1. XLIFF 2 Industry Update
David Filip, Uwe Stahlschmidt & Daniel Goldschmidt
CNGL/ADAPT & Microsoft

2. Intro
The XLIFF 2.0 OASIS Standard was officially released last August. We will inform the L10n community about XLIFF 2.0 adoption in the industry and will also cover XLIFF 2.x plans – adding new features in a nimble way...
How a big corporation like Microsoft benefits from co-developing and adopting XLIFF 2.0

3. What is XLIFF? XML Localisation/Localization Interchange File Format
The only open standard bitext format
XLIFF 1.2 OASIS Standard since Feb 2008
Superseded by XLIFF 2.0 in August 2014

4. XLIFF 1.2 Issues XLIFF TC convened 2001 (long time ago)
XLIFF 1.x suffers from
feature creep, BUT at the same time is “terrifyingly slim”
overlapping features due to overreliance on compromise
ambiguity, lack of processing requirements
too much extensibility
incompatible implementations as result
Despite of all of the above still a huge success!
Microsoft, Oracle, Lionbridge et al.

5. Microsoft and XLIFF 1.2
Single implementation of XLIFF 1.2 agreed across Microsoft
Created common toolset
Evangelized benefits of XLIFF
Windows division: XLIFF used for all content localization
Standardized workflow and tools
Integration in Microsoft products
MultiLingual App Toolkit
Integrates with Visual Studio’s IDE
Uses common Microsoft XLIFF 1.2 Object Model
Export & import for translators
Dedicated translation editor
Easily build multilingual apps for Windows 8 and Windows Phone
SharePoint 2013
Improved support for multilingual sites in SharePoint 2013
XLIFF 1.2 for export/import of localization data
First commercial implementation of XLIFF text + binary localization

6. XLIFF 1.2 Localization Workflow
Microsoft Engineering Excellence
XLIFF 1.2 Localization Workflow
XLIFF parsing
Validation
XML check-in
XML
check-in
Recycling
Cloud-based
Localization Workflow
Content
Publishing Systems
Localization Source Control
Handback
Handoff
Localization Service Providers
Typical workflow utilizing XLIFF 1.2:
Content is created in Content Publishing System
Source file (English, in XML format) is checked into Source Control System
The Cloud-based Localization Workflow System monitors the Source Control System, picks up new/updated files and converts to XLIFF 1.2
Recycling and Validation services are run befor hand-off to localization suppliers
After that, files are handed off to localization suppliers for translation
Localization Service providers perform translation services
Localization Service providers hand-back translated files into Cloud-based Localization Workflow System
The Cloud-based Localization Workflow System converts the translated XLIFF 1.2 files into original XML format and check them into the Source Control System
The localized files are propagated to the Content Publishing System for publishing
Microsoft Confidential

7. Getting to “One XLIFF at Microsoft”
Education
Shared best practices, provided training
Socialized XLIFF
Supported trials, tracked progress, sought buy-in
Industry liaison
XLIFF TC, Microsoft-wide goals
Tools & technologies
Common Object Model, code samples

8. XLIFF 2 Overview Conformance Clause Modular Design
Small non-negotiable core
Advanced features through modules
Conformance Clause
Document Conformance Targets
XSD and Advanced Constraints
Application Conformance Targets
Agent Classification

9. Modular Design
Mandatory
Core
Modules
Optional
Extensions
Custom

10. Intent of Modular Design
Interoperability
Adaptability
Core
Modules
Extensions
NON-Negotiable
Guaranteed roundtrip
Optional
Guaranteed survival
Custom/private
Application specific
Should survive roundtrip

11. XLIFF 2 Overview - Agents
Writer
Extractor,
Enricher, e.g. reviewer workbench, TM server, MT broker etc.
Modifier, e.g. a translation editor
Merger
Etc. e.g. validator

12. XLIFF 2 Overview - Core About 20% of XLIFF 1.2 feature set
An extremely good thing for interoperability
Roundtrip oriented
New segmentation model
New inline text model
All and only features that are necessary to roundtrip source with target translations

13. XLIFF 2 Overview - Modules
All else are OPTIONAL features available through MODULES
– Translation Candidates Module – Glossary Module – Format Style Module – Metadata Module – Resource Data Module – Change Tracking Module – Size and Length Restriction Module – Validation Module

14. XLIFF 2 targets an open ecosystem of best of breed specialized tools
XLIFF 2 vs XLIFF 1 1.
XLIFF 1 was successful in controlled environments such as Oracle Translation Factory
XLIFF 2 targets an open ecosystem of best of breed specialized tools

