Internationalization (i18n)

Internationalization (i18n) is the process of preparing software, digital products, and content so they can be easily adapted for various languages, regions, and cultures without requiring extensive reengineering.

This foundational step ensures that a product can be efficiently localized to meet the needs of different global markets. To internationalize your software, you need to pay attention to technical requirements. The code structure and design has to be prepared to allow for localization.

It involves considering various linguistic and cultural factors during the initial design and development phases. This process should start, ideally, in the design phase. For example, you may want to have externalised strings so you can bring your strings to the translation management tool.

Every business looking to expand their reach and provide User Experiences (UX) across diverse markets needs to consider internationalization and then localization.

🌐 Key points about internationalization (i18n): #️⃣

• Internationalization involves creating flexible and adaptable designs that accommodate various languages, scripts, and cultural norms.
• By preparing content and software for localization, internationalization simplifies the process of translating and adapting products for specific markets.
• This process includes using Unicode, supporting different character sets, and ensuring compatibility with various regional formats (dates, currencies, etc.).
• Investing in internationalization upfront reduces the time and cost associated with localizing products for multiple markets.

By prioritizing internationalization, companies can create products that are more versatile and ready for global distribution, ensuring they meet the needs of international users effectively.