★ Career Building "Localization"
　　　What is happening in the localization market? What is TRADOS?
In the rapidly changing computer localization field, the translation market is changing according to the evolution of web technology and transforming business structure.　

What is translated in the localization field ?
What type of clients are expected in the localization market?
What skill is needed, and how is the work done?

This is a special report of the event "Building your Career: Localization" held at the Roppongi campus.
Mr. Tsunao Mikasa, a freelance localizer, lectured on the structure of the localization market, process, required skills, and efficient learning strategies.

Click to see movie
　　1) Subjects to localize >> Click to see movie (1)

・ Localization = making it suitable for "local" market (Mainly English to other languages)
・ Translation of software manuals (PDF), online-help, web pages (details of products, knowledge base, etc)
・ Translation of software itself and change in functions
・ 80% is application for Microsoft Windows platforms; others are for UNIS/Linux, Apple, Games
・ Process is not only translation, but also alternation of content to make it suitable for Japanese market/ computer environment (Support information, availability of related software, etc.)

　　2) Who are the clients >> Click to see movie (2)

・ Source Clients > MLV/ Translation Agencies > Individual translators
(in rare cases, source clients order directly to individual translators)
・ MLV (Multi-Language Vendor) = "Localizers": SDL International (www.sdl.com), Lionbridge (www.lionbridge.com) etc.
・ Japanese Translation Agencies: Babel, etc (numerous)
・ Source Clients: Microsoft, Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, Adobe, etc. (numerous)
・ Translation for books about computers is requires totally different approaches.

　　3) Job Procedures, Terms, Locations >> Click to see Movie (3)

・ At-home (off-site) translators, on-site translators: ratio of about six to four?
・ Job procedures:
o Accept order from MLV or agency
o Receive files to translate, translation memory, and related materials
o Start working on the file: questions via e-mail, sequential delivery in unit of two days to one week
o Delivery of the last file: Feedback
・ Onsite-trainings or meetings are sometimes provided by translation agencies or source clients
・ Volume of work per day: at least 2000 words per day

　　4) Required Skills >> Click to see Movie (4)

・ Memory tools (TRADOS, SDLX etc)
Software to organize translated texts in databases, used in 90% of the jobs
・ Applications: Microsoft Word (MUST), text editors, Acrobat, Excel, Power Point, etc.
・ Compliance to style guide or glossary ("style" = standardized phrases, usage of one-byte and double-byte characters)
・ Research skills (especially using web search engines)
・ Abilities to understand functions and operations of the application that is the subject of translation
・ Accurate and adequate comments attached to delivered texts

　　5) Efficient Learning Strategy >> Click to see Movie (5)

・ Read computer related books, magazines, and web pages regularly. (at least 20 computer related books each in English and Japanese)
・ Knowledge level of computer technology: at least be qualified for "Information Processing Engineer Exam: Basic Class System Administrator"
・ Ability to read original texts and logical comprehension, based on basic knowledge of English grammar (firm understanding of high school-level grammar)
・ Ability to write logical Japanese texts, based on basic writing skills (refer to "Writing Skills for Engineering and Science Major" by Koreo Kinoshita and "Writing Skills of Japanese" by Katsuichi Honda, etc.)
・ Go ahead and translate a lot. Then have someone read your translations. (Sometimes someone who does not know about translation could give you better feedback)