Lionbridge (LIOX) 10-K 6 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 02, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	LIONBRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES INC /DE/
Entity Central Index Key	1058299
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		64,313,471
Entity Public Float			$341.20

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$36,893	$38,867
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $250 at December 31, 2014 and 2013	66,479	70,431
Unbilled receivables	25,843	19,498
Other current assets	12,090	12,938
Total current assets	141,305	141,734
Property and equipment, net	23,622	20,968
Goodwill	21,937	19,595
Acquisition-related intangible assets, net	12,232	13,226
Other assets	5,677	5,487
Total assets	204,773	201,010
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	21,885	21,784
Accrued compensation and benefits	17,249	18,183
Accrued outsourcing	10,429	12,579
Accrued restructuring	3,492	1,201
Income taxes payable	10,485	11,155
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	2,123	2,047
Deferred revenue	11,866	10,583
Total current liabilities	77,529	77,532
Long-term debt	27,000	27,000
Deferred income taxes, net of current portion	704	913
Other long-term liabilities	13,786	13,172
Total liabilities	119,019	118,617
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 7)	0	0
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 63,503,724 and 63,705,585 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively	635	637
Additional paid-in capital	272,252	273,411
Accumulated deficit	-203,897	-212,004
Accumulated other comprehensive income	16,764	20,349
Total stockholders’ equity	85,754	82,393
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$204,773	$201,010

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowances for accounts receivable	$250	$250
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	63,503,724	63,705,585
Common stock, shares outstanding	63,503,724	63,705,585

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$490,612	$489,196	$457,198
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	334,537	334,513	314,252
Sales and marketing	40,230	36,216	34,807
General and administrative	80,150	80,462	75,258
Research and development	6,945	6,750	5,399
Depreciation and amortization	7,851	7,374	6,616
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets	3,317	3,351	2,454
Restructuring, impairment and other charges	6,624	5,114	8,206
Total operating expenses	479,654	473,780	446,992
Income from operations	10,958	15,416	10,206
Interest expense:
Interest on outstanding debt	547	775	732
Amortization of deferred financing costs	100	191	99
Interest income	75	92	80
Other (income) expense, net	-1,097	878	1,054
Income before income taxes	11,483	13,664	8,401
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	3,376	2,024	-2,931
Net income	$8,107	$11,640	$11,332
Net income per share of common stock:
Basic	$0.13	$0.19	$0.19
Diluted	$0.13	$0.19	$0.19
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic	60,149	59,989	59,102
Diluted	63,040	62,003	61,119

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$8,107	$11,640	$11,332
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Impact to revalue unfunded projected benefit obligation, net of tax $0	-179	453	-219
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax $0	-3,406	790	1,064
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	-3,585	1,243	845
Comprehensive income	$4,522	$12,883	$12,177

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$51,292	$619	$267,388	($234,976)	$18,261
Beginning Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011		61,903,518
Issuance of restricted stock		20	-20
Issuance of restricted stock, shares		2,005,821
Restricted stock forfeitures to cover employee withholding taxes on vested shares	-1,221	-4	-1,217
Restricted stock forfeitures to cover employee withholding taxes on vested shares, shares		-443,873
Common stock issued for option exercises	1,731	7	1,724
Common stock issued for option exercises, shares		724,204
Stock-based compensation (net of unvested restricted stock forfeitures)	5,783	-1	5,784
Stock-based compensation (net of unvested restricted stock forfeitures), shares		-98,789
Shares repurchased in exchange of options exercised	-181	-1	-180
Shares repurchased in exchange of options exercised, shares		-51,296
Net income	11,332			11,332
Other comprehensive income (loss)	845				845
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	69,581	640	273,479	-223,644	19,106
Ending Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012		64,039,585
Issuance of restricted stock		18	-18
Issuance of restricted stock, shares		1,820,619
Restricted stock forfeitures to cover employee withholding taxes on vested shares	-2,196	-5	-2,191
Restricted stock forfeitures to cover employee withholding taxes on vested shares, shares		-569,288
Common stock issued for option exercises	617	2	615
Common stock issued for option exercises, shares		214,084
Stock-based compensation (net of unvested restricted stock forfeitures)	6,776	-1	6,777
Stock-based compensation (net of unvested restricted stock forfeitures), shares		-103,188
Shares repurchased in exchange of options exercised	-55	0	-55
Shares repurchased in exchange of options exercised, shares		-14,036
Shares repurchased as part of share repurchase program	-5,213	-17	-5,196
Shares repurchased as part of share repurchase program, shares		-1,682,191
Net income	11,640			11,640
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,243				1,243
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	82,393	637	273,411	-212,004	20,349
Ending Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013		63,705,585
Issuance of restricted stock		15	-15
Issuance of restricted stock, shares		1,523,559
Restricted stock forfeitures to cover employee withholding taxes on vested shares	-3,575	-6	-3,569
Restricted stock forfeitures to cover employee withholding taxes on vested shares, shares		-606,844
Common stock issued for option exercises	874	3	871
Common stock issued for option exercises, shares	278,813	278,813
Stock-based compensation (net of unvested restricted stock forfeitures)	7,484	-3	7,487
Stock-based compensation (net of unvested restricted stock forfeitures), shares		-272,500
Shares repurchased in exchange of options exercised	0	0	0
Shares repurchased in exchange of options exercised, shares		-15,000
Shares repurchased as part of share repurchase program	-5,944	-11	-5,933
Shares repurchased as part of share repurchase program, shares		-1,109,889
Net income	8,107			8,107
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-3,585				-3,585
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$85,754	$635	$272,252	($203,897)	$16,764
Ending Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014		63,503,724

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$8,107	$11,640	$11,332
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Stock-based compensation	7,484	6,777	5,784
Amortization of deferred financing costs	100	191	99
Depreciation and amortization	7,851	7,374	6,616
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets	3,317	3,351	2,454
Non-cash restructuring and other charges	-107	650	4,167
Provision for doubtful accounts	15	198	-263
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment	-29	-33	2
Deferred income taxes	-173	-645	-4,594
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	2,507	-6,157	-2,303
Unbilled receivables	-6,948	3,384	-352
Other current assets	1,140	-1,089	-2,144
Other assets	-319	-73	4,888
Accounts payable	111	1,467	649
Accrued compensation and benefits	-3,224	1,017	-2,682
Accrued outsourcing	-1,847	1,457	-25
Accrued restructuring	2,638	-1,070	127
Income taxes payable	250	-124	-4,926
Accrued expenses, other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities	-1,800	-384	1,642
Deferred revenue	1,384	1,187	-1,948
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations	20,457	29,118	18,523
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	-8,269	-9,000	-8,464
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	0	0	727
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-4,958	-1,663	-13,879
Net cash used in investing activities	-13,227	-10,663	-21,616
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings on revolving line of credit	7,500	9,550	3,000
Payments of borrowings on revolving line of credit	-7,500	-9,550	-3,000
Proceeds from borrowings on long-term debt	0	300	10,000
Payments of borrowings on long-term debt	0	0	-8,150
Payments of debt issuance costs	-184	-420	0
Payments for share repurchases	-5,944	-5,213	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under stock option plans	874	1,026	1,358
Payments of deferred acquisition obligations	-1,843	-1,147	0
Payments of capital lease obligations	-30	-35	-19
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-7,127	-5,489	3,189
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	103	12,966	96
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-2,077	104	482
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	38,867	25,797	25,219
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$36,893	$38,867	$25,797

