12 Steps to Software Translation Success

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1 12 Steps to Software Translation Success

2 12 Steps to Software Translation Success Copyright Globalization Partners International. All rights reserved. This ebook was authored and produced by Globalization Partners International (GPI). The information provided in this ebook is a combination of curated and contributed content from various sources including: GPI Global Bloggers Company Information US Headquarters Washington, D.C Towers Crescent Drive, Suite 1350, Vienna, Virginia Phone: Toll Free: Global Fax: info@globalizationpartners.com MENA Headquarters Dubai, United Arab Emirates Dubai Media City, Business Centre 2 Building 8, Office Number 71 P.O. Box , Dubai, UAE Phone: info@globalizationpartners.com Translation Services Document Translation Multilingual Desktop Publishing Audio/Video Translation Software Translation Website Translation Software and Website Testing Global Search Engine Marketing Mobile Application Translation ecommerce Localization ebook Translation Multilingual Website Design, Development and Deployment Page II Copyright Globalization Partners International.

3 Table of Contents Introduction 1 Getting Started: Your Source Files 3 Questions About Your Software Project 4 Translation Process 5 Localization Kit Review 7 Project Kick-Off 8 Subject Matter Training and Research 9 Cultural Correctness Assessment 10 Glossary & Style Guide Development 11 Transcreation-Copy Writing (Translation, Editing, Proofing) 12 Localization of All Graphics 13 Build UI 14 Basic Software Testing & QA 15 Generate-Create Online Help & Documentation 16 Final Delivery 17 Final Edits and Archiving of Files 18 Resources 19 Copyright Globalization Partners International. Page III

4 12 Steps to Software Translation Success Introduction Whether you are trying to release a multilingual product in order to increase your global market share and ROI or you are trying to increase your company s global operational efficiencies by developing multilingual applications, Software Globalization is a requirement to make either a reality. Software Globalization is a comprehensive service offering, consisting of both Internationalization and Localization. GPI works in over 100 languages including: Arabic Basque Catalan Chinese Simplified Chinese Traditional Czech Danish Dutch Finnish French German Greek Hebrew Hungarian Indonesian Italian Japanese Korean Norwegian Polish Portuguese Russian Slovenian Spanish Swedish Thai Turkish Vietnamese Software Globalization (G11N) is defined as the process of internationalizing and localizing your software, and may include other aspects of creating global applications such as: Global product marketing programs Target markets analysis Establishing multilingual support capabilities Internationalization (I18N) is defined as the process of developing a program core whose feature design and code do not make assumptions based on a single language or locale and whose source base simplifies the creation of different language editions of a program. Localization (L10N) is defined as the process of adapting a program for a specific international market, which includes translating the user interface, resizing dialog boxes, customizing features, and testing results to ensure the program still works. This guide book deals primarily with software localization. All translation projects are completed by professional native-speakers working in teams and utilizing state-of-the-art linguistic tools to ensure quality, consistency and cost-effectiveness of all work. Page 1 Copyright Globalization Partners International.

All projects are assigned a Globalization Services (GST) consisting of a project manager, base translators and copywriters, proofreaders, localization

Your Globalization Services will utilize our Globalization Project Management Suite (GPMS) and award-winning Translation Portal to help manage: 1.

Project archiving and Translation Memory management To learn more about GPI s Translation Services Portal, please visit: www.translationportal.com.

5 All projects are assigned a Globalization Services (GST) consisting of a project manager, base translators and copywriters, proofreaders, localization engineers and desktop publishers. Your Globalization Services will utilize our Globalization Project Management Suite (GPMS) and award-winning Translation Portal to help manage: 1. Quality assurance (QA) 2. Status reporting 3. Project schedules 4. Budget tracking 5. Management of all global resources 6. Project archiving and Translation Memory management To learn more about GPI s Translation Services Portal, please visit: You can register and use the portal for free including its budget builder, quick quote calculator and a library of useful global business links. Globalization Project Management Suite and Translation Portal Copyright Globalization Partners International. Page 2

12 Steps to Software Translation Success Getting Started: Your Source Files Clients are asked to provide a complete set of source files, also known as a Localization Kit.

All Documentation source files (e.g. FrameMaker, Word, etc.). Includes all templates, books, fonts, original graphics (i.e., Photoshop, Illustrator). 3. All HELP source files (e.g. graphics, RTF, VBS, HTML, CNT/HHK/HHC).

These files are analyzed for: Number of words Source and target languages Subject matter Desktop publishing requirements Help authoring tool Software development platform & process

6 12 Steps to Software Translation Success Getting Started: Your Source Files Clients are asked to provide a complete set of source files, also known as a Localization Kit. Software Localization Kit should include: 1. All files in your development environment, specifically resource files (e.g. RC, RC2, DLG, H, HH, CPP, EXE, DLL, and graphic file formats). 2. All Documentation source files (e.g. FrameMaker, Word, etc.). Includes all templates, books, fonts, original graphics (i.e., Photoshop, Illustrator). 3. All HELP source files (e.g. graphics, RTF, VBS, HTML, CNT/HHK/HHC). Include all templates, fonts, books, original graphics. These files are analyzed for: Number of words Source and target languages Subject matter Desktop publishing requirements Help authoring tool Software development platform & process Internationalization requirements Client review and approval requirements Client workflow requirements A comprehensive quotation packet can then be generated, including all tasks, costs and timelines required to complete the project. You are given the opportunity to review and approve every quote. QUOTE TASKS SCHEDULE Page 3 Copyright Globalization Partners International.

