Software localization testing

Floodzie

Hi,

Are there any software localization testers out there?

My girlfriend is an experienced translator (Polish and Italian) and wants to change career to become a software localization tester.

She is looking at a beginner's software testing course - this is not specific to localization but I THINK it should teach similar skills, i.e. reading and writing bug reports and creating test cases.

Has anybody else gotten into software localization testing from a non-IT background and can you offer any advice? She's more than happy to take entry-level jobs for a while so isn't bothered if the money's not great.

Thanks in advance!

craichoe

Floodzie wrote: »

Hi,

Are there any software localization testers out there?

My girlfriend is an experienced translator (Polish and Italian) and wants to change career to become a software localization tester.

She is looking at a beginner's software testing course - this is not specific to localization but I THINK it should teach similar skills, i.e. reading and writing bug reports and creating test cases.

Has anybody else gotten into software localization testing from a non-IT background and can you offer any advice? She's more than happy to take entry-level jobs for a while so isn't bothered if the money's not great.

Thanks in advance!

Did work in it some time ago for Mircosoft, Yahoo, Novell and HP through a company called Berlitz Globalnet, unfortunately software localisation testers aren't required to have the language.

She'd be looking more towards a translators job which the software engineers pass stuff back too when a string doesnt fit in a box.

Music_Diva

Floodzie wrote: »

Hi,

Are there any software localization testers out there?

My girlfriend is an experienced translator (Polish and Italian) and wants to change career to become a software localization tester.

She is looking at a beginner's software testing course - this is not specific to localization but I THINK it should teach similar skills, i.e. reading and writing bug reports and creating test cases.

Has anybody else gotten into software localization testing from a non-IT background and can you offer any advice? She's more than happy to take entry-level jobs for a while so isn't bothered if the money's not great.

Thanks in advance!

Hi all,

Im a recent Com Sci grad looking to get into software testing and would appreciate any advice on how to go about this. I am also considering a certification course in Dublin, which do you recommend?

Any feedback appreciated!

LimeFruitGum

I know a company who is looking for loc testers but candidates would be expected to have a couple of years experience, I'm afraid. They're not the kind of company that would have time and patience to train up a newbie.

The only localisation course that I'm aware of is in UL, as I know someone with a language background who did the localisation diploma there. I'm not aware of any such courses in Dublin, aside from the old Computational Linguistics degree in DCU.

AARRRGH

You shouldn't need a qualification to do localisation testing. Anyone with absolute basic computer skills can do it.

I used to work for Microsoft as a localiser (about 9 years ago) and I can tell you it was probably the easist job I have ever had.

CorkFenian

Worked on a lot of localisation projects, XP,Office XP\2003, stayed in it far too long, 3yrs, best thing I ever did was leave it...Unless you get into automated testing...

Mary-Ellen

There's an ISTQB industry cert in software testing.
They do beginers and intermediate levels.
(can do an instructor lead one in about a week )

Might look good on the cv and you'd pick up some of the lingo for an interview but not a huge help for the job itself.

Best of luck

AARRRGH

Mary-Ellen wrote: »

There's an ISTQB industry cert in software testing.
They do beginers and intermediate levels.
(can do an instructor lead one in about a week )

Might look good on the cv and you'd pick up some of the lingo for an interview but not a huge help for the job itself.

Best of luck

I've done that course. While I think the content isn't very practical or useful, I agree it adds to your CV.

The course (instructor led) is about 2k though!

dellas1979

Localisation is not translation. Part of the process involves translation. There is a lot more to it. You do not need a language to do this type of testing.

Music_Diva

Mary-Ellen wrote: »

There's an ISTQB industry cert in software testing.
They do beginers and intermediate levels.
(can do an instructor lead one in about a week )

Might look good on the cv and you'd pick up some of the lingo for an interview but not a huge help for the job itself.

Best of luck

Thanks

Music_Diva

AARRRGH wrote: »

I've done that course. While I think the content isn't very practical or useful, I agree it adds to your CV.

The course (instructor led) is about 2k though!

Ouch thts pricey... im thinking of going it alone 4 now (need 2 save up) but will def get the cert, can u pls recommend any books to get me started on this?
I'd also like to get some practical experience, any tips??

Many tks,
MD

AARRRGH

Music_Diva wrote: »

Ouch thts pricey... im thinking of going it alone 4 now (need 2 save up) but will def get the cert, can u pls recommend any books to get me started on this?
I'd also like to get some practical experience, any tips??

Many tks,
MD

There's loads of ways you can get experience. Here are two:

1. Find an open source project (e.g. the Firefox browser) and offer to become one of their volunteer testers.
2. Go to websites like www.scriptlance.com and bid for testing jobs (they tend to be jobs which would take a day or two).

Regarding the cert., there are plenty of excellent testing books out there (I recommend "Lessons learned in software testing"), however the course isn't very real world so that book wouldn't be useful for it.

Mary-Ellen

There's a book specifically for the exam on amazon for 22 sterling although I've never used it. (first result when I searched for ISTQB)
Don't think there'd be any problems doing the foundation exam yourself.

AARRRGHs suggestions are great too.

Whatever you can put on your cv to show an interest the better, there's lots of people looking for jobs with the technical capacity to do testing out there.

AARRRGH

Bear in mind the exam is full of trick questions (testing your English skills rather than your technical skills!), so you will need to practice many exam papers.

Music_Diva

AARRRGH wrote: »

There's loads of ways you can get experience. Here are two:

1. Find an open source project (e.g. the Firefox browser) and offer to become one of their volunteer testers.
2. Go to websites like www.scriptlance.com and bid for testing jobs (they tend to be jobs which would take a day or two).

Regarding the cert., there are plenty of excellent testing books out there (I recommend "Lessons learned in software testing"), however the course isn't very real world so that book wouldn't be useful for it.

Tks AARRRGH this is brilliant

Music_Diva

Mary-Ellen wrote: »

There's a book specifically for the exam on amazon for 22 sterling although I've never used it. (first result when I searched for ISTQB)
Don't think there'd be any problems doing the foundation exam yourself.

AARRRGHs suggestions are great too.

Whatever you can put on your cv to show an interest the better, there's lots of people looking for jobs with the technical capacity to do testing out there.

Tks Mary Ellen, ive looked at a few on amazon and was hoping 2 get feedback on one that you might have used yourself. They were all starting too look the same :rolleyes:

Either way the one you mentioned is a great starting point

Cheers

Music_Diva

AARRRGH wrote: »

Bear in mind the exam is full of trick questions (testing your English skills rather than your technical skills!), so you will need to practice many exam papers.

Will do tks!

McSpud

Do the ISEB Foundation Certificate although it can be fairly expensive. Its targeted at people starting testing or with maybe 6 months experience. You maybe not learn much but will improve CV. Intermediate level would not be required for localisation.

Click