Pluralization

Every language handles plural forms differently. While English distinguishes between singular and plural ("1 item", "2 items"), other languages may have multiple plural categories or entirely different grammatical patterns. For instance, Russian uses three plural forms, and Arabic uses six.

In localization, pluralization is controlled by variables and placeholders within resource files (such as PO, XML or JSON) that tell software which String / translation string to display depending on the number value. Managing pluralization correctly ensures both linguistic accuracy and a seamless user experience. Poorly localized plural forms can lead to confusing or ungrammatical messages in user interfaces, especially in dynamically generated content like alerts or notifications. RWS manages pluralization through its Trados and Language Weaver localization technologies, ensuring all plural rules are handled correctly across languages. By combining automation with native linguistic expertise, RWS ensures UI messages are both functionally correct and culturally natural.