Japanese Localization Help? 102
TwoPumpChump asks: "I'm a young engineer, with only modest programming training and experience, (Nothing to match you Gods of the code,) and I have just been assigned with the task of traveling to one of our Japanese factories to learn, then translate and localize some VB 6 code for a product line that we'll be setting up here at our American facility. The application's purpose is to run various tests using GPIB communications, with NI-DAQ hardware for instrument control and dump results into a database, all of which I'm comfortable with. My question is, before I travel half around the globe for the first time ever, is what issues can I expect when localizing Japanese code to US English and what sort of 'toolkit' should I take?"
Experience level going up up up (Score:2, Interesting)
If you pull this assignment off, you can change your intro to read: "I'm a seasoned programmer,"
Because it ain't easy.
I think your success will depend entirely on whether someone in the Japanese team is willing to really help you out.
If you've never been to Japan before, read up on cultural differences.
Practical solution (Score:2, Interesting)
I emailed a response to the address on your
Anyway, I'm willing to talk to you more about your own project to give you some pointers if you want, though from a business perspective you most likely should hire me or someone with similar qualifications to solve all the problems for you quickly and at minimum cost.
It's good to have relations between factories but if you are juggling budget and time constraints while not being experienced in Japan I think you should get an ally who can navigate you through those waters or just do the whole job. Otherwise you are likely to reiterate typical technical and cultural issues that usually accompany such projects.
Technically though going from Japanese to English is much better than the other way around, since the roman alphabet is usually supported within Japanese though many symbols are not. More likely you will have problems getting there, commmunicating without any misunderstandings (they will expect you are a pro at localization just like your company expects they are), reading documentation, and then expectations about what is acceptable technically, user-wise and culturally. Also you will likely also have to represent your company and answer business-related questions, though this will be in English probably. Anyway if you don't take this advice I sincerely wish you luck, but I doubt this is the time for expensive lessons in intercultural communications and problem solving. Anyway check the email please. I could get this done for you this week, save you a trip, and either do the whole thing or help you localize yourself.
mattr (at no spam) telebody (dotnet)