In recent years, translation and localization studies have started to include accessibility, and web accessibility in particular, as one of the key aspects to take into consideration when adapting a web product to another language and culture (web localization). This paper provides a comprehensive insight of the connections between these two fields and concepts and, above all, it discusses the possibility of transferring accessibility throughout the localization process. In particular, we analyze how the use of current localization and internationalization data exchange standards is connected to this notion of transfer, and how those standards may be capable of transferring accessibility qualities or information, or supporting localizers in their task. Finally, we present an analytical and pragmatic approach to explore this transferability challenge, which includes the study of the techniques proposed by the W3C to help web developers fulfil a set of success criteria that are included in the latest Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, in relation to their possible integration in localization and internationalization standards.
The XML Localisation Interchange File Format (XLIFF) is an open standard promising interoperability and tool independence. It might be thought of as a natural fit for Open Source localisation, yet the Gettext PO format remains the de facto standard in Open Source localisation. We present a case study of the XLIFF implementation in Virtaal -an Open Source localisation tool supporting multiple formats. The primary target user group of Virtaal is made up of localisers of Open Source software -often volunteers. We study the implementation choices adopted by the developers with specific focus on the workflow metadata in XLIFF. In this regard we propose recommendations for simplification that hopefully improve XLIFF for use by a wider audience in future.Keywords: CAT tools, XLIFF, FOSS, Virtaal, support, standards RESUM (Els estàndards de la indústria en la localització de codi obert: el cas de Virtaall)El format XLIFF (XML Localisation Interchange Format) és un estàndard obert que vol facilitar la interoperabilitat en localització així com la independència d'eines específiques. Es podria considerar un format ideal per a la localització de programari de codi obert, però el format PO de Gettext continua sent l'estàndard de facto en aquest tipus d'entorns. En aquest article presentem un estudi de cas sobre la implementació de XLIFF en Virtaal, una eina per a la localització de programari de codi obert compatible amb diversos formats. Virtaal es dirigeix principalment a localitzadors de programari obert, que sovint són voluntaris. Hem estudiat les solucions que els desenvolupadors van adoptar durant la implementació, especialment en relació a les metadades relatives al flux de treball en XLIFF. En aquest sentit, proposem algunes recomanacions per simplificar aquest estàndard que esperem que puguin contribuir a millorar XLIFF i que pugui ser utilitzat per un major grup d'usuaris en el futur. Paraules clau: eines TAO, XLIFF, FOSS, Virtaal, suport, estàndards RESUMEN (Los estándares de la industria en la localización de código libre: el caso de Virtaal)El formato XLIFF (XML Localisation Interchange Format) es un estándar abierto pensado para facilitar la interoperabilidad y la independencia respecto a herramientas. A pesar de que XLIFF puede parecer una solución ideal para la localización de software de código abierto, el formato PO de gettext continúa siendo el estándar de facto en este tipo de entornos. En este artículo presentamos un estudio de caso sobre la implementación de XLIFF en Virtaal, una herramienta para la localización de software de código abierto compatible con varios formatos. Virtaal se dirige principalmente a los localizadores de software abierto, muchos de ellos voluntarios. Hemos estudiado las soluciones adoptadas por los desarrolladores durante su implementación, en especial las relacionadas con los metadatos de flujo de trabajo en XLIFF. En este sentido, hacemos algunas propuestas para simplificar este estándar que esperamos puedan contribuir a mejorar XLIFF y a ampliar su círculo de usuarios ...
Since localisation emerged in the 1980s as an activity linked to the software industry, its evolution has gone hand in hand with technological advances. In the globalised market of the 21st century, an ever-increasing range of digital products must be localised. While academic institutions are aware of how the insatiable demand for localisation is affecting the translation industry, there is no consensus regarding what courses on localisation should teach and how they should teach it. This article reports the findings of a survey-based study that adopted a descriptive-interpretive methodology to collect both quantitative and qualitative data from a group of 16 localisation trainers teaching on undergraduate translation courses in Spanish universities. The results reinforce the finding of an earlier unpublished study by the same authors (AUTHOR 2018) that localisation training is keeping pace with technological evolution. In addition, respondents noted that one of their main challenges is finding authentic teaching materials and recommended closer collaboration between academia and the localisation industry.
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