Localization/Working in the localization industry
Roles in localization
editPM
editLocalization Project Managers are the bridge between clients and vendors (Language Service Providers) in a localization process.
LOC PMs typically handle following tasks and possess a set of important skills:
- Identification of project scope
- Accurate planning of a project timeline
- Vendor allocation and interaction
- Collaboration with business requestors, developers/engineers and Linguistic QA to ensure proper and error-free localization results
- High attention to detail, efficient time management, strong organizational skills
- Establish and optimize process workflows as needed
- Budgeting
- Strong understanding of internationalization and culturalization
- Knowledge of CAT tools and common localization file types (XML, HTML etc.)
- Often have at least one strong Language proficiency in addition to English
Engineer
editLocalization engineering is the role related to design, development, operation and support of the localization process on a technical level. It can serve many purposes, such as
- the development or deployment of infrastructure to run a localization process
- the prepare of resources to be localized to fit them into existing processes
- the adaptation of localization tools or frameworks, parsers for best handling (e.g. XML schema preparation)
- activities around quality control and bug fixing on translated material (post-localization engineering)
- the consultation of other stakeholders in the localization process on a technical level.
The localization engineer usually has a degree in a technical field, such as computer science and coding skills and experience with high-level programming languages.
QA/tester
editLocalization QA/testing deals with identifying linguistic, cosmetic and functional errors/bugs that may have been introduced during the localization process.[1]
Localization testers aim to find problems such as:
- Missing content
- Non-functional features (e.g. links, input/output behavior of forms)
- UI and layout defects like misalignment, overlap, extra or missing controls
- Truncations and text bleeding issues caused by text expansion
- Character corruption or encoding issues in display and input
- Sorting issues related to a specific language’s alphabet
- Incorrect date, time, or calendar formats
- Errors in currency conversions or monetary symbols
- Incorrect unit conversions, numeric formats, separators, or negatives
Translator
editTerminologist
editTerminologists are language professionals who study, create, and use terminology, especially in professional translation project management. A terminologist may facilitate the writing, editing, and translation process by researching and locating information that may assist linguists and language services professionals produce high-quality translations. Terminologists ensure accuracy, consistency, and appropriateness of usage of terms.
Linguistic Expert/Reviewer
editWorking in intercultural teams
editWorking in Localization means, by default, working with or in intercultural teams. When working in intercultural teams it is important to consider the following aspects:
- Cultural and ethical differences
- Language differences or different skill levels of shared language (e.g. native English speakers vs speakers of English as second language)
- Communication style differences
- Gestures and body language interpretation
- Conscious and unconscious cultural biases
Working across the globe
editThe Localization industry is globally dispersed by nature[2]. Working across different geographies entails working through a number of practical obstacles, such as:
- Different time zones
- International and regional holidays
- Different seasonal vacation times
- Different work times and work weeks
- International and regional laws
- Social, economic, political or natural events
- Currency differences
- Language barriers
- Technical barriers (e.g. bandwidth, access to technology)
- Lack of face-to-face communication