Localization/Working in the localization industry

Roles in localization

PM

Localization Project Managers are the bridge between clients and vendors (Language Service Providers) in a localization process.

LOC PMs typically handle following tasks and possess a set of important skills:

• Identification of project scope
• Accurate planning of a project timeline
• Vendor allocation and interaction
• Collaboration with business requestors, developers/engineers and Linguistic QA to ensure proper and error-free localization results
• High attention to detail, efficient time management, strong organizational skills
• Establish and optimize process workflows as needed
• Budgeting
• Strong understanding of internationalization and culturalization
• Knowledge of CAT tools and common localization file types (XML, HTML etc.)
• Often have at least one strong Language proficiency in addition to English

Engineer

Localization engineering is the role related to design, development, operation and support of the localization process on a technical level. It can serve many purposes, such as

• the development or deployment of infrastructure to run a localization process
• the prepare of resources to be localized to fit them into existing processes
• the adaptation of localization tools or frameworks, parsers for best handling (e.g. XML schema preparation)
• activities around quality control and bug fixing on translated material (post-localization engineering)
• the consultation of other stakeholders in the localization process on a technical level.

The localization engineer usually has a degree in a technical field, such as computer science and coding skills and experience with high-level programming languages.

QA/tester

Localization QA/testing deals with identifying linguistic, cosmetic and functional errors/bugs that may have been introduced during the localization process.

Localization testers aim to find problems such as:

• Missing content
• Non-functional features (e.g. links, input/output behavior of forms)
• UI and layout defects like misalignment, overlap, extra or missing controls
• Truncations and text bleeding issues caused by text expansion
• Character corruption or encoding issues in display and input
• Sorting issues related to a specific language’s alphabet
• Incorrect date, time, or calendar formats
• Errors in currency conversions or monetary symbols
• Incorrect unit conversions, numeric formats, separators, or negatives

Terminologist

Terminologists are language professionals who study, create, and use terminology, especially in professional translation project management. A terminologist may facilitate the writing, editing, and translation process by researching and locating information that may assist linguists and language services professionals produce high-quality translations. Terminologists ensure accuracy, consistency, and appropriateness of usage of terms.

Working in intercultural teams

Working in Localization means, by default, working with or in intercultural teams. When working in intercultural teams it is important to consider the following aspects:

• Cultural and ethical differences
• Language differences or different skill levels of shared language (e.g. native English speakers vs speakers of English as second language)
• Communication style differences
• Gestures and body language interpretation
• Conscious and unconscious cultural biases

Working across the globe

The Localization industry is globally dispersed by nature. Working across different geographies entails working through a number of practical obstacles, such as:

• Different time zones
• International and regional holidays
• Different seasonal vacation times
• Different work times and work weeks
• International and regional laws
• Social, economic, political or natural events
• Currency differences
• Language barriers
• Technical barriers (e.g. bandwidth, access to technology)
• Lack of face-to-face communication