XLIFF

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XLIFF is an acronym for XML Localization Interchange Format File.

XLIFF is a standard file format designed to aid translation by allowing translators to concentrate on the text to be translated, and not the style or format of the text. In addition, because it is a standard format (XML), it is independent of the application used to create the source document, meaning that the translator can work in whatever application they like.

Typically, the source application will export all of the text in the source document into an XLIFF file, which is then passed to the translator. The translator translates the text, returning the translated file. This translated file is then imported back into the source application, which then replaces all of the source text with the translated equivalent.

For more information, see the article XLIFF: An Aid To Localization on the Sun Developer Network.