Arabic Software Translation

You must have your software fully "globalized" to make sure that your Arabic software translation is both accurate and fully adapted for Arabic-speaking markets. Although "globalization" has many meanings in other industries, within the translation services industry it refers to the basic process of creating software that will function in any market in the world.

The many complexities of the Arabic language prevent many translation companies from properly performing Arabic translation. When selecting a company to translate your software into Arabic, you should investigate language services provider's capabilities in the following areas:

1. Arabic Software Translators

Native-speaking, professional software translators who specialize in your specific professional and technical areas should execute your Arabic software translation projects. Arabic translators on your project should be experienced with issues related to software translation in particular: proper translation of dialog boxes, error messages, and buttons; software localization workflows and standard user interface terminology.

2. Arabic Software Terminology Management

Arabic software translators must use translation memory tools such as Trados to translate text strings extracted from the various file formats, resulting in client-specific glossaries and terminology databases. Consistent translation throughout software components and an authentic user experience are assured by leveraging the critical data contained in translation memories. These translation memories are proprietary and belong to you; they should be delivered at project completion, or according to your specified delivery schedule.

3. Arabic Software Component Translation

Arabic software translation projects frequently involve translation of related components, ranging from online help to printed documentation like user guides or packaging. Your software translation company should be capable of translating text from varied source files like Java, VB.net, C#, XML, C/C++, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, MySql and others. Common documentation file types include InDesign, QuarkXpress, Illustrator, PowerPoint and Word.

Arabic Software Localization

Arabic software localization is the process of adapting the functionality of a software application, its language and display for Arabic-speaking markets. Experienced teams of localization professionals should work closely with your own software development group to properly execute your Arabic software localization project. This will ensure that that best practices for global software development are followed.

All of your software's components should be localized to make it relevant for Arabic-speaking users. Software components include databases, graphics, the user interface, online help and documentation.  In order to make sure that the resulting Arabic software is linguistically, culturally, cosmetically and functionally correct, all components must be correctly localized and rigorously tested.

An Arabic localization company should have solid experience and comprehensive localization methodologies, which includes:

  1. Arabic localization kit review, analysis, and preparation.
  2. Arabic glossary and terminology development.
  3. Arabic cultural correctness assessment.
  4. Arabic translation, editing, and proofreading of the user interface, help, and documentation content.
  5. Arabic graphics localization, dialog resizing, and screen capturing.
  6. Arabic software build capability.
  7. Arabic online quality assurance.
  8. Arabic usability, localization, and functionality testing.
  9. Client review and approval.

You will need to provide your translation company with an "Arabic Localization Kit," which will allow your translation partner to analyze your software and to determine its Arabic localization requirements. The kit includes:

  1. All files in your development environment, specifically resource files (for example, RC, RC2, DLG, H, HH, CPP, EXE, DLL, and graphic file formats).
  2. All documentation source files (PowerPoint, Word, PDF).
  3. All online help source files (Graphics, Images, RTF, VBS, HTML, CNT/HHX/HHC).
  4. Reference material (glossaries, past translations, style guides, etc.).
  5. File names and types, including an explanation of each file's purpose.
  6. The name and version of development, documentation, and online help authoring tools.
  7. The location (directories/files) of any hard-coded literals which are in the user interface.
  8. Original files of any third-party applications/components used.
  9. Detailed build instructions (if applicable).
  10. Test plan and test scripts (if applicable).

Arabic Software Internationalization

Arabic software globalization (G11n) is a two-step process which includes Arabic software internationalization (I18n) and Arabic software localization (L10n). Software internationalization deals with the software application's functionality, empowering back-end technologies to function or support the Arabic language and the Arabic locales in which it is used. Localization deals with a software application's front-end or linguistic and cosmetic aspects, which include locale-specific content, cultural correctness, translations, and software design.

The first step in enabling your software's global interoperability is the software internationalization process. Any language- or culture-specific assumptions in your software application's code base are "neutralized" during software internationalization. Your software application will then be primed for efficient localization into Arabic.

Your localization company should have solid experience in handling Arabic software internationalization issues, including:

  • Reviewing and analyzing the source code for a software application;
  • Ensuring the support of the bidirectional (right-to-left) writing system used by Arabic;
  • Resolving issues related to Arabic address, time, date, currency, and numerical formats;
  • Externalizing text strings for ease of Arabic translation, including hard-coded text strings and text within graphics;
  • Software testing, including bug reporting and fixing.

Arabic Software Testing

Arabic software testing is a crucial quality control phase in the process of Arabic software globalization. Target users of Arabic software have the same high standards for functionality as users of the original software. A localization company must use experienced Arabic software testers and follow a defined software testing process in order to meet Arabic software users' expectations.

Arabic software testing should be executed by professional, native-speaking specialists, whether it is performed on-site or off-site. The Arabic testing team will work from a thorough test plan, using a combination of manual and automated tests, as well as bug tracking tools, to locate and fix critical software defects before release.

Arabic software testing professionals (typically translators and engineers) often work side-by-side with a company's own expert users to go through the following software testing phases:

Arabic Software Internationalization Testing

Arabic software testing professionals test the source language software for international support and localizability before Arabic software translation begins. Arabic software internationalization testing reveals potential trouble areas early in the localization process, saving time and money.

Arabic Software Localization Testing

After Arabic software translation, testing specialists review the Arabic software "in context" to check for any linguistic or display issues. Linguistic testing deals with all language-related issues for a localized application, including locale-specific text, currency symbols and more. Cosmetic or display testing deals with all visual issues, such as the proper menu display, messages and dialog boxes.

Arabic Software Functionality Validation or Testing

After your Arabic software has been localized, a variety of platforms and test scripts are used to perform tests that validate that your software works properly for targeted, Arabic-speaking users. Testing concerns at this phase include ensuring proper application installation and that all features work as they did in the application's original source language version.

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