Italian Software Internationalization

Italian software globalization (G11n) is a two-step process which includes Italian software internationalization (I18n) and Italian software localization (L10n). Software internationalization deals primarily with the functionality of a software application, enabling back-end technologies to function or support Italian. Localization deals primarily with the front-end or linguistic and cosmetic aspects of a software application including locale-specific content, cultural correctness, translations, and software design.

The software internationalization process is the first step in ensuring your software application's global interoperability. During software internationalization, any language- or culture-specific assumptions in your software application's code base are "neutralized"; your application will then be primed for efficient localization into Italian.

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

  1. Reviewing and analyzing the source code for a software application;
  2. Resolving issues related to Italian address, time, date, currency, and numerical formats;
  3. Externalizing text strings for ease of Italian translation, including hard-coded text strings and text within graphics;
  4. Software testing, including bug reporting and fixing.

You will need to provide your localization company with the following information, collectively referred to as a "Software Internationalization Kit." This information allows your localization company to analyze your software and to determine its Italian internationalization requirements. This 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 (for example, FrameMaker or Word).
  3. All online help source files (for example, graphics, 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).

For more information on Software Internationalization, please see our Quick Facts Library or follow one of the links listed above.