Localizing foreign-made software into Japanese, Localizing Japanese software into foreign languages.

Integrity of terms used in documented manuals and applications
Terms used in manuals must be exactly the same as those in the applications.

Conversion between single-byte and double-byte characters
Leaving double-byte characters unconverted on screens viewed by users leads to garbled text displays in a foreign language environment. For example, some characters such as spaces can be properly displayed in Japanese environments, and are unlikely to be noticed. It is therefore essential to test the application under various foreign language operating systems.

Single-Byte Katakana
Single-byte katakana characters used for short cuts, for example, can lead to garbled text display.

Characters with diacritical marks
Knowledge of how to enter characters with diacritical marks is needed when localizing to languages such as German, which use such characters.

What parts to be translated?
If you translate parts of resources that are not supposed to be translated, the program using the resource may not run properly. When translating from English to Japanese in particular, even with exactly the same character strings, it must be translated at certain locations.

Parts to be translated other than resources
Depending on the software, other file sources in addition to resources may contain parts to be translated.

Double-byte problems in text edit boxes
When localizing English software to Japanese, character input areas such as text edit boxes must be modified to allow the entry of double-byte characters.

Clickable maps in Help files
Many applications contain clickable maps in their Help files. If care is not taken, these could be treated as images.

Special symbols contained in resources
Special symbols, such as ";", sometimes represent specific meanings in programs. For example, deleting only one space may cause a problem with viewing.

Keyboard layouts
Different languages have different keyboard layouts. Special care should be taken prior to starting work with short-cut keys, for example, because keys on one language keyboard may not be used in other languages.

Fonts
Japanese uses standard fonts that are different in type and size from those of other foreign languages. Fonts suitable for the target language must be selected in order to display characters properly.

Differences in development environments with languages
English software projects, for example, are not always compiled successfully, sometimes generating errors. This is mainly due to differences in the code pages of the language. To avoid consuming excessive time, we must know the exact code page number of the specific language.

When some files are not supplied to us
Localizing typically requires all the related files, including program source files. If some files are not available due to, for example, strict confidentiality, we ask clients to supply compiled object files, and use these in our localization work. This requires specialist know-how of what to incorporate.

Sizing problems in resources
Sizing in resources varies between languages. Text displayed correctly in Japanese environments may be displayed off the screen in other language operating systems, and vice versa.

(1) Prepare glossary of terms
(2) Translation
(3) Resource embedding and compilation
(4) Verify operation and modify if necessary
(5) Deliver product
(6) Review by clients
(7) Re-modify if necessary

a. Translation and software creation are performed concurrently. In other words, good communication is achieved between translator and programmer, ensuring your project runs smoothly.
b. Quick delivery
c. Cost effectiveness
d. Verification and modification can be performed promptly on completion of the translation and software.

Multilingual
* Imaging software: 8 languages, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean
* Electronic imaging software: 7 languages, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Korean
* Electronic imaging software: 5 languages, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
* Electronic imaging software: 7 languages, Japanese, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Korean
* Electronic imaging software: 5 languages, Japanese, French, German, Italian, Spanish
* Utility software for PC peripherals: 6 languages, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese
* Voice Recognition Software in 6 languages (English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Chinese)
* Voice Recognition Software in 5 languages (English, French, German, Spanish, Italian)
* Game Software from Japanese to English
* Game Software from Japanese to English and Spanish
* Game Software from Japanese to English, French and German

English to Japanese
* LiveImage (Image map creation)
* KAWA (Java development environments)
* HVS Toolkit Pro (Plug-in for Photoshop, Image compression)
* Ez3D (VRML Authoring software)
* CD-R Writing Software
* Substance Analyse Software
* pH Measurement Software
* Game Software from English to Japanese