Friday, December 16, 2011

L10nworks links

  • Organizations
  • The Localization Industry Standards Association
  • The Unicode Consortium
  • Globalization & Localization Association
  • Localization World
  • Worldware Conference
  • Localisation Research Centre (LRC)
  • W3C Internationalization (L18N) Activity
  • Translation Automation User Society
  • Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards
  • American Translators Association
  • Institute of Localisation Professionals (TILP)
  • Monterey Institute of International Studies
    • Blogs
    Global WatchTower
    Common Sense Advisory’s blog. Commentary on trends and tools in the globalization industry.
    Lexiophiles
    For all those word-lovers out there: a compilation of the best language-related blogs on the web.
    Blogos
    Multilingual’s blog. News and views on all aspects of language, translation and technology.
    Translate My Word
    Localization Best Practices. A blog for those involved in global marketing.
    Microsoft Translator Official Team Blog
    News and views from the Microsoft translator team in Microsoft Research.
    Global by Design
    A Microsoft employee blogs about web globalization.
    Planet Web
    A blog hosted by W3C, which compiles posts from a variety of blogs on web internationalization software.
    i18n Blog
    A software internationalization blog with a focus on Romanian translation.
    Ilya Butenko - Localization Blog
    A program manager blogs about trends in localization.
    About Translation
    An Italian translator talking about his experience in the language industry.
    ImTranslator
    Smart Link Corporation’s blog on various translating software.
    Localization, Localisation
    Practical and concise answers to common questions in G11N, I18N and L10N
    Terminology, Computing and Translation
    A blog for translation agencies, translators and language professionals.
    Translation Journal
    A Publication for translators by translators about translators and translation
    Translator's Shack
    A collection of news, reviews, links and opinions on translation technology.
    • Others
    OpenTran - Consistency Matters
    A collection of the translations of miscellaneous software projects, with an eye on improving consistency among open source software developers.
    Translation Glossary and References
    A collection of previously-released glossary files on mozilla.org. A reference for improving the level of consistency between different translation projects.
    Translator's Tools
    A useful compilation of translation tools.
    Internazionalization Downloads
    A collection of tools and resources for localization projects on Mac: varying from software like AppleGlot and ADViewer, to a collection of Mac glossaries.
    Proz.com
    Reputedly the largest online community of translators, complete with networking resources and discussions on translation issues and technologies
    DGT Multilingual Translation Memory
    A translation memory database released by the Directorate-General for Translation (DGT) of the European Commission. It is a complete collection of all of the European Union’s legislation, with parallel texts in 22 languages and 231 different language pairs.
    I18NGuy
    Information about cultural differences, internationalization (i18n), localization (l10n), globalization (g11n), translation and software engineering.
    OpenTag
    This site is dedicated to the tools and technologies used in the localization of software, on-line help and documentation.
    i18nGurus
    Open directory of links to internationalization (i18n) resources and related material.


    Publications

    A collection of publications on localization, internationalization and globalization. This is a work in progress, so if there are any publications you’d like to see on the list, please let us know.
    • Magazines
    Client Side News
    A magazine that puts the spotlight on solutions for clients in the globalization, internationalization, and localization industries.

    MultiLingual
    MultiLingual Computing (co-producers of Localization World) brings you its eponymous masterpiece: a magazine with a focus on technological innovations in the internationalization industry. Each issue (published in both print and digital formats eight times a year) comes loaded with information on language technology, industry commentary, business tips and other interesting language-oriented highlights.

    • Books
    A Practical Guide to Localization by Bert Esselink
    This book can serve as a comprehensive guide for those just getting started in localization, and also as a handy reference tool for old-timers in the industry. Esselink’s book delves into all the key roles involved in the localization process, including information for translators, engineers, and project managers. A large part of its focus is on localizing software under Windows, however it does touch briefly on other operating systems.

    Internationalization and Localization Using Microsoft .Net by Nick Symmonds
    This book is a guideline for developers and IT managers on how to internationalize their software using Microsoft’s .NET platform. It is a comparatively readable book in a notoriously unreadable genre, but more of a general introduction than a detailed technical treatise.

    Developing International Software by Dr International
    This book/CD-ROM explains how to localize applications for Windows XP and 2000, determine important culture-specific issues, avoid international pitfalls and legal issues, and use the best technologies and coding practices.

    XML Internationalization and Localization by Yves Savourel
    This book addresses the ways in which XML can help document producers to overcome the obstacles inherent in internationalizing (and then localizing) their content. It is complete with a section that details and compares a wide array of different translation tools and techniques.

    International User Interfaces by Jakob Nielsen and Elisa M. Del Galdo
    This book is composed of a series of articles on internationalizing user-interface design. It is compiled to confront the problems UI developers face in rendering their products more accessible to a global audience.

