The Technical Issues of Arabic Web Page Localization - Case Study Example

Introduction The world has been reduced to a small village due to the introduction of computers and the internet whereby real time events can be shared across the globe without any difficulties. Internet usage is growing at alarming rate and in fact, the internet has become the fundamental port for call information, shopping and other services (Dolog and Florian, 2009). Making a product seem to be part of a certain cultural locality automatically increases the market capture of that particular product. The evolution of the internet came from English language speaking localities but now it has traversed across different linguistic lines (Chan, 2004). With regard to this, many internet developers are now embracing the issue of internet localization. This paper seeks to discuss localization, web localization and the process of localization. In addition, the paper will tackle the technical issues of Arabic web page localization. Localization This is the process of adapting a product or a service to a particular language, culture, and desired local feel and look. In most cases, global products or services are usually developed in a manner that allows easy localization process (Chan, et al. 2007). For instance, when preparing a product for use around the globe, it goes a long way than just translating the text content or the Graphical User Interface (GUI) (Brian and Koby, 2003). Creating technical illustrations and manuals where text can easily be changed from one language to another and allowing expansion room for localization is referred to as internationalization. In this case, an internationalized product or service is easier to localize (Global Partners International, 2011). The process through which a product or service is localized and then localizing it for different national targets and audiences is known as globalization. The localization and Internationalization are reciprocally autonomous to each other and therefore, you must apply both of them in order to use them. Web localization Web localization is the process of translating web site languages into appropriate and acceptable words. This process is ideal in making the web site accessible, usable and culturally suitable to the target locality. After the website has been translated, it must be properly formatted by making sure that all links work in accordance with the specifications and requirements of a specific market locale. Web localization is a tasking process that demands both programming expertise and language or cultural knowledge. Without these two, the project is bound to face encounter problems (Esselink, 2000). Web localization brings numerous benefits to global firms and industries; for instance, it crosses over language barriers, builds credibility, and eventually it increases revenue (Global Partners International, 2011). Localization process This includes transforming or translating text components and amending the user interface for a particular region or language. Web localization is an adjustment of software product, in concert with its online assistant documentation, for use in various places around the globe (Chan, 2004). Software localization involves resizing text-related graphical elements, translating user-interface text and altering sound and images to match the local convention. Below is a complete process of localization Setting up the localization environment: The process of localization starts with internationalization whereby an environment in which one will be working on translation is created. A localized environment is created by setting up input, output, storage, access, revival and display stubs through proper definition of language modules and incorporating standards for the stubs. As soon as your environment is established, you will be capable of creating a first draft from the localized product that may include the strings you necessitate to translate and the GUI pieces, which you require during the editing. In essence, setting up the localization environment is analyzing the product and assessment of the level of internationalization, freezing the source code, terminology research and glossary development, creating a localization kit, and pre-production planning, creation of project schedules and setting up the project team (Esselink, 2000). Translating and adjusting the User Interface: after you have set up a localization environment, the first draft will be ready and now you need to translate the localizable strings and editing the files. This process also involves isolating translatable strings from the software; selecting and loading memory created in prior translation projects, translate and edit software strings, finalizing the UI bilingual glossary, re-sizing dialogue boxes, and adapting accelerator keys, tool-tips, tab order, menu options, buttons, sorting orders in list boxes. Testing: the localization process should be incrementally tested for proper integration of all localization aspects in the environment setup for localization. This process includes functional testing of the localized products, linguistic testing, client review of the U, and freezing of the localized UI. Localizing Online Help and Translating Documentation: this is whereby screen captures are taken and incorporated in documentation, help files and documentation translated and edited, help files are compiled, the translated documentation is formatted, and lastly Online Help is