The Role of Translators in the Software Localization Process
In software localization projects, we translators are expected to have complete command of the tools required, know the market and a lot of products, assume our own position in the process, and understand the constraints involved in ever shorter production cycles.
For this reason that most translators working in localization do so through intermediary translation bureaus, which are often specialized localization companies. Here’s what the role of translators in the software localization process is like.
Type of Software Localization We Handle
Software localization has the potential to open up your target market ten-fold. It is very important that all documentation and consumer interface text is translated with accurate technical lingo and nomenclature. International users of computer software have come to expect their software to “talk” to them in their own language.
This is not only a matter of convenience or of national pride, but a matter of productivity. Ultimately, users who understand a product fully will be more skilled in handling it and avoid mistakes. So they will prefer applications in their language and adapted to their cultural environment.
Swedish Translation Services provides Swedish translation and localization of the following:
- Software/user interface
- Help screens, instructions, menus, shortcut keys
- Software manuals
- License agreements
- Legal and security disclaimers
- Warranty arrangements
- Marketing material and packaging content
- Cultural related content
The Swedish market is on the frontline when it comes to adaptation and usage of new software. Most Swedes know English, but they still want and expect their software to be in Swedish.
The Typical Cycle of Localization
Software localization follows a cycle of comprehension. As translators are virtually never given more than a brief summary of the product specification, we must do a lot of guessing as to what function actually does what and consequently what to call it when we translate.
Often the purpose of a function, dialog box, or command will become apparent to us translators only when we finally get to the help file that explains it. In this case we may have to go back and change the term that was used in the first version of the software translation.
Furthermore, it may not even be the same person doing the software and the help, which complicates matters. Too often the software is already ready for production with no additional changes possible.
One of the attributes that characterize successful and sought-after software translators is precisely the ability to guess correctly about what given software string or dialog box or function actually does, to avoid having to loop back wherever possible. It is here that experience plays an important role.
The Standard Software Localization Process
- Analysis of the material and evaluation of tools and resources required
- Cultural, technical and linguistic assessment
- Creating and maintaining glossaries
- Translation to target languages
- Adaptation of user interface, resizing of forms and dialogs etc.
- Localization of graphics, or other media
- Compilation and build of localized files for testing
- Linguistic and functional quality assurance
- Project delivery
Of these steps, a translator usually participates in glossary creation, translation and linguistic testing.
Software Localization and Translation: What’s the Difference?
Software localization is the translation and adaptation of a software or web product, including the software itself and all related product documentation. Traditional translation is typically and activity performed after the source document has been finalized.
On the other hand, software localization projects often run in parallel with the development of the source product to enable simultaneous shipment of all language versions. Translation is only one of the activities in a localization project. There are other tasks involved in localization, such as project management, engineering, testing and desktop publishing.
Choose Professional Swedish Localization
As you prepare your Swedish software for localization, be sure to choose a professional English-Swedish linguist like me! I have years of experience in meeting the unique linguistic requirements of software localization for the Swedish market.
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