Q: What is localization in React?

Localization , in general, is the process of adapting your product to a target market’s language and culture. The same applies to React apps. It is the process of adapting your React app to another country/region with specific language and characteristics to meet the target-market standards. You might be interested in: #️⃣ How to: Localise your React App with LinguiJS and Localazy How to localize React app with react-i18next and Localazy

Question 1

What is software localization?

Accepted Answer

Software localization is a process of making apps aligned to specific audiences.

To make your app localized, you need to translate the content with the correct contexts accurately and align other aspects of the software to fit cultural requirements and preferences.

Software localization is part of the internationalization (i18n) process. It has the objective of adapting a software product by customizing, if needed, the language, text media, currency, etc.

Localization of software product will provide consumers a personalized experience that will attract more users from local markets to use it and increase revenue for the company operating the service or product.

You might be interested in: #️⃣

How to prepare your application for i18n & l10n

Question 2

How is localization done?

Accepted Answer

The software localization process starts right at the beginning of the development - the first step is to ensure you have the language, media (images, video, sound), text, date format, numbers, and currency as external content. When you want to expand the product to another market or make different versions of it, you only have to change the external content to the target market’s specific needs. An essential subprocess of localization, and maybe the most important, is the translation of the language, i.e., translating the external string files, as this is the core of communication between the product and its users.

You might be interested in: #️⃣

How to prepare your application for i18n & l10n
How to convert localization files into different formats?

Question 3

How to do crowdsourced translations?

Accepted Answer

At Localazy, we are aware that software localization is commonly conducted with the help of volunteers recruited from the userbase of the product.

While these volunteering translators may not be professionals and carry a risk of low quality or even sabotage of the translations with them, there are some advantages to using crowdsourced translations.

Your users know the product well; they are using it actively and understand the context and meaning of texts they translate.
They are volunteers, which means they do the work for free.
You still have control over the translations that reach your audience with the review process.
Localazy makes the crowdsourced translation process easy with a built-in permission system, proactive review, and additional features which help you make correct decisions.

It helps to prepare your project in a certain way to promote translator productivity. Read these articles before you start with crowdsourced translations to make the process comfortable for all parties involved. Once you are ready, integrate Localazy with your project and begin inviting contributors.

Question 4

What is localization automation?

Accepted Answer

Localization automation is, at its core, the process of making the localization process faster and more agile by automating specific tasks (i.e., string management and translation, format conversions, delivery of localized files etc.) that otherwise would consume a lot of time to complete.

Localazy is here to help product teams and single developers automate the localization of their projects.

You might be interested in: #️⃣

How to prepare your application for i18n & l10n

Question 7

Why is software localization important?

Accepted Answer

Software localization is crucial because it allows you to expand your product and connect better with your target markets by supplying them with a customized version of your project.

Depending on the region you want to expand to, this custom version might have different media (images, video, sound), text, date format, numbers, and currency from the original version.

This expansion can bring higher profits by exposing you to the global market.

You might be interested in: #️⃣

How to prepare your application for i18n & l10n

Question 8

What is software localization and why is it important for global companies?

Accepted Answer

Global companies do business all over the world. Depending on their software product(s), they might need to adapt it to either meet the law requirements of the target region or simply connect better with the consumers.

This is where software localization comes in. Being part of the internationalization (i18n) process, it has the objective of adapting a product by customizing, if needed, the language, text media, currency, etc. This will provide the consumer with a tailored experience that can conquer customers and return a significant profit for the company.

You might be interested in: #️⃣

How to prepare your application for i18n & l10n

Question 9

What is localization in React?

Accepted Answer

Localization, in general, is the process of adapting your product to a target market’s language and culture. The same applies to React apps.

It is the process of adapting your React app to another country/region with specific language and characteristics to meet the target-market standards.

You might be interested in: #️⃣

Question 10

What is localization testing in software testing?

Accepted Answer

Localization Testing is the process of testing how accurate the localization process succeeded in adapting the product to a specific region, locale or culture.

When you are testing the localization of software, you might be focusing on:

Ensuring the embedded media includes properly localized content
Checking that all texts are translated and rendered properly
Looking for Date Format inconsistencies
Ensuring correct formatting for numbers & currency across the app
etc.

Question 11

What does a localization engineer do?

Accepted Answer

Localization engineers start with a product development environment, disassemble it, isolate the things that need to be translated, and reassemble it after translation.

They also make sure that your team has the right processes, tools, and employs best practices before you start translating the product or website into the target language.

You might be interested in: #️⃣

Question 12

What are localization tools?

Accepted Answer

Localization tools are pieces of software that allow the developers, project managers, and translators to localize other software by helping them manage the strings and translations in the project and maintain the quality of translations.

Machine Translation Engines, Computer-Aided Translation Tools and Translation Management Systems are all examples of localization tools.