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	Nature of the Business
	Lionbridge Technologies, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, “Lionbridge” or the “Company”) provides a suite of globalization solutions to businesses in diverse end markets including technology, internet and media, manufacturing, mobile and telecommunications, life sciences, government, automotive, aerospace and retail. Lionbridge is a leading provider of language, content and testing solutions that enable clients to optimize, release, manage and maintain their technology applications and content globally. Lionbridge’s solutions include product and content globalization; interpretation services; application development and maintenance; software and hardware testing; product certification and competitive analysis. Lionbridge has three operating segments: Global Language and Content (“GLC”), Global Enterprise Solutions (“GES”, formerly referred to as Global Development and Testing, “GDT”) and Interpretation. As part of its GLC solutions, Lionbridge also provides global marketing services and creates and translates technical documentation for clients who market to and support customers in global markets. Lionbridge GLC solutions utilize the Company’s cloud-based technology platform and global service delivery model which make the translation, localization and authoring process more efficient for Lionbridge clients. Through its GES solutions, Lionbridge optimizes and tests and applications and content to ensure the quality, relevance, usability and performance of clients’ applications, online content, consumer technology products and web sites. Lionbridge’s testing services, some of which are offered under the VeriTest brand, also include product certification. Lionbridge has substantial domain experience developing, testing and maintaining applications in a cost-efficient, blended on-site and offshore model. Lionbridge provides interpretation services for government, business and healthcare organizations that require experienced linguists to facilitate communication. Lionbridge has its head office in the United States, with operations in Europe, Asia, India, North America, South America and Latin America.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	Significant Accounting Policies
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Lionbridge reflect the application of certain significant accounting policies as described below:
	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lionbridge and its wholly owned subsidiaries from the effective date of their acquisition or formation. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
	Revenue Recognition
	Lionbridge recognizes revenue as services are performed and amounts are earned. Lionbridge considers amounts to be earned when (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement has been obtained; (2) services are delivered; (3) the fee is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. Determination of criteria (3) and (4) are based on management’s judgments regarding the fixed nature of the fee charged for services rendered and products delivered and the collectability of those fees.
	Lionbridge’s revenue is recorded from the provision of services to customers for GLC, GES and Interpretation services which include content development, product and content globalization, interpretation, software and hardware testing, product certification and application development and maintenance.
	Content development, software and hardware testing, interpretation and application development and maintenance projects are normally time and expense priced contracts, and revenue is recognized using a time and expense basis over the period of performance, primarily based on labor costs incurred to date.
	Product and content globalization and product certification projects are generally fixed price contracts and revenue is recognized as services are delivered. Depending on specific contractual provisions and the nature of the deliverable, revenue is recognized (1) on a proportional performance model based on level of effort, (2) as milestones are achieved or (3) when final deliverables have been met. Amounts billed in excess of revenue recognized are recorded as deferred revenue.
	The delivery of Lionbridge’s GLC services involves and is dependent on the translation and development of content by subcontractors and in-house employees. As the time and cost to translate or produce each word of content within a project is relatively uniform, labor input is reflective of the delivery of the contracted service and an appropriate metric for the measurement of proportional performance in delivering such services. The use of a proportional performance assessment of service delivery requires significant judgment relative to estimating total contract costs, including assumptions relative to the length of time to complete the project, the nature and complexity of the work to be performed, anticipated increases in employee wages and prices for subcontractor services, and the availability of subcontractor services. When adjustments in estimated project costs are identified, anticipated losses, if any, are recognized in the period in which they are determined.
	Lionbridge’s GLC agreements with its customers may provide the customer with a fixed and limited time period following delivery during which Lionbridge will attempt to address any non-conformity to previously agreed upon objective specifications relating to the work, either in the form of a limited acceptance period or a post-delivery warranty period. Management believes recognition of revenue at the time the services are delivered is appropriate, because its obligations under such provisions are limited in time, limited in scope, and historically have not involved significant costs.
	Lionbridge’s GLC segment includes Translation Workspace, the Company’s hosted proprietary, internet-architected translation memory application that simplifies translation management. This cloud-based application is available to translators on a subscription basis. Cloud-based revenue is billed in advance and generally recognized over the subscription period. Incremental overage fees are recognized in the period incurred.
	Lionbridge occasionally provides integrated full-service offerings throughout a client’s product and content lifecycle, including GLC and GES services. For these arrangements where the GLC and GES services have independent value to the customer, and there is evidence of selling price for each service, the combined service arrangement is bifurcated into separate units for accounting treatment. The determination of selling price requires the use of significant judgment. Lionbridge determines the selling price of service revenues based upon its recent pricing for those services when sold separately and/or prevailing market rates for similar services.
	Revenue includes reimbursement of travel, out-of-pocket expenses, certain facilities and hardware costs with equivalent amounts of expense recorded in cost of revenue.
	Estimates for incentive rebates and other allowances are recorded as a reduction of revenues in the period the related revenues are recorded. These estimates are based upon contracted terms, historical experience and information currently available to management with respect to business and economic trends. Revisions of these estimates are recorded in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known.
	Advertising Costs
	Advertising costs are included in sales and marketing expenses and are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs were approximately $0.2 million, $0.3 million, and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Research and Development Costs
	Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and include salaries and associated employee benefits and third-party contractor expenses unless capitalized as costs incurred during the application development stage of software developed for internal use. These costs relate primarily to the Company’s web-based hosted language management technology platform used in the globalization process and its globalization management system.
	Foreign Currency Translation
	The functional currency for each of Lionbridge’s foreign operations is predominantly the local currency of the country in which those operations are based. Revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated into U.S. Dollars at the average rates of exchange during the year. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. Dollars at year-end rates of exchange. The Company has recorded net translation losses of $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 and net gains of $0.8 million and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, in accumulated other comprehensive income, which is a component of stockholders’ equity. These unrealized gains and losses are primarily attributable to the fluctuation in value between the U.S. Dollar and the Euro. For the purpose of disclosure of comprehensive income, Lionbridge does not record tax provisions or benefits for the net changes in foreign currency translation adjustments, as Lionbridge intends to permanently reinvest undistributed earnings in its foreign subsidiaries.
	Realized and unrealized foreign currency transaction gains or losses, arising from exchange rate fluctuations on balances denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies, are included in “Other (income) expense, net” in the consolidated statements of operations and resulted in gains of $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 and losses of $0.9 million and $1.1 million for the years December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Financial Instruments
	Lionbridge may enter into foreign currency forward contracts with commercial banks to hedge exposure to foreign currency assets and liabilities recorded on its balance sheet and utilizes interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk. Changes in the fair value of foreign exchange forward contracts are recorded in the Company’s earnings. The Company had no foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013.
	Lionbridge does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
	Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with a maturity of ninety days or less at the time of purchase. Cash equivalents consist primarily of time deposits and are stated at cost plus accrued interest.
	Unbilled Receivables and Deferred Revenue
	Unbilled receivables represent revenue not yet billed. Unbilled receivables are calculated for each individual project based on the proportional delivery of services at the balance sheet date. Billing of amounts in unbilled receivables occurs according to customer-agreed payment schedules or upon completion of specified project milestones. All of Lionbridge’s projects in unbilled receivables are expected to be billed and collected within one year.
	Deferred revenue represents billings in excess of revenue recognized for work. Deferred revenue is calculated for each individual project and constitutes a performance obligation for which revenue will be recognized as services are delivered.
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization and any recognized impairment loss. Additions and improvements that extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized; maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Upon retirement or other disposition, the cost and related accumulated depreciation of the assets are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in the determination of net income or loss.
	The Company capitalizes costs incurred during the application development stage, which include costs of designing the software configuration and interfaces, coding, installation and testing. Costs incurred during the preliminary project stage along with post-implementation stages of internal use computer software are generally expensed as incurred. Capitalized development costs are amortized over the estimated life of the software, using the straight-line method, beginning with the date that an asset is ready for its intended use. The capitalization and ongoing assessment of development costs requires considerable judgment by management, including, but not limited to, technological feasibility and estimated economic life. Capitalized software is included in “Property and equipment, net” on the consolidated balance sheets.
	The Company's capitalized costs primarily related to the development of internal financial systems and enhancements of internal products. The following table summarizes the capitalized costs and amortization expenses incurred to develop computer software for internal use for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively:
	(In thousands)	2014		2013		2012
	Software developed for internal use	$	2,863	$	2,785	$	3,698
	Amortization expenses for software developed for internal use	2,269		2,057		2,156
	There were no costs associated with the development of software for internal use that was not yet placed into service as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Approximately $1.3 million for 2012 related to costs associated with the development of software for internal use that was not yet placed into service as of December 31, 2012. The capitalized costs placed in service during 2014, 2013 and 2012 are being amortized over two to seven years. Amortization expenses are included in “Depreciation and amortization” in the consolidated statements of operations.
	The cost of property and equipment is depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method, based upon the following asset lives:
			Period
	Computer software and equipment		2 to 7 years
	Furniture and office equipment		3 to 10 years
	Leasehold improvements		Shorter of remaining lease term or useful life of asset
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Lionbridge assesses the impairment of goodwill and acquisition-related intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Such events or conditions could include an economic downturn in the industries to which Lionbridge provides services; increased competition; an increase in operating or other costs; additional volatility in international currencies; the pace of technological improvements; or other information regarding Lionbridge’s market value, such as a reduction in stock price to a price near or below the book value of the Company for an extended period of time. When Lionbridge determines that the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable based upon one or more of these indicators of impairment, the Company initially assesses any impairment using fair value measurements based on projected discounted cash flow valuation models and the market approach. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment on an annual basis. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company performed its annual test of goodwill to determine if an impairment existed. This test determined that each reporting unit’s fair value substantially exceeded the carrying value of the net assets of each respective reporting unit, using projected discounted cash flow modeling. As a result, no impairment was recorded for either year.
	The Company evaluates whether there has been an impairment in the carrying value of its long-lived assets, if circumstances indicate that a possible impairment may exist. An impairment in the carrying value of an asset is assessed when the undiscounted expected future operating cash flows derived from the asset grouping are less than its carrying value. If it is determined that the asset group is impaired then it is written down to its estimated fair value. Factors that could lead to an impairment of its long-lived assets include a worsening in customer attrition rates compared to historical attrition rates, lower than initially anticipated cash flows associated with customer relationships, significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of the acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business, identification of other impaired assets within a reporting unit, disposition of a significant portion of an operating segment, significant negative industry or economic trends, significant decline in the Company’s stock price for a sustained period and a decline in our market capitalization relative to net book value.
	Acquisition-related intangible assets arose from acquisitions made prior to 2012 and the acquisitions of Productive Resources, LLC (“PRI”) in June 2012, Virtual Solutions, Inc. (“VSI”) in November 2012, E5 Global Holdings, Inc. (“E5”) in October 2013, Darwin Zone, S.A. ("Darwin") in May 2014 and Clay Tablet Technologies ("Clay Tablet") in October 2014 and consist of the following, which have been or are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives, except for the customer relationships related to previous acquisitions, of which a portion is being amortized using an economic consumption method:
		Estimated
		Useful
		Life
	Acquisitions prior to 2012:
	Customer relationships		3 to 12 years
	Customer contracts		3 to 5 years
	Internally developed software		1 to 4 years
	PRI, VSI, E5, Darwin and Clay Tablet:
	Developed technology		5 years
	Core technology		10 years
	Customer relationships		2 to 12 years
	Non-compete agreements		1 to 5 years
	Trademark		1 to 3 years
	Income Taxes
	Current income taxes are recorded based on statutory obligations for the current operating period for the various countries in which the Company has operations.
	Deferred income taxes are generally recognized for the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities (temporary differences) multiplied by the enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
	Net Income per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. For purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share, the denominator includes both the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding and the number of dilutive common stock equivalents such as stock options, unvested restricted stock and warrants, as determined using the treasury stock method.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
The Company recognizes expense for stock options, performance-based restricted stock awards and time-based restricted stock awards, which requires recognition of stock-based compensation expense in the statement of operations over the vesting period based on the fair value of the award at the grant date.
The Company has stock-based employee compensation plans which are described more fully in Note 8 to these consolidated financial statements.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, actuarial valuations and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Estimates are used when accounting for the collectability of receivables, calculating revenue based on the proportional delivery of services, and valuing intangible assets, deferred tax assets, net assets of businesses acquired and accrued liabilities associated with compensation. Some of these estimates can be subjective and complex and, consequently, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. However, if different assumptions or conditions were to prevail, the results could be materially different from the amounts recorded.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Total comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss), the net change in the funded status of defined benefit postretirement plans and the net change in foreign currency translation adjustment.
Concentrations of Credit Risk and Significant Customers
Financial instruments which potentially subject Lionbridge to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with several investment-grade financial institutions. Investments consist of time deposits with maturities less than 30 days. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable are limited due to the dispersion of customers across different industries and geographic regions. Hewlett Packard accounted for approximately 11% of consolidated accounts receivable at December 31, 2014 and 2013. Rolls Royce accounted for approximately 12% of the consolidated accounts receivable at December 31, 2014. No other client individually accounted for more than 10% of consolidated accounts receivable at December 31, 2014 or 2013. Lionbridge generally does not require collateral or other security against trade receivable balances; however, it maintains reserves for potential credit losses and such losses have historically been within management’s expectations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Financial instruments are carried in the consolidated financial statements at amounts that approximate fair value at December 31, 2014 and 2013. Fair values are based on market prices and assumptions concerning the amount and timing of estimated future cash flows and assumed discount rates, reflecting varying degrees of perceived risk. The Company recognizes all derivative financial instruments in our consolidated financial statements at fair value. The Company records changes in the fair value of derivative instruments in earnings unless deferred hedge accounting criteria is met. For derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges, the Company records the changes in fair value of both the derivative instrument and the hedged item in earnings.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) which will replace numerous requirements in U.S. GAAP, including industry-specific requirements, and provide companies with a single revenue recognition model for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The core principle of the new standard is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. For the Company, the standard will be effective in the first quarter of 2017. The two permitted transition methods under the new standard are the full retrospective method, in which case the standard would be applied to each prior reporting period presented, or the modified retrospective method, in which case the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application. The Company has not yet selected a transition method. The Company is currently evaluating the potential changes from this ASU to its future financial reporting and disclosures.
In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. Under the new guidance, management will be required to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, and to provide related footnote disclosures in certain circumstances. The provisions of this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and for annual and interim periods thereafter. This ASU is not expected to have an impact on the Company's financial statements or disclosures.
Other new pronouncements issued but not effective until after December 31, 2014 are not expected to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Acquisitions
	Clay Tablet Technologies
	On October 3, 2014, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Clay Tablet, a Canadian-based privately-held provider of integration software that connects content management systems with translation processes and technologies. Clay Tablet is included in the Company’s GLC operating segment. The acquisition can bring additional value to existing clients and secure new business by helping global marketers effectively engage customers and prospects across channels, platforms and geographies with timely, relevant, digital marketing content.
	The total acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred was estimated at $2.8 million. The assets and liabilities associated with Clay Tablet were recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date and the amounts as follows:
	(In thousands)
	Cash	$	19
	Accounts receivable	286
	Other current assets	84
	Property and equipment	8
	Intangible assets	1,502
	Goodwill	1,358
	Total assets	3,257
	Accounts payable	(83		)
	Other liabilities	(327		)
	Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	2,847
	Intangible assets acquired totaling $1.5 million include customer relationships of $1.2 million, developed software of $0.2 million, a non-compete agreement executed by a key employee (“the Non-Competition Agreement”) of less than $0.1 million and a trade name of less than $0.1 million.
	The estimated fair value attributed to the customer relationships was determined based upon a discounted cash flow forecast. Cash flows were discounted at a rate of 23%. The fair value of the customer relationships will be amortized over a period of 5 years on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits of the acquired customer list are expected to be realized. The fair value of the Non-Compete Agreement will be amortized over 3 years on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits of the non-compete agreement is expected to be realized.
	Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and is primarily the result of expected synergies. None of the goodwill or identifiable intangibles associated with this transaction will be deductible for tax purposes.
	Transaction costs related to this acquisition were approximately $0.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2014 and are included in “Restructuring, impairment and other charges” in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.
	Since the date of the acquisition, October 3, 2014, revenue and earnings attributable to Clay Tablet do not have a material impact within the Company's consolidated financial statements. The proforma results of operations including Clay Tablet as if it were acquired at the beginning of all periods presented were not material to the consolidated operating results of the Company in either period presented.
	Darwin Zone, S.A.
	On May 16, 2014, the Company acquired 100% of the shares of Darwin. Darwin, a provider of digital marketing solutions, is included in the Company’s GLC operating segment. The acquisition expands the Company’s delivery model for cost efficient digital marketing solutions in the Central America region.
	The total acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred was estimated at $2.4 million. The assets and liabilities associated with Darwin were recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date and the amounts as follows:
	(In thousands)
	Cash	$	36
	Accounts receivable and unbilled receivables	698
	Other current assets	115
	Property and equipment	206
	Intangible assets	824
	Goodwill	984
	Total assets	2,863
	Accounts payable	(222		)
	Other liabilities	(249		)
	Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	2,392
	Intangible assets acquired totaling $0.8 million include customer relationships of $0.7 million, a non-compete agreement executed by a key employee (“the Non-Competition Agreement”) of $0.1 million and a trade name of less than $0.1 million.
	The estimated fair value attributed to the customer relationships was determined based upon a discounted cash flow forecast. Cash flows were discounted at a rate of 22%. The fair value of the customer relationships will be amortized over a period of 5 years on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits of the acquired customer list are expected to be realized. The fair value of the Non-Competition Agreement will be amortized over 5 years on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits of the non-compete agreement is expected to be realized.
	Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and is primarily the result of expected synergies. None of the goodwill or identifiable intangibles associated with this transaction will be deductible for tax purposes.
	Transaction costs related to this acquisition were less than $0.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2014 and are included in “Restructuring, impairment and other charges” in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.
	The Company has recorded $2.3 million of revenue attributable to Darwin within the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014. Earnings attributable to Darwin did not have a material impact within the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014. The proforma results of operations included Darwin as if it were acquired at the beginning of all periods presented were not material to the consolidated operating results of the Company in any period presented.
	E5 Global Holdings, Inc.
	On October 2, 2013, the Company acquired 100% of the shares of E5, a U.S.-based privately-held provider of application development and testing solutions with a track record of providing secure, high-quality testing services using a China-based delivery model. The acquisition enables the Company to expand its presence in China, meet growing demand for integrated onshore and offshore solutions and access E5’s long-standing relationships with clients in the hospitality and financial services industries. The results of operations of E5 are included in the Company’s results of operations from the date of acquisition. E5 is included in the Company’s GES operating segment.
	The Company made an initial cash payment of approximately $1.4 million at closing with an additional $0.2 million of deferred purchase consideration due on the first anniversary of the closing date. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, the former owners of E5 would also be eligible to receive additional cash consideration up to $2.2 million, contingent on the fulfillment of certain revenue-based financial conditions during the two years ended September 30, 2015. Using a discounted cash flow method, the Company recorded an estimated liability related to the earn-out of $0.3 million as of the acquisition date and as of March 31, 2014. On June 30, 2014, the Company and the former owners agreed to the early release of the $0.2 million of deferred consideration. The parties also agreed to satisfaction in full of the Company’s obligations with respect to any contingent payments that may become due in the future in exchange for payment, on June 30, 2014, of $0.2 million to the former owners. As a result of the early payment of the contingent payment for $0.2 million, the Company recorded $0.1 million reduction in expense in restructuring, impairment and other charges in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.
	The total acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred was estimated at $1.9 million as follows:
	(In thousands)
	Initial cash payment .	$	1,393
	Deferred cash payment	225
	Fair value of deferred cash payments	309
	Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	1,927
	The assets and liabilities associated with E5 were recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date and the amounts as follows:
	(In thousands)
	Cash .	$	104
	Accounts receivable and unbilled receivables	589
	Other assets	104
	Intangible assets	397
	Goodwill	943
	Total assets	2,137
	Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(210		)
	Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	1,927
	Intangible assets acquired totaling $0.4 million include customer relationships of $0.3 million, non-compete agreements executed by key employees (“the Non-Competition Agreements”) of less than $0.1 million, and a trademark of less than $0.1 million. The estimated fair value attributed to the intangible assets was determined based upon a discounted cash flow forecast using a discount rate of 17%.
	The fair value of the customer relationships will be amortized over a period of 5 years on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits of the customer relationships and trademark are expected to be realized.
	The fair value of the Non-Competition Agreements and trademark will be amortized over 1 year on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits of the non-compete agreement is expected to be realized.
	Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and is primarily the result of expected synergies and the value of the assembled workforce. None of the goodwill or identifiable intangibles associated with this transaction will be deductible for tax purposes.
	Transaction costs related to this acquisition were approximately $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, and are included in “Restructuring, impairment and other charges” in the consolidated statement of operations.
	Revenue attributable to E5 within the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 was not material. Earnings attributable to E5 did not have a material impact within the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended December, 31 2013.
Virtual Solutions, Inc.
On November 30, 2012, the Company acquired VSI, a provider of crowdsourcing solutions to state and local governments. VSI is included in the Company’s GES operating segment. The acquisition enables the Company to address growing demand for secure, technology-enabled enterprise crowdsourcing solutions that leverage a pre-qualified global talent pool or “private crowd” and a highly-secure technology platform to manage and complete business projects.
The Company paid $3.4 million in cash upon closing, $1.0 million of deferred cash consideration, and a $3.0 million contingent potential payable in cash over the course of three years for the acquisition of VSI. The purchase price and goodwill is subject to change upon settlement of post-closing adjustments related to the working capital payment which was completed during December 2012 and the Company paid $0.4 million in January 2013, which is included in the $1.0 million of deferred cash consideration. Using a discounted cash flow method, the Company recorded an estimated liability related to the earn-out of $1.5 million for the three years as of the acquisition date. During the first year, $0.9 million was earned and paid to the former shareholders of VSI in February 2014 based on the achievement of the financial metrics for the first year of the contingent period. The estimated liability for the remaining two years is $1.5 million as of December 31, 2014, of which $0.7 million was paid to the former shareholders of VSI in February 2015 based on the achievement of the financial metrics for the second year of the contingent period.
The total acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred was estimated at $6.3 million as follows:
(In thousands)
Initial cash payment	$	3,449
Fair value of deferred and contingent earn-out cash payments	2,882
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	6,331
The assets and liabilities associated with VSI were recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date and the amounts as follows:
(In thousands)
Cash	$	4
Accounts receivable	529
Other current assets	2
Intangible assets	3,880
Goodwill	3,713
Total assets	8,128
Accounts payable	(20		)
Accrued expenses	(29		)
Other liabilities	(93		)
Deferred tax liabilities	(1,504		)
Debt	(151		)
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	6,331
Intangible assets acquired totaling $3.9 million include developed technology of $1.7 million, core technology of $1.1 million, customer relationships of $0.9 million, non-compete agreements executed by key employees (“the Non-Competition Agreements”) of $0.2 million, and a trademark of less than $0.1 million.
The estimated fair value attributed to the developed technology was determined based upon a discounted cash flow forecast utilizing a multi-period excess earning method. Cash flows were discounted at a rate of 19%. The developed technology will be amortized over a period of 5 years on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits of the developed technology is expected to be realized.
The estimated fair value attributed to the core technology was determined based upon a discounted cash flow forecast utilizing a relief from royalty method. Cash flows were discounted at a rate of 26%. The core technology will be amortized over a period of 10 years on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits of the core technology is expected to be realized.
The estimated fair value attributed to the customer relationships and trademark were determined based upon a discounted cash flow forecast. Cash flows were discounted at a rate of 23%. The fair value of the customer relationships and trademark will be amortized over a period of 2 years on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits of the customer relationships and trademark are expected to be realized.
The fair value of the Non-Competition Agreements will be amortized over 4 years on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits of the non-compete agreement is expected to be realized. Cash flows were discounted at a rate of 23%.
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and is primarily the result of expected synergies. None of the goodwill or identifiable intangibles associated with this transaction will be deductible for tax purposes.
Transaction costs related to this acquisition were $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, and are included in “Restructuring, impairment and other charges” in the consolidated statements of operations.
Consolidated revenues and net income for 2012 attributable to VSI since the acquisition date were not material.
Productive Resources, LLC
On June 1, 2012, the Company acquired PRI for $10.5 million in cash, (including the effect of preliminary working capital adjustments) and deferred payments totaling $2.0 million that are payable in three annual payments starting on the first anniversary of the acquisition date. PRI is a provider of outsourced technical engineering, documentation and drafting solutions. PRI is included in the Company’s GLC operating segment. PRI provides Lionbridge with operations in the Midwestern region of the United States and long-standing relationships with clients in the manufacturing sector. The acquisition also expands the Company’s delivery model for addressing all aspects of client’s global content lifecycle, including drafting, illustration, documentation, translation and support.
The total acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred was estimated at $12.4 million as follows:
(In thousands)
Initial cash payment	$	10,457
Fair value of deferred cash payments	1,936
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	12,393
The assets and liabilities associated with PRI were recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date and the amounts as follows:
(In thousands)
Cash	$	27
Accounts receivable	2,077
Unbilled receivables	967
Prepaid and other assets	118
Property and equipment	240
Intangible assets	7,500
Goodwill	5,264
Total assets	16,193
Accounts payable	(82		)
Accrued compensation and benefits	(704		)
Other liabilities	(62		)
Deferred tax liabilities	(2,952		)
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	12,393
Intangible assets acquired totaling $7.5 million include customer relationships of $6.2 million and a non-compete agreement executed by a key employee (“the Non-Competition Agreement”) of $1.3 million. A measurement period adjustment to the income tax provision in the amount of $0.2 million was recorded in connection with this acquisition.
The estimated fair value attributed to the customer relationships was determined based upon a discounted cash flow forecast. Cash flows were discounted at a rate of 16%. The fair value of the customer relationships will be amortized over a period of 12 years on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits of the customer relationships are expected to be realized.
The fair value of the Non-Competition Agreement will be amortized over 5 years on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits of the non-compete agreement is expected to be realized.
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and is primarily the result of expected synergies. None of the goodwill or identifiable intangibles associated with this transaction will be deductible for tax purposes. Post-closing adjustments related to working capital payment were settled in the second quarter of 2014 and did not result in any changes in goodwill.
The unaudited pro forma information presented in the following table summarizes the Company’s consolidated results of operations for the periods presented, as if the acquisition of PRI had occurred on January 1, 2011. The pro forma financial information is presented for comparative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that actually would have been achieved if the acquisition had taken place at the beginning of 2012, nor is it intended to be a projection of future results.
	Unaudited
	Year ended December 31,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2012
Revenue	$	461,932
Net income	$	11,960
Basic earnings per share	$	0.2
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.2
The Company has recorded $10.9 million and $6.2 million of revenue attributable to PRI within its consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Earnings attributable to PRI did not have a material impact within the Company's consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment consisted of the following at December 31:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Computer software and equipment	$	46,611		$	44,183
	Furniture and office equipment	3,438			3,595
	Leasehold improvements	15,898			12,535
	Property and equipment, gross	65,947			60,313
	Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(42,325		)	(39,345		)
	Total	$	23,622		$	20,968
	Depreciation and amortization expense was $7.9 million, $7.4 million and $6.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	In certain jurisdictions, the Company makes significant improvements or modifications to its leased office space. Where the cost of restoring leased office space to its original condition at the end of the lease is material, the Company measures an asset retirement obligation (“ARO”), which is recorded at fair value proportionately with the improvements or modifications that will result in the future cost of removal. The table below sets forth the rollforward of ARO balances for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
	(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	950
	Liabilities recorded	560
	Liabilities settled	(87		)
	Accretion expense and currency impact	13
	Balance at December 31, 2013	1,436
	Liabilities recorded	72
	Liabilities settled	(88		)
	Accretion expense and currency impact	(98		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	1,322
	ARO’s are recorded in “Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other long-term liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheet.

