Internationalization and localization

Screenshot of TDE software programs mostly localized to Chinese (traditional)

In computing, internationalization and localization (American) or internationalisation and localisation (British), often abbreviated i18n and l10n respectively,^[1] are means of adapting computer software to different languages, regional peculiarities and technical requirements of a target locale.^[2]

Internationalization is the process of designing a software application so that it can be adapted to various languages and regions without engineering changes. Localization is the process of adapting internationalized software for a specific region or language by translating text and adding locale-specific components.

Localization (which is potentially performed multiple times, for different locales) uses the infrastructure or flexibility provided by internationalization (which is ideally performed only once before localization, or as an integral part of ongoing development).^[3]

^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Hall, P. A. V.; Hudson, R., eds. (1997). Software without Frontiers: A Multi-Platform, Multi-Cultural, Multi-Nation Approach. Chichester: Wiley. ISBN 0-471-96974-5.
^ Esselink, Bert (2006). "The Evolution of Localization" (PDF). In Pym, Anthony; Perekrestenko, Alexander; Starink, Bram (eds.). Translation Technology and Its Teaching (With Much Mention of Localization). Tarragona: Intercultural Studies Group – URV. pp. 21–29. ISBN 84-611-1131-1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 September 2012. In a nutshell, localization revolves around combining language and technology to produce a product that can cross cultural and language barriers. No more, no less.

[:0-1] Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[SFW-2] Hall, P. A. V.; Hudson, R., eds. (1997). Software without Frontiers: A Multi-Platform, Multi-Cultural, Multi-Nation Approach. Chichester: Wiley. ISBN 0-471-96974-5.

[3] Esselink, Bert (2006). "The Evolution of Localization" (PDF). In Pym, Anthony; Perekrestenko, Alexander; Starink, Bram (eds.). Translation Technology and Its Teaching (With Much Mention of Localization). Tarragona: Intercultural Studies Group – URV. pp. 21–29. ISBN 84-611-1131-1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 September 2012. In a nutshell, localization revolves around combining language and technology to produce a product that can cross cultural and language barriers. No more, no less.

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