Localazy combines all of them and offers additional features aiding localization, e.g., Localazy Format Conversions.

Question 13

What is translation as a service?

Accepted Answer

Translation can be an integral part of any company. When translating for your business, you are looking to preserve the meaning or feel of the original text while making it readable by the target audience.

Remember that translation is not just about changing words from one language to another. It’s about communicating ideas, so translators need to think about the context behind the words in order to convey them accurately. Translation as a Service is a way that provides translation for all language pairs and varieties. This helps to fill the needs of people who do not speak any language other than their native one.

Translation as a service has many different meanings: Sometimes, it refers to all types of services provided by translators. Other times, it refers to the work of language service providers who take on translation jobs for specific clients.

There are several reasons why a business would decide to outsource its translation needs. By choosing Translation as a Service, businesses will save money because they won’t have to pay for an expensive employee if they don’t need one.

Also, by outsourcing their translation requirements to qualified professionals, organizations will receive consistent results every time they request a job. If they choose to use only human translators, then they’ll also benefit from their natural ability to provide creative solutions to unique situations. It’s important to understand that translation isn’t just about translating text; it includes assembling documents and coordinating projects between teams.

If you’re looking for options on how to improve your translation workflow, you will fall in love with the Localazy Autopilot plan and our pro-active, automatic translation services provided by the Continuous Localization Team.

Question 14

How to translate software using API

Accepted Answer

Formally, to get a document translated into other languages, all you had to do, was send it to a translation office and receive the translation within a few days in exchange for a fee. When speaking of translating software, the process is different. 😅

Software programs are written in programming languages that translators don’t understand. Considering that even a simple comma can ruin the entire software’s functionality, no programmer likes having translators put their hands on the code.

So, translating software without hazards requires content to be separated from the code. You can translate your software by extracting the content into separate files (e.g., JSON, XLIFF, XML, etc.) and then sending it to translators.

An even better way to do it is to use a translation management system, such as Localazy, which takes care of the translation process and seamlessly integrates with your software. Making updates and working with professional translators on sophisticated software is not difficult and maybe even enjoyable with Localazy. Localazy also offers 50+ integrations, and one of them is an API that you can use to exchange data between your app and Localazy and handle everything programmatically.

Localazy API integrates into your software to remove the need to deal with translation files outside the development once and for all.

Besides rapid updates, what makes using our API exceptional are multiple possible integrations and the human touch offered by real translators when you go for the Continuous Localization Team services. 😉

You might be interested in: #️⃣

Mythbusters: Our users speak English, so we don’t have to localize
Guide: How to prepare your application for i18n & l10n

Question 17

What is CAT in localization?

Accepted Answer

CAT stands for computer-assisted translation, also known as computer-aided translation. These translation tools are invaluable for professional translators and significantly improve the consistency and speed up translation projects.

CAT tools are software applications that support text translation from one language to another. More specifically, CAT tools for translation are used for submitting, editing, managing, and storing translations.

They’re also frequently used by individual translators and bilingual employees who work for organizations that have global audiences or have extensive localization needs. Overall, it’s estimated that CAT tools are used by more than 86% of translators.

Localazy is a complete localization suite and includes CAT features to help you or your translators with their work.

You might be interested in: #️⃣

Intro to Localazy from translator’s perspective
Documentation: Getting started with Localazy
Documentation: Translating strings

Question 18

What is a localization kit?

Accepted Answer

The localization kit is a subgroup of the resources, instructions, and tools needed to create a localized version of a software product or content.

🎯 Localization kits enable translators and other stakeholders (such as marketers or developers) engaged in language-related project management to work more independently because they can check their work as they proceed.

The success of a translation project and how well localization engineers, translators, and web designers coordinate depends on your localization kit. ⚒️

What elements compose a localization kit?

A localization kit comprises three types of informational resources:

The requirements of the final localized product,
The localization package with files and instructions,
Project details containing the timeframe and scope.

Localazy is a translation management suite that complements your localization kit with a myriad of features for successful work.

Now, the translation is where the real magic happens. With Localazy, the magic wand is in your hands. Sign up now or read the Getting Started Guide.

Question 19

What are the advantages of localization?

Accepted Answer

With the arrival of globalization, we should no longer offer technology products in a single language only. We can no longer consider that the English language is more than enough; we must consider the localization of applications in other languages as necessary.

The advent of localization platforms opens up an opportunity for most of the world’s users to use their favorite applications in their native languages, which gives them significant added value. We assume that many people who do not speak English can easily understand the meaning of basic words in programs and applications. However, if messages become complicated, the user could completely miss the meaning for them.

At some point, we have to take into account that we want to monetize the application in some way. In order to have more satisfied users, it is important to improve language support. So what are the advantages localization can bring you?