Goodwill_and_AcquisitionRelate

Goodwill and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets
	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill on a total consolidated basis and by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:
	(In thousands)	GLC			GES			Interpretation		Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012, gross	$	125,851		$	13,388		$	—	$	139,239
	Accumulated goodwill impairment	(120,587		)	—			—		(120,587		)
	Balance at December 31, 2012, net	5,264			13,388			—		18,652
	Acquisition of E5	—			943			—		943
	Balance at December 31, 2013, gross	125,851			14,331			—		140,182
	Accumulated goodwill impairment	(120,587		)	—			—		(120,587		)
	Balance at December 31, 2013, net	5,264			14,331			—		19,595
	Acquisition of Darwin	984			—			—		984
	Acquisition of Clay Tablet	1,358			—			—		1,358
	Balance at December 31, 2014, gross	128,193			14,331			—		142,524
	Accumulated goodwill impairment	(120,587		)	—			—		(120,587		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014, net	$	7,606		$	14,331		$	—	$	21,937
	Included in “Acquisition-related intangible assets, net” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet are acquisition-related intangible assets that are subject to amortization. The following table summarizes acquisition-related intangible assets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively:
		31-Dec-14								31-Dec-13
	(In thousands)	Gross			Accumulated			Balance		Gross			Accumulated			Balance
		Carrying			Amortization					Carrying			Amortization
		Value								Value
	Acquired customer relationships	$	41,240		$	(31,989	)	$	9,251	$	39,390		$	(29,564	)	$	9,826
	Acquired customer contracts	14,000			(14,000		)	—		14,000			(14,000		)	—
	Acquired technology	5,327			(3,272		)	2,055		5,117			(2,804		)	2,313
	Non-compete agreements	1,675			(819		)	856		1,500			(465		)	1,035
	Acquired trademark	178			(108		)	70		87			(35		)	52
	Total	$	62,420		$	(50,188	)	$	12,232	$	60,094		$	(46,868	)	$	13,226
	Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets was $3.3 million, $3.4 million and $2.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Estimated future annual amortization expense related to these intangible assets is as follows:
	Year ended December 31, (in thousands)
	2015	$	2,923
	2016	2,703
	2017	2,065
	2018	1,067
	2019	871
	2020 and thereafter	2,603
	Total	$	12,232
	Impairment
	Lionbridge has three reporting units: (1) GLC, (2) GES, and (3) Interpretation. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, no goodwill was assigned to our Interpretation reporting unit. The Company performs an annual impairment test of its goodwill as required under the provisions of ASC 350 on December 31 and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. ASC 350 requires that the impairment test be performed through the application of a two-step process. The first step compares the carrying value of the Company’s reporting units to their estimated fair values as of the test date. If fair value is less than carrying value, a second step is performed to quantify the amount of the impairment, if any. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company performed its annual impairment test for goodwill at the reporting unit level and, after conducting the first step, determined that it was not necessary to conduct the second step as it concluded that the fair value of its reporting units substantially exceeded their carrying value. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company determined no adjustment to goodwill was necessary.
	For intangible assets and other long-lived assets, the Company assesses the carrying value of these assets whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset, or asset group, to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset, or asset group. In 2012, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $4.0 million related to certain software license and capitalized development costs related to automated machine translation technology licensed from IBM Corporation and $0.2 million related to real property of the Company located in Wuppertal, Germany being held for sale at a value lower than its carrying value.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt
	On October 30, 2013, the Company amended and restated the Credit Agreement with HSBC Bank, as Administrative Agent and a lender, and a syndicate of other lenders (the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”). The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement includes a $65 million senior secured revolving credit facility, which includes a $10 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit and a $10 million sublimit for swing-line loans. The Company may request, at any time and from time to time, that the revolving credit facility be increased by an amount not to exceed $35 million, dependent upon certain conditions. The interest rates are in the range of Prime Rate plus 0.25%—1.00% or LIBOR plus 1.25%—2.00% (at the Company’s discretion), depending on certain conditions. This facility expires on October 30, 2018, after which time the Company may need to secure new financing. The Company cannot assure that it will be able to secure new financing, or financing on terms that are acceptable. At December 31, 2014, $27 million was outstanding with an interest rate of 1.41%. The fair value of debt approximates its current value of $27 million as of December 31, 2014, and would be classified as a Level 2 measurement due to the use of inputs based on similar liabilities in the market.
	The Company is required to maintain leverage and fixed charge coverage ratios and to comply with other covenants in its revolving credit agreement. The leverage ratio is calculated by dividing the Company’s total outstanding indebtedness at each quarter end by its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and certain other non-cash expenses during the four consecutive quarterly periods then ended. The fixed charge coverage ratio is calculated by dividing the Company’s adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and certain other non-cash expenses minus capital expenditures for each consecutive four quarterly periods by its interest paid and cash paid on taxes during each such consecutive four quarterly periods. The Company was in compliance with both of these ratios as well as all other financial covenants as of December 31, 2014.
	On January 2, 2015 the Company entered into amended and restated the Credit Agreement discussed above. See note 19—Subsequent Events for further details.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	Operating Lease Commitments
	The Company leases certain equipment and office space under noncancelable agreements which expire at various dates through 2026. Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases (excluding recognition of sublease income) at December 31, 2014 were as follows:
	Year ended December 31, (in thousands)
	2015	$	12,497
	2016	9,902
	2017	5,840
	2018	5,307
	2019	6,547
	Thereafter	18,079
		$	58,172
	Lionbridge recorded total rental expense of $12.7 million, $13.4 million and $13.5 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Guarantor Arrangements
	When as part of an acquisition the Company acquires all of the stock or all of the assets and liabilities of a company, the Company assumes the liability for certain events or occurrences that took place prior to the date of acquisition. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make for such obligations is undeterminable at this time.
	Under the terms of the Company’s existing Credit Agreement dated as of October 30, 2013, with HSBC Bank USA, National Association, the Company has guaranteed the obligations of certain of its subsidiaries that are borrowers under the terms of the Credit Agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make for such obligations is equal to the maximum amount of borrowings under the Credit Agreement at such time.
	Lionbridge enters into services agreements in the ordinary course of business with its customers. Most of these agreements require us to indemnify the customers against third party claims alleging that deliverables provided by Lionbridge infringe on a patent, copyright or other proprietary rights. Certain of these agreements require Lionbridge to indemnify the customers against certain claims relating to property damage, personal injury or the acts or omissions of Lionbridge, its employees, agents or representatives.
	From time to time, Lionbridge may guarantee the performance by its subsidiaries of contractual obligations to customers under the terms of services agreements entered into with customers in the ordinary course of business.
	Based upon Lionbridge’s historical experience, contractual limitations of liability applicable to such indemnities, and information known as of December 31, 2014, the Company believes its liability on the above guarantees and indemnities at December 31, 2014 not material.
	Contingencies
	From time to time the Company is subject to litigation and claims in the ordinary course of business. The Company is not currently subject to any litigation that management considers material.

Stockholders_Equity_and_StockB

Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation	Stockholders’ Equity and Stock-Based Compensation
	Share Repurchasing Program
	On October 30, 2012, Lionbridge’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchasing program for up to $18 million over three years. During the program, the Company is authorized to repurchase Lionbridge common shares with a total value up to $6 million per year, subject to certain market rate conditions. The Company made the following purchases since the program’s inception:
		2014							2013
	(In thousands)	$				Shares			$				Shares
	Shares repurchased under our share repurchase program	$	5,944			1,110			$	5,213			1,682
	Stock Option Plans
	On May 3, 2011, the stockholders of Lionbridge Technologies, Inc. approved the Lionbridge 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”), which had been previously adopted by the Lionbridge Board of Directors on January 27, 2011 and replaces the Lionbridge 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”). The 2011 Plan, as amended, provides for the issuance of 8,500,000 shares of common stock to officers, employees, non-employee directors and other key persons of Lionbridge and its subsidiaries in the form of stock options, shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units and other forms of equity. Options to purchase common stock under the 2011 Plan are granted at the discretion of the Board of Directors and the Nominating and Compensation Committee. Generally, stock options granted under the 2011 Plan vest over a four-year period: 25% of the option shares vest one year from the date of grant and the remaining option shares vest at the rate of 12.5% each six month period thereafter. Stock options generally expire five to ten years from the date of grant under the 2011 Plan. Under the terms of the 2011 Plan, the exercise price of incentive and non-qualified stock option grants must not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the 2011 Plan are amortized using a straight-line basis over the option vesting period. At December 31, 2014, there were 2,701,328 shares available for future grant under the 2011 Plan.
	Lionbridge’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) provided for the issuance of incentive and nonqualified stock options. The maximum number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2005 Plan is 8,500,000 shares and the 2005 Plan expired on May 3, 2011. There are no options available for future grant under the 2005 Plan. Options to purchase common stock are granted at the discretion of the Board of Directors and the Nominating and Compensation Committee. Generally, stock options vest over a four-year period: 25% of the option shares vest one year from the date of grant and the remaining option shares vest at the rate of 12.5% each six month period thereafter. Stock options generally expire five to ten years from the date of grant under the 2005 Plan. Under the terms of the 2005 Plan, the exercise price of incentive and non-qualified stock option grants must not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Options are amortized using a straight line basis over the option vesting period.
	Lionbridge’s 1998 Stock Option Plan (the “1998 Plan”) provided for the issuance of incentive and nonqualified stock options. The maximum number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the Plan is 11,722,032 shares and the 1998 Plan expired on January 26, 2008. There are no future options available for future grant under the 1998 Plan. Options to purchase common stock are granted at the discretion of the Board of Directors and the Nominating and Compensation Committee. Generally, stock options vest over a four-year period: 25% of the option shares vest one year from the date of grant and the remaining option shares vest at the rate of 12.5% each six month period thereafter. Stock options generally expire ten years (five years in certain cases) from the date of grant under the 1998 Plan. Under the terms of the 1998 Plan, the exercise price of incentive stock options granted must not be less than 100% (110% in certain cases) of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant, as determined by the Board of Directors. The exercise price of nonqualified stock options may be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant, as determined by the Board of Directors, but in no case may the exercise price be less than the statutory minimum, the par value per share of Lionbridge’s common stock.
	Stock Option Activity
	The following table summarizes stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted Avg.				Weighted Avg.		Aggregate
		Options			Exercise				Remaining		Intrinsic Value
					Price				Contractual		(in thousands)
									Life (years)
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2013	2,231,095			$	3.87
	Granted	251,810			5.44
	Exercised	(278,813	)		3.53						$	789
	Canceled (forfeited and expired)	(142,625	)		5.4
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2014	2,061,467			$	4			3.4		$	3,811
	Vested or expected to vest as of December 31, 2014	1,917,642			$	3.8			3.5		$	3,756
	Exercisable as of December 31, 2014	1,354,845			$	3.63			2.3		$	2,889
	The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total intrinsic value, based on the Company’s common stock closing price of $5.75 as of December 31, 2014, which would have been received by the option holders had all in-the-money option holders exercised their options as of that date.
	The weighted-average grant date fair value of options, as determined under ASC 718 granted during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $4.00, $3.87 and $2.79 per share respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was approximately $0.8 million, $0.4 million and $1.2 million, respectively. The total cash received from employees as a result of employee stock option exercises during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was approximately $1.0 million, $0.6 million and $1.7 million, respectively. The total fair value of shares vested during the year ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $0.7 million, $0.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively.
	The Company settles employee stock option exercises with newly issued shares of common stock.
	Valuation Assumptions for Stock Options
	For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, 251,810, 350,000 and 422,500 stock options were granted, respectively. The fair value of each option was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Risk-free interest rate	1.30 to 2.00%			0.54 to 0.62%			0.50 to 0.83%
	Expected volatility	53.6 to 71.7%			58.9 to 66.7%			69.3 to 80.2%
	Expected life (years)	4.00—6.25			4			4
	Dividend yield	0	%		0	%		0	%
	The expected life represents the weighted average period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding giving consideration to vesting schedules and the Company’s historical exercise patterns. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for periods corresponding with the expected life of the option.
	Restricted Stock Awards
	Lionbridge issued 1,421,500 and 193,641 shares of restricted common stock and restricted stock units, respectively, under the Company’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan, during the year ended December 31, 2014 representing a fair market value of $8.8 million. Of the total 1,615,141 shares of restricted common stock and restricted stock units issued in the year ended December 31, 2014, 1,287,141 have restrictions on disposition which lapse over four years from the date of grant, 35,592 have restrictions on disposition which lapse over thirteen months from the grant date and 328,000 shares of restricted common stock were granted to certain employees through the long-term incentive plan (the “LTIP”) as long-term performance-based stock incentive awards under the Company’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan. Pursuant to the terms of the LTIP, restrictions with respect to the stock will generally lapse upon the achievement of revenue and profitability targets within the two calendar years from and including the year of grant. The grant date fair value of the shares is recognized over the requisite period of performance once achievement of criteria is deemed probable. On a quarterly basis, the Company estimates the likelihood of achieving performance goals and records expense accordingly. Actual results, and future changes in estimates, may differ substantially from the Company’s current estimates. If the targets are not achieved, the shares will be forfeited by the employee based on percent completion of revenue and profitability targets within the measurement period.
	The weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock awards granted during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $5.44, $3.90 and $2.80 per share, respectively. The total fair value of restricted stock awards vested during the year ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $5.5 million, $6.9 million and $3.9 million, respectively.
	The following table summarizes non-vested restricted stock awards activity for the year ended December 31, 2014:
		Non-vested			Grant Date Fair
		Number of			Value
		Restricted Share
		Awards
	Non-vested balance at December 31, 2013	4,779,626			$	3.39
	Granted	1,615,141			5.44
	Vested	(1,728,130	)		3.15
	Forfeited	(300,375	)		4.21
	Non-vested balance at December 31, 2014	4,366,262			$	4.23
	The following tables summarize non-vested restricted stock awards activity that are performance based and time-based for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
		Non-vested Number of Restricted Share Performance Based Awards			Non-vested Number of Restricted Shares
					Time-Based Awards
	Non-vested balance at December 31, 2011	1,256,000			3,092,825
	Granted	412,500			1,678,121
	Vested	(285,649	)		(1,099,473	)
	Forfeited	(15,351	)		(83,438	)
	Non-vested balance at December 31, 2012	1,367,500			3,588,035
	Granted	377,000			1,391,068
	Vested	(567,300	)		(1,263,039	)
	Forfeited	(27,700	)		(85,938	)
	Non-vested balance at December 31, 2013	1,149,500			3,630,126
	Granted	328,000			1,287,141
	Vested	(412,500	)		(1,315,630	)
	Forfeited	(70,000	)		(230,375	)
	Non-vested balance at December 31, 2014	995,000			3,371,262
	Number of			Weighted Avg.		Unamortized				Aggregate
	Non-vest Restricted Share Awards			Remaining		Stock-based Compensation Expense				Intrinsic Value
				Recognition Period (years)		(in thousands)				(in thousands) (1)
Non-vested Restricted Share Performance Based Awards	995,000			0.98		$	723			$	5,721
Non-vested Restricted Share Time-Based Awards	3,371,262			2.45		$	7,726			$	19,378
-1	Based on difference between closing market value of Company's stock on December 31, 2014 of $5.75 and the exercise price of the awards of $0.00.
Stock-based Compensation
The Company recognizes expense for stock options, performance-based restricted stock awards and time-based restricted stock awards pursuant to the authoritative guidance. Total compensation expense related to stock options, performance-based restricted stock awards and time-based restricted stock awards are classified in the condensed consolidated statements of operations line items as follows:
		December 31,
(In thousands)		2014				2013				2012
Cost of revenue		$	125			$	86			$	108
Sales and marketing		2,222				1,257				1,122
General and administrative		5,054				5,385				4,502
Research and development		83				49				52
Total stock-based compensation expense		$	7,484			$	6,777			$	5,784
As of December 31, 2014, future compensation cost related to non-vested stock options, less estimated forfeitures, is approximately $0.9 million and will be recognized over an estimated weighted-average period of approximately 2.2 years. Lionbridge currently expects to amortize $8.5 million of unamortized compensation in connection with restricted stock awards outstanding as of December 31, 2014 over an estimated weighted-average period of approximately 2.3 years.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The components of income (loss) before income taxes were as follows:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	United States	$	(2,894	)	$	3,939		$	3,626
	Foreign	14,377			9,725			4,775
	Income before income taxes	$	11,483		$	13,664		$	8,401
	The components of the provision for (benefit from) income taxes were as follows:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	70		$	144		$	208
	State	284			279			425
	Foreign	3,522			2,246			982
	Total current provision	$	3,876		$	2,669		$	1,615
	Deferred:
	Foreign	$	(500	)	$	(645	)	$	(99	)
	Domestic	—			—			(4,447		)
	Total deferred (benefit) provision	(500		)	(645		)	(4,546		)
	Total provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	3,376		$	2,024		$	(2,931	)
	The differences between the income tax provision and income taxes computed using the applicable U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 34 percent are as follows for the years ended December 31:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	Statutory tax provision	$	3,905		$	4,714		$	2,856
	State income taxes	216			427			704
	Tax rate differential for international jurisdictions and related items	(3,266		)	(2,245		)	(2,209		)
	Changes in reserves for uncertain tax positions	409			(401		)	(901		)
	Valuation allowance	(325		)	(5,143		)	(9,676		)
	Stock-based compensation	329			(9		)	(76		)
	Officers' compensation	625			154			227
	Acquisition costs	255			—			—
	Foreign exchange gain	453			446			519
	Permanent differences	670			1,248			2,353
	Rate change on deferred	39			2,156			3,290
	Other	66			677			(18		)
	Effective tax provision (benefit)	$	3,376		$	2,024		$	(2,931	)
	Lionbridge’s provision for (benefit from) income taxes and our effective income tax rate are significantly impacted by the mix of our domestic and foreign income (loss) before income taxes. Our cost-based transfer pricing model for certain of our foreign affiliates generally results in foreign income. The foreign tax provision on that foreign income is calculated using the enacted statutory rates in those jurisdictions, which currently range from 12.5% to 38.7%. However, in periods where our consolidated income (loss) before income tax is marginal, because of the significance of our foreign operations and our cost-based transfer pricing methodology such foreign profits could exceed consolidated income before taxes and the associated foreign tax provision could result in an overall effective income tax rate that is disproportionate to the consolidated income (loss) before income taxes. Additionally, the provision of a full valuation allowance against our domestic net deferred tax assets results in no U.S. tax benefit recognized for domestic losses, which further impacts the overall consolidated effective income tax rate in periods where the foreign operations have income and the domestic operations reports a loss.
	The consolidated deferred tax assets (liabilities) of the Company were as follows at December 31:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	U.S. net operating loss carryforwards	$	25,504		$	26,130
	Foreign net operating loss carryforwards	39,948			46,661
	Amortization and depreciation of long-lived assets	(1,589		)	(2,287		)
	Goodwill amortization	2,339			2,743
	Reserves and accruals	804			936
	Tax credits carryforwards	840			1,138
	Stock-based compensation	4,023			6,763
	Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss	(231		)	656
	Deferred revenue	415			330
	Other	1,292			96
	Valuation allowance	(71,724		)	(82,038		)
	Net deferred tax asset	$	1,621		$	1,128
	The net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013 both relate primarily to net operating loss carryforwards in foreign jurisdictions and stock-based compensation.
	Lionbridge’s management has evaluated the positive and negative evidence in assessing the realizability of its deferred tax assets. This assessment included the evaluation of scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, estimates of projected future taxable income and tax-planning strategies. Under the applicable accounting standards, management has determined that with the exception of certain foreign tax jurisdictions, it is more-likely-than-not that Lionbridge will not generate sufficient future taxable income to benefit from the tax assets prior to their expiration. Accordingly, full valuation allowances have been maintained against those deferred tax assets.
	As of December 31, 2014, management determined that, under the more-likely-than-not standard, certain assets would not be realized and recorded a reduction to net deferred tax assets of $0.6 million. Management reevaluates the need for a valuation allowance periodically based on the weight of positive and negative evidence.
	At December 31, 2014, Lionbridge had net operating loss carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes of $74.7 million that may be used to offset future taxable income, which begin to expire in 2020. Of this amount, $10.8 million relates to deductions from the exercise of stock options. The future benefit from these deductions will be recorded as a credit to additional paid-in capital when realized. The Company has federal research and development tax credits which may be used to offset future income tax of $0.1 million, which begin to expire in 2018. Additionally, Lionbridge has non-U.S. net operating loss carryforwards of $154.0 million which begin to expire in 2014.
	At December 31, 2014, unrepatriated earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries totaled $116.3 million. No provision for U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes has been made for unrepatriated foreign earnings because it is expected that such earnings will be reinvested indefinitely or the distribution of any remaining amount would be principally offset by foreign tax credits. Determination of the potential deferred income tax liability on these unrepatriated earnings is not practicable due to uncertainty regarding the remittance structure, the mix of earnings and profits pools in the year of remittance, and the overall complexity of the calculation.
	Under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, certain substantial changes in Lionbridge’s ownership may limit in the future the amount of net operating loss carryforwards that could be used annually to offset future taxable income and income tax liability.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
	(In thousands)	Total
	Balance at January 1, 2012	$	4,493
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	491
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(85		)
	Reductions for audit settlements of prior years	(194		)
	Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(884		)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	3,821
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	305
	Reductions for audit settlements of prior years	(7		)
Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(541		)
Balance at December 31, 2013	3,578
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	709
Reductions for audit settlements of prior years	—
Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(522		)
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	3,765
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $3.8 million and $3.6 million, respectively, which, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in future periods. Lionbridge accrues interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of its provision for income taxes. The total amount of accrued interest and penalties related to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits was $1.5 million and $1.4 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that approximately $0.8 million of its unrecognized tax benefits, consisting of several items in various jurisdictions, may be recognized by the end of 2015 as a result of a lapse of the statute of limitations. The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. and various states and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years 2009 through present. The tax years which remain subject to examination by tax authorities in foreign jurisdictions, as of December 31, 2014, include years 2004 through present. Carryforward attributes that were generated in earlier periods remain subject to examination to the extent the year in which they were used or will be used remains open for examination. Examinations are currently underway in certain jurisdictions including Canada, Finland, and India as of December 31, 2014.
In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists.” Under this ASU, unrecognized tax benefits will be netted against all available same-jurisdiction loss or other tax carryforwards that would be utilized, rather than only against carryforwards that are created by unrecognized tax benefits. The provisions of this ASU are effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2013. Lionbridge has elected to early adopt the ASU, however, it does not have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