    Business Without Borders by Donald A. de Palma
    This book is a highly-lauded treatment of how and why companies ought to go global, touching on every aspect of the globalization process. It is a comprehensive guide full of strategy and insight for overcoming the challenges e-businesses will invariably meet in launching their international marketing campaigns.

    CJKV Information Processing by Ken Lunde
    This book is a thorough introduction and exhaustive reference for those interested in either developing or localizing software that supports East Asian character sets (namely Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese). The author not only helps to familiarize his audience with significant historical information regarding these writing systems (including methods of input and output at the onset of the computer age), he also delves deeply into modern encoding and programming methods, complete with page after page of handy character tables and example source code—available in Java, C, and Perl.

    Read Me First! A Style Guide for the Computer Industry by Sun Technical Publications
    This book helps acquaint its readers with professional practices relating to all aspects of creating technical documentation. Its advice ranges from how to create grammatically and stylistically appropriate writing guides, to graphical user interface techniques, and then on to advice dealing with glossary and index creation, the use of hyperlinks, as well as the clarification of often-misused terminology.

    Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications by Microsoft Corporation
    This book is widely recognized as a must-have for anyone in the technical publication field. In addition to assisting its readers in developing industry-standard writing style guides for their companies or organizations, Microsoft’s manual also helps to standardize nettlesome issues regarding technical- and computer-related terminology—making for clean, consistent publications and user interfaces that, in turn, can be more painlessly internationalized at a later date.

    Java™ Look and Feel Design Guidelines by Sun Microsystems Inc.
    This book is a style guide aimed at teaching its readers how to design more professional, clean, and intuitive graphical user interfaces for Java applications. It does not explore the coding aspect of programming applications, but rather is a manual for helping designers to create more useful and aesthetically pleasing interfaces, dealing specifically with topics like utility windows, menus, dialogs, buttons, and many other components that affect the usability of Java programs.

    Computer-Aided Translation Technology: A Practical Introduction by Lynne Bowker
    This book focuses on introducing the medley of CAT tools and technologies that translation professionals are likely to encounter in the course of their work. It delves into the ways in which translators might interact with and benefit from the different computer-aided translation tools available, and how said tools might affect and improve the translator’s workflow. While not promoting any specific approach to translation, Bowker’s book is an attempt at familiarizing its readers with what technologies are out there and how they can help you.

    Computers and Translation: A Translator’s Guide by H.L. Somers (editor)
    This book is composed of a collection of articles on translation technology: touching on machine translation, computer-aided translation, and translation memory, complete with some historical sketches and notes on the future trends thereof. This collection is aimed at delineating the limitations of technology’s role in translation, and thereby clarifying how computers can be used to help, not replace, the translator.

    Machine Translation: Its Scope and Limits by Yorick Wilks
    This book is a discourse on the history of machine translation and its development—spread across forty years and three continents—into contemporary models. In this volume, Yorick Wilks, the Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Sheffield (not to mention a stock of other scholarly appellations), discusses the many conflicting approaches to MT technology over the years, and rounds things off with suppositions regarding the roles that new models in A.I. and other fields will play in the future of machine translation technology.

    Translation and Globalization by Michael Cronin
    This book is a critical examination of the role and function of translation in the context of an ever-globalizing world. Michael Cronin seeks to investigate the effects that changes in global economic and social infrastructures have had on translation and, by extension, translators themselves. With a primary focus on non-literary translation as a uniquely-positioned lens through which we can examine globalization and what it means for the future of people and their respective cultures, Cronin’s book aims to impress on readers the importance of translation not only as a useful product, but as an illuminating process.

    The Global English Style Guide by John R. Kohl
    This book is a style guide for instructing writers in all disciplines how to produce English documents that are better suited to translation (both machine and human), and that are more catered toward facilitating reading-comprehension among non-native speakers of English. The author delves into problems relating to style, syntax and terminology, and offers concrete examples that will help writers to gain control over more explicit, simple, consistent, and translatable English.

    Technical Translation: Usability Strategies for Translating Technical Documentation by Jody Byrne
    This book is an introduction to technical translation and the usability of technical documents. Going beyond mere concerns with terminology, Jody Burn addresses the process of managing document usability and translation from the perspective of cognitive psychology and technical communication, aiming to help readers develop skills more suited to the creation of usable (and thus marketable) documents in a field more demanding and extensive than ever.



