This document provides an overview of localization project management. It defines localization, internationalization, and globalization. Localization involves adapting a product for a new language and culture, while translation is simply converting words without considering cultural differences. An internationalized product can support multiple languages. The document then discusses why localization is important, common localization tools, and the typical workflow and roles involved in a localization project, including translating software, documentation, and help files.

1. Localization Project Management
Maria Asnes
December 2009

2. Outline
 What is Localization?
◦ Localization (L10N) vs. Translation
◦ Internationalization (I18N)
◦ Globalization
◦ Localization History
 Why Localization?
 Localization Tools
 Localization Project Workflow
◦ Major milestones
◦ People Involved
◦ Software Localization
◦ Documentation Localization

3. Localization vs. Translation
 LOCALIZATION (L10N ) is the adaptation of a product to a new language and
culture. A localized program should be indistinguishable from a program written by
members of that culture
 TRANSLATION is the simple changing of words and phrases from one language
to another. It does NOT take into account, the cultural differences between the
people and the countries of the source and target languages.
 Example:
◦ English: President Barack Obama approved the budget of ten million dollars for the celebrations
of the 4th of July in Washington DC.
◦ French Translation: Le président Barack Obama a approuvé le budget de 10 millions de dollars
pour les festivités du 4 juillet à Washington.
◦ French Localization: Le président Nicolas Sarcozy a approuvé le budget de 7 millions d’Euros
pour les festivités du 14 juillet à Paris.

4. Internationalization
 INTERNATIONALIZATION (I18N) is a process of generalizing a product
so that it can handle multiple languages and cultural conventions without redesign.
During this process, linguistic and cultural elements are isolated from the code.
 Things to consider:
◦ Country-specific institutions : date/time format, holidays, telephone and address
format, measuring units, paper sizes, default font selection, case differences, word
separation and hyphenation, taxes, etc.
◦ Graphics and graphical symbols such as money ($, €, £,¥)
◦ Text expansion: number and length of words, sentence structure and punctuation.
◦ Character sets and fonts
◦ Terminology, abbreviations, acronyms, and jargon.
◦ Lists and Indexes (sorting/alphabetizing)
◦ Software: GUI (e.g use of color) and text
◦ Documentation: concise, clear, no slang or jargon, no culture-specific examples

5. Globalization = I18N + n x L10N
The greater the level of effort spent on internationalization, the
lesser the effort spent on localization.

6. Localization History
 Started in 1980s
 Introduction of desktop computers -> need for localized software
 More than just translation: project management involving translators,
editors, proofreaders.
 New technologies : Computer-Aided Translation (CAT) and Translation
Memory (TM) tools
 1990s – Consolidation of the Localization Industry
◦ More localization service providers
◦ Emergence of a relatively standard production
outsourcing framework.
◦ Further professionalization : industry organizations,
conferences, publications, academic interest and
generally increased visibility.

7. Why Localize?
 Some facts:
 English speakers : only ¼ of the world
population (some level of competence).
 Nearly 5 billion people are unreachable
without translation
 More non-English speakers use localized
software.
 Most software users expect their software
to be written in their own language.
 US software dominates the world market :
about 80% of software is localized from
English into other languages
 Typical localization priorities: FIGS
(French, Italian, German, Spanish) and
Japanese.
 Why localization is needed?
◦ Increase Revenue
◦ Engage customers more effectively
◦ Maintain global brand recognition

8. How to localize? Localization Tools
 Computer-Aided Translation (CAT) tools
◦ Segmentize the text into sentences
◦ Present the text in a convenient way to a translator
◦ Save the translation together with the source text in the
Translation Memory (TM)
◦ Reuse of the Translation Memory in future translations
◦ Fuzzy Search: can find segments which do not match 100 %.
◦ Terminology Glossary lookup
 Importance of using the CAT Tools
◦ Translation consistency and uniformity in terms usage
◦ Saving localization costs: repetitions are charged less then new
strings
◦ Saving time

9. Translation Using CAT and TM Tools

10. Localization Project Components
LOCALIZATION
PROJECT
SOFTWARE DOCUMENTATION HELP
Program Files PDF Web Help
Sample Files Tutorials
Demos
December
December 26, 2009 26, 2009

11. Localization Project: Major Milestones
 Project Initiation:
◦ Pre-Sales: a request for localization comes from Sales/Operations
◦ Analysis of Source Material: what files should be translated
◦ Scheduling and Budgeting: L10N PM asks for detailed quotes from several localization
vendors (costs, schedule, work to be done, deliverables)
◦ Kick-Off: L10N PM organizes a kick-off meeting with the L10N vendor
◦ Terminology Setup: prepare a Glossary of special terms used in your industry.
◦ Preparation of Source Material : prepare a L10N Kit (localizable files, detailed explanation,
required deliverables)
 Translation
◦ Translation of Software
◦ Translation of Online Help and Documentation
 Engineering and Testing the Software
 Screen captures
 Help Engineering and Desktop Publishing (DTP) of Documentation
 Product QA and Delivery
 Project Closure

12. People Involved: Interaction Touchpoints
Software Vendor Localization Vendor
Sales Account Manager
L10N Project
Manager L10N Project Manager
Local
PM R&D QA Engineering Translation DTP
Expert
CAT Tools DTP
Translators
Engineer Operator
QA Proofreaders
December 26, 2009

13. Software Localization Flow
Approve
Prepare Files 6.
Distribute
Guidelines RELEASE
Validate
PM
Send to Vendor 1. PREPARE Correct
5. TEST
L10N KIT LANGUAGE & UI
L10N Local
PM Expert
L10N
QA 4. TEST
2. TRANSLATE VENDOR FUNCTIONALITY
Extract Validate
Translate R&D Correct
Proofread
3. INTEGRATE
Update TM Integrate
Prepare a build

14. Documentation Localization Flow
Approve
Prepare Files Distribute
6. RELEASE
Guidelines
Validate
PM
Send to Vendor 1.PREPARE Correct
L10N KIT 5. PROOFREADING
TW/ Local
L10N PM Expert
2. TRANSLATE 4. SCREENSHOTS
Extract L10N Install
Translate VENDOR Take
Screenshots
Proofread Deliver
3. DTP
Update TM Format
Prepare Output