Translation
All text in the software: menus, buttons, dialog boxes, error messages, notifications and user documentation.
Software translation and localization services in Dubai, UAE
Software that feels native in every market
Software localization is the comprehensive process of adapting a software application so that it is linguistically, culturally and functionally right for users in a particular region or country. It is not just translating the content; it covers every customisation that makes the software user-friendly and culturally appropriate for local users. It is a complex task that asks a lot of both translators and development teams.
Localization is also not a one-time task. As your software evolves, the localized versions need to be updated and maintained so they keep pace with the product and the market. Accurate translation, conversion of currency symbols and units of measurement, and compliance with local rules and regulations all play a part, which is why brands choose specialised companies like AGATO.
Vital elements for effective software localization
Everything we localize in your software
Cultural adaptation
Images, symbols, colours and examples aligned with the cultural norms and sensitivities of the target audience.
UI modifications
Layouts adapted to longer and shorter strings after translation, so nothing is truncated or overlaps.
Keyboard layouts and input
Input methods and keyboard layouts that support the characters and scripts of the target language.
Date, time and number formats
Day, month and year order, 12- or 24-hour time, decimal and thousands separators, and currency formats familiar to local users.
Compliance
Legal and regulatory text adapted for data protection, consumer and copyright rules in each region.
Quality assurance
Rigorous testing confirms that the localized software works properly and the translations fit their context.
Documentation and support
User guides, help centres, release notes and support content, so users get help in their own language.
Benefits of multilingual, localized software
- Expanded market reach and a larger potential customer base
- A better user experience, with higher satisfaction and engagement
- Improved customer support with fewer language barriers
- A competitive edge in each region you serve
- Higher sales, because customers prefer software in their own language
- Stronger loyalty and repeat business
Why it matters in Dubai
Dubai is a multicultural city and a major business and trade hub, with residents and companies from every part of the world. Most businesses here serve a global customer base, so software needs to work in Arabic, English and the other languages their users speak, not just be translated into them.
Types of software we translate and localize
Software we localize
Our services are not limited to these, but they are the types of software we localize most often.
Business software
CRM solutions, financial software and enterprise systems, with terminology customised for smooth operations and global scale.
Mobile applications
iOS and Android apps localized by technical and linguistic experts, from interface elements to store listings and documentation.
SaaS and web platforms
Dashboards, onboarding, emails and help centres for platforms that release continuously.
Gaming software
Video games, online games and gaming platforms, including in-game text, dialogue and instructions that resonate with players worldwide.
Educational software
E-learning platforms and educational apps that make learning engaging and accessible to students everywhere.
Medical and healthcare software
Electronic health records and telemedicine platforms, so patients and clinicians get vital information in their own language.
E-commerce and retail software
Online stores, point-of-sale and payment systems that help retailers reach and serve diverse customers.
Entertainment and multimedia
Streaming and media software with culturally relevant content, accurate subtitles and user-friendly interfaces.
Arabic software localization
Right-to-left interfaces that feel natural
Arabic is the official language of the UAE and much of the region, and it is where many localization projects run into trouble. An Arabic interface is not an English interface with the words swapped: the layout mirrors, text runs in both directions at once, and the grammar has forms English does not.
We localize software for Arabic users with those differences in mind, and test the result on the running product before your users see it.
What Arabic localization covers
- Right-to-left layout guidance for navigation, icons, charts and tables
- Bidirectional text with embedded English, numbers, URLs and code
- All six Arabic plural forms and gendered wording in interface strings
- Arabic fonts that stay legible at interface sizes
- Date, number and currency formats for Gulf users
- Visual review of every localized screen
File formats and workflow
We work with the files your build already uses
Send us your resource files and we return them translated, with keys, variables and placeholders untouched, ready to merge.
Resource and string files
Documentation and content
Built for agile releases
Most software ships continuously, so localization has to keep up. We translate new and changed strings release by release, and translation memory reuses everything already approved.
- Glossary and style guide agreed at the start
- Screenshots and context used to translate each string correctly
- Updates delivered in step with your release schedule
Read more about continuous localization.
How it works
Our software localization process
Scoping and file analysis
Our software specialists review your files, word count and languages and estimate the timeline.
Glossary and style guide
Key product terms and tone are agreed so every language stays consistent.
Translation in context
Industry-specific translators translate strings using screenshots and product context.
Linguistic testing
Translations are reviewed on screen for accuracy, fit and cultural appropriateness.
User and functional testing
The localized software is tested for truncation, layout, formats and functionality.
Delivery and updates
Files are returned ready to merge, and new strings are handled with each release.