Restructuring_Charges

Restructuring Charges	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring Charges	Restructuring Charges
	The following table summarizes the restructuring charges for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	Restructuring charges recorded for employee severance	$	4,281		$	3,244		$	3,273
	Restructuring charges recorded for vacated facility/lease termination	246			283			328
	Total restructuring charges recorded	$	4,527		$	3,527		$	3,601
	Cash payments related to liabilities recorded on exit or disposal activities	$	2,513		$	4,514		$	2,674
	For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, restructuring charges for workforce reductions and additional costs recorded for a previously vacated facility in order to reflect changes in initial estimates of a sublease arrangement due to current economic conditions are recorded pursuant to the guidance of ASC 420, “Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations” (“ASC 420”) and ASC 712, “Compensation—Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits” (“ASC 712”), and related literature. The charges and cash payments are primarily related to the Company's GLC segment.
	The following table summarizes the restructuring reserve activity for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	Beginning balance, January 1	$	2,807		$	3,794		$	2,867
	Employee severance:
	Restructuring charges recorded	4,281			3,244			3,273
	Cash payments related to liabilities recorded on exit or disposal activities	(2,185		)	(4,220		)	(2,294		)
	Net employee severance activity	$	2,096		$	(976	)	$	979
	Vacated facility/lease termination:
	Restructuring charges recorded	$	—		$	35		$	—
	Changes in estimated liabilities	246			248			328
	Cash payments related to liabilities recorded on exit or disposal activities	(328		)	(294		)	(380		)
	Net vacated facility/lease termination activity	(82		)	(11		)	(52		)
	Ending balance, December 31,	$	4,821		$	2,807		$	3,794
	At December 31, 2014, the consolidated balance sheet includes accruals totaling $4.8 million primarily related to employee termination costs and vacated facilities. Lionbridge currently anticipates that $3.5 million of this will be fully utilized in 2015. The remaining $1.3 million relates to lease obligations on unused facilities expiring through 2026 and is included in long-term liabilities.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements
	ASC 820 – Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”) provides a framework for measuring fair value and requires expanded disclosures regarding fair value measurements. ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or the exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available. The following summarizes the three levels of inputs required by the standard that Lionbridge uses to measure fair value, as well as the assets and liabilities that the Company values using those levels of inputs.
	Level 1:	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Lionbridge did not have any financial assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2014 designated as Level 1.
	Level 2:	Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the related assets or liabilities. As a result of the PRI acquisition in 2012 Lionbridge acquired a $2.0 million promissory note, using an interest rate similar to quoted market rates for a similar liability, to be paid in three installments and matures in June 2015.
	Level 3:	Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Lionbridge has contingent and deferred consideration assumed as a result of the VSI and Clay Tablet acquisitions of $1.8 million as of December 31, 2014 and has contingent and deferred consideration assumed as a result of the VSI and E5 acquisitions of $3.1 million as of December 31, 2013 designated as Level 3. The Company’s contingent purchase consideration is valued by probability weighting expected payment scenarios and then applying a discount based on the present value of the future cash flow streams. This liability is classified as Level 3 because the probability weighting of future payment scenarios is based on assumptions developed by management. The Company determined a probability weighting that is weighted towards VSI achieving the revenue target at the time of acquisition and the discount rate that is based on the company’s weighted average cost of capital which is then adjusted for the time value of money. The probability weighting has been adjusted during the year ended December 31, 2014 as the actual results provide the Company with more reliable information to weight the probability scenarios. The range of probability of achievement weighting was 70%—78%. This adjustment resulted in a $0.1 million increase to the contingent consideration during the year ended December 31, 2014. The discount rate of 17% has remained consistent during the year ended December 31, 2014. The Company believes that any probable changes during future periods to these assumptions will not have a material effect on the contingent considerations. On June 30, 2014 the former owners of E5 agreed to the satisfaction in full of the Company’s contingent payment obligations. This resulted in a $0.1 million decrease to the contingent consideration during the year ended December 31, 2014.
	Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis consisted of the following:
	December 31, 2014 (in thousands)	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	Liabilities
	Accrued acquisition payments	$	—		$	663		$	1,126	$	1,789
	Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion	—			—			624		624
	Total liabilities carried at fair value	$	—		$	663		$	1,750	$	2,413
	December 31, 2013 (in thousands)	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	Liabilities
	Accrued acquisition payments	$	—		$	789		$	1,389	$	2,178
	Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion	—			595			1,691		2,286
	Total liabilities carried at fair value	$	—		$	1,384		$	3,080	$	4,464
	Changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 acquisition related liabilities during the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
		Years ended December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Fair value at the beginning of the period	$	3,080		$	2,881
	Acquisition date fair value of contingent consideration obligations	—			309
	Acquisition date fair value of deferred consideration obligations	227			225
	Changes in the fair value of acquisition consideration obligations	(33		)	650
	Payments of deferred consideration obligations	(1,524		)	(985		)
	Fair value at the end of the period	$	1,750		$	3,080

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Employee Benefit Plans
	Lionbridge maintains an employee benefit plan qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. All U.S. employees may participate in the 401(k) plan subject to certain eligibility requirements. Under the 401(k) plan, a participant may contribute a maximum of 50% of his or her pre-tax salary, commissions and bonuses through payroll deductions (up to the statutorily prescribed annual limit, or $17,500 in 2014) to the 401(k) plan. The percentage elected by more highly compensated participants may be required to be lower. In addition, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, Lionbridge may make discretionary profit-sharing contributions into the 401(k) plan for all eligible employees. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, discretionary contributions totaled $1.3 million, $1.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively. In addition, the Company maintained defined benefit pension plans for employees in The Netherlands, Poland, France and Norway, a defined contribution plan for employees in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Canada, Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Germany and India, and defined contribution postretirement plans in Italy, Belgium, China, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan resulting in contributions charged to operations of $5.8 million in 2014 and 2013 and $4.0 million in 2012. In total, Lionbridge’s consolidated results of operations include employee benefit contribution charges of $7.1 million, $6.9 million and $5.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The Company has not provided the disclosures required under ASC 715, “Compensation—Retirement Benefits” (“ASC 715”), for the defined benefit pension plans as the amounts involved are immaterial to the years presented.

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp

Operating Segments and Geographical Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Operating Segments and Geographical Information	Operating Segments and Geographical Information
	Lionbridge operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available that is evaluated on a regular basis by the Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM") in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual segment and in assessing performance. The Company's CODM is its Chief Executive Officer.
	The Company identifies such segments primarily based on nature of services delivered. The Company considered qualitative factors, including the economic characteristics of each operating segment to determine if any qualified for aggregation. More specifically, the Company evaluated the economic characteristics, the nature of products and services, the methods used to provide services, the types of customers, and the nature of the corresponding regulatory environment of its operating segments. As a result, the Company identified the following three reportable segments:
	GLC—this segment translates, localizes and adapts clients’ content and products to meet the language, cultural, technical and industry-specific requirements of users in local markets throughout the world. As part of its GLC solutions, Lionbridge also provides global marketing services, creates and translates technical documentation for clients who market to and support customers in global markets and provides engineering and drafting services. Lionbridge GLC solutions utilize the Company’s cloud-based technology platforms and applications, its crowd based translation resources and its global service delivery model, which make the translation, localization and content management processes more efficient for Lionbridge and its clients.
	GES—this segment tests applications and online search results to help clients deliver high-quality, relevant applications and content in global markets. The Company’s GES solutions ensure the quality, usability, relevance and performance of clients’ web applications, content, software, search engines, and technology products content globally. As part of its GES offering, Lionbridge also provides specialized professional crowdsourcing services including search relevance testing, in-country testing for mobile devices, and data management solutions.
	Interpretation—this segment provides interpretation services for government, business and healthcare organizations that require experienced linguists to facilitate communication. Lionbridge provides interpretation communication services in more than 360 languages and dialects, including onsite interpretation and over-the-phone interpretation services.
	The Company’s internal reporting does not include the allocation of certain expenses to the operating segments but instead includes those other expenses in unallocated corporate and other expense. Unallocated expenses primarily include corporate expenses, such as interest expense, restructuring, impairment and other charges, foreign exchange gains and losses and governance expenses, as well as finance, information technology, human resources, legal, treasury and marketing expenses. The Company determines whether a cost is charged to a particular business segment or is retained as an unallocated cost based on whether the cost relates to a corporate function or to a direct expense associated with the particular business segment. For example, corporate finance, corporate information technology and corporate human resource expenses are unallocated, whereas operating segment finance, information technology and human resource expenses are charged to the applicable operating segment.
	The table below presents information about the reported net income of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. Asset information, other than goodwill, by reportable segment is not reported, since the Company does not produce such information internally.
	(In thousands)	GLC			GES				Interpretation		Corporate			Total
											and Other
	31-Dec-14
	External revenue	$	329,279		$	138,645			$	22,688	$	—		$	490,612
	Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	217,774			97,309				19,454		—			334,537
	Depreciation and amortization including acquisition-related intangible assets	5,285			3,216				35		2,632			11,168
	Other operating expenses	77,251			19,527				1,892		—			98,670
	Segment contribution	28,969			18,593				1,307		(2,632		)	46,237
	Interest expense and other unallocated items	—			—				—		(34,754		)	(34,754		)
	Income (loss) before income taxes	28,969			18,593				1,307		(37,386		)	11,483
	Provision for income taxes	—			—				—		3,376			3,376
	Net income (loss)	$	28,969		$	18,593			$	1,307	$	(40,762	)	$	8,107
	31-Dec-13
	External revenue	$	321,020		$	145,788			$	22,388	$	—		$	489,196
	Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	215,612			100,323				18,578		—			334,513
	Depreciation and amortization including acquisition-related intangible assets	5,082			3,148				32		2,463			10,725
	Other operating expenses	75,516			18,807				1,730		—			96,053
	Segment contribution	24,810			23,510				2,048		(2,463		)	47,905
	Interest expense and other unallocated items	—			—				—		(34,241		)	(34,241		)
	Income (loss) before income taxes	24,810			23,510				2,048		(36,704		)	13,664
	Provision for income taxes	—			—				—		2,024			2,024
	Net income (loss)	$	24,810		$	23,510			$	2,048	$	(38,728	)	$	11,640
	31-Dec-12
	External revenue	$	314,740		$	119,050			$	23,408	$	—		$	457,198
	Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	211,555			83,094				19,603		—			314,252
	Depreciation and amortization including acquisition-related intangible assets	4,660			1,785				28		2,597			9,070
	Other operating expenses	74,008			15,147				1,867		—			91,022
	Segment contribution	24,517			19,024				1,910		(2,597		)	42,854
	Interest expense and other unallocated items	—			—				—		(34,453		)	(34,453		)
	Income (loss) before income taxes	24,517			19,024				1,910		(37,050		)	8,401
	Benefit from income taxes	—			—				—		(2,931		)	(2,931		)
	Net income (loss)	$	24,517		$	19,024			$	1,910	$	(34,119	)	$	11,332
	The following is a breakdown of clients who accounted for greater than 10% of total revenue as of December 31:
		% of Total Revenue
		2014		2013			2012
	Microsoft	21	%	24	%		19	%
	Google	12	%	12	%		13	%
	No other client accounted for greater than 10% of total revenue in 2014, 2013 or 2012. Revenue from Microsoft and Google is included in the revenue of both the GLC and GES segments. Revenue, based on the country in which it is managed, in the United States accounted for approximately $217.1 million, $245.3 million and $211.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Revenue managed in Ireland accounted for approximately $68.7 million, $78.1 million and $80.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. No other country individually accounted for more than 10% of total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
	A summary of Lionbridge’s revenue and long-lived assets by geographical region is as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013				2012
	Revenue:
	Americas	$	234,015		$	258,471			$	224,322
	Western Europe	183,564			161,850				166,542
	Asia	47,320			59,126				57,821
	Eastern Europe	25,713			9,749				8,513
	Total	$	490,612		$	489,196			$	457,198
	Revenue is presented based on the country in which projects are managed.
		December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Long-lived assets:
	Americas	$	17,655		$	13,564
	Western Europe	5,670			5,804
	Asia	4,622			5,697
	Eastern Europe	1,352			1,390
	Total	$	29,299		$	26,455
Long-lived assets include “Property and equipment, net” and “Other assets” from the consolidated balance sheets, by the geographic location where the asset resides.

Supplemental_Disclosure_of_Cas

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information	Non-cash Activities and Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
		Year Ended December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014		2013		2012
	Non-cash activities:
	Property and equipment included in accounts payable	$	135	$	—	$	—
	Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
	Interest paid	403		602		620
	Income taxes paid, net	3,478		3,472		2,109

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
	The following table sets forth activity in Lionbridge’s allowance for doubtful accounts:
	Year Ended: (in thousands)	Balance at		Charges to	(Deductions)/		Balance at
		Beginning of		Operations	Recoveries		End of Year
		Year
	31-Dec-12	$	500	13	(263	)	$	250
	31-Dec-13	$	250	198	(198	)	$	250
	31-Dec-14	$	250	15	(15	)	$	250
	The following table sets forth activity in Lionbridge’s deferred tax asset valuation allowance:
	Year Ended: (in thousands)	Balance at		Additions	(Deductions)		Balance at
		Beginning of					End of Year
		Year
	31-Dec-12	$	102,455	1,628	(16,709	)	$	87,374
	31-Dec-13	$	87,374	3,039	(8,375	)	$	82,038
	31-Dec-14	$	82,038	5,373	(15,687	)	$	71,724
	The valuation allowance additions primarily relate to increases to deferred tax assets due to the generation of net operating losses in certain jurisdictions, while the valuation allowance deductions primarily relate to reductions in deferred tax assets for the utilization of tax attributes in certain other jurisdictions.

Net_Income_Loss_per_Share

Net Income (Loss) per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) per Share	Net Income per Share
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. For the purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share, the denominator includes both the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding and the number of dilutive common stock equivalents such as stock options and unvested restricted stock, as determined using the treasury stock method.
	Shares used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, are as follows:
		December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014	2013	2012
	Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding-basic	60,149	59,989	59,102
	Dilutive common stock equivalents relating to options and restricted stock	2,891	2,014	2,017
	Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding-diluted	63,040	62,003	61,119
	Options and unvested restricted stock outstanding to purchase 0.2 million, 1.8 million and 2.2 million shares of common stock for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, were not included in the calculations of diluted net income per share, as their effect would be anti-dilutive.

Other_Current_Assets_Other_Acc

Other Current Assets, Other Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Other Current Assets, Other Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities	Other Current Assets, Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities
	The follow table presents the components of selected balance sheet items at December 31:
	(In thousands)	2014		2013
	Other current assets:
	Deferred project costs	$	2,555	$	3,872
	Prepaid income tax	3,009		2,592
	Other prepaid expenses	2,787		3,522
	Deferred tax asset, short-term	1,148		1,276
	Other current assets	2,591		1,676
	Total other current assets	$	12,090	$	12,938
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
	Accrued acquisition payments	$	1,789	$	2,178
	Accrued volume discounts	384		1,314
	Other accrued expenses	5,962		5,111
	Deferred tax liability, short-term	1,167		904
	Other current liabilities	1,183		1,648
	Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	10,485	$	11,155
	Other long-term liabilities:
	Pension and post retirement obligations, long-term portion	$	2,427	$	2,452
	Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion	624		2,286
	Accrued income tax uncertainties	4,572		5,115
	Accrued restructuring, long-term portion	1,329		1,606
	Other long-term liabilities	4,834		1,713
	Total other long-term liabilities	$	13,786	$	13,172
	In connection with the lease of the Company's headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts executed in March 2014, the Company's landlord funded $2.7 million in leasehold improvements during the year ended December 31, 2014. The capitalized leasehold improvements are being amortized over eleven years, the remaining life of the lease, and are reflected in property and equipment, net on the consolidated balance sheets. The leasehold improvements funded by the landlord are treated as lease incentives. Accordingly, the $2.7 million funded by the landlord was recorded as a deferred rent liability and is reflected on other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The deferred rent liability is being amortized over eleven years, the remaining life of the lease. As of December 31, 2014, $2.5 million is reflected on other long-term liabilities.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Accumulated other comprehensive income consisted of the following at December 31:
	(In thousands)	2014		2013
	Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments	$	16,183	$	19,589
	Unfunded projected benefit obligation	581		760
	Accumulative other comprehensive income	$	16,764	$	20,349

Subsequent_Events_Subsequent_E

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent events
	On January 7 2015, the Company acquired CLS Holding AG ("CLS"), a global language service provider headquartered in Switzerland. The transaction was effected through the purchase of (a) 100% of the outstanding shares of Tuscany Holding AG, a holding company that holds 68.9% of the outstanding shares of CLS Holding and (b) 31.1% of the shares of CLS Corporate Language Services Holding AG held by certain management sellers. The Company made an initial cash payment of approximately Fr.71.8 million Swiss Francs, or approximately $71.4 million US Dollars (at January 7, 2015 exchange rate). Due to the timing of this acquisition, certain disclosures, including the preliminary allocation of the purchase price, have been omitted from this Annual Report on Form 10-K because the initial accounting for the business combination was incomplete as of the filing date. The Company expects the preliminary allocation of the purchase price and other disclosures to be included in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 2015.
	On January 2, 2015 in order to fund the CLS Holding AG acquisition the Company amended and restated the Credit Agreement with HSBC Bank, as Administrative Agent and a lender, and a syndicate of other lenders (the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”). The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement includes (a) a $100 million senior secured revolving credit facility, which includes a $10 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit and a $10 million sublimit for swing-line loans and (b) a senior secured term loan facility in an aggregate amount of $35 million. The Company may request, at any time and from time to time, that the revolving credit facility be increased by an amount not to exceed $65 million, dependent upon certain conditions. The interest rates are in the range of Prime Rate plus 0.25%—1.00% or LIBOR plus 1.25%—2.00% (at the Company’s discretion), depending on certain conditions. Both facilities expire after five years from the date of entering into the proposed amendment, after which time the Company may need to secure new financing. The Company cannot assure that it will be able to secure new financing, or financing on terms that are acceptable.
	The Company is required to maintain leverage and fixed charge coverage ratios and to comply with other covenants in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The leverage ratio is calculated by dividing the Company’s total outstanding indebtedness at each quarter end by its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and certain other non-cash expenses during the four consecutive quarterly periods then ended. The fixed charge coverage ratio is calculated by dividing the Company’s adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and certain other non-cash expenses minus capital expenditures for each consecutive four quarterly periods by its interest paid and cash paid on taxes during each such consecutive four quarterly periods.

