XML Internationalization and Localization

XML Internationalization and Localization is a one-day introduction to the concepts and technologies of XML, how XML addresses issues of internationalization, how it can be used to manage translation processes and XML-related initiatives relating to localization.

Intended Audience

XML Internationalization and Localization is for anyone interested in basic knowledge of XML and how it is used to address issues of internationalization and localization. People in roles as diverse as directors, project managers, translation specialists and programmers will find the course relevant.

Course Format

This one-day course consists of lecture, discussions, computer-based examples and demonstrations.

Prerequisites

The course has no XML prerequisites.

Course Description

XML Internationalization and Localization begins by explaining how XML enables the creation of loosely coupled information and how applications process such information. It then moves to central XML concepts and technologies: well-formedness, valid XML, DTDs, Schemas, transforming XML with XSLT and rendering XML with XSL, CSS and SVG.

The course next turns to how XML addresses internationalization issues. Character encoding and Unicode are discussed, as well as general issues of multi-lingual documents and special text handling cases like bi-directional text and so forth.

The course next addresses localization issues as these are manifested in translation projects. The issue of reusing vs recycling information is discussed, and the context of content management is properly set. The issues facing XML-aware translation tools are point out. Finally, significant XML-related initiatives in the localization industry are explained: OpenTag, XLIFF and TMX.

Course Agenda

XML Internationalization and Localization

• Introduction
• Learning Goals

What XML Is

• The Concept of Markup
• Information Objects and Components
• Processing XML Markup
• Summary of XML

How XML Works

• Mechanics of Processing XML
• Syntax Processing
• Information Set Processing
• Applying Business Rules

Main XML Points

• Well-formedness
• Valid XML
• DTDs
• Schemas
• Transforming XML
• Rendering XML

How XML Addresses Internationalization Issues

• Characters and Encoding
• Unicode
• Multilingual Documents
• Text Direction
• Text Layout

Using XML in Localization

• XML and Translations
• Reusing vs Recycling Translations
• Addressing Content Management
• Translation Tool Issues

XML Internationalization Initiatives

• OpenTag
• XLIFF
• TMX

Wrap Up

• XML Resources