7 Questions About Your Software Project To get started with your software translation project, your GPI team will have a few questions for you about your project. Translation Questions: 1. Please describe your software architecture (all components and databases, if any)? 2. List the development tools and programming languages used in the development of your product(s) (please specify version numbers). 3. List the platforms under which the localized versions will run. 4. Is all localizable content separated from the code in resource files? 5. If not, in which tiers would we find localizable content (presentation, application, storage)? Should we externalize all localizable content into resource files before localization? 6. Does application require any third-party scripts/components? Do you know if they support the target languages into which you want to localize your application? 7. Describe all collateral materials (such as documentation and on-line help) that should also be localized. Include authoring development tools used for each. 8. Does your documentation contain screen captures? Can you provide scripts to re-capture those screens? 9. Do you want GPI to perform testing? What level of testing are you interested in (Internationalization, Localization, Functionality)? 10. Do you have any specific Test Plans and Scripts? 11. Are there any Translation Memories (TMs), glossaries and/or previous translations for this project? Copyright Globalization Partners International. Page 4

8 12 Steps to Software Translation Success Translation Process According to global software deployment best practices, the software translation/localization process should include approximately 13 steps. This workflow adheres to translation industry best practices and can be customized to fit your workflow needs. Each step in the website translation process involves: 1. Certain Members Quality Assurance Procedures Each of the following 13 Steps includes a combination of 1-3 as detailed in the following pages/steps. GPI will utilize Translation Memory technology to store all completed translation source and target language content to ensure consistency and cost savings across projects. Translation Memory is a tool that stores all translations including source and target languages to ensure consistency and cost savings from project to project. To learn more about Translation Memory tools please see: Guide to Translation Memory (TM) and What is a Translation Memory (TM)? Page 5 Copyright Globalization Partners International.

9 Localization Kit Review Localization of All Graphics Project Kick-Off Build UI Subject Matter Training and Research Basic Software Testing & QA Cultural Correctness Assessment Generate-Create Online Help & Documentation Glossary & Style Guide Development Final Delivery Transcreation- Copy Writing (Translation, Editing, Proofing) Final Edits and Archiving of Files Copyright Globalization Partners International. Page 6

12 Steps to Software Translation Success Localization Kit Review 01 Desktop Publishers Internationalization Engineers QA-Testers The final set of source files or Localization Kit is reviewed

10 12 Steps to Software Translation Success Localization Kit Review 01 Desktop Publishers Internationalization Engineers QA-Testers The final set of source files or Localization Kit is reviewed confirming all information in the quote. The files are prepared in order to utilize a Translation Memory tool workflow and preserve any mark-up/ formatting code in order to ensure time- and cost-effectiveness. Quality Assurance GPI follows a comprehensive, customizable and fully documented Quality Control Process. Each step in our translation workflow includes a series of checklist-based quality audits to ensure the accuracy of the translation. Your QA and workflow processes can also be easily incorporated into our workflow. Page 7 Copyright Globalization Partners International.

Project Kick-Off 02 Desktop Publishers Internationalization Engineers QA-Testers A Project Kick-Off includes and confirms the following: 99 The project team 99 Project schedules 99 Project

11 Project Kick-Off 02 Desktop Publishers Internationalization Engineers QA-Testers A Project Kick-Off includes and confirms the following: 99 The project team 99 Project schedules 99 Project specifications 99 Workflow requirements 99 Communication channels 99 Review & approval opportunities 99 Review current web authoring and publishing workflow Copyright Globalization Partners International. Page 8

12 Steps to Software Translation Success Subject Matter Training and Research 03 Desktop Publishers Internationalization Engineers QA-Testers A GPI Globalization Services (GST) will review/ study any

12 12 Steps to Software Translation Success Subject Matter Training and Research 03 Desktop Publishers Internationalization Engineers QA-Testers A GPI Globalization Services (GST) will review/ study any reference materials provided, including source files, demos and general client information. In addition, there may be client-specific training related to the subject matter of the application. Page 9 Copyright Globalization Partners International.

Cultural Correctness Assessment 04 Desktop Publishers Internationalization Engineers QA-Testers Before the actual translation begins, the source UI, HELP and documentation contents and

13 Cultural Correctness Assessment 04 Desktop Publishers Internationalization Engineers QA-Testers Before the actual translation begins, the source UI, HELP and documentation contents and overall UI design are reviewed for basic cultural correctness and customizations that may be required. Copyright Globalization Partners International. Page 10

12 Steps to Software Translation Success Glossary & Style Guide Development 05 Desktop Publishers Internationalization Engineers QA-Testers Translation teams develop and maintain companyspecific

14 12 Steps to Software Translation Success Glossary & Style Guide Development 05 Desktop Publishers Internationalization Engineers QA-Testers Translation teams develop and maintain companyspecific glossaries, leveraging from any existing client glossaries, reference materials and the latest industryspecific dictionaries. Language style guides may be developed as well to help ensure conventions for style and usage across translated content. Quality Assurance You are given an opportunity to review and approve at several stages in the software translation process. Page 11 Copyright Globalization Partners International.