tested including consistency checks against localized software. After testing process, packaging is done to complete the localization process of a particular application (Brian and Koby, 2003). The Technical issue of Arabic webpage localization Translating one language into another especially in a software platform comes with diverse challenges and the same applies to Arabic web page localization. Here are the technical issues 1. Transliteration Challenges Terminology standardization: terminology for education application differs across the nation, even for the equivalent application. Therefore, there is need to build specific terminology and dictionaries along with their mapping of authenticated translation of terminologies Arabic languages (Chan, et al. 2007). Linguistic support: it is obvious that most linguists are unfamiliar with information technology that makes it difficulty for them to understand the user requirements in localization domain. For this matter, there is need to provide linguistic support across the Arabic language for a wider education application. Translation tools: quick translation tools that aid human translators to meet large translation requirements of the education domain are needed in order to localize a web site. For instance, the application developers are from IT and are deficient in language background, thus there is need for linguistic support for successful implementation of the project. 2. Language and Website Localization. Translating a website from one language to another is not a simple task; there are various factors, which must be adhered to when translating the websites content. Native and cultural options have to be applied in any website localization and sought out. Variants must also be considered during the translation process; in this case, Arabic website is targeted for Arabic language speakers and therefore, when localizing an Arabic web page, Modern Standard Arabic employed. In addition, correct use of language, color, vocabulary, grammar and punctuation must be reflected in the web page to provide clear understanding; for instance, the programmer must evaluate the culture and society to come up with good web localization. In this case, the programmer should establish whether the culture relies on information rich writing to understand a concept or it relies on pictures and images as well as little text to understand the idea. 3. Pictures in Website Localization Pictures and images carry different messages; some may carry positive information that attracts the audience, while others may carry negative images that scare the audience. This section calls special attention from web programmers especially when it comes to Arabic society; for example, including half-nude pictures, disco dancing and drinking images in a Muslim web page, thus chances are that this will scare away the audience and the entire process of localization will fail (Yehia, 2011). In actual sense, it is through pictures and images that either websites can relate to an audience or repel it (Payne, 2007). 4. Navigation in Website Localization In most cases, this is taken for granted, but actually is the aspect of website layout that must be analyzed and addressed with precision for a successful localization project (Dolog and Florian, 2009). The common problem experienced in localization is the effect on layout through translation (Yehia, 2011). Some scripts may make your translation need more room or less room with regard to the target language for localization. The Arabic language is read from right to left and it needs expanding of some characters, thus it needs more room for it to be completely localized (Payne, 2007). Conclusion The use of internet is overwhelming at a rapid rate and in fact, internet has turn out as a vital tool for call information, shopping and other services. Reaching a wider market by firms has been a coveted aspect for decades, but with the introduction of the internet, products have been localized, firms are able to go beyond language barriers and sell their products (Global Partners International, 2011). In addition, Web localization has opened new avenues in education, and business. However, there are technical issues that must be addressed for the process to be successful; such as, transliteration challenges, language, pictures and images, and navigation in web localization (Esselink, 2000). Bibliography Brian, J.Baer, and Geoffrey S. Koby, 2003. Beyond The Ivory Tower: Rethinking Translation Pedagogy. Chicago: Moody Press. Daniel, P. Dolog, and Sven, C. Florian, 2009. Engineering Web Applications. New York: Oxford University Print. Chan, S. 2004. A Dictionary Of Translation Technology. New York: Oxford University Print. Esselink, B. 2000. A Practical Guide to Localization. London: McMillan Publishers. Global Partners International, 2011. Arabic Website Translation. Retrieved From; http://www.globalizationpartners.com/resources/arabic-translation-quick-facts/arabic-website-translation.aspx (Accessed March 9, 2011). Kwok, B. Chan, et al. 2007. East-West Identities: Globalization, Localization, and Hybridization. Chicago: Moody Press. Payne, N. 2007. Web Site Localization and Culture. Retrieved from; http://www.sideroad.com/Cross_Cultural_Communication/website-localization.html (Accessed March 9, 2011). Yehia, A. Yassin, 2011. Why Arabic Is the Most Difficult Language for Localization. Retrieved From http://www.translationdirectory.com/article460.htm (Accessed March 9, 2011). Read More