A Practical Guide to Handling Embedded JSON in XML for Translation

Being a localization engineer isn’t just about handling files — it’s about solving problems. And when I say solving problems, I mean any problem that comes your way. From handling complex file formats to ensuring seamless integration with translation tools, a localization engineer needs to be adaptable, resourceful, and always ready with a solution.

One such challenge I faced was dealing with embedded JSON inside XML files. Some CAT tools, like memoQ, can handle this natively, but sometimes, you don’t have the luxury of using the ideal tool. In my case, I had to work with a CAT tool that didn’t support embedded JSON natively, like many tools such as SDL Trados Studio. This meant that I had to find a way to extract, process, and reintegrate JSON manually while maintaining both XML and JSON integrity.

When you’re in a situation like this, you don’t need to think outside the box — you need to work within it. Instead of looking for external tools or workarounds, the challenge is to leverage what you already have and create a robust, scalable solution. I actually wrote an article discussing the concept of thinking inside vs. outside the box, and if you're interested in exploring this mindset further, I encourage you to check it.

In this article, I’ll walk you through how I tackled this problem — step by step ensuring that JSON content is accurately extracted, properly translated, and seamlessly reintegrated into XML while maintaining its original structure. If you’ve ever struggled with this issue, this guide will provide a practical solution to streamline your localization workflow.

Understanding the Challenge

Localization engineers often work with XML-based content, but things get tricky when XML files contain embedded JSON. Many CAT tools are designed to handle either XML or JSON separately, but not both within the same file.

Common Issues When Handling Embedded JSON in XML for Translation

• JSON remains untranslated because the CAT tool doesn’t recognize it as translatable text.
• Broken file structures due to improper segmentation or encoding errors.
• Loss of CDATA wrapping during processing, leading to parsing issues when reinserting JSON.
• Manual handling inefficiencies, making large-scale projects error-prone and time-consuming.

So, how do you handle this effectively when your CAT tool doesn’t support it? The answer is: Extract → Translate → Reinsert.

Step 1: Extracting JSON from XML

Since the CAT tool can’t process JSON inside XML correctly, the first step is to extract JSON content while keeping track of its original placement.

Approach

• Identify XML nodes containing embedded JSON.
• Extract JSON content and save it separately for translation.
• Ensure JSON is wrapped inside CDATA before extraction to prevent formatting errors.

?? Key Learnings:

? Avoid relying on regex for JSON extraction — structured parsing is essential.

? CDATA wrapping ensures proper reinsertion without breaking XML structure.

Step 2: Translating JSON Independently

Once extracted, JSON needs to be translated separately in a CAT tool that supports JSON processing. However, there are some important considerations:

Best Practices for JSON Translation

• Protect JSON keys to avoid breaking the structure.
• Use JSON segmentation in CAT tools to translate only values.
• Validate JSON after translation to prevent formatting errors.

A simple JSON structure should be formatted so that only translatable text is modified, keeping everything else intact. This ensures that when JSON is inserted back into XML, it remains functional.

?? Key Learnings:

? Ensure translators modify only values, not keys or JSON syntax.

? Test the translated JSON separately before reinsertion to catch potential issues early.

Step 3: Reinserting Translated JSON Back into XML

Once JSON is translated, it must be correctly placed back into the XML file while maintaining the original structure.

Approach

• Retrieve the translated JSON and check for any formatting issues.
• Replace the original JSON inside the XML nodes while ensuring proper encoding.
• Re-wrap JSON inside CDATA if necessary and save the updated XML.

?? Key Learnings:

? Always validate JSON before reinsertion — a single error can break the XML file.

? Ensure CDATA is preserved to prevent character encoding issues.

Best Practices for Handling Embedded JSON in XML

? Always extract JSON separately If your CAT tool doesn't support this.

? Use structured automation to eliminate manual errors.

? Keep a backup of original files in case of formatting issues.

? Test translated JSON before reinserting it into XML.

? Revalidate XML after reinsertion to prevent structural errors.

Final Thoughts

Handling embedded JSON inside XML is a challenge, but with the right approach—Extract → Translate → Reinsert — you can ensure clean, accurate translations without breaking file integrity.

When facing a challenge like this, start by thinking inside the box — explore the tools and resources you already have before looking for external alternatives. Often, the best solutions come from maximizing what’s available rather than searching for something new that may not fit seamlessly into your workflow.

Need more details or have questions? Just send me a DM — I’m happy to help!

If you’ve encountered similar challenges, how did you handle them? Let’s discuss in the comments!