World View Blog

Translation vs. Localization

Localization, Translation Comments Off

Jun 212012

Translation converts written text into another language and localization brings those conversions into the wonderful worlds of technology and computers.

Translation/localization photo: www.buildingonline.net

Translation involves the conversion of written text or spoken words into another language. It is essential that a full understanding of the source material be flawlessly rendered into the target language, concentrating on all possible cultural nuances and style.

The difference between translation and localization can be defined as follows:

“Translation is only one of the activities in localization; in addition to translation, a localization project includes many other tasks such as project management, software engineering, testing and desktop publishing.”¹

Localization is typically used by software and web page development industries for translating their software or web sites into different languages and designing them with a specific country or region in mind. Localization implies that the culture and mannerisms of the specific location for which the localized product is intended will be assimilated into the translation of that product. Products and environments are geared to work naturally with the target language and individual locale by adding region-specific programs and translating text.

Continue reading “Translation vs. Localization” »

Localization Process

Localization Comments Off

Jun 212012

No two localization projects are the same.

Localization Photo: www.languagetranslation.com/news

So far, we have discussed internationalization, globalization and localization in several forums. Let us try now to delve even further into the fast-paced and ever-in-demand world of localization.

Like snowflakes in nature, no two localization projects are the same in the translation services industry. Each project can surprise you with both positive and negative challenges. There are times when the most daunting projects in size and scope with technically complex operations, flow seamlessly and without effort in a prompt and efficient method. Other times, the small and simple projects can turn into a nightmare of never-ending complications.

Each step in the Localization process, including the linguistic, technical and project management steps, requires the establishment of precise and accurate definitions and parameters before project inauguration. This enables the clarification of the dimensions of the project, and makes them accessible to all parties involved.

“Preparation is key in every project!” Continue reading “Localization Process” »

Need a Great Translator?

Translation Comments Off

Jun 192012

Translation agencies provide high quality translation plus project management.

Translation-flags photo: ehow.com

Thanks to the wonders of the Internet, finding a translator is as easy as typing “translator” into your search engine and waiting to see who or what pops up. How in the world can you possibly know if you have found what you need? Do they have both the linguistic training in all languages required for your project as well as a working knowledge of the subject matter? The truth is there is no license required to become a “translator.” Anybody can assume the title without the requisite training, education and life experience necessary to do the job with quality or accuracy. Luckily, if you search for a “translation agency” instead, you will be rewarded with their ability to provide high quality translation as well as project management.

Anyone can create an attractive website, embellish their credentials and establish themselves as a professional translator. Who would know the difference? The only way you could ascertain if they had generated an accurate translation for you, is to hire yet another professional translator/editor to check their work. If you don’t double check with editing or Continue reading “Need a Great Translator?” »

Language Translation and its Arabic Influence

Translation Comments Off

Jun 192012

Arab invaders brought a new culture rich in medical and scientific knowledge.

The evolution of Latin into the Spanish language occurred simultaneously with the invasion of Spain by the Moors in 718 A.D. While the use of Latin expanded over the country, the Arab conquerors introduced a new culture rich in medical and scientific knowledge. During the 8^th and 9^th centuries, the Moors used their Baghdad House of Wisdom to translate this abundance of new intelligence into Latin. The Arabs also contributed vast works of literature from India and Persia which were translated through a variety of intermediary languages. These offerings included the Arabian Nights, the Koran and the Bible.

Life of Raymond Lull Courtesy: www.wikipedia.com

Two hundred years after the Moorish onslaught, Archbishop Raimundus (also known as Raymond Lull) built his School of Translators in Toledo. His goal was to translate the treasure trove of scientific and technological works gifted to Spain by the Arab invaders. Continue reading “Language Translation and its Arabic Influence” »

Localization

Localization Comments Off

Jun 182012

Localization moves translation into website production, software engineering and desktop publishing.

Localization Photo: languagetranslation.com

Localization, Globalization and Internationalization present a variety of definitions in the world of translation. In particular, the term, Localization is generally employed by the software and web page development industries in reference to translating their software or web sites into different languages and adapting them for a specific country or region. Localization implies that the culture of the country or region for which the localized product is intended will be incorporated into the translation of that product. Products and environments are constructed to work naturally with the target language and location by adding region-specific components and translating text.

