UI Content Extraction

App localization begins with detailed content inventory and process mapping, focusing first on creation of a glossary or lexicon of text strings and data points to be translated, followed by extraction of this content efficiently, combining automated methods with human oversight. The process must take into account screen design and functionality, accommodating right-to-left languages and overall integration.

Linguistic and Functionality Quality Check

While automated tools, often aided by artificial intelligence, can expedite the mobile app localization and translation processes, there is still no substitute for human oversight of the process and quality assurance testing at each step of the way. This includes coordination of experts in the specific functionality of the app, linguistic experts, and UI/UX specialists. Tomedes specializes in creating and managing such teams.

 

Project Management

A key to successful mobile app localization is understanding the needs of clients as well as the specific target markets. Tomedes project managers provide guidance to our clients every step of the way, starting with precise definition of budgets and timetables, as well as resource and task assignment to a granular lever. The is accompanied by daily supervision of the complicated localization process, making sure the adaptation stays exactly on track.

Localization Engineering

For all of the linguistic and management expertise required for app localization, the process remains a highly technical one involving high level software engineering and detailed know-how concerning how to correctly read and integrate files into the code stack and workflow, ensuring that all the placeholders are located and formatted correctly even before the language and data inputs go in. Tomedes excels in this.

Source Validation

Source validation includes the following steps: 1. Checking whether the app is EXE or MSI and adjusting silent switches accordingly – in general, the app should install silently. 2. Checking where all files, registries and shortcut are installed, ensuring they are as per client requirements. 3. Testing basic app functionality so the localized package behaves as expected. Various tools such as Picture Taker, Process Monitor and Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit are used, with skilled human supervision.

QA and Testing

After the app has passed the validation and packaging phases successfully, Quality Assurance comes into play. The focus is on assuring the quality of the application in terms of customer requirements. QA testing involves a rigorous check that all general standards and client specs have been successfully implemented. The end of QA phase should be accompanied by production of a detailed report of exceptions, instructions, and customizations.

LQA (Linguistic QA)

Linguistic Quality Assurance (or LQA) is an integral part of localization, implemented in iterations throughout the entire process. Steps include verification of the accuracy and appropriateness of each term used, including correct and natural phrasing, domain-specific terminology, and more. This assures the exactness and suitability of the language in the localized content. Although automation tools may be applied to support this process, mother-tongue linguists with app knowledge are the key here.