Help your translators get the context right
A string such as “Open”, “Charge” or “Book” can be a verb, a noun or a status, and many languages translate each one differently. Translators working from a bare list of strings have to guess. The more context you provide, the fewer guesses — and the fewer bugs that reach your users.
- Developer comments or descriptions on ambiguous keys
- Screenshots, or access to a staging build
- Maximum lengths for buttons, labels and notifications
- Placeholders and variables clearly marked so they are never translated
- A list of product and feature names to leave in English
Continuous localization for frequent releases
Products that ship every week or two cannot wait for a large translation project before each release. For these we work in small, regular batches: new and changed strings are picked up as they are added, translated against the existing glossary and translation memory, and returned in time for the build.
Because only the new text is translated each time, costs track the size of each change rather than the size of the product, and every language stays in step with the source instead of falling a release behind.
AGATO, your trusted partner in localization
Specialised software translation, handled end to end
Software translation is one of the most demanding forms of translation, requiring accuracy and deep technical knowledge. With specialist translators and a dedicated technical team, we localize apps, software, devices and games in more than 120 languages.
Decades of experience and qualified linguists
More than 20 years in the industry, and linguists who know both languages and the intricacies of software.
Customisation with timely delivery
Every project tailored to the target culture, at affordable rates, with delivery times set to your needs.
Cutting-edge technology
A dedicated technical team with translation memory and localization platforms that keep the process seamless.
Quality assurance
Strict proofreading, testing and validation for error-free software you can release with confidence.
FAQ
Software localization questions, answered
Can you localize software that is updated every sprint?
Yes. For products that release frequently we work in small, regular batches, picking up new and changed strings as they are added and translating them against your existing glossary and translation memory. You pay for the new text in each release rather than re-translating the product.
What context should we give translators?
Developer comments on ambiguous strings, screenshots or access to a staging build, maximum lengths for buttons and labels, clearly marked placeholders, and a list of product names to leave untranslated. Good context is the single most effective way to prevent localization bugs.
How do you differentiate software translation and localization?
Software translation converts the text in your software from one language to another. Software localization adapts the whole product to a region, so it is linguistically, culturally and functionally right for its users: interface layout, date and number formats, currencies, images, legal text and, for Arabic, a right-to-left interface.
How can software localization benefit a business?
If a business plans to reach global markets, it should translate and localize its software. Localization improves the user experience, helps the business comply with local rules and gives it an edge over competitors, because international users engage most with software in their own language.
What types of software do you translate and localize?
Business software such as CRM and financial systems, mobile apps, SaaS and web platforms, games, educational software and e-learning platforms, medical and healthcare software, e-commerce and retail systems, and entertainment and multimedia software.
Which file formats do you work with?
The resource files your build already uses, including XLIFF, JSON, iOS .strings and .stringsdict, Android strings.xml, .resx, PO and POT, ARB, YAML, properties files and CSV, as well as help content in HTML, Markdown and Word. Code, keys and placeholders are left untouched.
Can you localize software into Arabic with a right-to-left interface?
Yes. Arabic localization covers the translation, right-to-left layout guidance, bidirectional text with embedded English and numbers, Arabic plural forms, fonts and date and number formats, followed by testing on the running product.
Do you support agile and continuous localization?
Yes. Software localization is not a one-time task. We translate new and changed strings as you release, reusing earlier translations from translation memory so updates stay consistent, quick and cost-effective.
Which languages do you support for software localization?
More than 120 languages, most commonly English, Arabic, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, Russian and Hindi, so your software can reach a wide international audience.
How do you ensure the quality of software translation?
Industry-specific translators translate with the context of your interface, then the software goes through linguistic testing and user testing, so the localized product is accurate, functional and culturally appropriate.
What is the turnaround time for a software localization project?
Timelines depend on the complexity and scope of the software. Our software specialists analyse the project and provide an estimated timeline, and we can adapt it to your release schedule.
What is your pricing structure for software localization?
The price depends on the type of software, the volume of content, its complexity, the scope of testing and the languages involved. Request a quote for an initial estimate, and we confirm the details during consultation.
How can I get started with software localization?
Request a free quote through our website, email or phone, and send your resource files or a build if you can. We will review the project and come back with a plan, price and timeline.
How long have you been in business?
AGATO has provided professional translation and localization for more than 20 years, with services tailored to each client’s needs.
Related
Services and guides that go with software localization
Website translationWebsites localized for Arabic and 120+ languages.
Video translationSubtitles and voice-over for product and training videos.
SaaS localization for global growthWhy SaaS platforms localize early.
Continuous localizationKeeping translations in step with agile releases.
Game localizationWhat it takes to localize a game for new players.
Video game localization explainedThe process behind localizing video games.