We have been doing simultaneous multiple language releases since 1990. 90% of our projects involve simultaneous localization into at least 4 target languages. We have done as many as 32 languages simultaneously.
We translate into all major and minor European, Asian, and Middle-Eastern languages; Spanish (all variations); Portuguese (two variations); and Swahili. We also translate from all of these languages into English (UK and US).
Our translators are all professional specialists with advanced university degrees. They must pass a rigorous testing regimen, and only those who receive "A's" are accepted. Based on the their background and experience in the specific subject matter, translators are matched to our clients' projects. For large projects, localize develops teams of translators and language editors who specialize in the relevant product.
Our team of translators are primarily located "in-country" -- in the countries where our clients launch their products and services. We also have US-based translators including a core team headquartered in our US office.
Our translators translate only into their native language.
In general, we handle variations such as those found in Spanish (Castilian, Latin American, etc.) and French (European, Canadian) by using both glossaries and in-country translators.
Spanish offers a particular challenge. Due to variations in Spanish, Microsoft invented "unified" Spanish. Since its inception in 1991, it has been surprisingly well received.
Regardless of this advent, many Spanish-speaking countries still prefer their own brand of Spanish. For this reason, we have taken a two-pronged approach when dealing with this nuance — we have perfected our approach to unified Spanish, and we are well equipped to accommodate clients who prefer Spanish content customized to individual Spanish-speaking markets
For both our translators and in-house testing, we have the most up-to-date glossaries for all technologies. As Apple and Microsoft developers, we have available the full range of tools and glossaries required for projects using these operating systems. We also employ our own software, LOCALIZE TRANSIT™, that ensures consistent application of terms across all aspects of a project (software programs, help files, and documentation).
In 1994, we were selected by the COSE UNIX consortium to determine the Common Desktop Environment GUI terminology for seven European and Asian markets.
We possess a wide array of glossaries that cover most software and hardware localization requirements. These glossaries include terminology for:
Real human beings are the only tools that provide high quality translation. This fact, however, does not make us Luddites. As machines do the best text and software processing, we use them to: