Internationalization and localization

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Screenshot of software programs localised to Italian.
Screenshot of software programs localised to Italian.

In computing, Internationalization and localization (also spelled internationalisation and localisation, see spelling differences) are means of adapting computer software for non-native environments, especially other nations and cultures. Internationalization is the process of designing a software application so that it can be adapted to various languages and regions without engineering changes. Localization is the process of adapting software for a specific region or language by adding locale-specific components and translating text.

Due to their length, the terms are frequently abbreviated to i18n (where 18 stands for the number of letters between the i and the n in internationalization, a usage coined at DEC in the 1970s or 80s[1]) and L10n respectively. The capital L on L10n helps to distinguish it from the lowercase i in i18n.

Some companies, like Microsoft and IBM, use the term globalization for the combination of internationalization and localization.[1] [2] Globalization can be also be abbreviated to just g11n.

Contents

[edit] Scope

Focal points of internationalization and localization efforts include:

  • Language
    • Computer-encoded text
    • Graphical representations of text (printed materials, online images containing text)
    • Spoken (Audio)
    • Subtitling of film and video
  • Culture
  • Writing Conventions
    • Date/time format, including use of different calendars
    • Time zones (UTC in internationalized environments)
    • Formatting of numbers (decimal points, positioning of separators, character used as separator)
  • Any other aspect of the product or service that is subject to regulatory compliance

The distinction between internationalization and localization is subtle but important. Internationalization is the adaptation of products for potential use virtually everywhere, while localization is the addition of special features for use in a specific locale. Internationalization is done once per product, while localization is done once for each combination of product and locale. The processes are complementary, and must be combined to lead to the objective of a system that works globally. Subjects unique to localization include:

[edit] Practice

The current prevailing practice is for applications to place text in resource strings which are loaded during program execution as needed. These strings, stored in resource files, are relatively easy to translate. Programs are often built to reference resource libraries depending on the selected locale data.

Thus to get an application to support multiple languages one would design the application to select the relevant language resource file at runtime. Resource files are translated to the required languages. This method tends to be application-specific and at best, vendor-specific. The code required to manage date entry verification and many other locale-sensitive data types also must support differing locale requirements. Modern development systems and operating systems include sophisticated libraries for international support of these types.

New methods are evolving all the time to handle these complex issues. One such method, known as NLSO or Natural Language Support Objects uses databases to store resource strings. Another approach is the elimination of all references to culture, politics, history, etc.; avoidance of images (especially text embedded in images); and use of a controlled language. NLSO is available open source & also the commercial version from ComChatter.com Ltd, of the United Kingdom

[edit] Difficulties

However user requirements might differ significantly over cultures, for example, reading from right to left as in Persian, Hebrew or Arabic may require additional changes to the GUI. OpenOffice.Org solves this with compilation switches.

Some say that the development team needs someone who understands foreign languages and cultures and has a technical background and such a person may be difficult to find. Others argue that the commercial case to localize products into multiple languages is very obvious, and that all is needed is a budgetary commitment from the producer to finance the considerable costs. It costs more to produce products for international markets, but in an increasingly global economy, English only is scarcely an option. For instance, if a message displayed to the user in one of several languages is modified, all of the translated versions must be changed. Software libraries that aid this task are available, such as gettext.

Since open source software can generally be freely modified and redistributed, it is more prone to internationalization. Most proprietary software is only available in languages considered to be economically viable[citation needed] whereas the KDE project, for example, has been translated into over 100 languages[3].

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ IBM Globalization web site
  2. ^ Microsoft Globalization Step-by-Step Guide
  3. ^ For the current list see KDE.org

[edit] References

Look up internationalization, localization in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Wikibooks
Wikibooks has a book on the topic of
  • .NET Internationalization: The Developer's Guide to Building Global Windows and Web Applications, Guy Smith-Ferrier, Addison-Wesley Professional, 7 August 2006. ISBN 0-321-34138-4
  • A Practical Guide to Localization, Bert Esselink, John Benjamins Publishing, [2000]. ISBN 1-58811-006-0
  • Lydia Ash: The Web Testing Companion: The Insider's Guide to Efficient and Effective Tests, Wiley, May 2, 2003. ISBN 0471430218
  • Business Without Borders: A Strategic Guide to Global Marketing, Donald A. DePalma, Globa Vista Press [2004]. ISBN 978-0976516903