Localization is the process of adapting documentation, websites, software, online help and manuals to a certain language, culture and desired location. It includes language translation, details regarding time zones, money, national holidays, and gender roles. Companies do this by taking and modifying the source code for a product developed for a country to satisfy the needs of those countries.

Software Localization encompasses adapting all cultural and technical issues to an audience in a particular location. The process involves teams of developers in different countries, which means that a successfully localized service or product is one that local companies develop within the targeted culture. Some reasons to localize are:

1. Localization increases revenue.

2. If your are in the business of providing worldwide services, then your product or service will need to be translated in language and format.

3. Translation gives your product or service and your business an advantage in the market.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Employ a localization provider

You can obtain localization services through translating companies that assist your business in translating any multimedia into another language. These providers also offer software localization and the translation of training and eLearning content.

I recommend: Avral Technologies Limited offers a directory of translation companies and includes LionBridge, which is the leading provider of localization services. Lucyol is a provider that presents their translation process as well as the localization services they supply.

Draw on localization resources to further your knowledge of the process

There are organizations that provide conferences, seminars and consulting if you are new to localization and wish to train your employees, attain more knowledge or are looking to network. These resources can also include consulting companies that provide localization quotes.

I recommend: Multilingual Microsite allows you to type in information about your business and your localization project so that someone will get in touch with you regarding an estimated price. The Localization Institute offers conferences, onsite and online seminars, and professional consulting. The Localization Industry Standard Association is the premier localization resource that has everything you need to know about localization as well as, as the name suggests, localization standards.

Make the most of software and website localization

You can consult a localization provider to acquire software and website localization services or you can go to a provider that specializes specifically in these services.

I recommend: WorldLingo provides web localization to government, corporations and online businesses. Lingobit offers software called Lingobit Localizer that simplifies the localization process. The website also has a guide to software localization and software demo.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before you have your software, website or other multimedia translated, your developers should program the source codes so that website localization will be easier. The localization process could be longer and more costly if developers do not program the software properly.

For every kind of language translation need, there is a suitable translation service solution. This is an encouraging fact, but unfortunately problems can arise if you happen to choose the wrong option for your precise needs. Imagine Microsoft having their software products and marketing materials translated by a free online translator... They would never have been taken seriously in foreign markets, let alone become the massive multinational company they are now!

On the other hand, imagine spending too much money in professional translation services for your casual internal communications with your foreign language employees, or just when you need to get the gist of something you are not sure you need professionally translated...

This guide will point you in the right direction and help you choose the most suitable and cost-effective option for your specific language translation needs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose a Translation Service to Help you Get the Gist

When you are browsing the Internet and just need to know what a foreign language website is about, or when you receive a foreign language e-mail you don't understand, free online translators will come in handy. They're great for any situation when you just need to get the gist of a foreign language text.

I recommend: This list of online translators gives you plenty of options to choose from. They will give you a general idea of the foreign language text you're trying to understand.

Choose a Translation Service for your Casual Internal Communications

When you need to communicate with your foreign language employees on a casual basis, you can have one of your bilingual employees (a native speaker of the intended foreign language who also masters your language) translate for you. But remember to use this option with caution. For more important internal communications, such as motivational materials or key business messages, or any other communications where style and content are critical, you would need to look into a professional translation service option.

I recommend: Having a bilingual employee translate your casual communications for your foreign language employees.

Choose a Translation Service for Short, Rush and Important Translations

Yes, indeed! There are translation services out there which specialize in quick translations for very short texts, and charge no minimum fees for this!

I recommend: LiveTranslation is one such service. They provide short rush translations performed by professional translators, and they don't apply any minimum fees!

Choose a Translation Service for your Important, Medium to Large Translation Projects

When you need translations into one or a few languages, a freelance translation network is probably the cost-effective and quality option you will want to consider. Freelance translation networks choose professional translators carefully and offer affordable prices since they have no brick and mortar presence or highly staffed organization to support.

I recommend: JB Translations is such a freelance translation network, specializing in English, French and Spanish translation services. Besides choosing their translators carefully (less than 1 out of 10 of the profiles they pre-select actually make it into their team), they add a review by a second highly skilled translator. Quality is then completely guaranteed.

BeTranslated is another solid freelance translation services network specializing in the main European and Asian languages, such as French, Italian, German, Dutch, Spanish, English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.

You can also skip the translation network scheme altogether and go for freelance translators directly. This might or might not lead to a further discounted translation price. Indeed, there are translation marketplaces such as Proz.com where you can find your freelance translators yourself. As a downside, you will be on your own, and the translators you choose will not have the seal of approval of a translation network. This can be a good option provided you take the time to select top translation professionals, not just cheap translators. You should also definitely order a review from a second professional translator as a quality assurance measure. You will be glad to know that a translation review, provided the translation in question is good enough, usually costs less than half the price of a translation job. Make sure to also choose carefully the professional who will perform that quality review.

Choose a Translation Service for Translations into Many Languages or other Highly Complex Projects

When the translation project you are considering is really massive or complex, a freelance translation network may be overwhelmed or not have enough resources to meet your needs. We are talking about translations into 25+ different languages, or translation projects where you require both oral interpreting and written translations; highly complex DTP work; full-fledged software globalization, localization and translation; voice-over; sworn translations, or other complex tasks to be performed. In these cases, going with a solid and reputed multinational translation company will be your safest bet.

I recommend: SDL.com is your one-stop solution for all your complex translation, content management, interpreting and software localization needs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Identify your precise translation need, then review the action steps to match that need with the most suitable translation service option!