Software Localization

In localization you have disjoint sentences and words, not "flowing" text
Localization frequently refers to tech (mobile phone UIs, software)
Subset of translation; mostly same tools but added complexity
- like placeables
- if a placeable is noun vs. verb -> differences in translation
- sentences being broken up
- space constraints (translation display length)

Need to have a strategy
- Why translate Linux if only 1% uses it?
- "My mom" wants to use it makes more sense as a goal
Tried to come up with "rules"
Keep end-user focus
- Don't translate a programming environment
- Translate an e-mail program, web browser
Emphasize on cross-platform (more value)
- Like Firefox
Translate open source
- Easier to do
- Availability of work (whether it succeeds or fails)
Helps increase penetration of ICT in general populace (not strategic goal necessary but a good side effect)

Need to scale the community; can't translate everything
Need to prioritize needs
- Translate the top 25%
- Easier to achieve quality for this compared to the 100%
Translators may do a poor work
- Example with non-latin characters; needed to purchase a special keyboard
Built spell checkers
Built tools to help people translate if necessary
- Pootle (translate online, view progress)
small groups (5-7) do a better work at translating
translator should be either a user of the software or have some idea what he is translating
working now on an offline tool
Open source helps create localized environment
- even as a competition (MS has translated in 5 languages in South Africa)
- Creating highly-skilled community volunteers is not that easy (they are either not translators or not technically skilled)
Attempted to create communities
- Tried to connect with universities (really low success rate)
- More successful communities follow the society (wealthier, with better Internet access)
Sustainability is very important (since you have to take into account time for software to get a traction and results to be apparent)

Contacted ministers directly (typically not very accessible)
- Things like meeting someone who knows the minister doesn't work
- E-mailing the minister doesn't work either; faxing actually worked
(Pro) Open source policy of govt helped to a certain degree
Education doesn't pay
Quite a long term effort; doesn't help if you need help in two months
- In South Africa it's 8 years down the road after FOSS policy put in place that it gains some traction
Required but should not be taken for granted
``Sell`` the fact that software is in local language rather than its Open source nature and merits

Tried to create a "terminology bank" especially for stuff like OK/Download/Upload/Authenticate etc.
Use Wiki-s to co-ordinate the creation of such banks

Makes sense to translate just UI and write manual instead of translating help files
Workflow: Pootle facilitates a very basic one. Looking into expanding it, so that workflow & translations are on the same file.
Politics play a role

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