Differentiating Traditional Document Translation from Software Localization
People often assume that the process of software localization is similar to document translation. This is a wrong assumption. The facets of software localization contain a lot more technicalities than simple document translation. Software localization services have to start the process of localization along with the development of the product itself. It’s not like a simple translation mechanism, in which you have to finalise the original document before the process of translation starts.
Let’s see how the traditional translation of documents differs from the software localization process.
a) Activities
1. The Notion of Basic Translation
In simple words, basic translation is the process of converting words, phrases, and sentences from one language to another. Along with this activity, comes the process of finding the most suitable words and phrases that sit well with the target audience. In order to do this effectively, agencies need to conduct a solid cultural background check.
2. Quality Assurance
Once the cultural and linguistic research is completed, language-providing services enable the proofreading stage. This stage ensures the quality assurance step. And once that is done, the document is presented to the client.
In the software localization process, the activities involved are a bit different.
- An entire management program is set up in which multiple languages are embedded into system software so that the publishers can offer their products multilingually.
This often takes place in-app localization services, where designers have to offer their applications to the end consumers in multiple languages.
- In software localization, the testing phase holds real significance. This may include the engineering of the online platform that carries multilingual codes. Hence, the smooth operation and functioning of sudden switches from one language to another are crucial.
- The localization process of software is incomplete without the proper alignment of the translation memory mechanism.
b) Complexity
Relatively speaking, the software localization process is extremely complicated and arduous when compared to the traditional document translation process. The fact that software localization does not contain itself to just a fixed set of steps makes it even more difficult.
There are a lot of components involved.
- Handling of the entire software
- Sampling all the files and putting them in folders.
- Taking assistance from website localization services. They handle the transfer of text from one language to another.
- Multimedia demonstrations also play a big role in software localization. If not done properly, it can ruin your brand image. And also damage customer perception.
1. Multiple Re-Edition
Once the source material is finalised, the process of translation is initiated. The problem with this mechanism is that in software localization, the material is to be re-edited and changed several times before it is finalised.
2. Handling Huge Volumes of Data
Software localization involves huge amounts and volumes of data that need to be dealt with. Moreover, these stages are all interdependent. Meaning, every department has to be in collaboration with each other if the process has to produce successful results in the end.
3. Dealing with the Understandability Aspect
The team of translators needs to be constantly in touch with the developer team. This task is one of the most difficult tasks in the software localization procedure. The difficulty pertains to the understandability levels. It’s imperative that non-technical people (the translators) and the technical people ( developers) understand each other. And that too in every stage.
4. Maintaining Consistency
The consistency factor of the translators is crucial for software localization services. The coordination between the translators who translate the software and the translator who translates the guidance material and references is fundamental to maintaining that consistency level.
5. Dependency of Various Tasks
The dependency of various tasks is another factor that can either make the software localization process successful or unsuccessful. The fact that the software localization process is multifarious emboldens the effective completion of one task. Because if one task does not get properly completed, the next task can not succeed.
c) Adaption Level
1. Cultural Aspects
In the traditional document translation process, the aspects of culture, tradition, and religious nuances are not taken into consideration too much. However, the software localization process begs for targeting specific locales.
Hence, the developer team, as well as the translation team, have to direct their work towards that specific market segment. Because if they do not prioritize their locales, the chances for adaptability diminishes. Website localization services have to be very careful in this regard.
2. Regional Adaptability
- On top of that software localization also demands regional adaptability. In this scenario, you have to ensure that the character set is according to the locale. The size of the pages, along with the formats must be incoherent with the target market.
- Meanwhile, it is a given that the calendars plus the date and time should be that of the locale. And last but not least, the currency should be the national currency of the locale.
- If you are offering services to purchase your product or service, they will end up responding more if they can see the checkout page in their own currency. App localization services have to focus on this aspect since people often purchase via their mobile phone applications.
Conclusion
Conclusively, we can proclaim that the process of traditional document translation is very much different from software localization.
The differences start with the complexity of the tasks. Software localization demands a lot of strategic management in order to enable the smooth functioning of the process. Moreover, the complexity and adaptability aspects need to be prioritized if the goal is to be successful in your endeavors.
