Hi Rick,
I didn't see any responses to this question, so I'll give it a shot. These
are my definitions, which I've developed from my exposure to the
localization world over the past 8 years or so, to help people understand
the differences. (I threw "internationalization" in as well, in case it is
useful.)
Translation: The process of taking text from one language, and conveying the
message of that text in another language.
Localization: The process of adapting a product (software, hardware,
document, etc.) that was created for use in one locale (usually the US) so
that it can easily be used in another locale. Localization includes
translation of text, but usually also includes conversion of measurement and
monetary systems, replacement of images, adjustments to printed page sizes,
resizing of software dialog boxes to accommodate text expansion, choices of
colors, replacement of graphics with culturally suitable images, etc. When a
product has not been "internationalized", the process of localization often
requires costly and time consuming re-engineering.
Internationalization: The process of making a product (software, hardware,
document, etc.) easier to localize by structuring it so that text,
measurement systems, images, etc. can be easily replaced without disrupting
the basic structure of the item. For example, internationalization of
software generally involves ensuring that non-Latin character sets can be
used, placing all text in resource files rather than in code, defining all
font information in resource files rather than in code, allowing simple
resizing and movement of dialog box items to allow for text expansion,
making sure that text in images is editable rather than in bitmap form, etc.
I hope this answered your question...
Suzanne Topping
Localization Unlimited
(Globalization Process Improvement Consulting and Training)
28 Ericsson Street
Rochester, New York, 14610-1705
USA
Phone: 716-473-0791
Fax: 716-231-2013
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
(Send me an email to join the North East Localization Special Interest
Group, an email distribution list which acts as a discussion forum for
localization issues.)
----- Original Message -----
From: Rick Morneau <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2000 3:06 PM
Subject: Re: [MT-List] QUERY: MT and TM combined
> Susan Harkus wrote:
> >
> > Translation and localisation are significant cost areas for software
> > companies selling on the international market and we all need to work
> > smarter.
> >
>
> At the risk of sounding incredibly stupid, can someone explain the
> meaning of the word "localization" in the above context? Does it have
> something to do with dialects?
>
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Rick Morneau
>
>
>
>
> --
> For MT-List info, see http://www.eamt.org/mt-list.html
>