Basis_of_Presentation_Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Nature of the Business	Nature of the Business
	Lionbridge Technologies, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, “Lionbridge” or the “Company”) provides a suite of globalization solutions to businesses in diverse end markets including technology, internet and media, manufacturing, mobile and telecommunications, life sciences, government, automotive, aerospace and retail. Lionbridge is a leading provider of language, content and testing solutions that enable clients to optimize, release, manage and maintain their technology applications and content globally. Lionbridge’s solutions include product and content globalization; interpretation services; application development and maintenance; software and hardware testing; product certification and competitive analysis. Lionbridge has three operating segments: Global Language and Content (“GLC”), Global Enterprise Solutions (“GES”, formerly referred to as Global Development and Testing, “GDT”) and Interpretation. As part of its GLC solutions, Lionbridge also provides global marketing services and creates and translates technical documentation for clients who market to and support customers in global markets. Lionbridge GLC solutions utilize the Company’s cloud-based technology platform and global service delivery model which make the translation, localization and authoring process more efficient for Lionbridge clients. Through its GES solutions, Lionbridge optimizes and tests and applications and content to ensure the quality, relevance, usability and performance of clients’ applications, online content, consumer technology products and web sites. Lionbridge’s testing services, some of which are offered under the VeriTest brand, also include product certification. Lionbridge has substantial domain experience developing, testing and maintaining applications in a cost-efficient, blended on-site and offshore model. Lionbridge provides interpretation services for government, business and healthcare organizations that require experienced linguists to facilitate communication. Lionbridge has its head office in the United States, with operations in Europe, Asia, India, North America, South America and Latin America.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lionbridge and its wholly owned subsidiaries from the effective date of their acquisition or formation. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	Lionbridge recognizes revenue as services are performed and amounts are earned. Lionbridge considers amounts to be earned when (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement has been obtained; (2) services are delivered; (3) the fee is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. Determination of criteria (3) and (4) are based on management’s judgments regarding the fixed nature of the fee charged for services rendered and products delivered and the collectability of those fees.
	Lionbridge’s revenue is recorded from the provision of services to customers for GLC, GES and Interpretation services which include content development, product and content globalization, interpretation, software and hardware testing, product certification and application development and maintenance.
	Content development, software and hardware testing, interpretation and application development and maintenance projects are normally time and expense priced contracts, and revenue is recognized using a time and expense basis over the period of performance, primarily based on labor costs incurred to date.
	Product and content globalization and product certification projects are generally fixed price contracts and revenue is recognized as services are delivered. Depending on specific contractual provisions and the nature of the deliverable, revenue is recognized (1) on a proportional performance model based on level of effort, (2) as milestones are achieved or (3) when final deliverables have been met. Amounts billed in excess of revenue recognized are recorded as deferred revenue.
	The delivery of Lionbridge’s GLC services involves and is dependent on the translation and development of content by subcontractors and in-house employees. As the time and cost to translate or produce each word of content within a project is relatively uniform, labor input is reflective of the delivery of the contracted service and an appropriate metric for the measurement of proportional performance in delivering such services. The use of a proportional performance assessment of service delivery requires significant judgment relative to estimating total contract costs, including assumptions relative to the length of time to complete the project, the nature and complexity of the work to be performed, anticipated increases in employee wages and prices for subcontractor services, and the availability of subcontractor services. When adjustments in estimated project costs are identified, anticipated losses, if any, are recognized in the period in which they are determined.
	Lionbridge’s GLC agreements with its customers may provide the customer with a fixed and limited time period following delivery during which Lionbridge will attempt to address any non-conformity to previously agreed upon objective specifications relating to the work, either in the form of a limited acceptance period or a post-delivery warranty period. Management believes recognition of revenue at the time the services are delivered is appropriate, because its obligations under such provisions are limited in time, limited in scope, and historically have not involved significant costs.
	Lionbridge’s GLC segment includes Translation Workspace, the Company’s hosted proprietary, internet-architected translation memory application that simplifies translation management. This cloud-based application is available to translators on a subscription basis. Cloud-based revenue is billed in advance and generally recognized over the subscription period. Incremental overage fees are recognized in the period incurred.
	Lionbridge occasionally provides integrated full-service offerings throughout a client’s product and content lifecycle, including GLC and GES services. For these arrangements where the GLC and GES services have independent value to the customer, and there is evidence of selling price for each service, the combined service arrangement is bifurcated into separate units for accounting treatment. The determination of selling price requires the use of significant judgment. Lionbridge determines the selling price of service revenues based upon its recent pricing for those services when sold separately and/or prevailing market rates for similar services.
	Revenue includes reimbursement of travel, out-of-pocket expenses, certain facilities and hardware costs with equivalent amounts of expense recorded in cost of revenue.
	Estimates for incentive rebates and other allowances are recorded as a reduction of revenues in the period the related revenues are recorded. These estimates are based upon contracted terms, historical experience and information currently available to management with respect to business and economic trends. Revisions of these estimates are recorded in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known.
Advertising Costs	Advertising Costs
	Advertising costs are included in sales and marketing expenses and are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs were approximately $0.2 million, $0.3 million, and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Research and Development Costs	Research and Development Costs
	Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and include salaries and associated employee benefits and third-party contractor expenses unless capitalized as costs incurred during the application development stage of software developed for internal use. These costs relate primarily to the Company’s web-based hosted language management technology platform used in the globalization process and its globalization management system.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation
	The functional currency for each of Lionbridge’s foreign operations is predominantly the local currency of the country in which those operations are based. Revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated into U.S. Dollars at the average rates of exchange during the year. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. Dollars at year-end rates of exchange. The Company has recorded net translation losses of $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 and net gains of $0.8 million and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, in accumulated other comprehensive income, which is a component of stockholders’ equity. These unrealized gains and losses are primarily attributable to the fluctuation in value between the U.S. Dollar and the Euro. For the purpose of disclosure of comprehensive income, Lionbridge does not record tax provisions or benefits for the net changes in foreign currency translation adjustments, as Lionbridge intends to permanently reinvest undistributed earnings in its foreign subsidiaries.
	Realized and unrealized foreign currency transaction gains or losses, arising from exchange rate fluctuations on balances denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies, are included in “Other (income) expense, net” in the consolidated statements of operations and resulted in gains of $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 and losses of $0.9 million and $1.1 million for the years December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Financial Instruments	Financial Instruments
	Lionbridge may enter into foreign currency forward contracts with commercial banks to hedge exposure to foreign currency assets and liabilities recorded on its balance sheet and utilizes interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk. Changes in the fair value of foreign exchange forward contracts are recorded in the Company’s earnings. The Company had no foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013.
	Lionbridge does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
Cash Equivalents	Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with a maturity of ninety days or less at the time of purchase. Cash equivalents consist primarily of time deposits and are stated at cost plus accrued interest.
Unbilled Receivables and Deferred Revenue	Unbilled Receivables and Deferred Revenue
	Unbilled receivables represent revenue not yet billed. Unbilled receivables are calculated for each individual project based on the proportional delivery of services at the balance sheet date. Billing of amounts in unbilled receivables occurs according to customer-agreed payment schedules or upon completion of specified project milestones. All of Lionbridge’s projects in unbilled receivables are expected to be billed and collected within one year.
	Deferred revenue represents billings in excess of revenue recognized for work. Deferred revenue is calculated for each individual project and constitutes a performance obligation for which revenue will be recognized as services are delivered.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization and any recognized impairment loss. Additions and improvements that extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized; maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Upon retirement or other disposition, the cost and related accumulated depreciation of the assets are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in the determination of net income or loss.
	The Company capitalizes costs incurred during the application development stage, which include costs of designing the software configuration and interfaces, coding, installation and testing. Costs incurred during the preliminary project stage along with post-implementation stages of internal use computer software are generally expensed as incurred. Capitalized development costs are amortized over the estimated life of the software, using the straight-line method, beginning with the date that an asset is ready for its intended use. The capitalization and ongoing assessment of development costs requires considerable judgment by management, including, but not limited to, technological feasibility and estimated economic life. Capitalized software is included in “Property and equipment, net” on the consolidated balance sheets.
	The Company's capitalized costs primarily related to the development of internal financial systems and enhancements of internal products. The following table summarizes the capitalized costs and amortization expenses incurred to develop computer software for internal use for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively:
	(In thousands)	2014		2013		2012
	Software developed for internal use	$	2,863	$	2,785	$	3,698
	Amortization expenses for software developed for internal use	2,269		2,057		2,156
	There were no costs associated with the development of software for internal use that was not yet placed into service as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Approximately $1.3 million for 2012 related to costs associated with the development of software for internal use that was not yet placed into service as of December 31, 2012. The capitalized costs placed in service during 2014, 2013 and 2012 are being amortized over two to seven years. Amortization expenses are included in “Depreciation and amortization” in the consolidated statements of operations.
	The cost of property and equipment is depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method, based upon the following asset lives:
			Period
	Computer software and equipment		2 to 7 years
	Furniture and office equipment		3 to 10 years
	Leasehold improvements		Shorter of remaining lease term or useful life of asset
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Lionbridge assesses the impairment of goodwill and acquisition-related intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Such events or conditions could include an economic downturn in the industries to which Lionbridge provides services; increased competition; an increase in operating or other costs; additional volatility in international currencies; the pace of technological improvements; or other information regarding Lionbridge’s market value, such as a reduction in stock price to a price near or below the book value of the Company for an extended period of time. When Lionbridge determines that the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable based upon one or more of these indicators of impairment, the Company initially assesses any impairment using fair value measurements based on projected discounted cash flow valuation models and the market approach. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment on an annual basis. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company performed its annual test of goodwill to determine if an impairment existed. This test determined that each reporting unit’s fair value substantially exceeded the carrying value of the net assets of each respective reporting unit, using projected discounted cash flow modeling. As a result, no impairment was recorded for either year.
	The Company evaluates whether there has been an impairment in the carrying value of its long-lived assets, if circumstances indicate that a possible impairment may exist. An impairment in the carrying value of an asset is assessed when the undiscounted expected future operating cash flows derived from the asset grouping are less than its carrying value. If it is determined that the asset group is impaired then it is written down to its estimated fair value. Factors that could lead to an impairment of its long-lived assets include a worsening in customer attrition rates compared to historical attrition rates, lower than initially anticipated cash flows associated with customer relationships, significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of the acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business, identification of other impaired assets within a reporting unit, disposition of a significant portion of an operating segment, significant negative industry or economic trends, significant decline in the Company’s stock price for a sustained period and a decline in our market capitalization relative to net book value.
	Acquisition-related intangible assets arose from acquisitions made prior to 2012 and the acquisitions of Productive Resources, LLC (“PRI”) in June 2012, Virtual Solutions, Inc. (“VSI”) in November 2012, E5 Global Holdings, Inc. (“E5”) in October 2013, Darwin Zone, S.A. ("Darwin") in May 2014 and Clay Tablet Technologies ("Clay Tablet") in October 2014 and consist of the following, which have been or are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives, except for the customer relationships related to previous acquisitions, of which a portion is being amortized using an economic consumption method:
		Estimated
		Useful
		Life
	Acquisitions prior to 2012:
	Customer relationships		3 to 12 years
	Customer contracts		3 to 5 years
	Internally developed software		1 to 4 years
	PRI, VSI, E5, Darwin and Clay Tablet:
	Developed technology		5 years
	Core technology		10 years
	Customer relationships		2 to 12 years
	Non-compete agreements		1 to 5 years
	Trademark		1 to 3 years
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	Current income taxes are recorded based on statutory obligations for the current operating period for the various countries in which the Company has operations.
	Deferred income taxes are generally recognized for the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities (temporary differences) multiplied by the enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Net Income (Loss) per Share	Net Income per Share
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. For purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share, the denominator includes both the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding and the number of dilutive common stock equivalents such as stock options, unvested restricted stock and warrants, as determined using the treasury stock method.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation	Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company recognizes expense for stock options, performance-based restricted stock awards and time-based restricted stock awards, which requires recognition of stock-based compensation expense in the statement of operations over the vesting period based on the fair value of the award at the grant date.
	The Company has stock-based employee compensation plans which are described more fully in Note 8 to these consolidated financial statements.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, actuarial valuations and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Estimates are used when accounting for the collectability of receivables, calculating revenue based on the proportional delivery of services, and valuing intangible assets, deferred tax assets, net assets of businesses acquired and accrued liabilities associated with compensation. Some of these estimates can be subjective and complex and, consequently, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. However, if different assumptions or conditions were to prevail, the results could be materially different from the amounts recorded.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Total comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss), the net change in the funded status of defined benefit postretirement plans and the net change in foreign currency translation adjustment.
Concentrations of Credit Risk and Significant Customers	Concentrations of Credit Risk and Significant Customers
	Financial instruments which potentially subject Lionbridge to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with several investment-grade financial institutions. Investments consist of time deposits with maturities less than 30 days. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable are limited due to the dispersion of customers across different industries and geographic regions. Hewlett Packard accounted for approximately 11% of consolidated accounts receivable at December 31, 2014 and 2013. Rolls Royce accounted for approximately 12% of the consolidated accounts receivable at December 31, 2014. No other client individually accounted for more than 10% of consolidated accounts receivable at December 31, 2014 or 2013. Lionbridge generally does not require collateral or other security against trade receivable balances; however, it maintains reserves for potential credit losses and such losses have historically been within management’s expectations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Financial instruments are carried in the consolidated financial statements at amounts that approximate fair value at December 31, 2014 and 2013. Fair values are based on market prices and assumptions concerning the amount and timing of estimated future cash flows and assumed discount rates, reflecting varying degrees of perceived risk. The Company recognizes all derivative financial instruments in our consolidated financial statements at fair value. The Company records changes in the fair value of derivative instruments in earnings unless deferred hedge accounting criteria is met. For derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges, the Company records the changes in fair value of both the derivative instrument and the hedged item in earnings.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) which will replace numerous requirements in U.S. GAAP, including industry-specific requirements, and provide companies with a single revenue recognition model for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The core principle of the new standard is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. For the Company, the standard will be effective in the first quarter of 2017. The two permitted transition methods under the new standard are the full retrospective method, in which case the standard would be applied to each prior reporting period presented, or the modified retrospective method, in which case the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application. The Company has not yet selected a transition method. The Company is currently evaluating the potential changes from this ASU to its future financial reporting and disclosures.
	In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. Under the new guidance, management will be required to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, and to provide related footnote disclosures in certain circumstances. The provisions of this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and for annual and interim periods thereafter. This ASU is not expected to have an impact on the Company's financial statements or disclosures.
	Other new pronouncements issued but not effective until after December 31, 2014 are not expected to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities or Restructurings, Policy	For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, restructuring charges for workforce reductions and additional costs recorded for a previously vacated facility in order to reflect changes in initial estimates of a sublease arrangement due to current economic conditions are recorded pursuant to the guidance of ASC 420, “Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations” (“ASC 420”) and ASC 712, “Compensation—Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits” (“ASC 712”), and related literature.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Capitalized Costs and Amoritization Expense Incurred for Internal Use Software	The following table summarizes the capitalized costs and amortization expenses incurred to develop computer software for internal use for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	Software developed for internal use	$	2,863		$	2,785		$	3,698
	Amortization expenses for software developed for internal use	2,269			2,057			2,156
	Property and equipment consisted of the following at December 31:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Computer software and equipment	$	46,611		$	44,183
	Furniture and office equipment	3,438			3,595
	Leasehold improvements	15,898			12,535
	Property and equipment, gross	65,947			60,313
	Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(42,325		)	(39,345		)
	Total	$	23,622		$	20,968
Estimated Useful Lives of the Assets	The cost of property and equipment is depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method, based upon the following asset lives:
			Period
	Computer software and equipment		2 to 7 years
	Furniture and office equipment		3 to 10 years
	Leasehold improvements		Shorter of remaining lease term or useful life of asset
Estimated Useful Lives of Acquisition Intangible Assets	Acquisition-related intangible assets arose from acquisitions made prior to 2012 and the acquisitions of Productive Resources, LLC (“PRI”) in June 2012, Virtual Solutions, Inc. (“VSI”) in November 2012, E5 Global Holdings, Inc. (“E5”) in October 2013, Darwin Zone, S.A. ("Darwin") in May 2014 and Clay Tablet Technologies ("Clay Tablet") in October 2014 and consist of the following, which have been or are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives, except for the customer relationships related to previous acquisitions, of which a portion is being amortized using an economic consumption method:
		Estimated
		Useful
		Life
	Acquisitions prior to 2012:
	Customer relationships		3 to 12 years
	Customer contracts		3 to 5 years
	Internally developed software		1 to 4 years
	PRI, VSI, E5, Darwin and Clay Tablet:
	Developed technology		5 years
	Core technology		10 years
	Customer relationships		2 to 12 years
	Non-compete agreements		1 to 5 years
	Trademark		1 to 3 years

