Introduction
Internationalization Testing I18n
World is flat. If you are reading this page, chances are
that you are experiencing this as well. It is very difficult to survive
in the current world if you are selling your product in only one
country or geological region. Even if you are selling in all over the
world, but your product is not available in the regional languages, you
might not be in a comfortable situation.Products developed in one location are used all over the world with
different languages and regional standards. This arises the need to test
product in different languages and different regional standards.
Multilingual and localization testing can increase your products
usability and acceptability worldwide.
In I18N testing, first step is to identify all the textual information in the
system. This includes all the text present on the application’s GUI, any
text/messages that application is producing including error message/warning and
help/documentation etc.
Main focus of the I18N testing is not to find functional defects, but to make
sure that product is ready for the global market. As in other non functional
testing it is assumed that functional testing has been completed and all the
functionality related defects are identified and removed.
I18N testing can be divided in to two parts. First, to make sure that application’s GUI or functionality will not be broken with the translated text. Second to make sure that translation of all the strings have happened properly. This activity is called Translation Verification Testing and is normally conducted by person who knows the language very well.
To make sure that application’s functionality or GUI will not be broken after the translation a popular technique known as pseudo-translation is used. In pseudo-translation instead of translating it completely, it is translated in a pseudo manner. For example an externalized string “Bad Command” can be translated in Japanese as [JA XXXXX Bad Command XXXXXX JA]. Now if the product is launched with locale as Japanese it should show the externalized string as given above instead of “Bad Command”. There are utilities to do this job for you, to do pseudo-translation of all the externalized strings of your application. During pseudo-translation you need to make sure that you are doing it roughly according to the rule. For example, width is normally expanded up to forty percent for the pseudo-translated strings as compare to the English.
As stated above, In I18N testing focus is not on the functionality but on the translation and locale related issues. Once all the externalized strings are pseudo-translated, you need to make sure that you have test case for every message or text element present in the system. Once it is done, same set of test cases can be executed on the properly translated build to make sure that translation is proper.
I18N testing can be divided in to two parts. First, to make sure that application’s GUI or functionality will not be broken with the translated text. Second to make sure that translation of all the strings have happened properly. This activity is called Translation Verification Testing and is normally conducted by person who knows the language very well.
To make sure that application’s functionality or GUI will not be broken after the translation a popular technique known as pseudo-translation is used. In pseudo-translation instead of translating it completely, it is translated in a pseudo manner. For example an externalized string “Bad Command” can be translated in Japanese as [JA XXXXX Bad Command XXXXXX JA]. Now if the product is launched with locale as Japanese it should show the externalized string as given above instead of “Bad Command”. There are utilities to do this job for you, to do pseudo-translation of all the externalized strings of your application. During pseudo-translation you need to make sure that you are doing it roughly according to the rule. For example, width is normally expanded up to forty percent for the pseudo-translated strings as compare to the English.
As stated above, In I18N testing focus is not on the functionality but on the translation and locale related issues. Once all the externalized strings are pseudo-translated, you need to make sure that you have test case for every message or text element present in the system. Once it is done, same set of test cases can be executed on the properly translated build to make sure that translation is proper.
Localization (L10N) is the process of customizing a software application that was originally designed for a domestic market so that it can be released in foreign markets. This process involves translating all native language strings to the target language and customizing the GUI so that it is appropriate for the target market. Depending on the size and complexity of the software, localization can range from a simple process involving a small team of translators, linguists, desktop publishers and engineers to a complex process requiring a Localization Project Manager directing a team of a hundred specialists. Localization is usually done using some combination of in-house resources, independent contractors and full-scope services of a localization company.
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