Language-specific quality issues in a real world localization process

Sammanfattning: This study was made at the localization section at Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications and investigates the part of a localization process where language issues are handled. The purpose of the thesis is to investigate which main factors influence the language quality in a real world localization of a mobile phone. The study is divided into two parts, one initial study and one main study. In the initial study, the five tasks of the localization process were identified as organization, coordination, technical preparation, creation of source text, and creation of target text. In the main study, the employees’ views on language-specific quality issues in the process of localizing mobile phones were mapped out through deep-interviews. The results from the interviews were divided into the categories organization, technical preparation, linguistic issues, and language tools. Organizational prerequisites for achieving high quality were awareness, updated material and structured communication. The linguistic issues were unambiguous and understandable language, correct language level, standardization of terminology, providing sufficient context to the translators and validation of the target text. Concerning the language tools, both manual and repetitive labor as well as the absence of spell and grammar checkers were two main factors considered to influence the quality of the final text strings. To contribute to the overall picture of the process, some parts should be further investigated, like the translators’ working situation and the end-users’ expectations of the product. To conclude, the most challenging part is determining what the highly subjective term quality means in the context of language, which demands clear guidelines for expected outcomes and especially for whom. Only then can it be determined how it should be done.