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Recorded as of the Acquisition Date	The assets and liabilities associated with Clay Tablet were recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date and the amounts as follows:
	(In thousands)
	Cash	$	19
	Accounts receivable	286
	Other current assets	84
	Property and equipment	8
	Intangible assets	1,502
	Goodwill	1,358
	Total assets	3,257
	Accounts payable	(83		)
	Other liabilities	(327		)
	Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	2,847
	The assets and liabilities associated with VSI were recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date and the amounts as follows:
	(In thousands)
	Cash	$	4
	Accounts receivable	529
	Other current assets	2
	Intangible assets	3,880
	Goodwill	3,713
	Total assets	8,128
	Accounts payable	(20		)
	Accrued expenses	(29		)
	Other liabilities	(93		)
	Deferred tax liabilities	(1,504		)
	Debt	(151		)
	Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	6,331
	The assets and liabilities associated with Darwin were recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date and the amounts as follows:
	(In thousands)
	Cash	$	36
	Accounts receivable and unbilled receivables	698
	Other current assets	115
	Property and equipment	206
	Intangible assets	824
	Goodwill	984
	Total assets	2,863
	Accounts payable	(222		)
	Other liabilities	(249		)
	Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	2,392
	The assets and liabilities associated with E5 were recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date and the amounts as follows:
	(In thousands)
	Cash .	$	104
	Accounts receivable and unbilled receivables	589
	Other assets	104
	Intangible assets	397
	Goodwill	943
	Total assets	2,137
	Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(210		)
	Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	1,927
	The assets and liabilities associated with PRI were recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date and the amounts as follows:
	(In thousands)
	Cash	$	27
	Accounts receivable	2,077
	Unbilled receivables	967
	Prepaid and other assets	118
	Property and equipment	240
	Intangible assets	7,500
	Goodwill	5,264
	Total assets	16,193
	Accounts payable	(82		)
	Accrued compensation and benefits	(704		)
	Other liabilities	(62		)
	Deferred tax liabilities	(2,952		)
	Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	12,393
Fair Value of Consideration Transferred	The total acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred was estimated at $12.4 million as follows:
	(In thousands)
	Initial cash payment	$	10,457
	Fair value of deferred cash payments	1,936
	Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	12,393
	The total acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred was estimated at $6.3 million as follows:
	(In thousands)
	Initial cash payment	$	3,449
	Fair value of deferred and contingent earn-out cash payments	2,882
	Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	6,331
	The total acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred was estimated at $1.9 million as follows:
	(In thousands)
	Initial cash payment .	$	1,393
	Deferred cash payment	225
	Fair value of deferred cash payments	309
	Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	1,927
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Results of Operations	The unaudited pro forma information presented in the following table summarizes the Company’s consolidated results of operations for the periods presented, as if the acquisition of PRI had occurred on January 1, 2011. The pro forma financial information is presented for comparative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that actually would have been achieved if the acquisition had taken place at the beginning of 2012, nor is it intended to be a projection of future results.
		Unaudited
		Year ended December 31,
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2012
	Revenue	$	461,932
	Net income	$	11,960
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.2
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.2

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Summary of Property and Equipment	The following table summarizes the capitalized costs and amortization expenses incurred to develop computer software for internal use for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	Software developed for internal use	$	2,863		$	2,785		$	3,698
	Amortization expenses for software developed for internal use	2,269			2,057			2,156
	Property and equipment consisted of the following at December 31:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Computer software and equipment	$	46,611		$	44,183
	Furniture and office equipment	3,438			3,595
	Leasehold improvements	15,898			12,535
	Property and equipment, gross	65,947			60,313
	Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(42,325		)	(39,345		)
	Total	$	23,622		$	20,968
Summary of Rollforward of ARO Balances	The table below sets forth the rollforward of ARO balances for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
	(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	950
	Liabilities recorded	560
	Liabilities settled	(87		)
	Accretion expense and currency impact	13
	Balance at December 31, 2013	1,436
	Liabilities recorded	72
	Liabilities settled	(88		)
	Accretion expense and currency impact	(98		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	1,322

Goodwill_and_AcquisitionRelate1

Goodwill and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill on a total consolidated basis and by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:
	(In thousands)	GLC			GES			Interpretation		Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012, gross	$	125,851		$	13,388		$	—	$	139,239
	Accumulated goodwill impairment	(120,587		)	—			—		(120,587		)
	Balance at December 31, 2012, net	5,264			13,388			—		18,652
	Acquisition of E5	—			943			—		943
	Balance at December 31, 2013, gross	125,851			14,331			—		140,182
	Accumulated goodwill impairment	(120,587		)	—			—		(120,587		)
	Balance at December 31, 2013, net	5,264			14,331			—		19,595
	Acquisition of Darwin	984			—			—		984
	Acquisition of Clay Tablet	1,358			—			—		1,358
	Balance at December 31, 2014, gross	128,193			14,331			—		142,524
	Accumulated goodwill impairment	(120,587		)	—			—		(120,587		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014, net	$	7,606		$	14,331		$	—	$	21,937
Summary of Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets	The following table summarizes acquisition-related intangible assets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively:
		31-Dec-14								31-Dec-13
	(In thousands)	Gross			Accumulated			Balance		Gross			Accumulated			Balance
		Carrying			Amortization					Carrying			Amortization
		Value								Value
	Acquired customer relationships	$	41,240		$	(31,989	)	$	9,251	$	39,390		$	(29,564	)	$	9,826
	Acquired customer contracts	14,000			(14,000		)	—		14,000			(14,000		)	—
	Acquired technology	5,327			(3,272		)	2,055		5,117			(2,804		)	2,313
	Non-compete agreements	1,675			(819		)	856		1,500			(465		)	1,035
	Acquired trademark	178			(108		)	70		87			(35		)	52
	Total	$	62,420		$	(50,188	)	$	12,232	$	60,094		$	(46,868	)	$	13,226
Amortization of Intangible Assets	Estimated future annual amortization expense related to these intangible assets is as follows:
	Year ended December 31, (in thousands)
	2015	$	2,923
	2016	2,703
	2017	2,065
	2018	1,067
	2019	871
	2020 and thereafter	2,603
	Total	$	12,232

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Noncancelable Operating Leases	Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases (excluding recognition of sublease income) at December 31, 2014 were as follows:
	Year ended December 31, (in thousands)
	2015	$	12,497
	2016	9,902
	2017	5,840
	2018	5,307
	2019	6,547
	Thereafter	18,079
		$	58,172

Stockholders_Equity_and_StockB1

Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summary of Repurchase Data	The Company made the following purchases since the program’s inception:
		2014							2013
	(In thousands)	$				Shares			$				Shares
	Shares repurchased under our share repurchase program	$	5,944			1,110			$	5,213			1,682
Summary of Stock Option Activity	The following table summarizes stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted Avg.				Weighted Avg.		Aggregate
		Options			Exercise				Remaining		Intrinsic Value
					Price				Contractual		(in thousands)
									Life (years)
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2013	2,231,095			$	3.87
	Granted	251,810			5.44
	Exercised	(278,813	)		3.53						$	789
	Canceled (forfeited and expired)	(142,625	)		5.4
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2014	2,061,467			$	4			3.4		$	3,811
	Vested or expected to vest as of December 31, 2014	1,917,642			$	3.8			3.5		$	3,756
	Exercisable as of December 31, 2014	1,354,845			$	3.63			2.3		$	2,889
Fair Value of Option	The fair value of each option was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Risk-free interest rate	1.30 to 2.00%			0.54 to 0.62%			0.50 to 0.83%
	Expected volatility	53.6 to 71.7%			58.9 to 66.7%			69.3 to 80.2%
	Expected life (years)	4.00—6.25			4			4
	Dividend yield	0	%		0	%		0	%
Summary of Non-Vested Restricted Stock Awards Activity	The following table summarizes non-vested restricted stock awards activity for the year ended December 31, 2014:
		Non-vested			Grant Date Fair
		Number of			Value
		Restricted Share
		Awards
	Non-vested balance at December 31, 2013	4,779,626			$	3.39
	Granted	1,615,141			5.44
	Vested	(1,728,130	)		3.15
	Forfeited	(300,375	)		4.21
	Non-vested balance at December 31, 2014	4,366,262			$	4.23
	The following tables summarize non-vested restricted stock awards activity that are performance based and time-based for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
		Non-vested Number of Restricted Share Performance Based Awards			Non-vested Number of Restricted Shares
					Time-Based Awards
	Non-vested balance at December 31, 2011	1,256,000			3,092,825
	Granted	412,500			1,678,121
	Vested	(285,649	)		(1,099,473	)
	Forfeited	(15,351	)		(83,438	)
	Non-vested balance at December 31, 2012	1,367,500			3,588,035
	Granted	377,000			1,391,068
	Vested	(567,300	)		(1,263,039	)
	Forfeited	(27,700	)		(85,938	)
	Non-vested balance at December 31, 2013	1,149,500			3,630,126
	Granted	328,000			1,287,141
	Vested	(412,500	)		(1,315,630	)
	Forfeited	(70,000	)		(230,375	)
	Non-vested balance at December 31, 2014	995,000			3,371,262
		Number of			Weighted Avg.		Unamortized				Aggregate
		Non-vest Restricted Share Awards			Remaining		Stock-based Compensation Expense				Intrinsic Value
					Recognition Period (years)		(in thousands)				(in thousands) (1)
	Non-vested Restricted Share Performance Based Awards	995,000			0.98		$	723			$	5,721
	Non-vested Restricted Share Time-Based Awards	3,371,262			2.45		$	7,726			$	19,378
	-1	Based on difference between closing market value of Company's stock on December 31, 2014 of $5.75 and the exercise price of the awards of $0.00.
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]	Total compensation expense related to stock options, performance-based restricted stock awards and time-based restricted stock awards are classified in the condensed consolidated statements of operations line items as follows:
			December 31,
	(In thousands)		2014				2013				2012
	Cost of revenue		$	125			$	86			$	108
	Sales and marketing		2,222				1,257				1,122
	General and administrative		5,054				5,385				4,502
	Research and development		83				49				52
	Total stock-based compensation expense		$	7,484			$	6,777			$	5,784

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Consolidated Income Before Taxes	The components of income (loss) before income taxes were as follows:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	United States	$	(2,894	)	$	3,939		$	3,626
	Foreign	14,377			9,725			4,775
	Income before income taxes	$	11,483		$	13,664		$	8,401
Components of the Provision For (Benefit) From Income Taxes	The components of the provision for (benefit from) income taxes were as follows:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	70		$	144		$	208
	State	284			279			425
	Foreign	3,522			2,246			982
	Total current provision	$	3,876		$	2,669		$	1,615
	Deferred:
	Foreign	$	(500	)	$	(645	)	$	(99	)
	Domestic	—			—			(4,447		)
	Total deferred (benefit) provision	(500		)	(645		)	(4,546		)
	Total provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	3,376		$	2,024		$	(2,931	)
Summary Income Tax Provision and Income Taxes Computed Using U.S. Federal Statutory Tax Rate	The differences between the income tax provision and income taxes computed using the applicable U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 34 percent are as follows for the years ended December 31:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	Statutory tax provision	$	3,905		$	4,714		$	2,856
	State income taxes	216			427			704
	Tax rate differential for international jurisdictions and related items	(3,266		)	(2,245		)	(2,209		)
	Changes in reserves for uncertain tax positions	409			(401		)	(901		)
	Valuation allowance	(325		)	(5,143		)	(9,676		)
	Stock-based compensation	329			(9		)	(76		)
	Officers' compensation	625			154			227
	Acquisition costs	255			—			—
	Foreign exchange gain	453			446			519
	Permanent differences	670			1,248			2,353
	Rate change on deferred	39			2,156			3,290
	Other	66			677			(18		)
	Effective tax provision (benefit)	$	3,376		$	2,024		$	(2,931	)
Consolidated Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities)	The consolidated deferred tax assets (liabilities) of the Company were as follows at December 31:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	U.S. net operating loss carryforwards	$	25,504		$	26,130
	Foreign net operating loss carryforwards	39,948			46,661
	Amortization and depreciation of long-lived assets	(1,589		)	(2,287		)
	Goodwill amortization	2,339			2,743
	Reserves and accruals	804			936
	Tax credits carryforwards	840			1,138
	Stock-based compensation	4,023			6,763
	Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss	(231		)	656
	Deferred revenue	415			330
	Other	1,292			96
	Valuation allowance	(71,724		)	(82,038		)
	Net deferred tax asset	$	1,621		$	1,128
Reconciliation of the Beginning and Ending Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
	(In thousands)	Total
	Balance at January 1, 2012	$	4,493
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	491
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(85		)
	Reductions for audit settlements of prior years	(194		)
	Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(884		)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	3,821
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	305
	Reductions for audit settlements of prior years	(7		)
	Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(541		)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	3,578
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	709
	Reductions for audit settlements of prior years	—
	Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(522		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	3,765

Restructuring_Charges_Tables

Restructuring Charges (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the restructuring charges for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	Restructuring charges recorded for employee severance	$	4,281		$	3,244		$	3,273
	Restructuring charges recorded for vacated facility/lease termination	246			283			328
	Total restructuring charges recorded	$	4,527		$	3,527		$	3,601
	Cash payments related to liabilities recorded on exit or disposal activities	$	2,513		$	4,514		$	2,674
Summary of Restructuring Reserve Activity	The following table summarizes the restructuring reserve activity for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively:
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2012
	Beginning balance, January 1	$	2,807		$	3,794		$	2,867
	Employee severance:
	Restructuring charges recorded	4,281			3,244			3,273
	Cash payments related to liabilities recorded on exit or disposal activities	(2,185		)	(4,220		)	(2,294		)
	Net employee severance activity	$	2,096		$	(976	)	$	979
	Vacated facility/lease termination:
	Restructuring charges recorded	$	—		$	35		$	—
	Changes in estimated liabilities	246			248			328
	Cash payments related to liabilities recorded on exit or disposal activities	(328		)	(294		)	(380		)
	Net vacated facility/lease termination activity	(82		)	(11		)	(52		)
	Ending balance, December 31,	$	4,821		$	2,807		$	3,794

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Assets and Liabilities Carried at Fair Value	Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis consisted of the following:
	December 31, 2014 (in thousands)	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	Liabilities
	Accrued acquisition payments	$	—		$	663		$	1,126	$	1,789
	Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion	—			—			624		624
	Total liabilities carried at fair value	$	—		$	663		$	1,750	$	2,413
	December 31, 2013 (in thousands)	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	Liabilities
	Accrued acquisition payments	$	—		$	789		$	1,389	$	2,178
	Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion	—			595			1,691		2,286
	Total liabilities carried at fair value	$	—		$	1,384		$	3,080	$	4,464
Contingent Consideration Obligations Level 3	Changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 acquisition related liabilities during the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
		Years ended December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Fair value at the beginning of the period	$	3,080		$	2,881
	Acquisition date fair value of contingent consideration obligations	—			309
	Acquisition date fair value of deferred consideration obligations	227			225
	Changes in the fair value of acquisition consideration obligations	(33		)	650
	Payments of deferred consideration obligations	(1,524		)	(985		)
	Fair value at the end of the period	$	1,750		$	3,080

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp1

Operating Segments and Geographical Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reported Net Income (Loss) of the Company	The table below presents information about the reported net income of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. Asset information, other than goodwill, by reportable segment is not reported, since the Company does not produce such information internally.
	(In thousands)	GLC			GES				Interpretation		Corporate			Total
											and Other
	31-Dec-14
	External revenue	$	329,279		$	138,645			$	22,688	$	—		$	490,612
	Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	217,774			97,309				19,454		—			334,537
	Depreciation and amortization including acquisition-related intangible assets	5,285			3,216				35		2,632			11,168
	Other operating expenses	77,251			19,527				1,892		—			98,670
	Segment contribution	28,969			18,593				1,307		(2,632		)	46,237
	Interest expense and other unallocated items	—			—				—		(34,754		)	(34,754		)
	Income (loss) before income taxes	28,969			18,593				1,307		(37,386		)	11,483
	Provision for income taxes	—			—				—		3,376			3,376
	Net income (loss)	$	28,969		$	18,593			$	1,307	$	(40,762	)	$	8,107
	31-Dec-13
	External revenue	$	321,020		$	145,788			$	22,388	$	—		$	489,196
	Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	215,612			100,323				18,578		—			334,513
	Depreciation and amortization including acquisition-related intangible assets	5,082			3,148				32		2,463			10,725
	Other operating expenses	75,516			18,807				1,730		—			96,053
	Segment contribution	24,810			23,510				2,048		(2,463		)	47,905
	Interest expense and other unallocated items	—			—				—		(34,241		)	(34,241		)
	Income (loss) before income taxes	24,810			23,510				2,048		(36,704		)	13,664
	Provision for income taxes	—			—				—		2,024			2,024
	Net income (loss)	$	24,810		$	23,510			$	2,048	$	(38,728	)	$	11,640
	31-Dec-12
	External revenue	$	314,740		$	119,050			$	23,408	$	—		$	457,198
	Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	211,555			83,094				19,603		—			314,252
	Depreciation and amortization including acquisition-related intangible assets	4,660			1,785				28		2,597			9,070
	Other operating expenses	74,008			15,147				1,867		—			91,022
	Segment contribution	24,517			19,024				1,910		(2,597		)	42,854
	Interest expense and other unallocated items	—			—				—		(34,453		)	(34,453		)
	Income (loss) before income taxes	24,517			19,024				1,910		(37,050		)	8,401
	Benefit from income taxes	—			—				—		(2,931		)	(2,931		)
	Net income (loss)	$	24,517		$	19,024			$	1,910	$	(34,119	)	$	11,332
Schedules of Concentration of Risk	The following is a breakdown of clients who accounted for greater than 10% of total revenue as of December 31:
		% of Total Revenue
		2014		2013			2012
	Microsoft	21	%	24	%		19	%
	Google	12	%	12	%		13	%
Summary of Lionbridge's Revenue and Long-lived Assets by Geographical Region	A summary of Lionbridge’s revenue and long-lived assets by geographical region is as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013				2012
	Revenue:
	Americas	$	234,015		$	258,471			$	224,322
	Western Europe	183,564			161,850				166,542
	Asia	47,320			59,126				57,821
	Eastern Europe	25,713			9,749				8,513
	Total	$	490,612		$	489,196			$	457,198
	Revenue is presented based on the country in which projects are managed.
		December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Long-lived assets:
	Americas	$	17,655		$	13,564
	Western Europe	5,670			5,804
	Asia	4,622			5,697
	Eastern Europe	1,352			1,390
	Total	$	29,299		$	26,455

Supplemental_Disclosure_of_Cas1

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
		Year Ended December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014		2013		2012
	Non-cash activities:
	Property and equipment included in accounts payable	$	135	$	—	$	—
	Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
	Interest paid	403		602		620
	Income taxes paid, net	3,478		3,472		2,109

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou1

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts Receivable Reserve [Member]
Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	The following table sets forth activity in Lionbridge’s allowance for doubtful accounts:
	Year Ended: (in thousands)	Balance at		Charges to	(Deductions)/		Balance at
		Beginning of		Operations	Recoveries		End of Year
		Year
	31-Dec-12	$	500	13	(263	)	$	250
	31-Dec-13	$	250	198	(198	)	$	250
	31-Dec-14	$	250	15	(15	)	$	250
Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance [Member]
Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	The following table sets forth activity in Lionbridge’s deferred tax asset valuation allowance:
	Year Ended: (in thousands)	Balance at		Additions	(Deductions)		Balance at
		Beginning of					End of Year
		Year
	31-Dec-12	$	102,455	1,628	(16,709	)	$	87,374
	31-Dec-13	$	87,374	3,039	(8,375	)	$	82,038
	31-Dec-14	$	82,038	5,373	(15,687	)	$	71,724