    Software

    A selection of translating tools ranging from machine translation (MT), to computer-aided translation (CAT) and terminology management software (TMS). As always, this is a growing compendium. If there are any tools that ought to be added, please let us know.
    A translation platform that incorporates multiple-format translation memory and TMS tools into a workflow management system. This allows service providers and their customers to interact more intimately throughout the entire “linguistic supply chain.” An assortment of machine translation systems developed by CIMOS, dealing primarily with bi-directional Arabic-to-English, Arabic-to-French, and English-to-French projects. Their software comes with specialized subject dictionaries, and can be used as a stand-alone product, as a web-based server, or can be embedded within your application of choice. A visual localization support tool developed by Alchemy Software. This software environment integrates all phases of the localization workflow—from project management to translation, as well as engineering and testing—into an easy-to-use visual system that allows users to focus more on the quality of their work, free from the distractions of its underlying technology. A translator workstation developed by ATRIL. Déjà Vu combines translation memory with a terminology management system. This CAT has the ability to perform example-based machine translation (EBMT), which helps to increase productivity and consistency for both corporate and freelance translators alike. A machine translation system combined with customizable a translation memory system. This multilingual software supports bi-directional translations between all official languages of the European Union. An open source CAT environment released by Lionbridge. Their technology combines a translation memory system with terminology management tools—as well as a project assistant—allowing users to streamline the translation process. Their software is TMX-compliant, and features fuzzy match applications. A CAT tool designed to be compatible with a wide array of other localization products, and developed completely around open standards of language technology (TMX, SRX, TBX, UTF-8, etc.). Its integrated interface allows translation memory and terminology management to be handled within the same application, a process facilitated by configurable software functions and hot-keys. Developed by Terminotix, Logiterm Professional is primarily a terminology and parallel text search engine, but also includes different tools for generating dictionaries, creating glossaries and aligning documents. A translation memory system developed by AppTek. Their product offers automated document alignment combined with a translation memory database that supports multiple language pairs. Complete with a document management application in which users can directly manage their source documents. A CAT system that runs in Microsoft Word. They offer translation memory and terminology management systems with full Unicode support in an already-familiar interface—users won’t have to become acquainted with a new software environment, as all of its functions can be accessed right there in Word. A software localization support tool. Multilizer’s product offers a visual editing interface combined with a translation memory system for companies looking to localize their PC, internet and mobile software. Its features are designed to streamline the translation process in an expansive array of file formats. A translator workstation developed by MultiCorpora. Their software provides translators with a document alignment application, along with translation memory and terminology management systems. Translators can manage their workflow with MultiTrans’ analysis agent, as well as access others’ translation memory databases online. An open source computer-assisted translation tool developed by Didier Briel and team. OmegaT is a translation workstation, fully equipped with a translation memory system, project support, a bitext aligner/converter, as well as a TMX validator, paragraph segmentation capabilities and many other tools to assist language professionals in their translations. A machine translation system developed by SyNTHEMA. Their MT system is combined with translation memory technology to offer the complete and automated translation of documents. Their software is compatible with most industry-standard desktop publishing and CAT environments. A translation workstation developed by BridgeTerm. ProMemoria is a combination of translation memory, terminology management, and dictionary creation tools that integrate with Microsoft Word. It can also handle machine translation based on users’ own custom-made subject dictionaries. A translator workstation developed by SDL International. Provides all the features users need to optimize their translation workflow: terminology management, translation memory, and project management, all complete with help wizards to assist users along the way. SDL’s software also includes an automated quality assurance feature to help translators keep their translations clean, professional and consistent. A translation memory system developed by Lingua et Machina. Similis can either run in Word or as a standalone translation environment. It helps users to reuse already-translated words and segments, while automatically updating their TM databases. This software can also automatically align documents and extract new terminology in the process. A translation memory system developed by the Institute for Language and Speech Processing. Tr-AID is embedded in Microsoft Word for user convenience, and comes with customizable terminology management features. A machine translation system developed by OTEK. They offer both bi-directional English/Chinese and Japanese/Chinese MT systems. Transwhiz 10 can translate in batches or integrate with Microsoft Word as a translation memory system, as well as automatically translate RSS news feeds and instant messages. A translation workstation and terminology manager developed by Xplanation. Tstream can be used on all platforms and has the ability to integrate with a web-based project management system. Its translation environment works independently of all word processors, so there’s no need to learn new interfaces, spend money on new software nor waste time on continuously updating it. A localization support tool developed by AIT. Visual Localize is a CAT system designed primarily for localizing software and graphical user interface. As a completely visual aid that incorporates translation memory technology, it allows translators to view their work in context. A translation memory system that works on all platforms (Mac, Windows, and Linux). Wordfast Pro is a standalone program that provides a customizable translating environment, while also assisting users in broadening their TM databases. A translation workstation developed by Kilgray. MemoQ is a fully-integrated CAT environment—with a wide range of file format support—that provides users with a customizable visual workspace, as