A localization strategy allows companies to present themselves in a unique and marketable way to new audiences. This is a necessary strategy for the...
3 min read
05/01/2023
Software localization services facilitate global communication regardless of physical borders. They offer an advantage for the user and, mostly, for developers and companies providing online services and applications.
Their main objective is to produce software with the functionalities and appearance of a program originally developed for the user in the target region. Consequently, knowing about software localization and implementing it is more than useful, it is essential for accessing new markets.
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Software localization: what is it?
Software localization can be defined as a process in which a computer program is adapted to the linguistic and cultural requirements of the end user using specialized technology.
Therefore, it is not only about the translation of the software interface, it also involves modifying the code, design elements, and certain terminology so that the program or application is culturally adapted to the target audience. For example, the following needs to be taken into account:
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Units of measurement
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Date, time, and number formats
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Legal Requirements
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Payment methods
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Colors, buttons, images, and multimedia resources
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Messages to the user
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Online help
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Who is software localization for?
Software localization is specifically aimed at:
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Developers and companies that design desktop and mobile applications
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Companies that design online learning experiences
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Developers and companies that design web applications
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Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) providers
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Developers of services for the metaverse, such as virtual reality and augmented reality applications
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Digital experience designers, such as content creators and providers
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System integrators that combine software designed for a specific market with the IT ecosystem of a company working in another location
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Deciding whether to localize or not
A company needs software localization services in the following situations:
The software is region-specific
When an application is useful only for a specific region, the company may not see the need to localize the software.
But it is necessary to study whether, in that region or market, there are minority groups or communities with different cultures and languages. And if this is the case, the company must localize its software or application to benefit and include that group. This increases product acceptance.
It is in the launch process
If the company is launching software, it is important to take localization into account. Even if the company's initial target is only a specific region, future globalization of the software should be considered and planned.
In order to save future resources, it is imperative that the system be prepared for localization during the development phase. For example, by including international characters and avoiding colloquial expressions.
You are seeking to scale up your database
If the developer company wishes to enter a new market, or even if it has already penetrated this new region and has a foreign audience, it is vital to start the software localization process in order to scale up its user base and target new horizons.
For this, it is important to incorporate good localization practices into the work process.
Best practices in software localization
Understanding the software localization process is only part of it; best practices must also be implemented to ensure success:
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Perform key steps:
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Identify resource files to be translated
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Translate the content of the files and review the output to correct errors
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Include the translated files in the code structure
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Modify the dimensions of the dialog boxes, in case the translated content requires it
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Test the software to evaluate the results
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Ensure a design that is easy to translate and adapt to the different cultures and languages, creating or preparing the source elements, the structure, and the correct design.
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Anticipate the need for expanding the interface design because there are languages with more detail than others, so they might require more space.
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For example, German words are very long, whereas English is a concise, short language.
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Seek advice from an expert company specialized in software localization. In addition to ensuring product globalization, costly errors can be avoided.
Software localization with Pangeanic
At Pangeanic, we are specialists in neural machine translation, and software and website localization is one of our most popular services.
Our software and website localization service offers the highest translation accuracy and the best adaptation to the new market. In addition to providing accuracy in terms of language, we also adapt the other aspects that affect the understanding and use of applications or websites.
AI-based machine translation
Our machine translation solutions are all developed using artificial intelligence. Various companies and government agencies across Europe and the United States have already chosen them because of their high capacity to process information because they enable human-in-the-loop integration, and because they guarantee data privacy.
Contact us to successfully plan your entry into new markets. At Pangeanic, we are your perfect translation partner.