Net_Income_Loss_per_Share_Tabl

Net Income (Loss) per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share	Shares used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, are as follows:
		December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014	2013	2012
	Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding-basic	60,149	59,989	59,102
	Dilutive common stock equivalents relating to options and restricted stock	2,891	2,014	2,017
	Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding-diluted	63,040	62,003	61,119

Other_Current_Assets_Other_Acc1

Other Current Assets, Other Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Summary of Selected Balance Sheet Items	The follow table presents the components of selected balance sheet items at December 31:
	(In thousands)	2014		2013
	Other current assets:
	Deferred project costs	$	2,555	$	3,872
	Prepaid income tax	3,009		2,592
	Other prepaid expenses	2,787		3,522
	Deferred tax asset, short-term	1,148		1,276
	Other current assets	2,591		1,676
	Total other current assets	$	12,090	$	12,938
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
	Accrued acquisition payments	$	1,789	$	2,178
	Accrued volume discounts	384		1,314
	Other accrued expenses	5,962		5,111
	Deferred tax liability, short-term	1,167		904
	Other current liabilities	1,183		1,648
	Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	10,485	$	11,155
	Other long-term liabilities:
	Pension and post retirement obligations, long-term portion	$	2,427	$	2,452
	Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion	624		2,286
	Accrued income tax uncertainties	4,572		5,115
	Accrued restructuring, long-term portion	1,329		1,606
	Other long-term liabilities	4,834		1,713
	Total other long-term liabilities	$	13,786	$	13,172

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Accumulated other comprehensive income consisted of the following at December 31:
	(In thousands)	2014		2013
	Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments	$	16,183	$	19,589
	Unfunded projected benefit obligation	581		760
	Accumulative other comprehensive income	$	16,764	$	20,349

Basis_of_Presentation_Addition

Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business segments	3

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Clients	Clients
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Advertising costs	$200,000	$300,000	$400,000
Maturity period of time deposits Investments under cash and cash equivalents	30 days
Number of other clients, individually accounted for more than 10% of account receivables	0	0
Impairment of goodwill	0	0
Unbilled receivables are expected to be billed and collected	1 year
Maturity period of highly liquid investments under Cash and cash equivalents	90 days
Foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding	0	0
Translation loss or gain	-3,406,000	790,000	1,064,000
Realized and unrealized foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	900,000	-900,000	-1,100,000
Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Percentage of consolidated accounts receivable	10.00%	10.00%
Internal Use Software Not Yet Placed In Service [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capitalized costs	$0	$0	$1,300,000
Software Development [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Amortization period for capitalized costs placed in service	2 years
Software Development [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Amortization period for capitalized costs placed in service	7 years
Hewlett Packard [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Percentage of consolidated accounts receivable	11.00%	11.00%
Rolls Royce [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Percentage of consolidated accounts receivable	12.00%

Significant_Accounting_Policie3

Significant Accounting Policies - Capitalized Costs Related to Development of Internal Use Software (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$3,317,000	$3,351,000	$2,454,000
Internal Use Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capitalized costs	2,863,000	2,785,000	3,698,000
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$2,269,000	$2,057,000	$2,156,000

Significant_Accounting_Policie4

Significant Accounting Policies - Estimated Useful Lives of the Assets (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Computer Software and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, depreciated over useful life	2 years
Computer Software and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, depreciated over useful life	7 years
Furniture and Office Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, depreciated over useful life	3 years
Furniture and Office Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, depreciated over useful life	10 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Leasehold improvements Estimate Useful Life	Shorter of remaining lease term or useful life of asset

Significant_Accounting_Policie5

Significant Accounting Policies - Estimated Useful Lives of Acquisition Intangible Assets (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
PRI, VSI & E5 [Member] | Developed Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	5 years
PRI, VSI & E5 [Member] | Core Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	10 years
Minimum [Member] | Acquisitions Previous To 2011 [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Acquisitions Previous To 2011 [Member] | Customer Contracts [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Acquisitions Previous To 2011 [Member] | Software Development [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	1 year
Minimum [Member] | PRI, VSI & E5 [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	2 years
Minimum [Member] | PRI, VSI & E5 [Member] | Non-compete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	1 year
Minimum [Member] | PRI, VSI & E5 [Member] | Trademark [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	1 year
Maximum [Member] | Acquisitions Previous To 2011 [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	12 years
Maximum [Member] | Acquisitions Previous To 2011 [Member] | Customer Contracts [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	5 years
Maximum [Member] | Acquisitions Previous To 2011 [Member] | Software Development [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	4 years
Maximum [Member] | PRI, VSI & E5 [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	12 years
Maximum [Member] | PRI, VSI & E5 [Member] | Non-compete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	5 years
Maximum [Member] | PRI, VSI & E5 [Member] | Trademark [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	3 years

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Oct. 03, 2014

16-May-14

Jun. 01, 2012

Nov. 30, 2012

Jan. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Oct. 02, 2013

Feb. 28, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Feb. 27, 2015

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Restructuring, impairment and other charges

($6,624,000)

($5,114,000)

($8,206,000)

Clay Tablet Technologies [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage

100.00%

Total acquisition date fair value of the consideration

2,847,000

Acquired intangible assets

1,502,000

Percentage of discounted cash flows

23.00%

Transaction costs related to the acquisition

100,000

Clay Tablet Technologies [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Acquired intangible assets

1,200,000

Acquired finite lived intangible assets amortization period

5 years

Clay Tablet Technologies [Member] | Non-compete Agreements [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Acquired intangible assets

100,000

Acquired finite lived intangible assets amortization period

3 years

Clay Tablet Technologies [Member] | Trade Name [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Acquired intangible assets

100,000

Clay Tablet Technologies [Member] | Developed Technology [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Acquired intangible assets

200,000

Darwin Zone [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage

100.00%

Total acquisition date fair value of the consideration

2,392,000

Acquired intangible assets

824,000

Percentage of discounted cash flows

22.00%

Revenue attributable to aquiree

2,300,000

Darwin Zone [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Acquired intangible assets

700,000

Acquired finite lived intangible assets amortization period

5 years

Darwin Zone [Member] | Non-compete Agreements [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Acquired intangible assets

100,000

Acquired finite lived intangible assets amortization period

5 years

Darwin Zone [Member] | Trade Names [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Acquired intangible assets

100,000

Productive Resources LLC (PRI) [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Acquisition by cash payment

10,457,000

Total acquisition date fair value of the consideration

12,393,000

Acquired intangible assets

7,500,000

Revenue attributable to aquiree

10,900,000

6,200,000

Measurement period adjustment, amount

200,000

Period of cash to be paid

3 years

Fair value of deferred cash payments

2,000,000

Productive Resources LLC (PRI) [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Acquired intangible assets

6,200,000

Percentage of discounted cash flows

16.00%

Acquired finite lived intangible assets amortization period

12 years

Productive Resources LLC (PRI) [Member] | Non-compete Agreements [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Acquired intangible assets

1,300,000

Acquired finite lived intangible assets amortization period

5 years

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Acquisition by cash payment

3,449,000

Total acquisition date fair value of the consideration

6,331,000

Acquired intangible assets

3,880,000

Transaction costs related to the acquisition

100,000

Earn out potential payable

3,000,000

Cash paid upon closing

400,000

Period of cash to be paid

3 years

Estimated liability

1,500,000

1,500,000

Fair value of deferred cash payments

1,000,000

900,000

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Acquired intangible assets

900,000

Percentage of discounted cash flows

23.00%

Acquired finite lived intangible assets amortization period

2 years

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member] | Non-compete Agreements [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Acquired intangible assets

200,000

Percentage of discounted cash flows

23.00%

Acquired finite lived intangible assets amortization period

4 years

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member] | Developed Technology [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Acquired intangible assets

1,700,000

Percentage of discounted cash flows

19.00%

Acquired finite lived intangible assets amortization period

5 years

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member] | Core Technology [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Acquired intangible assets

1,100,000

Percentage of discounted cash flows

26.00%

Acquired finite lived intangible assets amortization period

10 years

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member] | Trademark [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Acquired intangible assets

100,000

Percentage of discounted cash flows

23.00%

Acquired finite lived intangible assets amortization period

2 years

E5 Global Holdings [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage

100.00%

Acquisition by cash payment

1,393,000

Total acquisition date fair value of the consideration

1,927,000

Acquired intangible assets

397,000

Percentage of discounted cash flows

17.00%

Transaction costs related to the acquisition

100,000

200,000

Period of cash to be paid

2 years

Estimated liability

300,000

300,000

Fair value of deferred cash payments

200,000

Deferred Consideration Early Release

200,000

Restructuring, impairment and other charges

-100,000

Acquisition Contingent Payment

200,000

E5 Global Holdings [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Acquired intangible assets

300,000

Acquired finite lived intangible assets amortization period

5 years

E5 Global Holdings [Member] | Non-compete Agreements [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Acquired intangible assets

100,000

Acquired finite lived intangible assets amortization period

1 year

E5 Global Holdings [Member] | Trademark [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Acquired intangible assets

100,000

Acquired finite lived intangible assets amortization period

1 year

Maximum [Member] | E5 Global Holdings [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Contingent Consideration Potential Cash Payables

2,200,000

Subsequent Event [Member] | Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Fair value of deferred cash payments

$700,000

Acquisitions_Fair_Value_of_Ass

Acquisitions - Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Recorded as of the Acquisition Date (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	16-May-14	Oct. 03, 2014	Oct. 02, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Jun. 01, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$21,937,000	$19,595,000	$18,652,000
Darwin Zone [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash				36,000
Accounts receivable				698,000
Other assets				115,000
Property and equipment				206,000
Intangible assets				824,000
Goodwill				984,000
Total assets				2,863,000
Accounts payable				-222,000
Other liabilities				-249,000
Total consideration transferred				2,392,000
Clay Tablet Technologies [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash					19,000
Accounts receivable					286,000
Other assets					84,000
Property and equipment					8,000
Intangible assets					1,502,000
Goodwill					1,358,000
Total assets					3,257,000
Accounts payable					-83,000
Other liabilities					-327,000
Total consideration transferred					2,847,000
E5 Global Holdings [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash						104,000
Accounts receivable						589,000
Other assets						104,000
Intangible assets						397,000
Goodwill						943,000
Total assets						2,137,000
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities						-210,000
Total consideration transferred						1,927,000
Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash							4,000
Accounts receivable							529,000
Other assets							2,000
Intangible assets							3,880,000
Goodwill							3,713,000
Total assets							8,128,000
Accounts payable							-20,000
Accrued expenses							-29,000
Other liabilities							-93,000
Deferred tax liabilities							-1,504,000
Debt							-151,000
Total consideration transferred							6,331,000
Productive Resources LLC (PRI) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash								27,000
Accounts receivable								2,077,000
Unbilled receivables								967,000
Prepaid and other assets								118,000
Property and equipment								240,000
Intangible assets								7,500,000
Goodwill								5,264,000
Total assets								16,193,000
Accounts payable								-82,000
Accrued compensation and benefits								-704,000
Other liabilities								-62,000
Deferred tax liabilities								-2,952,000
Total consideration transferred								$12,393,000

Acquisitions_Estimated_Acquisi

Acquisitions - Estimated Acquisition Date Fair Value (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 02, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Jun. 01, 2012
E5 Global Holdings [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Initial cash payment	$1,393
Deferred cash payment	225
Fair value of deferred and contingent earn-out cash payments	309
Total consideration transferred	1,927
Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Initial cash payment		3,449
Fair value of deferred and contingent earn-out cash payments		2,882
Total consideration transferred		6,331
Productive Resources LLC (PRI) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Initial cash payment			10,457
Fair value of deferred and contingent earn-out cash payments			1,936
Total consideration transferred			$12,393

Acquisitions_Unaudited_Pro_For

Acquisitions - Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Results of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Basic earnings per share	$0.13	$0.19	$0.19
Diluted earnings per share	$0.13	$0.19	$0.19
Productive Resources LLC (PRI) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue		$461,932
Net income		$11,960
Basic earnings per share		$0.20
Diluted earnings per share		$0.20

Property_and_Equipment_Summary

Property and Equipment - Summary of Property and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$65,947	$60,313
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-42,325	-39,345
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total	23,622	20,968
Computer Software and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	46,611	44,183
Furniture and Office Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	3,438	3,595
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$15,898	$12,535

Property_and_Equipment_Additio

Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation and amortization expense	$7,851	$7,374	$6,616

Property_and_Equipment_Summary1

Property and Equipment - Summary of Rollforward of ARO Balances (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
ARO Beginning Balance	$1,436	$950
Liabilities recorded	72	560
Liabilities settled	-88	-87
Accretion expense and currency impact	-98	13
ARO Ending Balance	$1,322	$1,436

Goodwill_and_AcquisitionRelate2

Goodwill and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets - Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012	16-May-14	Oct. 03, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Gross	$140,182,000	$142,524,000	$139,239,000
Accumulated goodwill impairment	-120,587,000	-120,587,000	-120,587,000
Balance, net	19,595,000	21,937,000	18,652,000
EFive Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Acquired	943,000
Darwin Zone [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, net				984,000
Goodwill Acquired		984,000
Clay Tablet Technologies [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, net					1,358,000
Goodwill Acquired		1,358,000
GLC Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Gross	125,851,000	128,193,000	125,851,000
Accumulated goodwill impairment	-120,587,000	-120,587,000	-120,587,000
Balance, net	5,264,000	7,606,000	5,264,000
Goodwill Acquired	0
GLC Segment [Member] | Darwin Zone [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Acquired		984,000
GLC Segment [Member] | Clay Tablet Technologies [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Acquired		1,358,000
GES Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Gross	14,331,000	14,331,000	13,388,000
Accumulated goodwill impairment	0	0	0
Balance, net	14,331,000	14,331,000	13,388,000
Goodwill Acquired	943,000	0
Interpretation Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Gross	0	0	0
Accumulated goodwill impairment	0	0	0
Balance, net	0	0	0
Goodwill Acquired	$0	$0

Goodwill_and_AcquisitionRelate3

Goodwill and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets - Summary of Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	$62,420	$60,094
Accumulated Amortization	-50,188	-46,868
Balance	12,232	13,226
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	41,240	39,390
Accumulated Amortization	-31,989	-29,564
Balance	9,251	9,826
Customer Contracts [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	14,000	14,000
Accumulated Amortization	-14,000	-14,000
Balance	0	0
BGS Acquired technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	5,327	5,117
Accumulated Amortization	-3,272	-2,804
Balance	2,055	2,313
Non-compete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	1,675	1,500
Accumulated Amortization	-819	-465
Balance	856	1,035
Acquired Trademarks [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	178	87
Accumulated Amortization	-108	-35
Balance	$70	$52

Goodwill_and_AcquisitionRelate4

Goodwill and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets	$3,317,000	$3,351,000	$2,454,000
Number of reporting units	3
Goodwill	21,937,000	19,595,000	18,652,000
Adjustment to goodwill	0	0
Software license and capitalized development costs impairment			4,000,000
Cost related to real property			200,000
Interpretation [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$0	$0

Goodwill_and_AcquisitionRelate5

Goodwill and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets - Amortization of Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$2,923
2016	2,703
2017	2,065
2018	1,067
2019	871
Thereafter	2,603
Balance	$12,232	$13,226

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Oct. 30, 2013
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Amended and restated credit agreement	$65		$65
Revolving credit facility increased limit	35
Outstanding debt maturity date		30-Oct-18
Credit agreement outstanding		27
Credit agreement interest rate		1.41%
Fair value of debt		27
Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Amended and restated credit agreement	10		10
Swingline Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Amended and restated credit agreement	$10		$10
Minimum [Member] | Prime Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate for revolving credit facility	0.25%
Minimum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate for revolving credit facility	1.25%
Maximum [Member] | Prime Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate for revolving credit facility	1.00%
Maximum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate for revolving credit facility	2.00%

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Noncancelable Operating Leases (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$12,497
2016	9,902
2017	5,840
2018	5,307
2019	6,547
Thereafter	18,079
Operating leases, future minimum payments receivable, total	$58,172

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Rental expense	$12.70	$13.40	$13.50

Stockholders_Equity_and_StockB2

Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Oct. 30, 2012	3-May-11
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Company's common stock closing price	$5.75
Weighted average grant fair value of options	$4	$3.87	$2.79
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$789,000	$400,000	$1,200,000
Total cash received from employees as a result of employee stock option exercises	1,000,000	600,000	1,700,000
Total fair value of shares vested	700,000	700,000	600,000
Stock-based compensation expense	7,484,000	6,777,000	5,784,000
Estimated weighted average period of recognition of future compensation cost	2 years 2 months 26 days
Future compensation cost related to non-vested stock options	900,000
Stock Option, Granted	251,810	350,000	422,500
Number of shares issued	1,615,141
Period for lapse of restriction upon achievement of targets	2 years
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Estimated weighted average period of recognition of future compensation cost	2 years 3 months 21 days
Future compensation cost related to non-vested stock options	8,500,000
Combined fair market value of restricted common stock and restricted stock units	8,800,000
Weighted average grant fair value of restricted stock awards granted	$5.44	$3.90	$2.80
Total fair value of restricted stock awards vested	5,500,000	6,900,000	3,900,000
Disposition Which Lapse Over Four Years [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restrictions on disposition shares	1,287,141
Performance Period For Restricted Stock	4 years
Disposition Which Lapse Over Thirteen Months [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restrictions on disposition shares	35,592
Performance Period For Restricted Stock	13 months
Restricted Common Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares issued	1,421,500
Restricted shares granted to employees	328,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares issued	193,641
2012 Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Amount authorized to the share repurchasing program				18,000,000
Duration of share repurchasing program				3 years
Authorization of company to repurchase Lionbridge common shares				$6,000,000
2011 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock issued to stake holders					8,500,000
Number of shares available for future grant	2,701,328
Exercise price of incentive and non-qualified stock option grant fair market value of the common stock					100.00%
Stock incentive plan vesting period					4 years
2011 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Vesting Year One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of option shares vesting rate					25.00%
2011 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Vesting Each Six Months Thereafter [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of option shares vesting rate					12.50%
2011 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock option expiration period					10 years
2011 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock option expiration period					5 years
2005 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock issued to stake holders	8,500,000
Number of shares available for future grant	0
Exercise price of incentive and non-qualified stock option grant fair market value of the common stock	100.00%
Stock incentive plan vesting period	4 years
Expiration date of stock incentive plan	3-May-11
2005 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Vesting Year One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of option shares vesting rate	25.00%
2005 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Vesting Each Six Months Thereafter [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of option shares vesting rate	12.50%
2005 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock option expiration period	10 years
2005 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock option expiration period	5 years
1998 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock issued to stake holders	11,722,032
Number of shares available for future grant	0
Exercise price of incentive and non-qualified stock option grant fair market value of the common stock	100.00%
Stock incentive plan vesting period	4 years
Expiration date of stock incentive plan	26-Jan-08
1998 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Vesting Year One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of option shares vesting rate	25.00%
1998 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Vesting Each Six Months Thereafter [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of option shares vesting rate	12.50%
1998 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise price of incentive and non-qualified stock option grant fair market value of the common stock	110.00%
Stock option expiration period	10 years
1998 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock option expiration period	5 years

