Before you start your localization

Before you start your localization.. - Pradeeban

Use the standard terminology
Try to get the correct translation from the reliable sources.
Glossary.
Experts.
Localization teams.
If not found in the computer glossary already
Propose them to add to the glossary.
Get it approved and accepted.
Leave the unknown words as blank.
Don't invent your own words/phrases.

Be consistent
Window
சாளரம்
ஜன்னல்
Stick to the one commonly accepted.
சாளரம்
Stick to the conventions.

Translate as phrases not word-by-word
Add image
படத்தைச் சேர்க்கவும்
NOT
சேர்க்கவும் (add) படம் (image)
Do you want to stop?
CORRECT
"நிறுத்த வேண்டுமா?" (want to stop?)
INCORRECT
நீ நிறுத்த வேண்டுமா?" (you want to stop?)

"Them" – as the plural of 'it'.
அவற்றை
"Them" – as the plural of 'he'/'she'.
அவர்களை
"written by: Raja"
"எழுதியவர்:ராஜா" - looks natural.
"எழுதப்பட்டது ராஜா" - doesn't make sense.
Hence “written by:” should be, "எழுதியவர்:”.
Translate for the context. Not the words/phrases as they are...

Be respectful to the user
Some languages including Tamil different ways to address the people in verbs.
Make sure you address respectfully.
DON'T Use
"நீ" for “You”
"நிறுத்து" for “stop”
Use
"நீங்கள்" for “You” (with respect).
”நிறுத்தவும்” for “stop” (correct form).

Locales
Translate for the correct locale, if any.
English
en-US (American English)
en-GB (British English)
..
Tamil
ta-IN (Indian Tamil)
ta-LK (Sri Lankan Tamil)
..

Easy translations first if you prefer..
To be motivated.
Not bad to drop a few difficult phrases to translate later or by someone else.

Don't use slang or spoken/broken language
Check the spellings
Know the grammar
Be formal

Don't translate EVERYTHING
Don't try to translate
Control strings
n
%ld
Units
MB
KB
Don't add unnecessary spaces or special characters, if not translated.
Don't make “n” into “ n” or “n.”

Don't just Google Translate
Machine translations can't replace the humans.
Google Translate is a learning algorithm.
It is still learning.
Not complete.
Can never replace an expert.
Crowd sourcing is better than a machine in translations.

Thank you..
This presentation is focussed on Tamil language localization.
But most of these suggestions should fit the other languages too.
http://kkpradeeban.blogspot.com/2009/03/localization-tips-new-translation-l10n.html

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Before you start your localization

by Kathiravelu Pradeeban on Dec 03, 2011

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Before you start your localization — Presentation Transcript