Software localization is a very broad term that consists of localizing various elements of software and making it complacent with different audiences. With the help of software localization services, the whole process of localizing software goes efficiently. There are different types of software localization, each focusing on the different parts of software and making it as per the target audience’s demand. User interface localization works on the graphic elements of the software while audio and video localization works on the audiovisual components. Hence, this broad term focuses on adapting various features of software for a global audience.
Some critics think that localization or software localization is a very time-consuming as well as a costly process. In order to make this process fast as well as cost-effective, crowd-sourced localization should be used. So, let’s discuss what is crowd-sourced localization and what will be its future use.
What is Crowd-Sourced Localization (CSL)?
Crowd-sourced localization, aka CSL, is the process of localizing websites, software, or any digital content for the target audience using contributions from a large number of translators and freelancers. This approach uses the collective efforts and wisdom of a larger group of people to produce high-quality localized software. This not only reduces cost but also saves time and you get the end product in very less time. This wide range of translators provides linguistic and cultural diversity along with dialect richness, which makes the software or website appropriate for the end consumer.
It means that you don’t need to rely on a single translator. You can outsource a bunch of translators and get fast localization services. However, if you need 100% accuracy and cultural relevance, the use of software localization services becomes very important.
Types of Crowd-Sourced Localization
Crowd-sourced localization is divided into different types depending on the type of software that needs localization, the level of involvement of contributors, and the structure of the crowd. The main difference between the types of crowd-sourced localization is the way the crowd is leveraged for different tasks in the software localization project.
| Types of Crowd-Sourced Localization | Description |
| Closed Crowdsourcing | Restricts participation to a fixed number of translators, or the ones who are invited to join only.This approach is used in commercial settings where confidentiality and specified domain knowledge is necessary. |
| Open Crowdsourcing | Anyone can contribute to the localization project where translators can see each other’s work and can also suggest improvements.For instance, Wikipedia and TED Translators |
| Microtasking | Breaks the software localization process into micro-tasks which can be completed by individual translators.It becomes easy to manage the localization projects once they are divided and assigned to a dedicated pool of translators. |
| Machine Assisted Crowdsourcing | Involves the use of automated translation technology with human input to make the process faster and encourage a decentralized working environment.For instance, Microsoft Translator Hub and Google Translate Community. |
One thing to note here is that other than the translation and localization of the software interface, some documents need translation solutions. The need for a document translation services agency is crucial because it keeps the documents confidential.
How Crowd-Sourced Localization Works?
By now we know how crowd-sourced localization uses a pool of translators to adapt software for the target audience. The product, software, is translated and localized in different languages and cultures. Here translators and proofreaders work harmoniously to produce localized software. Let’s talk about how this amazing and fast software localization system works.
| Platform Infrastructure | The platform for crowd-sourcing localization is user-friendly so that translators can manage localization projects with no hassle.For instance, CSL platforms like Crowdin, Transifex |
| Microtasking of Source Content | The source content is segmented into smaller parts so that it can be translated individually. |
| Accessing the Translation Interface | Translators log in to the CSL platform and get access to the translation interface.This interface displays the source content on one side and translated content on the other side. |
| Translation Memory (TM) | TM is a necessary part of CSL platforms where it saves the previously translated microtasks.If a new task is integrated into the platform and it matches the previous one, the platform suggests previously used translations. |
| Feedback Mechanism | With the help of feedback, other translations can view each other’s tasks and provide suggestions for further improvement. |
Talking About the Future of Crowd-Sourced Localization
The future of crowd-sourced localization takes us beyond the use of AI and machine learning approaches. With the rise in the demand for real-time translations, soon CSL will also be providing real-time translations which will further bridge the communication gap. The integration of blockchain technology in CSL, further, amplifies the security measures and makes it a secure platform.
Final Words!
To sum up, crowd-sourced localization is a cost-effective and time-saving approach that allows a pool of online translators to localize software. This process works on platform infrastructure where the platform is made user-friendly so that translators can easily manage the localization process. Microtasking of the source text and access to the translation interface are two of the processes that showcase how CSL works.