The ForeignExchange localization process falls into eight clearly defined stages, assuming a client wants to localize a software product into multiple languages.
1. Quoting Process
ForeignExchange begins by evaluating the localization of your product in terms of objectives, target audience, complexity and culture-specific content. We review the following during our analysis and estimating process:
- word count
- number and type of graphics
- dialog, topic or page counts
- complexity of builds and re-sizing
- requested deliverables
- localization readiness
- target language(s) or locale(s)
ForeignExchange will provide you with a quotation, time frame and a dedicated project manager who will consult with you and your team throughout the process.
If the product is not yet complete, we will base our quote assumptions on the latest version of the product, or on the latest scoping information your engineering team can provide.
2. Localization Analysis and Strategy
Before we begin translating the text, we perform a complete analysis of the overall content. These analyses are performed by the ForeignExchange project management team, which may include engineers, translators and desktop publishers. The purpose of this analysis is to:
- review the final files and localization instructions for any areas that may cause problems during localization
- raise any issues with the content, formatting or coding to the client team for resolution (these may include items that are inappropriate for the target locales such as currencies or phone numbers, or may include items such as hard-coding of software strings or double-byte-enablement concerns)
- if the final files are different from those originally estimated, the team will provide a re-estimate to the client
- create a project strategy and plan based on the file types, scoping, turnaround time and client goals
- prepare the files for translation
ForeignExchange localization engineers support a wide variety of localization applications, compilers and tools under Windows, UNIX, client/server setups and MacOS, as well as proprietary environments.
3. Project Management
ForeignExchange project managers work closely with their client counterparts throughout projects to ensure high levels of communication. This includes frequent phone and e-mail communication to discuss issues and scope changes, and web-accessible status reports using our FXTracker tool. These are accessible to our clients at all times. The method for communicating issues can be customized depending on client needs.
Our project management team can also work with you to help plan the most efficient process possible for rolls or updates to the localized product.
4. Glossary Preparation
To facilitate text translation and save time and money, we will consult with you to build a glossary of commonly used terms and phrases. This glossary ensures consistency throughout the translation process. Our teams can work with existing client glossaries, and can also work closely with our client's in-country review team to ensure agreement on terminology prior to the start of the translation process. Upon project completion, this glossary is delivered to the client.
5. Text Translation
To become a ForeignExchange translator, one must have three years of industry experience, must pass a rigorous in-house exam and "probation period," and must be well versed in the terminology of the client's industry. (See Multilingual Compliance Process for more information.)
Our project manager will select the appropriate translators and editors and will manage them throughout the process. The project manager and members of the project management team work together to ensure that all necessary product and project information is communicated to our translators.
ForeignExchange supports industry-standard translation-memory applications to "memorize" frequently used terms and phrases and reuse them as necessary. For example, the footer that repeats from page to page will only need to be translated once. This saves time and money because less text must be manually translated. This also allows us to easily reuse localized material from one project to the next.
6. Visual Translation
ForeignExchange's staff makes sure that all icons and visuals are as attractive and effective in the target market as they are in the source market.
We generally will work on the source file (e.g., Illustrator, PhotoShop, Fireworks) and create an identical copy in the target language needed. If a source file isn't available, we can manipulate GIF and JPEG files directly.
7. Formatting and Builds
At this point, our engineers and desktop publishers compile the software, online help and printed or online documentation. All resizing and formatting of the components is done at this time.
8. Proofs and Online Testing
Our team performs a thorough check of the running software, online help and online documentation. This is a linguistic test step, in which we check to see that our software or help matches the source text supplied by the client. Consistency of the various components is also rechecked at this stage. Printed documentation is also proofed at this stage.
9. In-Country Reviews
ForeignExchange works closely with our client to ensure the smooth completion of the in-country review step. We can work directly with our client's in-country team, or can appoint a team of reviewers if our clients do not have contacts of their own.
10. Final Deliverables
We typically post the localized files to a password-protected area of our server, or to an area on our client's servers. Clients can track the status of deliverables through our FXTracker online status-reporting tool.