Website Translation, Localization and Internationalization
Many customers new to translation are confused by the terms “translation,” “localization,” and “internationalization.” Though each defines a distinct method for web-based projects, the terms “localization” and “translation” are typically utilized by each other. This article explains the mystery surrounding these basic concepts.
Website translation can also be referred to by the term “Website Globalization.” To “translate” a website into different languages, you might require two services: Internationalization (I18N) as well as Localization (L10N) services.
What is Website Globalization?
Internationalization (I18N) is the process of making it possible for the backend of a site to support different characters, languages, and currencies, as well as submission form data, search features as well as other features. This requires knowing the databases as well as Content Management Systems you’re using to create, store and publish the content of your website. The recent version of the database (DB) as well as Content Management Systems (CMS) already support websites Internationalization or support different languages.
Localization (L10N) is the process of the translation and localization of the front page of your site into various languages, ensuring that every element (text and images) can be translated in a correct and culturally acceptable way. Localization of websites involves translating the website that is appropriate for the particular locale of your intended audience, for instance, the Brazilian Portuguese language, as opposed to the European Portuguese language.
You may be looking to create a multi-lingual website to broaden the market for your goods and services or to improve your business’s efficiency in global operations by implementing intranets and extranets that are multilingual, and intranets, globalization of your website is essential to ensure that either is an actuality. To enable your website to connect, conduct, and fully international commerce, you must be able to translate (globalize) your site.
Every client’s requirements are specific, and there are various elements that impact the costs and resources in a complicated globalization initiative.
Web site Internationalization Methodology and Internationalization (I18N) Methodology could consist of the following four steps:
Discovery
Assessment
Implementation
Testing
Every client is assigned a Globalization Services Team (GST) in accordance with the information that was collected during the Discovery process. The information collected during the first step is crucial to ensure that each person selected has the knowledge and skills to not only complete the I18N process and transfer the necessary expertise and knowledge to your development teams in-house. Each client has the chance to look over their GST members their credentials and to take a test with them.
In order to begin, supply an agent for localization with a copy of Your Internationalization Kit, which should comprise of:
It is your website(s) URL
Any login or password instructions
Summary of the architecture of the website
The summary of any technologies or tools used in the development of your site
Contact details to your team of developers members who will take part in the globalization process.
Contact details to your team’s marketing that will take part in the globalization process.
Any source code that you can use for your website or web-driven app
Website Localization Methodology
The process of localizing a website could consist of some of the steps below:
Review, Analysis, and Preparation of Client’s Source Files
Project Kick-Off Confirming Scope, Schedule, and Teams
Web Authoring and Publishing Workflow Review
Subject Matter Training and Research
Glossary and Style Guide Development
Cultural Correctness Assessment
Search Engine Optimization and Global Search Engine Marketing
Translation, Editing, and Proofreading of All Content
Web Graphics Localization
Multilingual Desktop Publishing for downloadable Documentation in the Language Version
Localization of Multimedia (e.g., Audio/Video Translation)
Draft Delivery to Client
Basic Online QA & Testing
Final Edits, Translation Memory Updates, and Archiving of Files
In order to begin, supply the localization firm with an original copy of your Localization Kit that should comprise of:
It is your website(s) URL
Any login or password instructions
Summary of the architecture of the site
The summary of any technologies or tools used in the development of your site
Information regarding Content Management System (CMS) is used to create and store content, as well as publish it.
The files that comprise your website are in the original folder/file structure, where appropriate
All original graphics that are used on your site (artwork and background buttons for navigation)
All application source files (Word, PowerPoint, Quark, etc.) to access any documentation on your website
All application source files (Flash, etc.) for all multimedia files available on your website
An inventory (if there is one) of all documents which require translation
