Technical writing i18n l10n and g11n

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[edit] i18n-l10n-g11n

With the same products being used around the globe, it is important to adapt products to local markets particularly where the original comes from a different culture and language.

The abbreviations are based on taking the first and last letters of the word, using the lower case form, and the number of letters in between.

  • i18n - internationalization
    • the process for making software which supports all the world's languages.
    • software must also be aware of local cultural norms and traditions.
    • first step in the process of making a product suitable for varying cultures and traditions.
  • l10n - localization
    • when a product is internationalized, the process of l10n can begin.
    • aim of l10n is to make a product suitable for cultures other than the one it was created in.
  • l10n takes into account factors such as:
    • language differences such as British and American English
    • Different alphabets - Cyrillic, Hebrew, Arabic, additions to Latin
    • varying calendars - Islamic, Buddhist, Jewish, Gregorian etc
    • measurements - metric and imperial
    • cultural traditions and customs
    • religious holidays
  • g11n - globalization
    • the process where companies sell their products in many markets around the globe.

It is this which has lead to the need for l10n.

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