Translating the textual data consumes more time. The textual data must be available to translators very prior to the development stage, even before the code is established.
Each translator must have equipment which is suitable with the language to which it is translated. The display stations and keyboards must include all the characters essential for translation, and the printers in order to print the translated text.
The translators should be provided with tools which will increase productivity and also avoid translation of non-textual application data. When buying or generating a translation tool, the features must include:
- An editor which offers the ability to show displays that can be viewed by the end user, and the ability to convert the textual data on the system and at the same time protect the parts of the application which are not textual data. The editor must also consist of functions like scan and replace, find, copy, move, and delete.
- A dictionary function is to offer similarities of words and phrases about the product.
- A validation process in order to examine translation errors that might cause failure of the application.
- A merge function which provides the ability to combine the translated text into a new version of the original text. This merge function enables translating of only new text, and saves time and effort.
- A print function for confirmation purposes.
It is very essential for translators to be familiar with the product which they are translating and also with the tools they are employing. The translation process should not be like substitution of one word with another, but the generation of concepts in another language. Knowledge of the product in which it is translated offers more reasonable products to the end user. Time and resources for teaching translators must be properly planned in advance.