The Importance Of Multi Language Apps And How To Create Them

August 31, 2018 | Rob LaPointe

There are 1.5 billion people on Earth that speak English. To put that into perspective, that’s 20% of the world’s population! English is one of the most spoken languages today and is even used as a “default” language for inventions created within the technology industry, such as websites and apps. Though the English language and culture are widespread, English is only one of the 6,900 languages that flourish on Earth.

In fact, the first most spoken language is Chinese, followed by Spanish, then English, then Hindi, and so on.

Clearly, there is a great deal of language diversity in the real and virtual world. In today’s global market, every business should have the ability to connect with non-English speakers to access a wider audience and tap into greater global market potential. By creating and deploying multi-language apps, your business can attract more customers with only the click of a few buttons.

If you are a business thinking about creating a multi-language mobile app, you’re already on the right track. Follow these steps below to get started:

1. Choosing Between A Human Translator Vs. A Machine Learning Translator

There are pros and cons to having a human or machine translator. First of all, machine translators have the power to translate a piece of text within a matter of seconds and can be a cheap option for a business with a budget.

However, machine translators lack the cultural awareness, creativity, and knowledge that a human translator would be able to provide. Choosing between a machine learning translation and human translation will be a factor that you will need to integrate when creating a multi-language app.

2. Localization Efforts

Because many apps cross international boundaries, localization is implemented to connect the user to sites written in their local language. Implementing localization abilities usually involves using another software that can integrate localization elements into the application. This technique works for a few languages involved in the app.

However, if your app involves translations of 10’s or even 100’s of languages, this method can spoil the app’s UI and other elements such as the correct date, time, and location for each country.

Overall, ensure that you have the proper software that works for your app goals to carry out the localization capabilities to allow any user in any country to use the app.

3. Create A Native Language Test Plan

Use English to create a basic layout/plan for the app, and use the same plan for all other languages. However, it’s important to remember that each and every language addressed in your app should be treated with the same attention and dedication given to the English language. Check for incorrect translations or formatting of different languages that will throw off a user.

Having native speakers complete the translation for you is the best route. You can also translate it and then have a native speaker edit it. Either way, you want to be sure your translation is correct.

4. Leave Space

When writing English text in the original layout of the app, it’s important to leave extra space than needed. Because words from languages other than English can take up to 30% more space than English words, you will need to plan your layout design to accommodate longer words so the UI/UX will adhere to other languages. If you know ahead of time what languages you want your app in then you can easily adjust to fit each language appropriately.

5. Integrate Internalization Software Support

By using internalization software support, you can ensure elements specific to each country such as time, dates, numbers, and currency appear correctly for global users.

In addition, ensure that any symbols or images commonly used in one culture can be applied to the other cultures your app is addressing. Putting slang phrases into one language site and not adjusting the words to accommodate the other translation may make the app confusing to the non-English speaking user.

An English-speaking user will understand what “down to earth” means, but the transmute language won’t make any sense to, for example, a Russian speaker.

Creating a multi-language app can be a difficult task. You may run into many problems, such as creating a menu bar with three home pages with three different languages or incorrectly inputting different dates and times. When creating a multi-language app, each and every screen and button has to be translated.

Also, localization efforts need to be implemented, hundreds of different cultures and languages will have to be addressed, and the list goes on and on. If any of these elements are inputted incorrectly, your user may feel encouraged to leave the app.

Instead of tackling these problems on your own, it may be best to hire a professional to build your multi-language app. With the help of companies like SDI, the process of building your own multi-language app can become a lot easier. You need a company that has the power to translate each language within your app, submit the app on different stores, and optimize your app for each country related to each language.

Don’t spend hours on end trying to implement these steps when an app development company can do it for you. If you’re interested in saving time and energy creating your multi-language app, Call us at 408.621.8481 or email at team@sdi.la today.

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