Software Translation In The Process Of Localization

The development of computer science and the arrival of network age accelerate the rapid development of software industry.In order to maximize the advantage of software to enhance work efficiency,the localization of software has become an imperative tendency.The quality of software translation,that is,the quality of translating the texts in documentation interface,help file and user manual from English to Chinese,seriously affects the process of software localization.From this point of view,software translation stretches the horizon of practical translation in a new social tendency and has been a new mode of translation.This thesis presents the comprehensive study of software translation from various perspectives.In general,the study can be separated into five parts.Chapter 1 introduces software and its localization,lists two groups of confusing concepts, and then points out the significance of this study.Chapter 2 argues for the linguistic characteristics of software translation in the strata of lexis,syntax and style.This chapter aims at governing the process of software translation through the comprehensive analysis of linguistic features.By illustrating various causes of affecting the quality of software translation,Chapter 3 mainly discusses concrete translation methods,including the translation of lexis,passive sentences,long sentences and some fixed expressions in software texts.In addition,this chapter also tentatively proposes the criteria and general principles for software translation. Taking Catalyst as an example,Chapter 4 displays the unique workbench of software translation,and analyzes some translation tools and internet resources that can be utilized in the process of software translation.Chapter 5 makes a general conclusion of some achievements in the study of software translation and some limitations in this area.