Stockholders_Equity_and_StockB3

Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Repurchase Data (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	($5,944)	($5,213)
Two Thousand Fourteen Shares Repurchase Program [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	-5,944
Total Number of Shares Purchased	1,110,009
Two Thousand Thirteen Shares Repurchase Programs [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value		($5,213)
Total Number of Shares Purchased		1,682,191

Stockholders_Equity_and_StockB4

Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Number of Options Outstanding, Beginning Balance	2,231,095
Number of Options, Granted	251,810	350,000	422,500
Number of Options, Exercised	-278,813
Number of Options, Canceled (forfeited and expired)	-142,625
Number of Options Outstanding, Ending Balance	2,061,467	2,231,095
Number of Options, vested or expected to vest	1,917,642
Number of Options, Exercisable	1,354,845
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$3.87
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted	$5.44
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised	$3.53
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Canceled (forfeited and expired)	$5.40
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Ending Balance	$4	$3.87
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Vested or expected to vest	$3.80
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable	$3.63
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years), Outstanding	3 years 5 months
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years), Vested or expected to vest	3 years 6 months
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years), Exercisable	2 years 4 months
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercised	$789	$400	$1,200
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding	3,811
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested or Expected to vest	3,756
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	$2,889

Stockholders_Equity_and_StockB5

Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation - Fair Value of Option (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected life (years)		4 years	4 years
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate	1.30%	0.54%	0.50%
Expected volatility	53.60%	58.90%	69.30%
Expected life (years)	4 years
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate	2.00%	0.62%	0.83%
Expected volatility	71.70%	66.70%	80.20%
Expected life (years)	6 years 3 months

Stockholders_Equity_and_StockB6

Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Non-Vested Restricted Stock Awards Activity (Detail) (Restricted Stock Awards [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Non-vested, Number of Restricted Share Awards beginning balance	4,779,626
Granted at fair market value, Non-vested Number of Restricted Share Awards	1,615,141
Vested, Non-vested Number of Restricted Share Awards	-1,728,130
Forfeited, Non-vested Number of Restricted Share Awards	-300,375
Non-vested, Number of Restricted Share Awards ending balance	4,366,262	4,779,626
Non-vested, Grant Date Fair Value beginning balance	$3.39
Granted at fair market value, Grant Date Fair Value	$5.44	$3.90	$2.80
Vested, Grant Date Fair Value	$3.15
Forfeited, Grant Date Fair Value	$4.21
Non-vested, Grant Date Fair Value ending balance	$4.23	$3.39

Stockholders_Equity_and_StockB7

Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Non-Vested Restricted Awards Activity by Type (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Non-vested in Period, Exercise Price	$0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options	$900
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	995,000	1,149,500	1,367,500	1,256,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	328,000	377,000	412,500
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	-412,500	-567,300	-285,649
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period	-70,000	-27,700	-15,351
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms	0 years 11 months 24 days
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options	723
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Shared-based Payment Award, Equity Investments other than Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value	5,721
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	3,371,262	3,630,126	3,588,035	3,092,825
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	1,287,141	1,391,068	1,678,121
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	-1,315,630	-1,263,039	-1,099,473
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period	-230,375	-85,938	-83,438
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms	2 years 5 months 13 days
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options	7,726
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Shared-based Payment Award, Equity Investments other than Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value	$19,378

Stockholders_Equity_and_StockB8

Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Stock Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$7,484	$6,777	$5,784
Cost of Sales [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	125	86	108
Selling and Marketing Expense [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	2,222	1,257	1,122
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	5,054	5,385	4,502
Research and Development Expense [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$83	$49	$52

Income_Taxes_Components_of_Con

Income Taxes - Components of Consolidated Income Before Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
United States	($2,894)	$3,939	$3,626
Foreign	14,377	9,725	4,775
Income before income taxes	$11,483	$13,664	$8,401

Income_Taxes_Components_of_the

Income Taxes - Components of the Provision for (Benefit) from Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current:
Federal	$70	$144	$208
State	284	279	425
Foreign	3,522	2,246	982
Total current provision (benefit)	3,876	2,669	1,615
Deferred:
Foreign	-500	-645	-99
Domestic	0	0	-4,447
Total deferred (benefit) provision	-500	-645	-4,546
Effective tax provision (benefit)	$3,376	$2,024	($2,931)

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Statutory rates	34.00%
Reduction to net deferred tax asset	$600,000
Operating loss carryforwards exercise of stock options	10,800,000
Un-repatriated earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries	116,300,000
Unrecognized tax benefits	3,765,000	3,578,000	3,821,000		4,493,000
Accrued interest and penalties related unrecognized tax benefits	1,500,000	1,400,000
Unrecognized tax positions	522,000	541,000	884,000
Scenario Forecast [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Unrecognized tax positions				800,000
Federal Research and Development [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards expiration year	2014
Federal foreign tax credits used to offset future income tax	100,000
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	74,700,000
Operating loss carryforwards expiration year	2020
Foreign Tax Provision [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	$154,000,000
Federal foreign tax credit expiration year	2018
Foreign Tax Provision [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Statutory rates	12.50%
Foreign Tax Provision [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Statutory rates	38.70%

Income_Taxes_Summary_Income_Ta

Income Taxes - Summary Income Tax Provision and Income Taxes Computed Using U.S. Federal Statutory Tax Rate (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Statutory tax provision	$3,905	$4,714	$2,856
State income taxes	216	427	704
Tax rate differential for international jurisdictions and related items	-3,266	-2,245	-2,209
Changes in reserves for uncertain tax positions	409	-401	-901
Valuation allowance	-325	-5,143	-9,676
Stock-based compensation	329	-9	-76
Officers' compensation	625	154	227
Acquisition costs	255	0	0
Foreign exchange gain	453	446	519
Permanent differences	670	1,248	2,353
Rate change on deferred	39	2,156	3,290
Other	66	677	-18
Effective tax provision (benefit)	$3,376	$2,024	($2,931)

Income_Taxes_Consolidated_Defe

Income Taxes - Consolidated Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S. net operating loss carryforwards	$25,504	$26,130
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards	39,948	46,661
Amortization and depreciation of long-lived assets	-1,589	-2,287
Goodwill amortization	2,339	2,743
Reserves and accruals	804	936
Tax credits carryforwards	840	1,138
Stock-based compensation	4,023	6,763
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss	-231	656
Deferred revenue	415	330
Other	1,292	96
Valuation allowance	-71,724	-82,038
Net deferred tax asset	$1,621	$1,128

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of the Beginning and Ending Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$3,578	$3,821	$4,493
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	709	305	491
Reductions for tax positions of prior years			-85
Reductions for audit settlements of prior years	0	-7	-194
Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations	-522	-541	-884
Ending Balance	$3,765	$3,578	$3,821

Restructuring_Charges_Addition

Restructuring Charges - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated payment of accruals related to employee termination costs and vacated facilities	$4,821,000	$2,807,000	$3,794,000	$2,867,000
Restructuring and related activities amount expected to be utilized in next fiscal year	3,500,000
Accrued restructuring	1,329,000	1,606,000
Lease Obligation on Unused Facilities [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Accrued restructuring	$1,300,000
Restructuring reserve on unused facility expiration year	2026

Restructuring_Charges_Restruct

Restructuring Charges Restructuring Charges - Summary of Restructuring Charges Recorded (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges recorded	$4,527	$3,527	$3,601
Cash payments related to liabilities recorded on exit or disposal activities	2,513	4,514	2,674
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges recorded	4,281	3,244	3,273
Cash payments related to liabilities recorded on exit or disposal activities	2,185	4,220	2,294
Vacated Facility/Lease Termination [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges recorded	0	35	0
Restructuring charges, net of changes in estimated liabilities	246	283	328
Cash payments related to liabilities recorded on exit or disposal activities	$328	$294	$380

Restructuring_Charges_Summary_

Restructuring Charges - Summary of Restructuring Reserve Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$2,807	$3,794	$2,867
Restructuring charges recorded	4,527	3,527	3,601
Cash payments related to liabilities recorded on exit or disposal activities	-2,513	-4,514	-2,674
Ending balance	4,821	2,807	3,794
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges recorded	4,281	3,244	3,273
Cash payments related to liabilities recorded on exit or disposal activities	-2,185	-4,220	-2,294
Restructuring reserve, period increase (decrease), Total	2,096	-976	979
Vacated Facility/Lease Termination [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges recorded	0	35	0
Revisions of estimated liabilities	246	248	328
Cash payments related to liabilities recorded on exit or disposal activities	-328	-294	-380
Restructuring reserve, period increase (decrease), Total	($82)	($11)	($52)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Non-cash restructuring and other charges	($107,000)	$650,000	$4,167,000
Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Percentage of Discounted Cash Flows Attributable to Contingent Consideration	17.00%
Level 2 [Member] | Productive Resources LLC (PRI) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Acquisition costs			2,000,000
Number of installments			3
Maturity date		2015-06
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Contingent consideration	1,750,000	3,080,000	2,881,000
Level 3 [Member] | Virtual Solutions Inc [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Contingent consideration	1,800,000
Non-cash restructuring and other charges	100,000
Level 3 [Member] | Virtual Solutions Inc And Efive Global Holdings [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Contingent consideration		3,100,000
Level 3 [Member] | E5 Global Holdings [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Non-cash restructuring and other charges	$100,000
Minimum [Member] | Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Probability of Achievement Weighting	70.00%
Maximum [Member] | Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Probability of Achievement Weighting	78.00%

Fair_Value_Measurements_Assets

Fair Value Measurements - Assets and Liabilities Carried at Fair Value (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
Accrued acquisition payments	$77,529	$77,532
Other long-term liabilities:
Total liabilities carried at fair value	2,413	4,464
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Accrued Acquisition Payments [Member]
Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
Accrued acquisition payments	1,789	2,178
Other long-term liabilities:
Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion	624	2,286
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Other long-term liabilities:
Total liabilities carried at fair value	663	1,384
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Accrued Acquisition Payments [Member]
Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
Accrued acquisition payments	663	789
Other long-term liabilities:
Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion	0	595
Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Other long-term liabilities:
Total liabilities carried at fair value	1,750	3,080
Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Accrued Acquisition Payments [Member]
Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
Accrued acquisition payments	1,126	1,389
Other long-term liabilities:
Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion	$624	$1,691

Fair_Value_Measurements_Contin

Fair Value Measurements - Contingent Consideration Obligations Level 3 (Detail) (Level 3 [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Fair value at beginning of period			$2,881
Fair value at the end of the period	1,750	3,080	2,881
Contingent Consideration Obligation [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Value At Acquisition Date	0	309
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Period Increase (Decrease)	-33	650
Deferred Consideration Obligation [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Value At Acquisition Date	227	225
Payments of contingent consideration obligations	($1,524)	($985)

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Additio

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]
Contribution of pre tax salary commission and bonuses through payroll deductions contribution percentage	50.00%
Contribution of pre tax salary commission and bonuses through payroll deductions contribution statutorily prescribed annual limit	$17,500
Discretionary profit sharing contributions	1,300,000	1,100,000	1,000,000
Defined benefit pension plan for employees	7,100,000	6,900,000	5,000,000
Costs Recognized Related to Multiple Employee Benefit Plans	$5,800,000	$5,800,000	$4,000,000

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp2

Operating Segments and Geographical Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Language
	Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Business segments	3
Number of Languages	360
Percentage of client accounted for total revenue	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
United States [Member] | Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Revenue	217.1	245.3	211.6
Ireland [Member] | Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Revenue	68.7	78.1	80

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp3

Operating Segments and Geographical Information - Information about Company's Segment Data (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
External revenue	$490,612	$489,196	$457,198
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	334,537	334,513	314,252
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	11,168	10,725	9,070
Other operating expenses	98,670	96,053	91,022
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Interest Expense, Interest Income, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interests, Net	46,237	47,905	42,854
Interest expense and other unallocated items	-34,754	-34,241	-34,453
Income before income taxes	11,483	13,664	8,401
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	3,376	2,024	-2,931
Net income	8,107	11,640	11,332
GLC Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
External revenue	329,279	321,020	314,740
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	217,774	215,612	211,555
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	5,285	5,082	4,660
Other operating expenses	77,251	75,516	74,008
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Interest Expense, Interest Income, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interests, Net	28,969	24,810	24,517
Interest expense and other unallocated items	0	0	0
Income before income taxes	28,969	24,810	24,517
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	0	0	0
Net income	28,969	24,810	24,517
GES Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
External revenue	138,645	145,788	119,050
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	97,309	100,323	83,094
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	3,216	3,148	1,785
Other operating expenses	19,527	18,807	15,147
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Interest Expense, Interest Income, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interests, Net	18,593	23,510	19,024
Interest expense and other unallocated items	0	0
Income before income taxes	18,593	23,510	19,024
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	0	0	0
Net income	18,593	23,510	19,024
Interpretation Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
External revenue	22,688	22,388	23,408
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	19,454	18,578	19,603
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	35	32	28
Other operating expenses	1,892	1,730	1,867
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Interest Expense, Interest Income, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interests, Net	1,307	2,048	1,910
Interest expense and other unallocated items	0	0	0
Income before income taxes	1,307	2,048	1,910
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	0	0	0
Net income	1,307	2,048	1,910
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
External revenue	0	0	0
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	0	0	0
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	2,632	2,463	2,597
Other operating expenses	0	0	0
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Interest Expense, Interest Income, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interests, Net	-2,632	-2,463	-2,597
Interest expense and other unallocated items	-34,754	-34,241	-34,453
Income before income taxes	-37,386	-36,704	-37,050
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	3,376	2,024	-2,931
Net income	($40,762)	($38,728)	($34,119)

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp4

Operating Segments and Geographical Information Operating Segments and Geographical Information - Concentration of Risk (Details) (Revenue [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Microsoft [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	21.00%	24.00%	19.00%
Google [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	12.00%	12.00%	13.00%

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp5

Operating Segments and Geographical Information - Summary of Lionbridge's Revenue and Long-Lived Assets by Geographical Region (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenue:
Revenue	$490,612	$489,196	$457,198
Long-lived assets:
Long-lived assets	29,299	26,455
Americas [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	234,015	258,471	224,322
Long-lived assets:
Long-lived assets	17,655	13,564
Western Europe [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	183,564	161,850	166,542
Long-lived assets:
Long-lived assets	5,670	5,804
Asia [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	47,320	59,126	57,821
Long-lived assets:
Long-lived assets	4,622	5,697
Eastern Europe [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	25,713	9,749	8,513
Long-lived assets:
Long-lived assets	$1,352	$1,390

Supplemental_Disclosure_of_Cas2

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information - Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Property And Equipment Included In Accounts Payable	$135	$0	$0
Interest paid	403	602	620
Income taxes paid, net	$3,478	$3,472	$2,109

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou2

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Year	$82,038	$87,374	$102,455
Charges to Operations	5,373	3,039	1,628
(Deductions)/ Recoveries	-15,687	-8,375	-16,709
Balance at End of Year	71,724	82,038	87,374
Accounts Receivable Reserve [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Year	250	250	500
Charges to Operations	15	198	13
(Deductions)/ Recoveries	-15	-198	-263
Balance at End of Year	$250	$250	$250

Net_Income_Per_Share_Basic_and

Net Income Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share (Detail)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding-basic	60,149	59,989	59,102
Dilutive common stock equivalents relating to options and restricted stock	2,891	2,014	2,017
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding-diluted	63,040	62,003	61,119

Net_Income_Per_Share_Additiona

Net Income Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Options and unvested restricted stock to purchase	0.2	1.8	2.2

Other_Current_Assets_Other_Acc2

Other Current Assets, Other Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities - Summary of Selected Balance Sheet Items (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other current assets:
Deferred project costs	$2,555	$3,872
Prepaid income tax	3,009	2,592
Other prepaid expenses	2,787	3,522
Deferred tax asset, short-term	1,148	1,276
Other current assets	2,591	1,676
Total other current assets	12,090	12,938
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
Accrued acquisition payments	1,789	2,178
Accrued volume discounts	384	1,314
Other accrued expenses	5,962	5,111
Deferred tax liability, short-term	1,167	904
Other current liabilities	1,183	1,648
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	10,485	11,155
Other long-term liabilities:
Pension and post retirement obligations, long-term portion	2,427	2,452
Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion	624	2,286
Accrued income tax uncertainties	4,572	5,115
Accrued restructuring, long-term portion	1,329	1,606
Other long-term liabilities	4,834	1,713
Total other long-term liabilities	$13,786	$13,172

Other_Current_Assets_Accrued_E

Other Current Assets, Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities - Leasehold Improvements and Deferred Rent Liability (Details) (Waltham [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Waltham [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Leasehold Improvements, Gross		$2.70
Incentive from Lessor		2.7
Deferred Rent Credit, Noncurrent	$2.50

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	$16,183	$19,589
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax	581	760
Accumulative other comprehensive income	$16,764	$20,349

Subsequent_Events_Subsequent_E1

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events (Details)

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Oct. 30, 2013

Oct. 30, 2013

Jan. 02, 2015

Jan. 02, 2015

Jan. 07, 2015

Jan. 07, 2015

Jan. 07, 2015

Jan. 07, 2015

Oct. 30, 2013

Jan. 02, 2015

Oct. 30, 2013

Jan. 02, 2015

Oct. 30, 2013

Jan. 02, 2015

Oct. 30, 2013

Jan. 02, 2015

Oct. 30, 2013

Jan. 02, 2015

Oct. 30, 2013

Jan. 02, 2015

Jan. 07, 2015

USD ($)

USD ($)

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Tuscany Holding AG [Member]

Tuscany Holding AG [Member]

CLS Holding [Member]

CLS Corporate Language Services Holding AG [Member]

Swingline Loan [Member]

Swingline Loan [Member]

Standby Letters of Credit [Member]

Standby Letters of Credit [Member]

Prime Rate [Member]

Prime Rate [Member]

Prime Rate [Member]

Prime Rate [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

SWISS EXCHANGE [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

USD ($)

Subsequent Event [Member]

USD ($)

Subsequent Event [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Tuscany Holding AG [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

CHF

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage

100.00%

68.90%

31.10%

Acquisition by cash payment

$71,400,000

71,800,000

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

65,000,000

100,000,000

10,000,000

10,000,000

10,000,000

10,000,000

Secured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent

35,000,000

Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity Increase Available

$35,000,000

$65,000,000

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

0.25%

0.25%

1.00%

1.00%

1.25%

1.25%

2.00%

2.00%

Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Period

5 years