Such aspects as standalone UI strings without context or number of characters restrictions present pain in the neck for most languages. In respect of English-Russian translation of IT materials localizers face some specific difficulties besides all language-wide peculiar issues. One should keep in mind the fact that Russian is a synthetic language while English is an analytic one, both of which secure their exclusive positions on the spectrum between isolating and polysynthetic tongues in linguistic typology. Broadly speaking this means, it is not so simple to find natural equivalents in both languages in terms of morphology and grammar. For instance, such an industry standard as “Compatibility Toolkit” may be translated into Russian as “Набор средств для обеспечения совместимости”, or simple “Share” to indicate its specific meaning in IT context could be translated as “Открыть общий доступ”. Not quite an analog, is it? Another hot subject of discussion is grammatical transformations, particularly usage of nouns instead of verbs and the other way round in order to ensure brevity and meaningfulness of a source. This methodology proved useful when there is any complimentary data accompanying a UI string to be localized. It is very helpful for a professional to know whether it is a button, title or a prompt to action.

The best part of IT texts to be localized comprises of what is known as User Interface texts. UI strings can be found on buttons, within tooltips, as hovering texts, names, titles, commands, functions, features, descriptions, tables, menus, references, dialog boxes, error messages etc. In short, it covers everything that implicates input and output in terms of users’ manipulation of system processes. Translation of such materials can be done in many different ways, each one having its variety of cons and pros. It is no wonder that the IT translation process involves machines as an aid.  The translator handling information technology translation targets to translate user interface elements that are part of the resource files of a software application. The translation must be done with consideration of the local culture and language of specific locations where it would be used. Moreover, IT includes help files, instructions, manuals, newsletters, disclaimers, policies to name but a few. It is also worth mentioning IT legal text, which constitute another tricky side of IT translations. Still and all, though IT text should be precise, technically-oriented and fundamentally structured, it does not hamper them in using quizzical and funny tone. All this makes IT translation process one of the most unpredictable and outstanding challenges in this business.