subject: Localization Kit: Helping Make Software Translations Easier [print this page] A localisation kit is a set of source files, test scripts, and instructions that form the basis of your input for successful software translations.
Benefits
The localisation kit helps get you organised. It serves as a central repository for the information needed for software translations. It enables anyone in your organisation to easily assume responsibility for managing a project by holding the necessary information to request an analysis or begin a project.
A localisation kit also provides guidelines to your software translations vendor. It saves a considerable amount of time in project evaluation and preparation by helping the project managers, translators and engineering team members to quickly understand the scope of work. It also reduces the number of queries you will need to answer during the evaluation and the project itself.
The localisation kit is not necessarily meant to be a static set of instructions. Instead, it is an organic repository of information that is liable to grow, especially on larger projects. As you probably know, software translations project can be quite unwieldy in the size and scope. This just helps keep everyone on the same page.
A good localisation kit can serve as the best way of conveying instructions effectively, and keeping information managed centrally, from both the client and vendor side. It should be dynamic, clear, easy to understand, concise and able to grow as required to incorporate new information. Most importantly, it will help ensure the success of your software translation project.
Components of a localisation kit for software translations
Project Management
Required services such as software translation, other translations, DTP, engineering and testing
Project scope: languages, project components, word counts, page counts, etc.
Update cycle: number, size and expected schedule for updates
Delivery dates (e.g. ship date) and interim milestones
Delivery method (email, CD, DVD, FTP)
Existing glossaries, if available
Existing translation memories
Style guides for each target language, if available
Reference materials
List of Localisation Kit contents
Software
Include source files in the required directory structure
Include installer files
Provide the programming language(s) used to develop the product
Provide the name of the compiler and version
Provide names of platforms on which the product runs
Verify that the product builds on a clean machine
Specify the level of internationalisation testing done
List any special hardware or software required for setup and testing
List of files requiring software translations and their location
Specify any text that should remain in English
List any known bugs
Provide instructions for dialog resizing and other cosmetic QA
Provide test scripts, if functional testing is required
Help
Include the source files, including graphics, in the required directory structure
Include a compiled version of the help system
List of files requiring software translations and their location
List of known bugs
List of editor(s) and versions
Include specifications for screen captures and other graphics
Provide instructions for compilation including compiler and version or other application (e.g. RoboHelp)
Specify any font requirements
Provide instructions for Help testing including required platforms, OS, browsers, browser versions
Indicate who is responsible for generating screen captures
Documentation
Include source files, including graphics, in the required directory structure
Source application, including platform and version, used to create the documentation and graphics
List files requiring software translations and their location
List files or text to remain in English
Provide instructions for text expansion, fonts, hyphenation
Include specifications for graphics and screen captures (colour palette, monitor
resolution, etc.)
List required output formats such as PDF, PostScript, etc.
Provide language-dependent specifications such as part number and contact information
Deliverables Expected
Format for translation memories for each language
Updated glossaries for each language
Compiled and fully tested software files, including localised resource files and build environment
Compiled and fully tested Help, including all localised source files, screen captures and graphics
Electronically published documentation files / PDF
Contact Information
Client project manager
Client reviewers
Client engineer
Client DTP contact
Conclusion
Software translations are a specialised service. To make sure you get the best possible result, use Localisation Kits for all your software translation projects. By sticking to the tips above, you will make sure that your software translation not only makes sense in the new language, but that the software works just as well in the new market as it does at home.
