subject: Software Localization Pros and Common Mistakes [print this page] Software Localization Pros and Common Mistakes
In this information technology times, software is not a strange words any more. People's requirements on software become higher and more complicated. Software localization is one of the most representatives. According to some report, the number of non-English speakers who like to use localized software constantly grows and grows swiftly.
Undoubtedly, localization will cost software localization companies quite a lot of budgets, but they are still willing to, why? The localized software seems that it is developed from the local factory in target market. Therefore, target users have less or no difficulties to understand the product, its management and its utilization methods - the rate of making costly mistakes drop dramatically. All in all, localization enables users to interact with software in their own language habit and culture via an intuitive configuration.
Briefly, software localization includes the following benefits:
* Target software users could read messages in their native language.
* Keyboard differentiation between source language and target language is taken into account, so it is easy for entering information.
* The content and format of the software are written in the manner that is similar to target native country.
* Localization ensures that error messages will be occurred in native language, so it reduces difficulties for software users to solve them.
Because of the hot competition in the software sector, it is not possible anymore to gain advantage over the competitors by blowing fairy dust in the customer's eyes. If software provider wants to survive, he/she should make his/her products acceptable by the target consumer at most possible degree. Software localization could help achieve.
Common mistakes in software localization
* Offer unclear, inaccurate text in the target language, making important instructions and commands hard-to-understand or deliver in a nonsensical way.
* Use complicated, long text, not familiar to most people including possible users of the software.
* Neglect the length of translated words which might need to redesign the software to make it suitable for the foreign language version.
* Think localization is equal to language translation. Localization involves many particular elements, for example, date and time format, calendar format, address written way, etc.
Although software localization costs, it is definitely worth. Localization could help software companies break the hurdle formed by language and culture difference, widening the scope of their sale.
