Glossary » internationalization

internationalization

or i18n (the letter “i” followed by 18 letters, followed by “n”); the design or modification of software for an international audience.

Three approaches to internationalization are common:

• globalization: making a monolingual interface more accessible for non-native speakers and international use. For instance, to make a website more accessible, use straightforward language avoiding jargon, make sure phone numbers include international country codes, and convert measurements to international units.
• multi-lingual interfaces: allow users to choose a translation into their own language.
• localization: customize the user interface for each local region in which it will be used, by using the local language and taking advantage of local conventions, assumptions, and common defaults.