04 October 2022
What is a linguistic tester?
Localization is a process that goes beyond translation and ensures that the target text is relevant to the appropriate market, paying special attention to the context of the platform where the translation is being used. Linguistic testing is a step that is performed after the localization step. Linguistic testing is usually carried out on software materials, with common examples including applications, websites or video games. During the localization step, translators tailor the message to a specific audience. It is then the job of the linguistic tester to check the cultural appropriateness. The process also assists in ensuring that the product is suitable to the global audience and fits the needs of a particular culture.
In order to ensure that a software product performs well globally, there are three types of testing that can be performed:
First, we need to understand what exactly a linguistic tester does. A linguistic QA tester is a linguist who ensures translations are of the highest quality by checking it against specific categories. They ensure that the localized product, whatever the media channel may be, conveys the intended message to the relevant audience.
Our linguistic QA testers in Cambridge and across all of Alpha CRC’s offices are multilingual linguists with deep translation experience. Our standards ensure that the linguistic testers have a thorough, first-hand knowledge of the culture where the product will be marketed.
Quality control and linguistic testing processes give the linguists and translators a picture of the finished product to review the entire translation project. Testing enables them to correct the contextual issues that can cause frictions between the product and user once it goes live. Linguistic testing is one of the final steps in localization before the product is turned over to the client.
Localization testing is also performed alongside linguistic testing. Although they might sound similar, there are key differences between the two processes:
While the test is ongoing, the localization testing engineers should be working closely with the linguistic testers to receive guidance on how to solve issues that may crop up regarding the content’s usability and functionality.
After the first assessment, a report is put together, and recommendations should be made regarding functional or technical issues found during the testing processes. The report may include below-average formatting of images, graphs, and other visual elements that can hamper a user’s experience.
Before releasing a software product to its intended market, it is vital that its content is free from errors and its language is accurate. Each localized version for each target market is checked the same way. The process is vital to ensure that users of the product will comprehend the features and functions of the products quickly and easily.
Software testing verifies and validates the program’s performance and functional characteristics. It helps the testers ascertain that the product meets the requirements of the product’s users and fulfils their expectations.
Most software products compete globally, which increases the need to have tests such as linguistic and localization testing. These tests ensure that the product is linguistically and culturally appropriate. The process of software testing is similar to website and application testing. Each one undergoes linguistic and localization testing to fit the different needs of global audiences. These tests have become crucial to the success of the product and its market expansion.
Alpha CRC offers expert localization quality assurance (LQA) to ensure that any localized product or service works perfectly for all target markets and key demographics at launch.
Whether talking about linguistic video game testers or linguistic software testers, all Alpha CRC testing linguists work with a wide range of global brands and materials, working in their native languages to deliver accurate, high quality and ready-for-market content.
Products are tested in each localized language version using the original test script and a locale-specific script where the testers search for:
Alpha CRC’s experienced team of testers know where to look for common localization problems, and is able to identify issues quickly and effectively. LQA experts meticulously scan the content of the product, reporting defects, taking screenshots, and testing its functionality.
Alpha CRC’s LQA process meets the highest LQA standards in the industry, which often involve a linguistic review which ensures that content is:
Alpha CRC provides localization quality assurance as a standalone provision to products and services that have been localized by third parties and as part of its complete, end-to-end Enterprise Localization package.
Whether the issue lies with the software itself, the design, the localized text, or the whole product, Alpha CRC offers a complete range of linguistic, functional and QA testing services from its global labs – building test beds which cover multiple operating systems, including legacy versions, and a range of devices.
Some of the services Alpha CRC offers include:
The LQA workflow can vary depending on the project. However, the process essentially consists of a number of tests that are performed in order to spot issues related to the localization of a software product to a specific market. A broad definition!
The difference between FQA testing and LQA testing can also be confusing, as the lines between the two can sometimes blur. However, it’s important to recognize that each one is a unique testing service that needs different support tools. Testers must always have the appropriate briefing and have a deep understanding of the task to be performed.
So what exactly is the difference?
FQA stands for Functionality Quality Assurance and LQA means Linguistic Quality Assurance.
The first step in language quality assurance is linguistic testing over the final localized product.
The linguistic tester uses the finished product in the same way as users of the target locale would in real life situations. They might spot issues in the application caused by out-of-context translation, but they also look for inconsistencies in terminology and typography errors.
Once that the linguist has spotted all errors to be addressed and these have been fixed by the relevant software engineers, the linguistic QA testers “sign off” the localization and the content is finally released.
Functionality testing is led by a team of dedicated experts and can be integrated into clients’ own development processes, or provided as a stand-alone service, using the latest technology. It looks for bugs or errors in the software.
Al Alpha CRC we offer LQA and FQA testing in the following QA services and specialities:
We offer the services either separately or as part of the linguistic tester localization QA. We adapt to the client’s needs, so our teams are ready to adapt to different workflows and environments.
At Alpha CRC, we believe that quality in localization is of the utmost importance, especially in a world of fast-paced information where sometimes quality is compromised for quantity. We are able to make the most of the cutting-edge technology but always supervised by human experience linguists.
Of course, the same rule applies to localization QA testing. Alpha CRC’s linguists are experts who ensure that your localization needs are satisfied up to the highest standards in the industry. No matter the channel, the audience or the market, testing is critical.
Have a look at our Linguistic QA services and get in touch to learn how Alpha CRC can help you with your testing needs.
