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Abstract:

Software localization constitutes an important economic and cultural activity. It involves producing a version of a software product in a different language (the target language) than the language of the original version (the source language). The technical challenges associated with software localization seem to receive more attention from field specialists, while linguistic matters are considered secondary in importance. This article aims to highlight linguistic requirements in software localization through a study of the Arabic localized version of Skype. In particular, we will demonstrate that the linguistic approach adopted by the localizer is largely literal, and this has ramifications for product quality. Keywords: software localization, technical skills, cosmetic bugs, arabized Skype, literalism, linguistic approach