As the weeks fly by, the topics that I write also get more and more specific. I started with Going Global with a Language Service Provider on 18th of April and here we are; App and Software Localization. For those who don’t recall what is localization, let me stick a post-it here.

Localization is the cultural adaptation of a translation. Let me put it this way: when you translate, you translate the words, sentences and the message in total. In localization, you can forget about the words and sentences. You need to do not only translate the message, but also adapt it culturally. To make sure that we are all on the same page, if you do localization on a Harry Potter book into Turkish, he would drink Kefir instead of Butterbeer.

App and Software Localization

Apps (Mobile Applications) and software are everywhere and they are helping us for almost everything. There is an app for anything and everything. Since not everyone speaks one global language, app and/or software developers reach out to us and ask for translation of their app into other languages and we are providing them app and software localization services. Sadly, not every language service provider is as good as Link Translations, so you should be really careful to protect your hard work. As a language services provider, we know how it feels to stay up all night and work on your projects. And sometimes, one tiny mistake might destroy all of it. In some projects, bad localization might be that tiny mistake. This is why I prepared this post for you to be able to assess the quality in app and software localization.

The First Rule of Quality

Okay, the first rule of quality is simple: working with the best. You shouldn’t let anyone come close to your hard work without proven experience. Don’t forget to ask about their previous experience in app and software localization. If they don’t have any, ask them how can they reassure you with the quality. Get a quote from different language service providers and choose the one you can trust.

Testing

I know most of the developers had their fair share of testing. But before placing your app on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store or other platforms, you have to be sure that the localization of your app or software is well tested. You can ask your language service provider to find beta testers or at least native proofreaders to be sure that their work is up and ready to go.

More Testing

Before publishing the app or software, you have to see how this localization works on the app or software itself. Sometimes the localization might be perfect on the translation software but the length of characters might become a problem when you place it on the app. If the target language has special characters based on their unique alphabet (such as ç,ş,ğ,ń) this might also become problematic for your project. If you don’t have the correct coding these characters might not display as they are supposed to.

Feedback

Ask your users to assess the quality of the localization for you. The feedback of the native speakers who really use the app is a great tool to assess the quality of the localization. Take their feedback into consideration and contact your language services provider if you need any assistance.

As I said, your hard work deserves reaching its target. We are sure you have done your best with the coding, so let us handle the rest for you. If you have further questions, do not hesitate to contact Link Translations and a get a no-obligation quote for free.