An Introduction to Software Translation

What is software translation?

Software translation is the process of adapting an application’s interface, in-product copy, error messages, help content and metadata into another language, so that international users experience your product as natively as your local-language users do.

It’s one piece of a wider discipline — software localization — which also covers formats, layouts, date and currency conventions, regulations and cultural fit. Translation is where it starts; localization is what makes the product feel local.

Our software translation process

1. Scoping & technical audit. We map every string source (UI, emails, push notifications, in-app help) and identify the right format: .json, .po, .xliff, .strings, .resx.
2. Terminology & style guide. Glossary, tone of voice and reference UI screenshots, so every string stays consistent release after release.
3. Translation by native linguists. Subject-matter translators with software experience work inside your CAT tool or directly in your TMS.
4. In-context QA. Translators see the real UI in staging (or via screenshots) to catch truncations, context errors and gender mismatches before release.
5. Continuous localization (optional). A connector to your repository or TMS pushes new strings through automatically on every PR.
6. Linguistic sign-off & delivery. Final QA, a regression check on key flows, and delivery in your preferred format.

Want to see how this would look on your stack? Send us a sample file (.json, .po, .xliff) and we’ll come back with a translation-memory check, a price per word and an estimated delivery date.

Formats and tools we work with

We translate every common software localization format — .json, .po / .pot, .xliff / .xlf, .strings, .resx, .properties, .ts, .yaml, .csv, plus custom keys exported from any TMS.

We integrate with the major translation management systems (Smartling, Phrase, Crowdin, Lokalise, memoQ, Trados) and we can sit inside your GitHub, GitLab or Bitbucket workflow.

Industries we serve

SaaS platforms, mobile apps, ecommerce, fintech, healthtech, edtech and enterprise software. We work with companies launching their first international version — and with global products already running in 40+ locales.

Software translation FAQ

What is software translation in simple terms? Software translation converts the text inside an application — interface labels, messages, notifications, in-product help — into another language, so the product is usable for non-native speakers.

What are the steps of a software translation project? Scoping, terminology, translation by native linguists, in-context QA, linguistic sign-off, and delivery in the developer-friendly format you choose (.json, .xliff, .po, etc.).

Is software translation the same as software localization? No. Translation is one step within localization. Localization also covers formats, layouts, regulations, payment and date conventions, and cultural adaptation.

Can you plug into our CI/CD pipeline? Yes. We support continuous localization through TMS connectors, so new strings are picked up, translated and shipped within your release cycle.

How long does a software translation project take? A typical onboarding takes 1–2 weeks. After that, recurring sprints can deliver new translations within 24–72 hours, depending on volume and number of locales.