Software Localization
NEOTECH offers localization services of various software products, from translation of test fragments prepared by the customer to major projects involving the entire array of essential technical and linguistic operations.
The full-scale software localization project begins with an acquaintance with the software product and the defining of its intended purpose and target audience. At the beginning stage our specialists define the customer’s expectations in regard to the volume of translation (interfaces, integrated help system, user and tutorial documentation, accompanying materials), and compile a plan for realization of the project with an estimate of the time frame and cost of realization.
After agreement of the project volume, the technical specialists go to work, extracting the textual materials from the initial files, as do the terminology specialists, compiling an initial project glossary to be presented to the customer for confirmation. Since every major project presupposes the participation of a number of translators and editors, the composition and updating of the terminology glossary is one of the most important tasks accomplished throughout the entire project.
At the next stage the texts included in the software are translated, edited, and corrected. The translated texts are integrated into the software modules, after which the localized applications are integrated and comprehensively tested in a software environment of the target language (i.e., using localized versions of operating systems, web browsers, server and other applications).
Next, help systems are prepared, including the translation, editing, and correction of texts, preparation of screenshots of localized software, and formatting and debugging of localized help systems. The prepared help system files undergo a functional and linguistic testing stage, ensuring accuracy of translation and consistency thereof with the software modules prepared at the previous stage.
At the final stage of the project, the documentation is prepared. Documents included in the scope of the project undergo translation, editing, and correction stages; screenshots of localized software are prepared, and documentation layout is prepared using desktop publishing. After the final linguistic and technical testing, the outgoing documents are formulated in electronic format, and a run of the documentation is printed when necessary.
