What are the best practices for building a professional relationship with a localization engineer?

1 Communicate clearly

Communication is key for any successful localization project, especially when it involves technical aspects. Make sure you communicate clearly with the localization engineer about your expectations, deadlines, deliverables, and feedback. Use the appropriate channels, such as email, phone, or chat, and be polite and concise. Avoid jargon, slang, or idioms that may cause confusion or misunderstanding. If you have any questions or issues, don't hesitate to ask or report them as soon as possible.

2 Provide accurate information

One of the main challenges that localization engineers face is dealing with incomplete, inaccurate, or outdated information from translators or project managers. This can lead to errors, delays, or rework. To avoid this, make sure you provide accurate information to the localization engineer, such as the source and target languages, the file formats, the tools and software required, the quality standards, and the testing procedures. If you are not sure about something, double-check with the client or the end-user before sending it to the localization engineer.

3 Respect their expertise

Localization engineers have a lot of technical knowledge and skills that are essential for localization projects. They can offer valuable insights and solutions that can improve the quality and efficiency of your work. Therefore, you should respect their expertise and listen to their suggestions and recommendations. Don't assume that you know better than them or that they are just doing a routine job. Appreciate their contributions and acknowledge their efforts.

5 Be flexible and adaptable

Localization projects can be unpredictable and complex, and sometimes things may not go as planned. You may encounter technical issues, changes in requirements, or unexpected requests from the client or the end-user. In these situations, you need to be flexible and adaptable and work with the localization engineer to find the best solutions. Don't blame them for the problems or complain about the changes. Instead, be supportive and cooperative and try to find ways to overcome the challenges together.

Working with localization engineers can be a rewarding and enriching experience for translators and localization project managers. By following these best practices, you can build a professional relationship with them that is based on communication, accuracy, respect, learning, and flexibility. This will not only benefit your localization projects, but also your career and your network.