Pseudo-localization伪本地化
Pseudo-localization is a testing technique that replaces source-language text with simulated localized text, often by adding accented characters, expanding string length, and mixing in right-to-left or non-Latin scripts without producing a real translation. In localization engineering and QA, it helps teams find layout breaks, character-encoding issues, concatenation problems, and hard-coded strings before the actual translation work starts, and it can reveal missing font support.
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Where this term appears
Pseudo-localization runs early in software and app localization, before translation and before UI testing. Localization engineers generate pseudo-localized builds from the source strings, then test on multiple devices and screen sizes. The results are shared with developers to fix layout and internationalization bugs that would otherwise block or invalidate later translation work.
Translation checks
A common error is running pseudo-localization too late, after translation has already started, so layout defects are found on real translated builds and cause rework. Another mistake is using only accented characters and not expanding text length, which misses truncation and wrapping problems that longer languages will trigger. Ignoring the findings as irrelevant artificial text also defeats the purpose.
Keep the term aligned across your files
Creative and consumer content needs accurate meaning as well as tone and context. Subtitles, interfaces and voice scripts also require checks for timing, character limits and pronunciation.
Provide approved terms and previous translations with the source files. Agree how variants, ambiguous wording and revisions will be reviewed. Terminology maintenance and any termbase handback are confirmed in the project scope. See the 8-step AI + expert workflow.
Related document experience
Kraft Foods
Transcription + dubbingEmployee-training video transcription and dubbing.
Read the published project →
Alexander Wang (Shanghai)
English ⇄ ChineseBrand documentation.
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Include the source and target languages, file types, intended use, deadline and any approved termbase. Agree handling before sending sensitive files. Acknowledged in 4 hours, quoted in 24.
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