Localization

Neutral Spanish

Translation Comments Off

Jun 282012

Can such a language exist?

Latin American Spanish Photo: www.izea.net/world/southamerica.htm

The Spanish language was born in Spain out of the prolific womb of Vulgar Latin. When Spain decided to conquer Latin America, they brought their language with them and introduced it to the indigenous peoples.

However, just as the United States of America is geographically cut off from England, producing different intonations, language patterns and phrases, the huge mountain ranges and impenetrable jungle landscapes of Latin America have isolated pockets of Spanish being spoken throughout the region. There is also the same Atlantic Ocean that still separates them all from Mother Spain herself. These geographic barriers produced several dialects of Spanish that sound distinctly different than the Spanish mother tongue. As all languages evolve with time, almost every region of Latin America has a form of Spanish uniquely their own, with some distinctive nouns and phraseology. Other areas that are so cut off from the outer world by nearly insurmountable geographic forces have kept a form of Spanish almost as pure as their Castilian predecessors. Continue reading “Neutral Spanish” »

Translating Paradise

Language Resources Comments Off

Jun 272012

Many historical translators believe all human languages descended from the Garden of Eden.

Adam and Eve Photo: www.answersfrommen.com

Scholars across the globe once believed that all human languages were handed down from the language of Adam and Eve, a language referred to as Adamic.

“In the Sanskrit Language (1786), Sir William Jones proposed that Sanskrit and Persian had resemblances to classical Greek, Latin, Gothic and Celtic languages. From this idea sprang the field of comparative historical linguistics. Through the 19th century, European linguistics centered on the comparative history of the Indo-European languages, with a concern for finding their common roots and tracing their development.”

Operating from a biblical vantage point, some intellectuals accepted as truth that all human languages were the progeny of the language of Adam and Eve’s Adamic Language. Many of these learned men believed that the Hebrew Language was, in fact, the Continue reading “Translating Paradise” »

Internationalization: Step One Moving Towards Localization

Globalization, Localization Comments Off

Jun 252012

The Localization process begins with Internationalization of the software or website.

Internationalization photo: www.tbmagazine.net

The Internationalization of your software and/or website is the first critical step towards Localization. But let’s start with a quick overview of exactly what Internationalization is. LISA, the now defunct Localization Industry Standards Association, defined it as follows:

Internationalization is the process of generalizing a product so that it can handle multiple languages and cultural conventions without the need for re-design. Internationalization takes place at the level of program design and document development.

Basically, prior to sending the source material to the localization vendor, the product must be made ready for international markets. This process entails the removal of text to be translated from the software source code. “String files, or if you prefer, “resource files,” are created to house the translated text. Next, the Continue reading “Internationalization: Step One Moving Towards Localization” »

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” »

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” »

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?” »

Graduates in High Demand for Localization Work in Ireland

Localization Comments Off

Feb 012012

The Centre for Next Generation Localisation (CNGL) is urging secondary students to consider a career in the localization sector. They have put together a guide based on research from four Irish universities, Ireland-based multinationals including IBM and Microsoft, and other subject matter experts. The guide itself highlights the range of careers in localization and shows case studies of former Irish graduates that have gone on to work in the localization industry.

Dr Páraic Sheridan, the associate director at CNGL, said, “Localisation is critical to so many industries, including software, games, financial services and medical devices, in bringing their products to foreign markets, so it really is vital to Ireland’s export-led recovery.” At Language Translation, we understand the importance of having quality localization and the effect it has on promoting your business worldwide.

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Language Translation, Inc.
A leading language translation and interpretation service provider for more than 20 years.

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