I have recently accepted a new position in Ireland that will be starting in a few weeks. A couple of people have asked what I will be doing there…so let’s see if I can easily sum this up…

Q. Where will you be working?
A. The Centre for Next Generation Localisation (CNGL) @ Dublin City University

Q. What is the Centre for Next Generation Localisation @ DCU?
A. The Centre is a €30M academic/industry partnership that is researching the frontiers of language translation and digital content localisation. Our industry partners include Microsoft, IBM, Alchemy, Symantec, idiom, SpeechStorm, translan and VistaTEC.

Q. What is “localisation”?
A. “Localisation” refers to the process of adapting digital content to culture, locale and linguistic environments at high quality and speed. Localisation is a key enabling, value-adding, multiplier component of the global software and content distribution industry. Localisation seeks to overcome language barriers.

Q. Huh…so what is “localisation”?!?!?!?
A. Well anytime a manufacturer makes a cell phone, DVD player, iPod, anything digital…the menus and manuals must be translated into 60+ different languages…this process is called localisation. This “first generation” localisation has traditionally been done by humans, with Ireland being one of the top countries in the world for this kind of work. As the world has globalized and become increasingly digital, “first generation” localisation has become a cheap commodity which does not scale up in a digital world. Next generation localisation seeks to bridge many of the barriers to a truly globalized world, unencumbered by language barriers.

Q. Ok…that kind of makes sense…what will you be doing?
A. As the Intellectual Property Manager @ CNGL I will be responsible for identifying all of the background IP coming into the centre and all of the new IP which is generated by researchers. As new IP is identified I will be managing the protection of those assets (patents, copyrights, trade secrets, etc) and ultimately its commercialisation. I will be working closely with our industry partners who have invested quite a bit of money in the center in hope of incorporating some of the discoveries into their own products and services.

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