What is internationalization (i18n)?

The user interface (UI), documentation, and content can be in multiple languages, currencies, date formats, and units of measurement. With such complexities, organizations need to ensure that their applications are relevant to the regions they serve. Internationalization and localization testing ensures reliability, usability, acceptability, and above all relevance to audience and users worldwide. Software need to be localized and then tested on many counts like language/copy context, consistent functionality, compatibility, and interoperability.

The main goal of Internationalization and localization testing is to ensure compatibility and consistency across all localized versions. We do this by defining a baseline standard, usually the native version of the application under test. Additional tests are planned and executed based on any specific changes needed to achieve proper localization.

General Product Goals	General Process Goals
Ensure compatibility and consistency across all localized versions Linguistic testing/evaluation UI/Usability testing	Create comprehensive multilingual and internationalization test plan Execute all test cases Report defects/issues Provide summary reports of testing progress and problems found/fixed Provide final summary report identifying all known issues

Ensuring Quality

The intricate process of ensuring the quality of localized software involves testing the localized version of the software on every single locale/culture that it supports. This effort not only involves testing of proper translation but also relevant functional verifications. This would involve verifications ranging from simpler ones like checking for text truncation to much complex functionality like support for Unicode character sets, checks for sorting rules etc. Global software needs to be certified on multiple locales and configurations. With so many tests to be conducted per locale, management of the whole process becomes much critical.

I18n main activities focus on testing services on the Internationalization and localization front include verification and validation of content, language, symbols, and terminology that ensures cultural sensitivity and alignment to local needs. i18n testing process brings reliability, quality, and value to international and multilingual products.

Internationalization Testing

Internationalization is the process of designing and coding a Sakai tools in such a way that it can perform properly when it is modified for use in different languages and locales. Any localization inconsistencies should be properly tested. The goal of internationalization testing is to confirm that the locale-specific formats and standards are followed.

Linguistic Testing

Linguistic testing covers the appropriateness and correctness of the text used throughout the application. This testing also ensures that the completed translation is contextually accurate, grammatically correct, and culturally appropriate.

UI Testing

UI Testing discovers problems found in the user interface due to language and localization changes. A comprehensive set of tests is conducted to check every UI component in the application under test. Problems found during this type of testing are often easy to fix such as string formats. It also validates user interface for missed translations.

Functional Testing

Functional tests verify that the application performs the tasks correctly and accurately as explained in Sakai tool documentation or as expected to work. Functional Testing ensures that the localization process hasn't introduced any functional defects.

Usability Testing

When localizing software, the differences in language and format may adversely affect the visual presentation. In some cases, the changes can inhibit or prevent an end-user from performing basic functionality. Usability testing covers these areas across all supported localized platforms.