Multilingual and Internationalization Testing

Internationalization and Localization Testing

Multilingual and Internationalization Testing

Our experience shows each of these steps to be critically necessary to ensure compatibility across all supported localized versions of a product under test.

Internationalization Testing

Internationalization is the process of designing and coding a product in such a way that it can perform properly when it is modified for use in different languages and locales. AppLabs tests for any localization inconsistencies. We will follow the standards and formats defined by the client, which often conform to a widely recognized regional standard such as metric vs. standard, date formats, number grouping/decimal formats, and time zone/format differences. The goal of internationalization testing is to confirm that the locale-specific formats and standards are followed.

Linguistic Testing

AppLabs has language experts for each different language versions under test. The goal of linguistic testing is to cover the appropriateness and correctness of the text/copy used throughout the application. This testing also ensures that the completed translation is contextually accurate, grammatically correct, and culturally appropriate. Our language experts will recommend corrections for mechanical, style, and diction errors as needed.

UI Testing

UI Testing discovers problems found in the user interface due to language and localization changes. A comprehensive set of tests is conducted to check every UI component in the application under test. Problems found during this type of testing are often easy to fix such as width/length of UI dialogs, labels, custom controls, and buttons, character recognition, and string formats. It also validates user interface for missed translations (including colloquialisms, truncated strings/dialog boxes, layout problems, and visual design).

Functional Testing

A set of functional tests is developed based on client documentation. Functional tests verify that the application performs the tasks correctly and accurately as explained in the client documentation. In most multilingual testing scenarios, the functional tests would have already been conducted on the baseline/native version. These same tests are conducted on each of the localized versions. Our Functional Verification testing service ensures that the localization process hasn't introduced any functional defects. AppLabs tests the installation of the localized product, verifies all hot keys, accelerators and strings, print locale-specific text and currency symbols, product-specific functions and un-installation of the localized product.

In AppLabs’ Localized Operating System Verification Testing, we evaluate the customer’s product with current products and systems, including localized and regionalized versions of Windows, Linux, UNIX, and Macintosh operating systems, and localized third-party software popular in the target regions. This allows us to resolve compatibility and functionality issues of localized products, locale conditions, and third-party dependencies in the lab rather than at the customer’s.

Interoperability Testing

Interoperability testing covers integration of localized versions with a centralized server or in non-traditional networks, such as Peer-to-Peer. In standalone applications, interoperability testing verifies if the user-files/data in each version can be used in any other localized version, subject to the client’s requirements.

Usability Testing

When localizing software, the differences in language and format may adversely affect the visual presentation. In some cases, the changes can inhibit or prevent an end-user from performing basic functionality. Usability testing covers these areas across all supported localized platforms.