A method and apparatus are provided to create a parent XSD document that separately identifies localized data and non-localized content definitions. A tool is employed to parse the localized content definitions from the non-localized content definitions. The parsing tool generates a child XSD document pertaining to the localized content definitions identified within the parent XSD document. One or more child XML documents are created to store data pertaining to the localized content definitions of the child XSD document. Localized content is isolated in a child XML document that is governed by a corresponding child XSD document, wherein the corresponding child XSD document is derived from the parent XSD document. Just as with any other XML document, the localized content in the isolated child XML document is supported by querying and validation by XML tools.