Localization testing services

Our localization quality assurance testers are linguists with experience in localization testing of particular software products. They are usually trained as such on our projects and have a successful record of similar tasks. We always select professionals with the top translation quality scores and best client references.

If an app, game, website, or other software is localized, the localized build or beta version is usually tested for functionality bugs by the client testers. However, while functionality bugs (if any) may be minor, in the case of a dedicated localization integration, linguistic errors are omitted during the standard testing process. That’s why localization (or linguistic) testing is needed.

Generally speaking, localization testing is a part of the software testing process that ensures the quality of the localized texts within the context, i.e., in the product interface.

Sometimes, linguistic testing is performed separately from software testing, but it can also be a part of the same test case.

This is mostly a question of terminology. The previous answer explains that linguistic testing is about controlling the language localization of a product in context, meaning texts within the UI (app screens, messages, and notifications).

In some companies, localization testing is the same as linguistic testing, whereas others prefer to include into localization testing the functionality testing of the product. In this case, localization testers are required to report not only linguistic errors and inconsistencies but also functionality bugs.

While testing is typically linear for websites, functionality testing for software and apps usually covers a branchy decision tree and requires test scenarios and cases.

We usually discuss the scope of the required testing activities with the client. The client provides our specialists with context (localized screenshots, Figma screens, or other dedicated professional testing apps). If the client prefers that our specialists also perform functionality tests, we will discuss the test case.

In either case, our localization testers report any bugs that are revealed in addition to linguistic errors.

In order to perform localization testing internally, the company first needs dedicated staff: localization professionals with localization testing experience.

While localization testing reveals linguistic errors and software testing reveals functionality errors, these two types of tests usually require different skill sets.

Moreover, not all professional linguists can perform localization testing, write linguistic test cases, or work with dedicated testing tools.

Besides, it’s generally recommended that linguistic testing be performed by a separate linguist than the one who performed the initial localization.

All of these factors make it quite challenging to perform linguistic testing in-house, with most of our clients preferring to outsource this task to professional localization testers.

Upon request, our linguistic testers can work with various design, testing, and project management tools, including Figma, Jira, Asana, Trello, TestFlight for iOS product testing, BrowserStack, and other bug reporting tools and software.

We can find a translator in almost any language that the client needs, depending on his product and goals. Sometimes localization into niche languages can offer better prospects than localization into mainstream languages.

In case some rare language is not on the list, we can help with searching and recruiting linguists.