XML & Localis/zation Peishan T. Bartley

XML and Languages  XML supports any defined character sets.  With Unicode-8, an XML file can be multi-lingual. Multi-lingual attributes. Multi-lingual attributes Multi-lingual tests. Multi-lingual tests  What about the elements?

Localization (or Localisation)  Internationalization: to develop software so it can run in different international environments without adapting or recompiling.  Localization: “to make local” – Merriam-Webster Abridged.

Localization (or Localisation)  To localize = translation + reformatting + layout re-evaluation.

Localization (or Localisation)  Examples: Format  Date MM/DD/YY vs. DD/MM/YY  Address 51 Wu-Chuan 6 th St. Taichung, Taiwan 台灣省台中市五權六街 51 號 Colors  Don’t use red ink to write the name of a Chinese.

XML and Localization  Localizable contents can be successfully handled by XSL or DTD. XSL: transform the document according to location or language, example.example DTD – the power of attributes:   - …  -

Challenges During the Localization Process  Software codes are placed in other people’s hands.  Software products may include multiple file formats.  Duplicate translation efforts means double costs.

Challenges During the Localization Process  Alternative process: Prepare the file by putting it in a container in which codes and translatable texts are separated.

XLIFF  XLIFF: Born in 2001, XLIFF is the XML Localisation Interchange File Format.

XML and Localization  Why XML-based? Easy to develop, and low on cost. Supports any defined character sets as long as they are properly declared. Has features (attributes and such) that can be used to facilitate localization. Can be output to target media, such as HTML or PDF. Extensible.

The Elements of XLIFF  Non-localization data – Skeleton file.  Localization data – Translation units.  Translation memory.

XLIFF - Translation Units  vs.  and It’s such a nice day today! 今天天氣實在 好 ! 今天天气 实在好 !

XLIFF - Translation Units  What about the inline codes?  Tag it: <a href=" gt; Simmons GSLIS </a>

XLIFF - Translation Units  More elements: Internal-file External-file …  And powerful attributes: Phase Count

XLIFF - Translation Units  Example:

XLIFF - Translation Units  Another example: use attributes to record metadata. Title: 書名 :

XLIFF  So how do you do it?  Code the files manually, write a program to do it, or use the tools available.

XLIFF Tools  ENLASO Corp. Rainbow  Java.net Open Language Tools.  Heartsome Holdings Ltd.  XLIFF Tools.

Open Language Tools XLIFF Filter 1.2.4

XLIFF Editor

XML & Localis/zation  Questions?  One non-XLIFF related thing. Characters & codes. Characters & codes