Attract new users #️⃣

Among the strategies to increase the number of users in applications and software, localization is one of the most important ones. Localization allows the application to be understandable and available to a more diverse audience. Generally, if the application is open to the public only in a single language, it would limit the number of users to people who understand that language. Suppose you add more regional settings and multiple languages to your software. In that case, you will expand the number of potential buyers since they can use the application in their native language.

Users will understand the functions of the application correctly #️⃣

One way to get users to understand and interact with your application’s features is to have it in their local language. This will allow them to use the software and understand its features correctly. Properly handling the buttons, menus, commands, and messages will provide a pleasant experience that will allow recognition of the product’s advantages without language barriers that prevent exploiting its potential.

Strengthen the International market reach #️⃣

New markets can be reached much more easily if the software is localized and available in different languages. If you have more localized versions, it will help you get a diversity of users in the world. And in the end, localization can be reflected in increased profits, positioning the company in more privileged places in local and global markets.

Increased Competitiveness #️⃣

Today, competition can be an important factor in differentiating your brand. Offering a localized application can be a feature that will allow you to differentiate yourself from other products on the market. Reaching markets that are not yet served by your competition can mean a significant boost in positioning that will allow entering new markets and foster the attraction and retention of clients.

Increase your brand loyalty #️⃣

One way to gain the trust of your buyers is to provide them with a satisfying experience that would ensure brand loyalty. You can earn this trust based on constant communication with the user in their native language and customizing your product. A satisfied customer will show a loyal attitude to your brand and can become a true defender of your products.

Closing thoughts #️⃣

Software localization is considered an excellent way to build an international brand, strong enough to gain the trust and loyalty of potential users. The success of localization lies in researching what language your target markets speak and trying not to send the wrong message by taking into account their regional dialects and vocabulary.

How to create a localization strategy? #️⃣

To create a localization strategy, you must consider the following points.

What resources do you have available #️⃣

Consider the budget, time constraints, and workforce available to execute the plan. Setting unrealistic goals will make your plan useless when you don’t have the resources needed to achieve them.

Which markets do you want to expand to #️⃣

Consider your location, logistic & service capabilities, and examine data from your analytic tools. Determine the languages you will want to translate based on the countries/markets you will be able to enter relatively easily. Consider cost/benefit ratio of the target market size against the resources needed to serve the market.

Audit your content #️⃣

Create a prioritized list of all your content and assets and decide what is absolutely necessary and what has low priority. Typically, landing pages for certain products will work better when localized, but some technical articles in the documentation could stay in English.

This also applies to the quality of the translation - high-impact translations such as landing pages and headlines should probably be handled by professional translators or even copywriters in the target language. However, some descriptions or rarely visited pieces of content could be translated with the help of batch machine translations.

What technology are you using #️⃣

Translating relatively static print documents is not the same as software localization of a product that evolves every two weeks. Consult with your tech team to determine the technical requirements necessary for efficient localization. Localazy offers over 50 integration options to help you translate all of your texts on various platforms.

Select your translation provider #️⃣

Research the market of language services providers and select your vendors. Some localization platforms, such as Localazy, combine various translation approaches and enable you to utilize machine translations and automation options. You can invite your own translators or order translations directly from the marketplace.

Create the plan #️⃣

Once you know everything that needs to be addressed, put everything in a timeframe and appoint roles and responsibilities. In the case of agile development, define at what point in the sprint translations happen and who is responsible for it. In the case of a one-time translation project, the plan should include a set of deadlines to execute everything.

Question 22

What’s the difference between agile localization and continuous localization?

Accepted Answer

The difference between agile and continuous localization is that agile localization is a process that relies on a team of localization experts to work together to get a product or website iteration localized quickly and efficiently.

Continuous localization, on the other hand, is a process that relies on automation and technology to keep a product or website continuously localized.

Localazy can help you with both approaches to the localization of your project. Localazy automates the workflows for agile teams while keeping control in their hands. On the other hand, you can use Localazy as a set-it & forget-it solution with our Continuous Localization Services.

Question 23

How do plurals differ across languages, and why does it matter for localization?

Accepted Answer

Plural forms vary significantly across languages, going far beyond the simple singular/plural distinction in English.

Languages like Arabic have six different plural forms based on quantity (zero, one, two, few, many, other), while some Asian languages like Japanese or Chinese don’t pluralize nouns at all. Other languages like Russian or Polish use different forms based on the last digit of the number.

These differences matter tremendously for localization because using incorrect plural forms makes your software feel unprofessional or even confusing to users.

When a Polish user sees “5 wiadomość” instead of “5 wiadomości,” it’s immediately apparent that the software wasn’t properly localized. Proper plural handling is one of those subtle details that separates professionally localized software from amateur attempts.

Localazy follows the CLDR standard of pluralization rules, and provides you with an interface to correctly provide all plural forms needed for the target language.

Learn more about the plural rules in the documentation

Localization

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