1. Three Tips for Mobile App Localization
This article was originally published on the Acclaro blog.
Category: Localization Tips, Mobile
The mobile app market is quite literally exploding, and developers are discovering that there is
a fountain of new revenue streams from downloads and advertisingoutside of the US. Are you
ready to capitalize on emerging markets? Do you have a mobile app localization strategy?
To make sure you do your mobile app software translation in the most efficient way possible,
we'd like to share some tips to guide you through the process...
1. Research the international mobile market to help define your strategy. The
mobile landscape is different from country to country, which means that there are
thousands of variables in regards to mobile platforms, platform versions and local
carriers. Each configuration may require a different approach when it comes to
international deployment. Which platforms (i.e. iPhone, Blackberry, Java, Android, etc.)
and carriers are the most important in the countries you want to target first? This
should guide your strategy.
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2. 2. Do a dry run. The simulated-translation and testing effort is a relatively quick and cost-
effective dry-run of your mobile application localization process. This step will eliminate
issues that would have otherwise emerged during later phases of the project.
3. Know your real estate limitations. Mobile devices have smaller screens than laptops
or monitors, which means that you're going to have some serious string length
limitations. Avoid layout breakage by finding out more information about the devices, or
alternatively tell your translation provider to maintain a length equivalent to your
English strings and abbreviate whenever possible. Many languages (e.g., German,
French) will expand your original text and make your strings longer.
About Acclaro: Acclaro is an international translation and localization company that
helps the world’s leading brands succeed across cultures. We specialize inwebsite
translation, marketing campaigns, documents and software localization to give clients
an authentic voice in key language markets.
North America: 1-866-468-5106 Worldwide: +1-914-468-0222
www.acclaro.comsales@acclaro.com
Page 2: Three Tips for Mobile App Localization Copyright © Acclaro 2012