A method is provided for localizing a server application using a client-side translator. A client device selects a locale specific resource file using client locale information stored in a client operating system or provided by a user. The client locale information may be sent to a server. The client may download a locale specific resource file associated with the server application or install a locale specific resource file from a computer readable medium. The server application sends a displayable string to the client device. The displayable string may be a lookup key to mapping a locale specific string in the locale specific resource file to the displayable string. The displayable string may be replaced by the locale specific string corresponding to a translation of the displayable string. The locale specific string displays on the client device.