Localization Testing

As the name suggests internationalization and localization mean the process of giving a product the properties of a particular nationality and location. For the product’s successful implementation in all target countries, the technical translation of the interface elements into the language of the customer country is not the only thing that needs attention. The very meaning of words, technologies, button placement, text fields, images should not adversely affect anyone’s religion or culture. The problem of customer’s perception of the product should not occur. And this is also true about ​​software.

Localization is the process of adapting a software product to the client’s language and culture. This adaptation testing process includes:

• Translation of the user interface
• Translation of requirements documents
• Proper date and time format
• Currency formatting
• Consideration of legal regulations and laws
• User keyboard layout
• Visual elements (colors and symbols)
• Interpretation of text, symbols, and characters
• Other similar aspects

In addition, in some cases, compliance with localization requirements can influence the application design.

What Is Internationalization?

Internationalization is a more generalized concept that implies the design and implementation of a software product or documentation in a way that makes it as easy as possible to localize an application.

Internationalization includes:

• Creation of a product taking into account Unicode encoding (an encoding standard that supports almost all languages ​​of the world).
• Support of elements that cannot be localized in the usual way (vertical text of Asian countries, reading from right to left of Arab countries, etc.).
• Option to download localized elements in the future if the user wishes.

The term internationalization does not require translating  the program text or requirements into another language. It implies the development of applications in a way that makes localization as simple and convenient as possible and will help to avoid problems of product integration in countries with different cultures.