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globalization vs. internationalization
Thread poster: Brandis (X)
Brandis (X)
Brandis (X)
Local time: 19:03
English to German
+ ...
Aug 18, 2006

Hi!

Our small group is having a big fight about the differences. So I turn to the community to find better results. We know what localization is and practically do it all the time, now the globalization is also somewhat known, but what is internationalization. How to categorize this, or is it different from or similar to globalization, aren´t these or can´t these be used as practical synonyms. I am needy and appreciate all elaborate help in clearing our local mess. Best Brandis... See more
Hi!

Our small group is having a big fight about the differences. So I turn to the community to find better results. We know what localization is and practically do it all the time, now the globalization is also somewhat known, but what is internationalization. How to categorize this, or is it different from or similar to globalization, aren´t these or can´t these be used as practical synonyms. I am needy and appreciate all elaborate help in clearing our local mess. Best Brandis


[Edited at 2006-08-18 14:08] ▲ Collapse
 
Gerard de Noord
Gerard de Noord  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 19:03
Member (2003)
English to Dutch
+ ...
Did you Google for the definitions? Aug 18, 2006

Hi Brandis,

http://www.google.com/search?q=define:"internationalization"%20
gives some definitions. You'll also find a link to
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internationalization_and_localization

I also found this... See more
Hi Brandis,

http://www.google.com/search?q=define:"internationalization"%20
gives some definitions. You'll also find a link to
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internationalization_and_localization

I also found this link
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/vsent7/html/vxconwhydesigninternationalsoftware.asp
Here localization is described as the old-fashioned way of preparing an application for use in another language. The new thing is globalization. This seems to be synonymous with internationalization.

When marketing your group, I'd go with the big guys and would pick globalization. For reasons of SEO, currently SEM, I'd use all three terms, and those silly abbreviations, on a website. Don't forget to mention you're also offering translazion services

Regards,
Gerard ▲ Collapse
 
Brandis (X)
Brandis (X)
Local time: 19:03
English to German
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Great Aug 19, 2006

Hi! Thank you for tip. I think we shall stick to the usage Globalization and Localization, because that makes sense. Best Brandis
 
Jeff Allen
Jeff Allen  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 19:03
Multiplelanguages
+ ...
globalization does not equal internationalization Aug 19, 2006

I do not equate globalization with internationalization.

I see Internationalization, along with Localization, as usually coverign the technical aspects of things. Basically, one internationalizes the software code in order to make it localizable per language afterward.

Globalization is rather the general term indicating that the institution/organization is deciding to take an approach of multilingual outward communication. It is very possible to globalize, but fail to... See more
I do not equate globalization with internationalization.

I see Internationalization, along with Localization, as usually coverign the technical aspects of things. Basically, one internationalizes the software code in order to make it localizable per language afterward.

Globalization is rather the general term indicating that the institution/organization is deciding to take an approach of multilingual outward communication. It is very possible to globalize, but fail to correctly internationalize (both the software code as well as the writing style for better translatability). Internationalization usually leads to improved localization.

The 4 key terms all end in -tion and the first 3 are usually abbreviated with first letter + number of intermediate letters + last letter:

GILT
Globalization = G11N
Internationalization = I18N
Localization = L10N
Translation

See references below:

* I first suggest that people read a short post on this topic at:

What is localisation?
November 03, 2004
http://www.nakedtranslations.com/en/2004/11/000262.php

* Then read a good summary article (not too long) on the topic by a couple of experts in the Localization field who know how to summarize things well:

GILT: Globalization, Internationalization, Localization, Translation
http://www.appliedlanguage.com/articles/gilt.shtml

* Then the following article:

Re-defining Software Localisation
http://www.elda.org/en/proj/scalla/SCALLA2004/shaeler.pdf

and pay careful attention to the following sections:

2.2 What is localisation today?
2.3 Reasons to localise


Note: We can see from these articles that localization itself is specified as Software Localization as a separate activity from Documentation-related Localization.

* one key reference to "software localization" is "A Practical Guide to Software Localization, 2000. By Bert Esselink. Published by John Benjamins".


Jeff ▲ Collapse
 
Brandis (X)
Brandis (X)
Local time: 19:03
English to German
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Wow a grand reply Aug 19, 2006

Jeff Allen wrote:

I do not equate globalization with internationalization.

I see Internationalization, along with Localization, as usually coverign the technical aspects of things. Basically, one internationalizes the software code in order to make it localizable per language afterward.

Globalization is rather the general term indicating that the institution/organization is deciding to take an approach of multilingual outward communication. It is very possible to globalize, but fail to correctly internationalize (both the software code as well as the writing style for better translatability). Internationalization usually leads to improved localization.

The 4 key terms all end in -tion and the first 3 are usually abbreviated with first letter + number of intermediate letters + last letter:

GILT
Globalization = G11N
Internationalization = I18N
Localization = L10N
Translation

See references below:

* I first suggest that people read a short post on this topic at:

What is localisation?
November 03, 2004
http://www.nakedtranslations.com/en/2004/11/000262.php

* Then read a good summary article (not too long) on the topic by a couple of experts in the Localization field who know how to summarize things well:

GILT: Globalization, Internationalization, Localization, Translation
http://www.appliedlanguage.com/articles/gilt.shtml

* Then the following article:

Re-defining Software Localisation
http://www.elda.org/en/proj/scalla/SCALLA2004/shaeler.pdf

and pay careful attention to the following sections:

2.2 What is localisation today?
2.3 Reasons to localise


Note: We can see from these articles that localization itself is specified as Software Localization as a separate activity from Documentation-related Localization.

* one key reference to "software localization" is "A Practical Guide to Software Localization, 2000. By Bert Esselink. Published by John Benjamins".


Jeff


thank you, we have worked for various industrial groups as you have mentioned, but all along it was localization or later it was partly globalization. I guess we needed some education here from experts like you. Thank you, Best Brandis
 
Jeff Allen
Jeff Allen  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 19:03
Multiplelanguages
+ ...
another explanation of the term "globalization" Aug 22, 2006

Below are a few introductory sentences to a 2-page article that just appeared. These few sentences help define the term globalization, as requested in this thread.

Jeff

========
Making your company more global
Column article
by Kit Brown
In Multilingual magazine, #82, vol 17, issue 6, Sept 2006, page 27-28


"To be an international company, all you need are offices in multiple countries. To be truly global, however, requires th... See more
Below are a few introductory sentences to a 2-page article that just appeared. These few sentences help define the term globalization, as requested in this thread.

Jeff

========
Making your company more global
Column article
by Kit Brown
In Multilingual magazine, #82, vol 17, issue 6, Sept 2006, page 27-28


"To be an international company, all you need are offices in multiple countries. To be truly global, however, requires that multicultural sensitivity, understanding and accomodation permeate the company, from the CEO to the janitor. Being truly global means consciously considering how every action -- or inaction -- affects all of your customers, suppliers, distributors, and employees, regardless of where they live in the world. It means building such consideration into the fabric of the company at every level: organization, process, product and documentation..."

======== ▲ Collapse
 


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globalization vs. internationalization






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