Linport – Language Interoperability Portfolio Project

What is Linport?

The Linport Project ¹ is defining a standard form for sending and receiving translation projects in a standards-based package format. Linport combines two important functions: (1) a standard container architecture for translatable data, and (2) metadata about translation requirements. Together these two components will ensure that translatable materials and their translations are delivered in a tool-independent format that includes the business data needed to ensure that translations match customer requirements.

As one of the core deliverables of the GALA Standards Initiative, we believe that Linport is an important development for the localization industry. GALA funding has enabled Linport development to move forward and helped to ensure that the founding partners (GALA, the European Commission Directorate General for Translation, and the Brigham Young University Translation Research Group) have a framework for collaboration. The Linport project is also engaging with other related efforts to ensure consistency and lack of competition.

The Linport format is currently under development, with an anticipated release date for an initial implementable draft in Q4 2011.

Why Linport?

By some estimates, ^{2 3} well over half of the costs in a typical translation project are spent on tasks other than translation: handing files, communicating, converting formats, resolving questions, etc. Linport is aimed at addressing these costs. Linport is defining a standard way to send and receive translation jobs throughout the supply chain, combined with detailed metadata about projects.

When implemented by tools providers, the Linport format will simplify the process of sending and receiving translation projects by eliminating much of the current diversity of methods—email, FTP, custom portals, etc.—that are currently in use. This level of technical interoperability will help reduce much of the friction we see in the industry when different parties use different tools and have to deal with converting formats or loading files manually.

At the same time as it addresses technical interoperability, it will also address business process interoperability, a topic scarcely touched upon in our industry until now. The use of project metadata (derived from the forthcoming ISO 11669) will ensure that implementers and users will know how to deal with projects. For example, to complete a Linport instance, a user would either need to point to a profile for service or specify all relevant project parameters prior to translation. These parameters define things like the subject field (domain) for the project, the intended audience, stylistic requirements, degree of localization, terminology, anticipated volume, process requirements, and remuneration. By specifying this information in a Linport package, requesters and suppliers can eliminate much of the uncertainty inherent in the translation process that can result in delays, confusion, and lower quality.

How Can I Get Involved?

Linport is an open project. Any individual or company is welcome to participate in development of the Linport format. To get involved, please visit the Linport technical site at www.linport.org. We also welcome your financial contribution to the GALA Standards Initiative, which will help ensure that GALA can continue to support development of the Linport project.

Notes

[1] The Linport project is run jointly by GALA, the European Commission, and the Brigham Young University Translation Research Group.

[2] Reinhard Schäler of the University of Limerick’s Localization Research Centre (LRC) has estimated that non-translation tasks account for approximately half the cost of “translation” in a typical commercial project and that only about 30% of the price goes to translators. (The remaining 20% is profit for the LSP.) Anecdotal evidence at the First Linport Symposium supports these general figures.

[3] Smith Yewell recently reported that individual translators spend approximately 30% of their time on non-translation tasks such as importing and exporting files, learning to use various translation tools, and managing communication.

Making Standards Work for the Localization Industry   The GALA Standards Initiative is a non-profit effort organized by the Globalization and Localization Association (GALA). Information contained in these pages is subject to periodic update. Questions and comments may be sent to .