1. Q&A: What is HTML5 and How Does it Affect
Website Localization?
This article was originally published on the Acclaro blog.
Category: Websites,Localization Tips, Q&A
1. What is HTML5?
HTML5 is a major revision to HTML and XHTML, the
standard for structuring and presenting content on the
Internet. It includes everything you see in your browser,
such as text, images, multimedia, web apps, search
forms, and so on.
2. How is it different from HTML and XHTML?
Canvas — JavaScript to create web graphics
Location API — Interface to location data from GPS or other sources
Video Element — Easier to embed video on web pages
AppCache — Allows websites to launch even while offline
Web Workers — Background thread that speeds execution
3. Why all the fuss?
Many of these new features, like video playback and drag-and-drop, have been dependent on
third-party browser plug-ins like Adobe Flash, Microsoft Silverlight and Google Gears. HTML5
changes all of that. As an open source system, it supports open standards that expose
underlying technologies, enabling integration, innovation and development of more complex
software and services.
4. How does HTML5 affect website localization?
HTML5 is a game-changer, however, it won't drastically alter the way that your translation
partner localizes your website. HTML5 is simply a revision of the "old" HTML and XHTML, and
thus requires the same translation and localization skills used with previous versions.
Page 1: Q&A: What is HTML5 and How Does it Affect Website Localization? Copyright © Acclaro 2012

2. It only affects the translators (and the engineers preprocessing/parsing the translatable text
from the files) who are working on your project in the sense that they will need to be familiar
with the new tags and markups.
5. Should I stick with HTML or XHTML, or move on to HTML5 if I want to take my
website global?
Either will work just fine, however HTML5 may give you an edge when taking your website
global for a few reasons, namely:
Geolocation: Location-aware devices are important when targeting audiences abroad.
Previously, geolocation was limited to a single provider's API or browser tool. With HTML5,
locations can be used to tailor search results and tag social media updates, among other
functions.
Reach: If you want to make your website available to as many people as possible, it makes
sense to use a "write once, use everywhere" system like HTML5. And, because it does not
require plug-ins, web users that do not install plug-ins will have the same viewing experience as
everyone else.
Browsers: Flash and its brethren are notorious for causing browser memory leaks and crashes;
HTML5 does not have that problem. However, not all browsers — namely Internet Explorer —
support HTML5's features. If you plan on targeting countries like Germany, where Firefox
commands a majority share, or Japan, where IE still rules but people are quick to adopt new
technologies, HTML5 may be your best choice. In China, however, nearly 90% of the population
uses IE, with more than half on IE6! Check StatCounter for country-specific browser usage to
see what makes sense for your website.
6. How else can HTML5 help me with my global website strategy?
HTML5 enhances SEO, audio and video, and mobile functionalities. Read our fullarticle on
HTML5 and learn more about this latest web markup language.
About Acclaro: Acclaro is an international translation and localization company that
helps the world’s leading brands succeed across cultures. We specialize inwebsite
translation, marketing campaigns, documents and software localization to give clients
an authentic voice in key language markets.
North America: 1-866-468-5106 Worldwide: +1-914-468-0222
www.acclaro.comsales@acclaro.com
Page 2: Q&A: What is HTML5 and How Does it Affect Website Localization? Copyright © Acclaro 2012