Mobile Apps Languages (not coding)

Eyelesbarrow · 24th Mar 2013, 05:39 AM

For the records, I am not talking about the coding language - but the actual language of the app.

Say I want an app in a non English language, however, my app developer only speaks English. Can he design the app based on instructions (like showing him a similar app or giving him directions) & then I get someone to just add the interface in the desired language?

And will there be any significant changes in the coding itself made to alter the app from English to my language?

Is the coding language the core of the app and the interface and its graphic design are a complete different matter?

In short - can an English developer, develop an app for a non English market & language?

Or should the project from the start be handled to a person who understands the desired language?

The problem is that there are not enough skilled app developers in the language I am seeking & I really want to offer top-notch apps. This can only be done by developers who don't speak my language.

Any input is appreciated.

Money79 · 24th Mar 2013, 10:11 AM

Hi I had the same problem and I can tell you that even if you do not speak the same language the developer is able to do what you need.

Kevin Z · 2nd Apr 2013, 12:32 PM

If the platform ie App builder, mobile website builder etc is not Multi-language enabled then your developers and workers will have a touch time building in their language when they don't speak the language of the platform.

Nail Yener · 4th Apr 2013, 02:28 AM

The language of the backend and front end of a software are totally different matters. For example you can have an English WordPress installation and have its visible parts in Spanish. Same for apps, its backend can be designed in English yet its visible parts can be in whatever language you want.

WeavingThoughts · 4th Apr 2013, 03:19 AM

I would never work with somebody unless I could get my stuff across.

annaharris · 12th Apr 2013, 06:13 AM

Definitely, Developers can develop a website in any language whatever you want.

Valdor Kiebach · 12th Apr 2013, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by Eyelesbarrow

In short - can an English developer, develop an app for a non English market & language?

Yes.
Take Android as an example, now Java is Java so a Java developer can develop the code regardless of spoken language.

With Android all text values can be stored in xml documents so the text for buttons, instructions, menus etc. can simply be put in the relevant xml file by somebody who knows the language the app is aimed at.

Here is a button example:

Code:

<item android:id="@+id/buttonthree"
        android:icon="@drawable/menu3icon"
        android:title="@string/showwhite"
        android:orderInCategory="300"
        android:showAsAction="never" />

Now the text on the button (highlighted in red) is held in a seperate xml file called strings.xml and this is where the text can be changed to any language:

Code:

<string name="showwhite">USE WHITE</string>

In this case the text on this button is 'USE WHITE' but if this needed to be in chinese then all that would need to be done is change 'USE WHITE' to whatever it is in Chinese, leaving all the coding unchanged.

24th Mar 2013, 05:39 AM	#1
Eyelesbarrow New Warrior Member Join Date: 2012 Location: GCC Region Posts: 15 Thanks: 7 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Mobile Apps Languages (not coding) Share on: For the records, I am not talking about the coding language - but the actual language of the app. Say I want an app in a non English language, however, my app developer only speaks English. Can he design the app based on instructions (like showing him a similar app or giving him directions) & then I get someone to just add the interface in the desired language? And will there be any significant changes in the coding itself made to alter the app from English to my language? Is the coding language the core of the app and the interface and its graphic design are a complete different matter? In short - can an English developer, develop an app for a non English market & language? Or should the project from the start be handled to a person who understands the desired language? The problem is that there are not enough skilled app developers in the language I am seeking & I really want to offer top-notch apps. This can only be done by developers who don't speak my language. Any input is appreciated.

24th Mar 2013, 10:11 AM	#2
Money79 HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Posts: 338 Thanks: 13 Thanked 33 Times in 33 Posts	Re: Mobile Apps Languages (not coding) Share on: Hi I had the same problem and I can tell you that even if you do not speak the same language the developer is able to do what you need.

2nd Apr 2013, 12:32 PM	#3
Kevin Z brickandmobile.com War Room Member Join Date: 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 309 Thanks: 60 Thanked 106 Times in 64 Posts	Re: Mobile Apps Languages (not coding) Share on: If the platform ie App builder, mobile website builder etc is not Multi-language enabled then your developers and workers will have a touch time building in their language when they don't speak the language of the platform.
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4th Apr 2013, 02:28 AM	#4
Nail Yener You reap what you sow. War Room Member Join Date: 2008 Location: Sometimes you don't. Posts: 1,078 Thanks: 196 Thanked 411 Times in 243 Posts	Re: Mobile Apps Languages (not coding) Share on: The language of the backend and front end of a software are totally different matters. For example you can have an English WordPress installation and have its visible parts in Spanish. Same for apps, its backend can be designed in English yet its visible parts can be in whatever language you want.

4th Apr 2013, 03:19 AM	#5
WeavingThoughts VIP Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2009 Posts: 2,795 Thanks: 602 Thanked 276 Times in 173 Posts	Re: Mobile Apps Languages (not coding) Share on: I would never work with somebody unless I could get my stuff across.
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12th Apr 2013, 06:13 AM	#6
annaharris RockEye ERP for Africa Join Date: 2012 Location: Africa Posts: 119 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Mobile Apps Languages (not coding) Share on: Definitely, Developers can develop a website in any language whatever you want.