Using Semantic Mappings to Manage Heterogeneity in XLIFF Interoperability

Abstract

The XLIFF 1.2 standard features several extension points that have served to complicate the full interoperability of translation content meta-data between tools from different vendors. Many vendors’ specific extensions are in common use. XLIFF profiles promoted by individual large tool vendors or by consortia of smaller vendors (e.g. Interoperability Now!) attempt to reduce this complexity. However, as no one profile dominates, the overall result is that many XLIFF profiles are now in common use that extend the original standard in different ways. The XLIFF 2.0 standard attempts to control the evolution of extensions through the managed definition of new modules. However, until XLIFF 2.0 fully supplants the use of XLIFF 1.2 and its variants, tools vendors and language service providers will have to handle a range of different XLIFF formats and manage heterogeneity in the use of meta- data that impairs its use in automating steps in the localisation workflow.

Managing the mapping of different XLIFF profiles to an internal representation requires therefore, either extensive coding knowledge, or the understanding and maintenance of a wide range of different XSL Transforms. In this work we describe an alternative approach to handling the design, implementation and maintenance of meta-data mappings using semantic web technologies.