Professional Language Services

FAQ'S

What is the difference between translation and localization?

What is Internationalization (I18N)?

Why use a full-service localization company?

What is Translation Memory or CAT?

Do you use translation memory?

What is the average turn-around time?

Can I make changes to my text once localization has started?

How do you qualify your translators?

Do you have a quality control procedure in place?

What is the difference between translation and localization?

Translation is usually a part of localization or internationalization, and involves taking the ideas and concepts expressed in one language, and expressing them in another. Localization (L10N) adds another dimension and focuses on culturally relevant parameters or layout questions when adapting a product or service to a particular language and culture. This includes localizing measurements (inches to centimeters), degrees (Fahrenheit to Celsius), and other culturally dependent information.

What is Internationalization (I18N)?

Internationalization (I18N) is the preparation necessary for cost effective localization. It is the process of planning, designing and implementing a "culturally and technically" neutral product, which can easily be localized for a specific culture or cultures. Internationalization needs to be addressed in the earliest product planning stages and affects all stages of the product lifecycle. Generally speaking, a properly internationalized product is easier to localize than an non-internationalized product.

What is Globalization (I18N)?

Globalization in the broadest sense encompasses both internationalization and localization, as well as putting into place the requisite materials, financial, and personnel resources in a global market to support your product or service on a local level.

Why use a full-service localization company?

A full-service localization company is your one-stop shop for all services related to your globalization strategy, from internationalization and localization consulting, professional translation services, software engineering, DTP, and expert project management. As a consumer you will benefit from the combined expertise and know-how of a group of dedicated professionals, a comprehensive and rigorous translator selection process, proven and scalable processes and a quality management system.

What is Machine Translation?

Also referred to as "automatic translation" or simply translation software. Machine translation software translates text from one natural language into another natural language. MT (Machine Translation) assesses the grammatical structure and syntax of a given language and transfers these parameters from the source language (the language requiring translation) into the target language (the language to be translated into). Under most circumstances, machine translation cannot replace the work of a human translator, nor is it intended to. Machine translation is best suitable for translation of large volumes of text not for publication, or for a process referred to as 'gisting'. Gisting provides an intelligible rendition of the source text in another language, but is not designed to produce text for publication.

What is Translation Memory or CAT?

CAT stands for “Computer-Assisted Translation” and refers to the process of a human translator translating text from one natural language into another with the assistance of a translation tool The tool is in essence a sophisticated memory tool which interactively associates a segment from one language with a segment from another language after the human translator has finished translating this segment. Any subsequent occurrence of this exact segment is then automatically presented to the translator during the actual translation process for review, edit or approval.

Do you use translation memory?

Language Intelligence routinely uses a variety of tools in its workflow processes. Translation memory suites are one of the tools in our workflow. These tools help improve consistency in localized text, facilitate QA procedures, and also offer significant savings across projects.

We use only industry-standard tools and formats to avoid proprietary technology.

What is the average turn-around time?

Turn-around time depend on a large number of factors like the languages to be translated into, the particular subject matter, the complexity of the text, the number of cross-references, the detail of any available reference materials, etc… A rule of thumb in the localization industry states that a qualified translator can translate anywhere between 1,500 and 2,000 words per day. An editor can review and edit about 8,000 previously translated words per day. Add to this the factors listed above as well as time for file preparation and handling time, project administration and management time, QA procedures, and communications and the number of words which can be produced for publication is probably somewhere around 1,500 per day. Adding additional translators to the project can significantly decrease turn-around time, but will present increased challenges in consistency of terminology and style.

Can I make changes to my text once localization has started?

In almost all instances, changes to the source text after the localization process has started will impact both project budget and timeline. Changes have to be tracked across all languages, translators will need to re-translate already completed portions, editors will need to re-review changes, and your localization vendor will need to ensure that these changes are implemented in both the final DTP files and any translation memory files used in the process.

How do you qualify your translators?

The translators and editors who work with Language Intelligence are among the best in their field. Our rigorous evaluation and screening process ensures that at a minimum all linguists meet our quality requirements. At a minimum, all linguists must

be native speakers of the target language
be subject-matter experts in their designated field
possess a significant and verifiable track record of translation history and expertise
be familiar with software and industry-standard tools,
demonstrate continuous improvement
provide at least three references through peer or client review
be responsible and adhere to deadlines

Only linguists who meet these stringent criteria will be considered approved suppliers for Language Intelligence. Once a translator or editor has become an approved supplier, their performance is monitored and evaluated continuously.

Do you have a quality control process in place?

Language Intelligence follows the ISO-9001:2000 compliant Quality Management Standard. The system is designed to provide an efficient and logical array of checks and feedback loops to conduct preventative and corrective cross-checks throughout each phase of a localization project. In addition to passing through translation, edit and proof during the linguistic portion of our Quality Assurance process, each product component is systematically reviewed for conformance. The results are monitored on an on-going basis and are the basis for our Analysis and Improvement Process to ensure the highest-quality deliverables. For more on the individual QA steps throughout the Language Intelligence localization process go to our process page and download the PDF from the sidebar that details our process.

"Not only has Language Intelligence provided us with fast turn-around times for our translations, including multi-byte languages such as Japanese, but their support capabilities, including technical skills and tools, have helped us to solve difficult localization issues on a number of occasions."

"Language Intelligence has proven to be a very helpful, efficient, and cost-effective partner for our localization needs"