Transcreation-Copy Writing (Translation, Editing, Proofing) 06 Desktop Publishers Internationalization Engineers QA-Testers Translation is performed by a base translation/ copy writing team and

15 Transcreation-Copy Writing (Translation, Editing, Proofing) 06 Desktop Publishers Internationalization Engineers QA-Testers Translation is performed by a base translation/ copy writing team and edited/proofread by a second linguistic team. All translations are completed by human translators utilizing Translation Memory technologies that ensure an efficient and consistent translation. Quality Assurance You are given an opportunity to review and approve at several stages in the software translation process. Copyright Globalization Partners International. Page 12

12 Steps to Software Translation Success Localization of All Graphics 07 Desktop Publishers Internationalization Engineers QA-Testers All embedded translatable text such as call-outs and legends are

16 12 Steps to Software Translation Success Localization of All Graphics 07 Desktop Publishers Internationalization Engineers QA-Testers All embedded translatable text such as call-outs and legends are pulled from graphics and translated using the standard translation workflow. The translated text is then incorporated into the original graphic, adjusting as required, to create a language or localized version of the graphic. Care must be taken to design user guide pages and graphics for languages that expand and take up more space. Page 13 Copyright Globalization Partners International.

17 Build UI 08 Desktop Publishers Internationalization Engineers QA-Testers The UI and Help file formats are verified to ensure code or tags have been preserved. Formatting or desktop publishing (DTP) of the documents includes formatting the target language documentation to match the original source documents in terms of layout, fonts, graphics, and overall design. Many software applications incorporate various multimedia components (Flash intros, video/audio clips, animations, etc.) that may require localization. All these multimedia components are localized according to your specifications. Quality Assurance You are given an opportunity to review and approve at several stages in the software translation process. Copyright Globalization Partners International. Page 14

12 Steps to Software Translation Success Basic Software Testing & QA 09 Desktop Publishers Internationalization Engineers QA-Testers GPI provides basic Localization Quality Assurance (QA) as a

18 12 Steps to Software Translation Success Basic Software Testing & QA 09 Desktop Publishers Internationalization Engineers QA-Testers GPI provides basic Localization Quality Assurance (QA) as a standard line item for all software projects. This QA checks the language versions of your software for any cosmetic or linguistic issues, and will help identity basic functionality issues as well. Typically all testing is client-driven and GPI s professionals can work side by side with your expert users to perform Internationalization (I18N), Localization (L10N) and/or Functionality. Help and documentation components are tested as well. Page 15 Copyright Globalization Partners International.

Generate-Create Online Help & Documentation 10 Voice Talents/Characters Recording Engineers Identify different software features and generate

19 Generate-Create Online Help & Documentation 10 Voice Talents/Characters Recording Engineers Identify different software features and generate related help content for end user. Publish online help. Copyright Globalization Partners International. Page 16

12 Steps to Software Translation Success Final Delivery 11 Desktop Publishers Internationalization Engineers QA-Testers After translation and verification of localized

provided to you. Client may review and approve all documentation for both translation accuracy and design correctness.

20 12 Steps to Software Translation Success Final Delivery 11 Desktop Publishers Internationalization Engineers QA-Testers After translation and verification of localized files and desktop publishing, final drafts of all target language files (UI, help, documentation and graphics), matching source language formats and structure, are provided to you. Client may review and approve all documentation for both translation accuracy and design correctness. Quality Assurance You are given an opportunity to review and approve at several stages in the software translation process. Page 17 Copyright Globalization Partners International.

Final Edits and Archiving of Files 12 Desktop Publishers Internationalization Engineers QA-Testers You provide any final comments for the translation and formatting.

21 Final Edits and Archiving of Files 12 Desktop Publishers Internationalization Engineers QA-Testers You provide any final comments for the translation and formatting. Comments are incorporated and final documents are produced and redelivered. GPI ensures your Translation Memories and Glossaries are updated with any final linguistic changes and the final project folder, including all source files, are securely stored for future revisions if required. Please note: The translation process shown here represents a basic software translation workflow adhering to both GPI s documented Quality Assurance Process and Global Best Practices for producing multilingual software. GPI s translation process is routinely customized to align with our clients software authoring, quality assurance and and production workflows. Copyright Globalization Partners International. Page 18

12 Steps to Software Translation Success

translation processes and services, please

GPI s informative Steps to Success series.

22 12 Steps to Software Translation Success Resources To learn more about languages, translation processes and services, please visit GPI s Globalization Resources ebook Library at: link here. Please click below to download other ebooks in GPI s informative Steps to Success series. Page 19 Copyright Globalization Partners International.

10 Steps to Document Translation Success

10 Steps to Document Translation Success www.globalizationpartners.com 10 Steps to Document Translation Success Copyright 2016-2017 Globalization Partners International. All rights reserved. This ebook