Hi5 is releasing a way for its users to translate third party applications on its site into other languages. This means developers can reach new users -- and use the translated application on any other social network that also uses the OpenSocial code specification. See the always-funny Chuck Norris quote application as it goes through the various stages of translation into Japanese, below.
Given fast-growing hi5's presence in Latin America, Eastern Europe and various countries around the world, this could be a quick way for any developer to get a translation across many languages -- one that works for multiple social networks.
Developers can access the translation feature as part of the process of creating a hi5 application (here), through an option to let users translate in a group. Users join the group and provide what they believe to be an accurate translation, then other users rate the crowd's translation, and maybe provide their own versions. I suppose this creates the opportunity for a developer to get massively pranked by users in a particular language that the developer doesn't speak, through the use of inappropriate words in the place of appropriate ones. It could also allow for common colloquialisms to work their way in and make an app feel more relevant to a particular country. Maybe an app could designate a male's profile as "güey" (loosely, "dude") in an application intended for Mexican youth? Of course, as the Chuck Norris quotes application shows in the screenshots, not everything can be translated.
In order for developers to use the translated version on other sites, they need to use Open Social's internationalization tags.
Hi5 has long been focused on internationalization, having grown in some countries in part because it translated languages before rivals. It most recently launched its mobile site in the 26 languages it already offers for hi5.com, earlier this summer.
Here's a translation sequence in action, starting above. The user is submitting entry in the first screen below.
