Process of localizing objects in markup language documents

A method for providing a user interface that supports a plurality of different languages through a single set of markup language documents, said single set including one or more markup language documents, but not a different one or more markup language documents for each of the plurality of different languages, comprising the steps of:

• (a) in each markup language document of the set, including a plurality of references corresponding to respective text, graphic, and/or media objects that are to be rendered to convey content in accord with a specified language;
• (b) providing a separate set of localized objects corresponding to each of the plurality of different languages, each set of localized objects comprising language-dependent objects corresponding to the text, graphic, and/or media objects referenced in the set of markup language documents;
• (c) enabling a user to select a user interface language from among the plurality of different languages;
• and
• (d) automatically inserting localized objects into each markup language document in accord with the plurality of references in that markup language document such that when each markup language document is rendered, the text, graphic, and/or media objects referenced in the markup language document are rendered to convey content in the user interface language selected by the user.

A system for implementing a user interface in an application program comprising at least one markup language document that includes a plurality of references corresponding to text, graphic, and/or media objects that are to include content in a specified language when the markup language document is rendered, said specified language comprising one of a plurality of different languages, comprising:

• (a) a memory adapted to store data and machine instructions;
• (b) a processor coupled to the memory, said processor controlling storage of data in the memory and executing the machine instructions to implement a plurality of functions;
• (c) a persistent storage device, coupled to the processor and the memory, on which is stored a set of localized objects in the specified language, the localized objects being associated with text, graphic, and/or media objects referenced in said at least one markup language document;
• and
• (d) a display on which graphics and text employed in the user interface are rendered in accord with the machine instructions, said display being controlled by the processor, said plurality of functions implemented by the processor including inserting localized objects into each of said at least one markup language document that are identified based on the plurality of references in that markup language document such that when each of said at least one markup language document is rendered, the text, graphic, and/or media objects referenced in that markup language document are rendered in the specified language.