Evaluating web sites for localization purposes can be a complex task. In the case of highly dynamic, database-driven web sites it is often difficult to generate an overview of the total number of words to be translated.

Roughly speaking, web sites may contain the following components with translatable material:

• Static HTML pages

• Dynamic server pages, such as ASP or JSP files

• Web-based applications

• Graphics

Please note that HTML pages may contain scripting information, for example JavaScript, with translatable strings that are not recognized by the majority of standard word counting tools or translation memory systems. These sections should be counted separately.

Dynamic server pages usually combine static content with content retrieved from a database. Counting the words in the ASP or JSP files will only handle the static content, which means that all information retrieved from the database is disregarded. To obtain

an accurate word count, export the database tables that publish information to the web pages. Contact the site developer to obtain a database export file, then run the (tab- or comma-delimited) text file through a word counting tool or translation memory system.

In many cases, a custom filter will need to be created to include only the relevant database content in the word count.

It is important to note that very few web sites are translated in their entirety. Most web sites combine translated and local content, i.e. in many cases information on a web site is too market- or country-specific to be translated. Identify which sections of a web site

need to be translated before generating word counts or quotations for localization.

Here are some other important issues to consider when evaluating web sites for localization:

• Frequency of updates – Web sites changing on a daily basis require a special tool or technology that will manage the workflow of multilingual content.

• Internationalization – New web technology often does not support double-byte character sets.

•Content providers - Many web sites contain content provided by third-parties; check who will be responsible for localizing this information.

Some localization service providers offer consulting services where consultants work with web publishers to determine the scope of a web globalization initiative. These consulting engagements may include a full analysis of the current site infrastructure,

categorization of sections to be translated or re-created for local markets, and possible implementation of multilingual content management technology solutions.

责任编辑：admin