well as access to a variety of remote translation memories and term bases. Some of its more distinguished features include a sophisticated alignment function, and the ability to perform group translations, where different members of a team can translate and proofread the same document simultaneously. A tool for localizing software, predominantly MFC, .NET, WPF, Delphi and Java-based applications. Lingobit Localizer utilizes translation memory technology in combination with a visual user interface in order to assist users in focusing on their translations without the hassle of dealing with source-code. It also includes tools for quality assurance and project management. An environment for localizing graphical user interfaces in conjunction with Win32, Microsoft .NET, Java and XML software. RC-WinTrans offers built-in support for Trados’ translation memory system and comes equipped with context viewers to assist users in the software localization process. A web-based CAT tool developed by Idiom Technologies. WorldServer provides translators and end-clients alike with a centralized platform to streamline the localization process. Complete with a system of centralizing and ensuring consistency among translation memory and terminology databases. A software localization tool developed by SDL International. Passolo 2009 comes equipped with an array of features to save its users time, including a completely customizable working environment, the ability to revert to previous versions of a workflow, and an improved glossary search. A free translation memory system that integrates with Microsoft Word. WordFisher is similar to commercial TM environments in that it provides users with the ability to align and synchronize their documents, customize glossaries, expand upon their TM databases and check for translation consistency. A tool for localizing Flash files, developed by Avral. Tramigo assists users by extracting translatable text from SWF files, protecting content that doesn’t need to be translated, and by generating a newly-translated version of the original SWF file after the translator has done his work. An open source CAT tool. Anaphraseus allows users to create and modify translation memories. Its main features include text segmentation, terminology management, fuzzy match TM search, and TMX import/export capabilities. A translation memory system developed by AIT. AnyMem’s CAT engine is loaded with features: TM database and terminology management systems, selective search and translate functions, integration with Microsoft Word, a configurable interface display, and Unicode support. A terminology reference tool developed by ApSIC. This is an internal software solution that ApSIC is offering to the public for download. Xbench helps translators to customize the display of their bilingual information, with support in a variety of different CAT formats. It also comes equipped with features to aid translators with quality assurance, ensuring clean and consistent work. A terminology extraction engine developed by BridgeTerm. SynchroTerm enables users to extract terms from parallel texts and other translation memories. It automates the extraction process and allows users to build, enlarge and edit their terminology databases. A terminology management tool developed by acrolinx. IQ seeks to minimize linguistic variation and maximize content reuse by providing users with a host of quality assurance features that introduce consistency in spelling, grammar and style into the translator’s workflow. A tool for aligning documents developed by Terminotix. AlignFactory automates the document alignment process and seeks to outperform the capabilities of the built-in alignment functions found in many commercial CAT workstations. A localization tool for Mac software, developed by Florent Pillet. Powerglot extracts translatable text for its users and provides them with a TM system to aid in the translation process. After users are finished translating, PowerGlot will automatically reconstruct the now-localized application. A tool for localizing Mac applications, developed by Arizona Software. iLocalize comes with a variety of features to help users localize their Mac applications. Its TM-glossary can treat multiple languages within the same project, while checking consistency and applying smart filters to the source code—making sure that users can find and translate what needs to be translated. A CAT tool for localizing documents, developed by MadCap Software. MadCap Lingo allows users to import translatable material in a broad range of file formats, where they can view source and target texts side-by-side in a visually-oriented translation environment. It comes equipped with a translation memory system and tools for creating and editing TM databases, as well as functions that help translators create statistical reports about their various projects. A simple and intuitive CAT tool, developed by Total Recall Software. Snowball integrates with Microsoft Word, automatically analyzing and updating translation memory databases in the background while translators do their work. In the Pro and Freelance versions, Snowball supports TMX import and export, and provides access to multiple databases. One of the first CAT tools on the market, developed by the STAR Group. Transit supports a wide range of languages and file formats, combining translation and terminology management functions with project management and quality assurance utilities. A web-based translation management system developed by XML-INTL. XML Suite can be used as a standalone TMS, or can be split into separate working modules that can be integrated into existing systems. Its different applications help users to manage all aspects of the localization process, from workflow management, to quality assurance and terminology management. XML Suite is scalable and customizable according to its users’ needs. An open source initiative sponsored by WeLocalize. GlobalSight is a highly customizable translation management system that supports collaborative editing and management models through its own imbedded crowdsourcing application, CrowdSight. A completely web-based CAT tool developed by Wordbee S.A. Wordbee Translator is based on a collaborative model in which translators can work on the same project, remotely and at the same time—all of which can be tracked by its real-time tracking system. This CAT tool can process most common file formats, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint (including graphics), Adobe InDesign, OpenOffice documents, RTF, XML, and HTML. It can be subscribed to for a monthly fee. A free web-based CAT tool developed by Google. Google’s Translator Toolkit supports most common file formats, like html, txt, doc, and rtf, etc. With Google’s application, TM import and export is performed in TMX format, whereas glossaries are exported in Google’s custom CSV format. Professional translators and other users are encouraged to take a careful look at Google’s Terms of Service before availing themselves of this technology. Source: http://www.l10nworks.com