15. XLIFF 2 vs XLIFF 1 2. XLIFF 1 was intended as a “fire and die” format
XLIFF 2 is designed for a roundtrip among many tools
Transfer only from System A to System B and back
Each tool can provide its own specialized expertize
work with different segmentation
ignore optional features it doesn’t support

16. Microsoft and XLIFF 2.0 The Landscape The Problem The Solution
Multiple resource and file formats
Multiple build and content management systems
Multiple file transfer and localization tools
The Problem
High engineering cost
Low visibility on status
Bloated asset management
The Solution
A common interchange format
A localization platform connecting producer and supplier
Lean, agile localization

17. Common Interchange Format
4/30/2019 4:38 PM
Common Interchange Format
A Closer Look
Build
Resources
LSBuild
LCX
Reach
XLIFF
CMS
Documents
XLIFF Utilities
XLIFF
LSBuild – MSFT proprietary build tool for software files
LCX – MSFT proprietary XML schema for software files
Reach – MSFT cloud based workflow system
Suppliers can export XLF and use any industry standard XLF editor (current limitation for SW: binary data)
© 2014 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

18. XLIFF 2.0 Specification Details Latest version of the specification
4/30/2019 4:38 PM
XLIFF 2.0 Specification
Core
Modules
Extensions
Details
Latest version of the specification
Consistent requirements for implementation
Required Core elements and attributes
Optional Modules provide more functionality
Extensible model through metadata and Extensions
Core
Translation Candidates
Resource Data
Resource Data
Size and Length Restriction
Size and Length Restriction
Validation
Validation
Metadata
Glossary
Glossary
Format Style
Format Style
Change Tracking
Change Tracking
Change Tracking
Extensions
Reach implemented Core, Metadata, and Translation Candidates to encapsulate Resource, Metadata, and Recycling information contained in Reach.
We will provide an interface for other teams and possibly even suppliers to add their own modules and extensions
Glossary does not meet the needs for complex Term Studio data so Reach implemented Metadata for terminology. Will look at future TBX mapping.
Resource Data and Format Style implementation may be driven by future business needs
Size and Length Restriction, Change Tracking, and Validation are not currently implemented since Reach has its own change tracking and validation mechanisms. These modules may have more application for supplier-side tools.
© 2014 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

19. XLIFF 2.0 Infrastructure Components OM Utilities Reach MAT
4/30/2019 4:38 PM
XLIFF 2.0 Infrastructure
Components
Object Model based on specification - Implemented as a PCL for cross-platform development
Utilities to convert XML to XLIFF and XLIFF to XML
Reach Workflows and Components OM
Utilities
Reach
MAT
Core
Extractor
Import
Import
Metadata
Merger
Export
Export
Translat. Candidates
Validator
Autotranslation OM
Encoder/Decoder
Extensibility OM
OM=Object Mode, PCL=portable class library, MAT = multilingual app toolkit
Utilities
Extensibility: Customers can extended the Utilities to convert to and from and validate other formats besides xml.
Reach
Autotranslation: Recover ID shifts from extraction and provide MT.
Reader/Writer OM
Extensibility
© 2014 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

20. Industry Adoption of XLIFF 2.0 Early adopters – SOU
Research Platforms
SOLAS – CMS-L10N
Industry
Open Source – Okapi XLIFF 2.0 Tools – Bryan Schnabel’s XLIFF Roundtrip and DITA XLIFF Roundtrip tools
Moravia ITS 2.0 XLIFF MT Roundtrip Web Service

21. Industry Adoption of XLIFF 2.0 Second Wave (working now)
Microsoft
Lionbridge
Multilizer
XTM
Ocelot

22. Industry Adoption of XLIFF 2.0 Third Wave (imminently upcoming)
Astoria
Intel
Kilgray
SDL
et al.

23. XLIFF 2.1 Approved Features: Planned Release Date ~October 2015
Advanced Validation
Native support for ITS 2.0
Planned Release Date ~October 2015
Editor’s Draft

24. XLIFF 2.2 and beyond Requirements Gathering for XLIFF 2.2
6th XLIFF Symposium at 4th FEISGILTT at #LocWorld28 Berlin June 2-3,
Cut off for 2.2 feature requirements in ~October 2015
Possible release Summer/Autumn 2016
XLIFF 2.x requirement gatherings at XLIFF Symposia
Roughly 1 year release cycle

25. Questions and Answers Thanks a million for your attention  
Thanks a million for your attention
& &

26. XLIFF 2.x Resources I
6th XLIFF Symposium at 4th FEISGILTT at #LocWorld28 Berlin June 2-3,
FEISGILTT Localisation Focus Volumes

27. XLIFF 2.x Resources II XLIFF 2.0 Standard (html authoritative)
CNGL blog on XLIFF 2.0