Software Localisation
Adapting software products - websites, mobile apps, SaaS platforms, games and enterprise systems - for international markets. Translation is only one part of the process.
True localization means the product feels native to the target user: correct date formats, appropriate number conventions, mirrored layouts for RTL languages, plural rules that match the grammar of the target language, and regulatory text that complies with local law. We handle the full scope.
Why Software Localisation Is More Than Translation
Translating UI strings without understanding the software context is one of the most common and costly localization failures. Software text is structured, variable-dependent and tightly coupled to the codes. A translation that is linguistically correct can still break the interface.
Text Expansion & Contraction
German text is typically 30% longer than English; Chinese may be 30% shorter. UI elements must be designed and tested to accommodate these extremes - truncated labels or broken layouts erode user trust immediately.
Right-to-Left Scripts
Arabic, Hebrew, Urdu and Persian require full interface mirroring - not just flipped text, but reversed layout, bidirectional number handling and RTL-aware input fields. Partially mirrored UIs create critical usability failures.
Date, Time & Number Formats
Date formats (DD/MM/YYYY vs MM/DD/YYYY vs YYYY-MM-DD), decimal separators (period vs comma), thousands separators and calendar systems (Gregorian, Hijri, Hebrew) all vary by locale and must be adapted at the data layer, not just the display layer.
String Variables & Concatenation
Strings assembled from fragments at runtime ("You have " + count + " messages") break in most target languages because word order, grammatical gender and plural rules differ fundamentally. Proper i18n requires ICU MessageFormat or equivalent.
Plural Rules & Gender
English has 2 plural forms (1 item / 2 items). Arabic has 6. Russian has 3. Languages like Polish, Czech and Slovak have different rules for 1, 2–4, and 5+. Grammatical gender affects adjectives, past tense verbs and determiners across dozens of languages.
Regulatory & Compliance Text
End-user license agreements (EULA), privacy notices, cookie consent banners and data protection disclosures must comply with local regulations (GDPR, India's DPDPA, CCPA) and may require legal review in each jurisdiction, not just translation.
What We Localise
Across product types, platforms and content categories.
User Interface
- ›Menu items and navigation labels
- ›Button text and form labels
- ›Error and validation messages
- ›Tooltips and helper text
- ›Onboarding and walkthrough copy
Mobile Apps
- ›iOS and Android UI strings
- ›App Store / Google Play listings
- ›Push notification templates
- ›In-app purchase copy
- ›Accessibility labels
Web Applications & SaaS
- ›Dashboard and reporting labels
- ›Email notification templates
- ›Admin panel interfaces
- ›API error messages
- ›Documentation and help centres
Games & Interactive Media
- ›UI strings and HUD elements
- ›NPC dialogue and subtitles
- ›Tutorial and onboarding text
- ›Achievement and reward copy
- ›Store and monetisation screens
Technical Documentation
- ›Developer API references
- ›SDK and integration guides
- ›System administration manuals
- ›Release notes and changelogs
- ›Knowledge base articles
E-Learning Platforms
- ›LMS interface strings
- ›Course content and assessments
- ›Certificate and credential text
- ›SCORM package localisation
- ›Instructor and admin interfaces
Our Process
A structured workflow that integrates with your development cycle rather than sitting outside it.
Internationalisation Review
Before translation begins, we review the codebase or product for i18n readiness - hardcoded strings, concatenated messages, locale-insensitive date handling and layout constraints that will cause problems at scale.
String Extraction & Glossary
All translatable strings are extracted into resource files (JSON, XLIFF, PO, .strings, RESX). A product glossary is created and usually approved by the client to ensure consistent terminology across all locales.
Translation with Context
Translators work with in-context screenshots or live staging environments - not raw string files in isolation. Context prevents the common failure of translating "Submit" as a geological term rather than a button action.
Engineering Integration
As per the client’s requirement, translated files are integrated back into the product. We verify encoding, file format integrity and placeholder syntax (ensuring {username} or %s variables are preserved correctly in target language).
Linguistic QA & Testing
Native-speaking reviewers test the localised product in-situ, checking for truncation, layout breaks, missing translations, incorrect plural forms and cultural appropriateness - not just linguistic accuracy.
Ongoing Maintenance
Software products upgrade regularly. As per client’s needs, we offer ongoing localisation support for new features, version releases and bug fixes, with translation memory leverage to keep costs constrained as the product grows.
File Formats Supported
Working with a proprietary format? We can accommodate custom file structures - contact us with your requirements.
Why Semantics Trans for Software Localisation
For almost all the standard languages of the world (excluding rare ethnic languages, which do not have any standardization), we work with expert linguists who have backgrounds in software, IT and technical writing - not just general-purpose translators reassigned to UI strings. For every target language, the assigned translator understands both the linguistic conventions and the software context: what a "dialog box" is, why "Submit" cannot be translated as a verb meaning geological deposition, and why a tooltip for a drag-and-drop element needs to describe an action, not a state.
We use Trados Studio, memoQ and Memsource with client-specific translation memories and glossaries. This means, as your product evolves across versions, terminology stays consistent and translation costs are reduced through leverage on repeated or near-repeated (fuzzy matches) strings.
Indian language software localisation requires additional attention to script rendering, font compatibility and input method support, which we handle proactively.
Ready to Localise Your Product?
Tell us about your product, target languages and timeline. We will assess the scope and provide a detailed quote.