Consequently, it is necessary for the localization process to contain many intricately woven steps beyond language translation. Project management, target market analysis, software engineering and testing, and desktop publishing (DTP) are also required measures. So it stands to reason that what differentiates translation and localization is the completion of these extra procedures. Continue reading “Localization” »

Internationalization

Globalization Comments Off

Jun 182012

Internationalization is the first step in the Globalization process.

UN Flags on display, photo: UN Photo/Joao Araujo Pinto

When a professional translation agency begins a Localization project, Internationalization is the critical first step in the process. This procedure includes designing software applications so that they can be adapted to a variety of languages and locations without engineering changes. This procedure includes the separation of text to be translated from the software text code. The text files are then placed in separate “string files” or “resource files,” creating a core of content that is not limited to any one language or market. The translators on the project receive only these translatable text files in an attempt to prevent any inadvertent changes to the program code.

This also streamlines the revision process of the text files, as it eliminates the need for editors to wade through hundreds of lines of code to locate the translated text. It’s all right there stored in Continue reading “Internationalization” »

Globalization

Globalization Comments Off

Jun 122012

Globalization refers to the combined steps of Internationalization and Localization.

Image by Craig Roth www.wordle.net

As a term, Globalization can be used in several different ways. But here in the translation industry, it has manifested itself as the overall function of translating and “localizing” software and websites. In this capacity, software and web sites are enabled to accommodate non-English speaking readers. This particular version of Globalization is generally employed by sales and marketing departments as they target themselves towards taking their products global in international markets

Note: G11n is often used as an abbreviation for globalization, where “11″ indicates the number of letters between the “g” and the “n”.

LISA, The Localization Industry Standards Association, now defunct, defined Globalization as follows: Continue reading “Globalization” »

Spanish Book Translation Explodes

Translation Comments Off

Jun 122012

Tens of thousands of publications are being translated into Spanish each year.

Photo courtesy of www.ehow.com

More than 10,000 books annually are translated from English into Spanish. Tens of thousands additional works are translated from English into Spanish, including medical, technical, and scientific publications. These numbers can only continue to grow as the globalization of businesses around the world races with medical and technical advances to benefit the ever-growing Spanish-speaking population base. This is an amazing growth industry. Can you predict a niche market for any translating or interpreting companies?

Spanish Roots: Helpful in Language Translation

Learning Languages Comments Off

Jun 082012

The Spanish Language originated with the “Vulgar Latin” of Roman times, which aids in its translation into other languages.

Map courtesy: wps.ablongman.com

Spanish traces its roots back to the glory of the Roman Empire where Latin was the spoken and written language. In the 3^rd century, the Visigoths, a subculture of the Goths, came from the delta area of the Danube River, now a part of modern Germany. They invaded Rome and became the first barbarian nation within the Roman Empire.

For the next three centuries, the Visigoths set their sights on Spain and the Iberian Peninsula. This invasion and occupation inspired attempts to translate from Latin into Visigoth. However, the Visigoth language was eventually forsaken in favor of Vulgar Latin, a more utilitarian dialect than the more formal Classical Latin, which was spoken throughout the Roman Empire. From this “Vulgar Latin,” was born the Romance Languages with which we are familiar today: Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian and Romanian. Continue reading “Spanish Roots: Helpful in Language Translation” »

Is A Global Business Culture Just A Pipe Dream?

Localization Comments Off

May 312012

A prominent business educator and strategist speculates that the development of a true global business culture is improbable in the current global economy.

Students demonstrating multicultural attire Photo: gradcollege.okstate.edu

The last few decades have given rise to not only a large measure of economic globalization, but also a great deal of cultural globalization. Around the world, one can walk through almost any major city and find the same name brands, music and cuisine. There is nothing that slams this truth home any harder than the image of a McDonald’s near St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow, or within a stone’s throw of the ancient temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

However, the concept of a “global culture” or even a “global business culture” continues to elude us. This argument is effectually debated in an intriguing blog post by Maury Peiperl, Professor of Leadership and Strategic Change at IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland. Continue reading “Is A Global Business Culture Just A Pipe Dream?” »

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