1. What is localization? Localization is the process of adapting content,
products, or services to meet the language, cultural, and other requirements of a
specific target market or locale.
2. How does localization differ from translation? Translation focuses only on
converting text from one language to another, while localization adapts all
aspects including cultural references, formats, images, and functionality for a
target market.
3. What is internationalization (i18n)? Internationalization is the process of
designing software or content in a way that makes localization easier, without
requiring engineering changes for each locale.
4. What does "locale" mean in localization? A locale is a set of parameters
that defines the user's language, region, and cultural preferences, typically
represented as language_COUNTRY (e.g., en_US, fr_FR).
5. What is a translation memory (TM)? A translation memory is a database
that stores previously translated segments (sentences or phrases) to enable reuse
and maintain consistency across translations.
6. What is a glossary in localization? A glossary is a list of terms with their
approved translations, used to ensure consistency in terminology across all
translated content.
7. What is a style guide? A style guide is a document that defines language-
specific writing conventions, tone, formatting rules, and other guidelines for
translation projects.
8. What is GILT? GILT stands for Globalization, Internationalization,
Localization, and Translation - the four key processes in adapting products for
global markets.
9. What is transcreation? Transcreation is creative translation that adapts
marketing and creative content while preserving the intended emotional impact
and persuasive intent.
10. What is a source language? The source language is the original language
in which content is created before being translated into other languages.
, 11. What is a target language? The target language is the language into which
content is being translated.
12. What are locale-specific formats? These are format variations based on
regional preferences, such as date formats (MM/DD/YYYY vs
DD/MM/YYYY), currency symbols, and number separators.
13. What is pseudo-localization? Pseudo-localization is a testing method
where text is replaced with altered versions to test if software can handle
localized content without actual translation.
14. What is a language pair? A language pair consists of the source language
and target language for a translation project (e.g., English to Spanish).
15. What is LQA? LQA stands for Linguistic Quality Assurance - the process
of reviewing translations for accuracy, consistency, and quality.
16. What is a CAT tool? CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) tools are
software applications that help translators work more efficiently using
translation memories and terminology databases.
17. What is machine translation (MT)? Machine translation is automated
translation performed by software without human intervention.
18. What is post-editing? Post-editing is the process of reviewing and
correcting machine-translated content to improve quality.
19. What is a bilingual file? A bilingual file contains both source and target
language text side by side, typically used in CAT tools.
20. What is string extraction? String extraction is the process of identifying
and exporting translatable text from source files for localization.
21. What is a language service provider (LSP)? An LSP is a company that
provides translation, localization, and related language services to clients.
22. What is continuous localization? Continuous localization is an agile
approach where translation happens simultaneously with product development
rather than after completion.
23. What is a translation kit? A translation kit is a package containing all files,
resources, and instructions needed for translators to complete a localization
project.
24. What is a locale fallback? Locale fallback is when a system displays
content in a default or closely related locale if the specific requested locale is
unavailable.
products, or services to meet the language, cultural, and other requirements of a
specific target market or locale.
2. How does localization differ from translation? Translation focuses only on
converting text from one language to another, while localization adapts all
aspects including cultural references, formats, images, and functionality for a
target market.
3. What is internationalization (i18n)? Internationalization is the process of
designing software or content in a way that makes localization easier, without
requiring engineering changes for each locale.
4. What does "locale" mean in localization? A locale is a set of parameters
that defines the user's language, region, and cultural preferences, typically
represented as language_COUNTRY (e.g., en_US, fr_FR).
5. What is a translation memory (TM)? A translation memory is a database
that stores previously translated segments (sentences or phrases) to enable reuse
and maintain consistency across translations.
6. What is a glossary in localization? A glossary is a list of terms with their
approved translations, used to ensure consistency in terminology across all
translated content.
7. What is a style guide? A style guide is a document that defines language-
specific writing conventions, tone, formatting rules, and other guidelines for
translation projects.
8. What is GILT? GILT stands for Globalization, Internationalization,
Localization, and Translation - the four key processes in adapting products for
global markets.
9. What is transcreation? Transcreation is creative translation that adapts
marketing and creative content while preserving the intended emotional impact
and persuasive intent.
10. What is a source language? The source language is the original language
in which content is created before being translated into other languages.
, 11. What is a target language? The target language is the language into which
content is being translated.
12. What are locale-specific formats? These are format variations based on
regional preferences, such as date formats (MM/DD/YYYY vs
DD/MM/YYYY), currency symbols, and number separators.
13. What is pseudo-localization? Pseudo-localization is a testing method
where text is replaced with altered versions to test if software can handle
localized content without actual translation.
14. What is a language pair? A language pair consists of the source language
and target language for a translation project (e.g., English to Spanish).
15. What is LQA? LQA stands for Linguistic Quality Assurance - the process
of reviewing translations for accuracy, consistency, and quality.
16. What is a CAT tool? CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) tools are
software applications that help translators work more efficiently using
translation memories and terminology databases.
17. What is machine translation (MT)? Machine translation is automated
translation performed by software without human intervention.
18. What is post-editing? Post-editing is the process of reviewing and
correcting machine-translated content to improve quality.
19. What is a bilingual file? A bilingual file contains both source and target
language text side by side, typically used in CAT tools.
20. What is string extraction? String extraction is the process of identifying
and exporting translatable text from source files for localization.
21. What is a language service provider (LSP)? An LSP is a company that
provides translation, localization, and related language services to clients.
22. What is continuous localization? Continuous localization is an agile
approach where translation happens simultaneously with product development
rather than after completion.
23. What is a translation kit? A translation kit is a package containing all files,
resources, and instructions needed for translators to complete a localization
project.
24. What is a locale fallback? Locale fallback is when a system displays
content in a default or closely related locale if the specific requested locale is
unavailable.
