Beyond Translation
Internationalization extends beyond translating text strings. Date formats, number formatting, currency display, and measurement units vary by locale. Address formats differ significantly across countries. These details affect user experience and must be handled systematically.
We treat internationalization as a core architectural concern, not an afterthought. Building with localization in mind from the start is significantly easier than retrofitting an existing application.
Right-to-Left Layout Considerations
Arabic, Hebrew, and other RTL languages require mirrored layouts. Navigation elements, lists, and directional icons should flip horizontally. However, not everything mirrors: phone numbers, timestamps, and certain brand elements remain in their original orientation.
CSS logical properties and platform-specific layout systems handle much of this automatically when configured correctly. We use start/end instead of left/right for margins and padding. Flexbox and similar layout systems support direction changes with minimal code changes.
Typography and Text Rendering
Different scripts have different typographic requirements. Arabic text connects characters and requires specific fonts that support ligatures correctly. Line heights and letter spacing that work for Latin scripts may not suit other writing systems.
We test with actual translated content, not placeholder text. Real sentences reveal issues with text truncation, line breaking, and layout overflow that lorem ipsum cannot expose. Text expansion is common when translating from English; German and Finnish text is often 30% longer.
Testing Across Locales
Automated screenshot testing helps catch layout issues across languages. We generate screenshots for each supported locale and compare them against baselines. Visual regression testing identifies problems before they reach users.
Manual testing with native speakers is essential for quality assurance. Automated tools cannot evaluate whether translations read naturally or whether cultural context is appropriate. We work with translators who understand both the language and the product domain.
Content Management
Managing translations requires appropriate tooling. We structure our content to separate translatable text from code. Translation management systems track which strings need translation and which are complete.
Contextual information helps translators produce accurate translations. A word like "post" has different meanings in different contexts. We provide screenshots and usage descriptions to reduce ambiguity.
Incremental Rollout
We typically launch with a core set of languages and expand based on user demand and market priorities. Each new language requires translation, testing, and ongoing maintenance. Quality is more important than quantity; a poorly translated app creates a worse impression than no translation at all.