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on large-volume translation projects into multiple languages. Most MLVs
also offered project management of these large, complex, and time-critical
translation projects. MLVs were either start-ups, for example the INK
network in Europe, or large divisions of established companies, such as
Berlitz's translation division, now called GlobalNET.
Still, many software publishers were experiencing bottlenecks just
before their multilingual product releases, for example in their engineering
and testing departments who suddenly found themselves having to test
multiple language versions instead of just one English version. This called
for an extended outsourcing model, which really took off in the beginning
of the 1990s. Apart from translation services, MLVs also started offering
engineering, testing, desktop publishing, printing, and support services.
This period can be considered as the start of localisation as we now
know it. With teams of translators, project managers, engineers, testers, and
desktop publishers, MLVs could provide one-stop multilingual solutions to
software publishers.
An important trend that started taking shape in the late 1990s was the
consolidation of the localisation industry. Many localisation vendors either
merged with others or were acquired in order to achieve more market share,
a better geographical spread, or additional skills. In the 1990s, the number
of large localisation vendors decreased from 30 to 10. Examples of major
consolidations taking place in the late 1990s were the acquisitions of
Mendez by Lernout & Hauspie, LMI by Berlitz, and (very recently) ILE/IC
(INT'L.com) by Lionbridge.
The yearly growth of the localisation industry since the beginning of
the 1990s has averaged 30%, and in 2000 total revenues are in the range of
US$ 6 billion. The most popular languages into which products are
localised are French, Italian, German, Spanish (FIGS), Brazilian
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