Software GUI Localization
Software GUI Localization refers to the translation of the software graphical user interface (GUI) components, such as dialog boxes, menus, error and status messages displayed on a user's screen. The best localization process usually starts with the software GUI translation. Online help and user documentation translation should only begin after all software GUI strings have been fully translated and reviewed. This is because online help and user manuals often contain large amount of references to the software user interface elements. This process will ensure all GUI strings are translated consistently for all product components.
In a typical software localization project, the following GUI components normally need to be translated:
- Dialog boxes
- Menus
- Strings
In modern application development, most of the GUI components are stored in external resource files. These resource files are then compiled into binary executable files. For example, on Windows, .rc files are compiled into .dll files using a compiler such as the Visual C++ compiler.
CSOFT offers complete support for various resource file formats for translation. We also work directly with compiled binary executable files to minimize accidental changes to formatting codes within the .rc files.
In addition to translating .rc and binary program files, the CSOFT localization engineering team can also help our clients perform localized dialog box resizing and cosmetic and linguistic testing.
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