTP back-and-forth?), continuous localization, or a connector to both of these worlds: agile localization.
Make sure to take all these factors into account when planning your translation project, so that you achieve the best possible results.
Related content: 15 Software Loc Myths
Software localization is an important step in ensuring software is accessible to as many people as possible. However, it's not an easy task, and can often be derailed by incorrect decisions. Just take a look at these five common localization mistakes that application developers should avoid:
By following these tips, you'll be on the right track to creating a properly localized user-friendly app!
With the ever-growing trend of globalization, it's no wonder that software launches are now happening in many different languages. All the time, 24/7.
However, coordinating global software launches in many languages can be a challenge. With proper knowledge, tools, and processes, you can smoothly translate your product into different languages. However, make sure to plan your efforts well in advance - otherwise, you might find yourself scrambling at the last minute.
Keep in mind, though, that these launches don't happen overnight. It will take time and effort to localize a software product properly. Why? Because the workload to make your software product available in various markets and regions with various languages and cultures is huge.
You need to be well-equipped for success. You need the right people, efficient workflows, translation software, and most of all, you need a thorough plan.
If you plan your actions and focus on the goal, everything will go as scheduled.
By now, you must know more about how localizing an app localization works and why it is such an important aspect of software development. Understanding it in greater detail and knowing the answers to the most common question is both a must and a good starting point on your journey to a multilingual user interface of your software with a superb user experience, both desktop, and mobile.
By learning about the different roles localization plays and the benefits it offers, you will be well on your way to making app translations a smooth process.
There are many languages, out there, Greek, Polish, Thai, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Czech, Dutch, Estonian, Persian, Hebrew, Lao, Hindi, Icelandic, Kazakh, Afrikaans, Hausa, Amharic, Welsh, Igbo, Luxembourgish, Yoruba, Tajik, Malagasy, Malay, Punjabi, Gujarati and more. Just pick the ones you want for your app and start localizing to make your users happy, wherever they are.
Now go and grow!
Hold on a sec! This has been just a primer, but we have something extra for you. Click here for the full-scope introduction to localization as presented by people from Microsoft at the biggest translation and localization conference in the world, LocWorld. Anything we haven't covered here, you'll find it there. Even the tiniest details. Enjoy!
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