Linguistic inferiority in software localization

Lahousseine Id-youss & Abied Alsulaiman
Abstract

Software localization constitutes an important economic and cultural activity. It involves producing a version of a software product in a different language (the target language) than the language of the original version (the source language). The technical challenges associated with software localization seem to receive more attention from field specialists, while linguistic matters are considered secondary in importance. This article aims to highlight linguistic requirements in software localization through a study of the Arabic localized version of Skype. In particular, we will demonstrate that the linguistic approach adopted by the localizer is largely literal, and this has ramifications for product quality.

Keywords:
Table of contents

The software industry is considered one of the most rapidly growing economic sectors. This rapid growth can be attributed to increasing computational power and to innovative developments in programming languages. Every day new programs are being developed to perform a variety of tasks and to solve all kinds of problems. As a rule of thumb, the success of any software product depends on the number of users it attracts. The more it sells, the more successful it is.

Full-text access is restricted to subscribers. Log in to obtain additional credentials. For subscription information see Subscription & Price.

References

Bahri
2006 International Journal of Translation. Vol. 18.Google Scholar
Black, Rex
2002 “Managing the Testing Process: Practical Tools and Techniques for Managing Hardware and Software Tests.”
Bocij, P., Greasley, A. & Hickie, S
2008 Business Information Systems: Technology, Development and Management. Vol. 4. Pearson Education Limited.Google Scholar
Doyle, Stephen
2001 Information Systems for you. Nelson Thornes.Google Scholar
Dunne, Keiran J.
(ed.) 2006 Perspectives on Localization. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Edwards, Stephen, and Greg Kulczycki
2009 Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Software Reuse: Formal Foundations of Reuse and Domain Engineering. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Gambier, Yves, and Luc Van Doorslaer
(eds.) 2010 Handbook of Translation Studies. Vol. 1. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Grossman, Mark
2009 Technology Law: What Every Business (and Business-minded Person) Needs to Know. Scarecrow Press.Google Scholar
Gupta, Vikas
2008 Comdex 14-In-1 Computer Course Kit. 2008 Edition (With Cd). Dreamtech Press.Google Scholar
Hasted, Edwars
2005 Software that Sells a Practical Guide to Developin. John Wiley & Sons.Google Scholar
Hayes, Darren R.
2014 A practical Guide to Computer Forensics Investigations. Pearson Education.Google Scholar
Id-Youss, Houssine, Frieda Steurs, and Abied Alsulaiman
2014 “Translation Technologies: Challenging New Tasks and Competences for Translators.” Dragoman 2 (1).Google Scholar
Ireland, R. Duane, Robert E. Hoskisson, and Michael A. Hitt
2014 Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases: Competitiveness and Globalization. 11th edition. Boston: South-Western College Publishing.Google Scholar
Kearns, John
2006 New Vistas in Translator and Interpreter Training. Vol. 17, no. 1. Irish Translators’ and Interpreters’ Association.Google Scholar
Keniston, Kenneth
1997 Software Localization: Notes on Technology and Culture. Program in Science, Technology, and Society, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.Google Scholar
Limaye, Milind G.
2009 Software Testing. Tata McGraw-Hill Education.Google Scholar
McCarthy, John J.
1985 “Formal Problems in Semitic Phonology and Morphology.” Linguistics Department Faculty Publication Series 39.Google Scholar
Nandhakumar, B.
2011 Dictionary of Computer Networking. Excel Books India.Google Scholar
Newton, Joseph
1992 Computing Science and Statistics: Graphics and Visualization: Proceedings of the 24th Symposium on the Interface. Interface Foundation of North America. N vol. 24.Google Scholar
Nöth, Winfried
1995 Handbook of Semiotics. Indiana University Press.Google Scholar
Oaks, Dallin, and Andrew Bay
1993 Proceedings of the Deseret Language and Linguistics Society 1993 Symposium. Deseret Language and Linguistics Society.Google Scholar
Paige, Glenn D., Joám Evans Pim, and Mu Ryang Sa Buddhist Temple
2008 Global Nonkilling Leadership First Forum Proceeding.Google Scholar
Roff, Jason T., and Kimberly A. Roff
2001 Careers in E-commerce Software Development. The Rosen Publishing Group.Google Scholar
Somers, Harold
(ed.) 2003 Computers and Translation: A Translator’s Guide. Vol. 35. John Amsterdam: Benjamins Publishing. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Sosa-Iudicissa, Marcelo C.
(ed.) 1997 Internet, Telematics, and Health. Vol. 36. IOS Press.Google Scholar
Vogel, David A.
2011 Medical Device Software Verification, Validation and Compliance. Artech House.Google Scholar
Wermelinger, Michel, and Tiziana Margaria-Steffen
(eds.) 2004 Fundamental Approaches to Software Engineering: 7th International Conference, FASE 2004, Held as Part of the Joint European Conferences on Theory and Practice of Software, ETAPS 2004, Barcelona, Spain, March 29–April 2, 2004, Proceedings. Vol. 2984. Springer.Google Scholar