Software Translation and Localization Services

Software translation and localization enable technology companies to reach global users and deliver consistent multilingual experiences. Zab Translation Solutions provides specialized software translation services for applications, user interfaces, and technical documentation used in international markets.

Professional Software Localization

Our translators understand the terminology used in software development, user interface design, and technical documentation, ensuring that localized software remains accurate, functional, and user-friendly.

Software Components We Translate

We can assist you in this process for a variety of formats including the following:

SaaS
Web-based Applications
Microsoft Windows
Mac OS
Mobile - iOS, Android, etc.
Linux/Unix
e-Learning Systems (LMS)
Custom Environments

Supported Software and Localization Formats

Our software localization teams work with a wide range of programming languages, resource files, and development environments, including:

ADML	HTML	PROPERTIES (Java)	STRINGS/STRINGSDICT
Android	iOS	Python	XLF/XLIFF
ARB	Java	RC	XML
Articulate	JS/JSX	RESX	XSL
ASP	JSON	Ruby	YAML/YML
C/C++/C#	Perl	PHP	PO/POT
CSV/XLSX (Excel)	SQL	STRINGS.XML	Custom Formats

Are you localizing your web or mobile apps? If not, the following are some compelling reasons why you might want to.

Only about 25% of all Internet users are native English speakers, and more than half of Google searches are done in other languages.
A recent report showed that the effect of localizing your iPhone app into one additional language increased downloads by 128% and revenues by 26% after only one week.
Statistics indicate that 87% of connected devices are now tablets and smartphones.
International organic SEO rankings for mobile apps are easier to obtain than for websites.

Where should you start?

Spanish is always a great place to start due to the high number of Spanish speakers inside and outside the U.S.

You should also put Chinese on your shortlist.

Not only is there a large population of Chinese speakers inside the US, there's also a “U.S.-sized population of high-income, educated users who could become customers in China,” says Phil Libin, former CEO of Evernote Corp.

Best Practices for Software Localization

The following items should be kept in mind when developing your product to simplify the software engineering process and to provide an optimal experience for your international users:

Text strings should never be embedded in the software code. Instead, code your software in an environment that allows strings to be separated into resource files.
Unique strings are best suited for localization. Avoid using concatenated text strings, as it is very difficult to keep the meaning in context once they are translated into other languages.
Language support. Country, region, and language selections should be easily accessible to a user.
Encoding support. Ensure that your software supports Unicode/UTF-8 resource files and is able to display Unicode text in your UI. This allows your software to display any potential language.
Internationalization (i18n) support. Date, time, measurement, address, currency, and other formats should match a user's country, region, and language preferences.
Language expansion. Most languages are 20%-30% longer than English. UI text-based elements should be oversized or dynamically resized to account for text expansion in other languages. A good responsive design can assist in this effort.
Translate and test software UI strings first. Doing this prior to translating the associated documentation and help allows you to establish terminology, make modifications in the software, familiarize the translators with the localized product, and create consistency without having to repeat these changes in the documentation and help.

We also offer support with the following key steps in the localization process:

Cultural adaptation. The software should take foreign audiences into consideration and should be adapted accordingly, which may include pictures, symbols, messages, layout, colors used, or other cultural nuances.
Syntax validation. Validation of the encoding and syntax for all resource files to ensure your developers can build the localized software hassle-free.
User interface testing. Adjustments to the interface may need to be made due to text expansion or cultural preferences, which may require resizing of dialog boxes, buttons, etc.
Linguistic testing and functional testing. Includes review for correctly displayed fonts, translation in context, character encoding, sorting, keyboard shortcuts, and internationalization functionality.
Localization planning and engineering. While translating existing text to other languages may seem easy, it is difficult to maintain parallel versions of a product. If you are planning for a simultaneous release of your product in multiple languages, coordination with Zab should take place early in the development process. Whether you develop under Agile or Waterfall methodologies, we will create a localization schedule and evaluate any potential cultural, technical, or linguistic items that might represent obstacles in the process.

Contact Zab Translation Solutions ▶ to discuss your next software translation or localization project and learn how we can help your application reach global users.

Zab also supports global technology companies with website translation and localization, technical document translation, and multimedia localization services.