Translation or localization? Globalization or internationalization? 3di answers your questions

Q: What is localization?

A: More than translation of words, localization involves adapting a product or service to the linguistic, cultural, and legal conventions of the target market. For a software product, localization activities can range from converting user interface content such as changing ‘Zip Code' to ‘Postal Code' through to complete adaptation of software code, user interface, online help, and ensuring the changes fully reflect the operating practices of the target market.

Visit our YouTube channel to watch a short video explaining the difference between translation and localization.

Q: What is internationalization?

A: Internationalization is the software engineering effort that takes place before translation and localization. Source code modifications are usually necessary if a product has not been written with translation and localization in mind. Typical international design decisions will consider character encoding and display, multilingual resource file management, user interface and screen real estate, and user acceptance testing. 3di offer consultancy and training for development teams who are planning to take their products global.

Q: Which languages does 3di translate?

A: The majority of 3di projects are translated from English (the source language) into the target language. However, we can also translate from most major languages into English (UK, US or INTL). Languages serviced include:

Q: How does 3di's QA process work?

A: Quality of translations and service are 3di cornerstones. After source files have been translated, 3di carries out a two-stage quality assurance (QA) process:

Stage One - Linguistic QA

• Use of correct terminology
• Use of appropriate style and tone
• Grammatical accuracy
• Consistency of terminology used within documents and across all elements of a project
• Correct interpretation of context used within the translation
• Verification that instructions have been followed accurately

Stage Two - Format QA

• Page layout (coping with text expansion)
• Insertion of new screen shots
• Correct generation of new table of contents and index entries
• Checking any cross-references within the material

We can adapt our process to suit your specific project needs. In line with our ISO9001:2000 accreditation, we regularly monitor the effectiveness of all our quality measures.

Q: How does the 3di review process work?

A: Experience and consultation with our customers has shown that the most successful translation and localization projects usually involve end-users of the product. Product managers, project managers, marketing and systems specialists in your target territories are best placed to suggest usability issue refinements, appropriate terminology, or stylistic preferences. 3di recognises the value in properly qualified peer review as an integral part of the localization process and is expert in managing such reviews on our clients' behalf. If your company does not yet have representatives in local territories, 3di will recommend that a second 3di translator carries out a review.

Q: What timescales can 3di work to?

A: 3di will provide project-specific timescales as a guide. Depending on the nature and complexity of a project, a single translator can translate approximately 9000 words per week of software or 12000 words per week of online help or documentation; these rates include a linguistic review. On large-scale projects, we would deploy multiple translators monitored by an editor/reviewer to ensure consistency of style and language.

Q: How much does 3di charge?

A: 3di either provides a separate, fixed-price quotation for each project or implements a framework service and pricing matrix as required. Different projects, even connected with the same product, can vary greatly in terms of linguistic complexity, graphical content, DTP effort required, and differing file formats. Please contact 3di for more details.

Q: How does 3di select its translators?

A: 3di uses subject-specialist translators who, together with native-tongue translation skills, are also experienced within specific industry sectors and technologies. We maintain a well-established network of proven translation professionals enabling us to find the right translator for the job, rather than trying to put a 'square peg into a round hole'. New translators are comprehensively tested and referenced before being engaged by us on a project.

Q: What is computer-assisted translation (CAT)?

A: The quality of 3di translations is essentially based on our use of experienced, professional translators working into their native languages. However, where appropriate, we assist our translators by using computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools, which can provide a number of key benefits:

• Reduction in the time required to complete the translation
• Reduction in the cost of the translation project
• Development of 'translation memories' (TMs) for effective management of updates

• Development of project dictionaries which improve the consistency of the translated material

CAT tools divide the source text into 'segments' - typically individual sentences. The text is then analysed to identify any repetition of identical segments. This repetition can be harnessed and used at key stages of the project.

Q: What tools does 3di deploy for translation and localization projects?

A: 3di leverages maximum benefit for our clients by using the latest tools and software. The main benefits are improvements in consistency, more efficient workflow, and reductions in the ongoing cost and effort of document or product maintenance. 3di uses tools including:

• TRADOS computer-assisted translation tool, WordFast, Déjà Vu
• Alchemy Catalyst, Microsoft Visual Studio .NET, Sun J2EE, ForeignDesk
• Microsoft Project
• Authoring tools including FrameMaker, Word, EPIC, Adobe Acrobat, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Bladerunner, WebWorks, and many more

If you have a question about translation and localization that we have not covered, please visit our Contact Us page and drop us a note. We'll get back promptly and we may add your question to our FAQs page.