EdX

Introduction to Internationalization and Localization (edX)

Introduction to Internationalization and Localization (edX)

The first MOOC to teach internationalization and localization end to end. Learn how a digital product needs to be designed to be world-ready and how it is getting adapted to the needs of all its international target markets. This introductory course covers all the basics!

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Are you a developer who wants to understand how their software can get released internationally, without their source code having to be altered? Or are you a PM responsible for launching a website across different markets? Or someone who is just curious to understand how digital products can be launched worldwide and in various languages? Then this is the course for you!
In this introduction to internationalization and localization you will learn:

  • Why it makes sense to release an app or a site outside of its original market in the first place
  • What markets to cover first, for example those that have specific legal requirements around availability of a particular language
  • The basic concepts and key terms of the industry: for example, how using Unicode and considering different time formats are both part of internationalization, how adapting the user interface of a software application is part of localization and what resource files have to do with localizability
  • The different types of international releases and their specific challenges
  • The different localization methods
  • The history of the industry and important trends
  • Roles and responsibilities
  • Localization sourcing models, including outsourcing to so-called language service providers
  • How to work successfully in the very international localization industry

This course is part of the Internationalization and Localization Professional Certificate.

What you'll learn

  • Basic concepts
  • The case for internationalization and localization
  • Types of releases
  • Different localization methods
  • The history of localization
  • Current trends in the industry
  • Roles and responsibilities in localization
  • Sourcing models, like in-house localization vs. outsourcing
  • Cross-group and intercultural communication
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