Lionbridge (LIOX) 10-Q 12 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Entity Registrant Name	'LIONBRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES INC /DE/	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001058299	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	63,650,623

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$32,326	$25,797
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $250 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012	69,018	64,152
Unbilled receivables	27,309	22,127
Other current assets	13,153	11,729
Total current assets	141,806	123,805
Property and equipment, net	20,175	19,430
Assets held for sale	'	727
Goodwill	18,652	18,652
Acquisition-related intangible assets, net	13,696	16,181
Other assets	5,189	5,262
Total assets	199,518	184,057
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	21,688	19,897
Accrued compensation and benefits	20,333	14,885
Accrued outsourcing	14,714	11,042
Accrued restructuring	1,407	2,210
Income taxes payable	2,805	3,220
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	12,353	11,092
Deferred revenue	9,798	9,277
Total current liabilities	83,098	71,623
Long-term debt	26,700	26,700
Deferred income taxes, long-term	1,143	1,143
Other long-term liabilities	14,532	15,010
Total liabilities	125,473	114,476
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding	'	'
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 63,749,571 and 64,039,585 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	637	640
Additional paid-in capital	271,910	273,479
Accumulated deficit	-218,132	-223,644
Accumulated other comprehensive income	19,630	19,106
Total stockholders' equity	74,045	69,581
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$199,518	$184,057

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
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	63,749,571	64,039,585
Common stock, shares outstanding	63,749,571	64,039,585

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Revenue	$124,647	$112,070	$361,724	$343,355
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)	83,088	76,176	249,223	234,922
Sales and marketing	8,725	7,913	26,997	25,052
General and administrative	20,574	18,990	59,243	57,670
Research and development	1,653	1,358	5,128	4,106
Depreciation and amortization	1,866	1,588	5,513	4,921
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets	828	675	2,484	1,700
Restructuring, impairment, and other charges	1,363	241	3,384	7,244
Total operating expenses	118,097	106,941	351,972	335,615
Income from operations	6,550	5,129	9,752	7,740
Interest expense:	'	'	'	'
Interest on outstanding debt	213	171	660	543
Amortization of deferred financing charges	25	24	75	74
Interest income	41	20	80	58
Other expense, net	66	165	950	805
Income before income taxes	6,287	4,789	8,147	6,376
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	1,273	700	2,636	-1,683
Net income	$5,014	$4,089	$5,511	$8,059
Net income per share of common stock:	'	'	'	'
Basic	$0.08	$0.07	$0.09	$0.14
Diluted	$0.08	$0.07	$0.09	$0.13
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic	59,523	59,336	60,461	58,934
Diluted	61,451	61,537	62,006	60,596

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$5,014	$4,089	$5,511	$8,059
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Impact to revalue unfunded projected benefit obligation	'	'	'	58
Foreign currency translation adjustment	554	493	524	144
Comprehensive income	$5,568	$4,582	$6,035	$8,261

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$5,511	$8,059
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Stock-based compensation	4,961	4,339
Amortization of deferred financing charges	75	74
Depreciation and amortization	5,513	4,921
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets	2,484	1,700
Non-cash restructuring, impairment and other charges	292	4,167
Provision for doubtful accounts	150	13
Deferred income taxes	'	-2,952
Other	-4	-4
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-4,959	-2,692
Unbilled receivables	-5,115	-2,913
Other current assets	-1,420	-2,519
Other assets	-75	397
Accounts payable	1,663	999
Accrued compensation and benefits	2,996	2,153
Accrued outsourcing	3,637	706
Accrued restructuring	-827	1,119
Income tax payable	-391	1,273
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	2,395	-754
Deferred revenue	487	-2,544
Net cash provided by operating activities	17,373	15,542
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-6,470	-5,553
Cash paid for acquisitions	-434	-10,430
Net cash used in investing activities	-6,904	-15,983
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from borrowings on revolving line of credit	9,550	3,000
Payments of borrowings on revolving line of credit	-9,550	-3,000
Proceeds from borrowings on long term debt	'	10,000
Payments of borrowings on long term debt	'	-8,000
Payments for share repurchases	-4,742	'
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under stock option plans	675	1,162
Payments of deferred acquisition obligations	-647	'
Payments of capital lease obligations	-26	-11
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-4,740	3,151
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	5,729	2,710
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	800	-199
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	25,797	25,219
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$32,326	$27,730

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	Nature of the Business
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lionbridge Technologies, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, “Lionbridge” or the “Company”). These financial statements are unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, all of a normal recurring nature, necessary for their fair presentation. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results expected for a full year. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of the operations, financial position and cash flows of the Company in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2012 was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP for annual financial statements. These statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	The Company’s preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Estimates are used (but not limited to) when accounting for collectability of receivables, calculating service revenue using a proportional performance assessment and valuing intangible assets and deferred tax assets. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
	Out of Period Adjustments
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company identified certain out of period immaterial errors related to the calculation of revenue-related discounts, the calculation of the foreign exchange impact of a certain intercompany balance, time and materials revenue calculations for a certain project, and previously unrecorded asset retirement obligations for certain office leases.
	The Company corrected the identified error relating to the calculation of revenue-related discounts during the three-month interim period ended December 31, 2012 during the first quarter of 2013, which had the effect of reducing revenue and net income by $0.2 million during the three-month interim period ended March 31, 2013.
	The Company corrected the identified error relating to the calculation of foreign exchange impact of a certain intercompany balance during the three-month interim period ended June 30, 2013, which had the effect of overstating other expense, net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations by $0.1 million for the three-month interim period ended June 30, 2013.
	The Company corrected the identified error relating to the calculation of time and materials revenue during the three-month interim period ended September 30, 2013, which had the effect of reducing revenue and net income by $0.2 million during the three-month interim period ended September 30, 2013.
	The Company corrected the identified error relating to previously unrecorded asset retirement obligations during the three-month interim period ended September 30, 2013, which had the effect of increasing accrued expenses and other current liabilities, increasing general and administrative expenses and decreasing net income by $0.4 million during the three-month interim period ended September 30, 2013. Had the asset retirement obligations been booked in the proper periods, the Company would have booked $0.3 million during the three-month interim period ended September 30, 2007 and $0.1 million during the three-month interim period ended June 30, 2010.
	The Company has evaluated these errors and does not believe the amounts are material to any of the periods impacted. The table below summarizes the net impact of the aforementioned adjustments on the condensed and consolidated statement of operations, had they been recorded in the proper period (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Revenue	$	217		$	(16	)	$	239		$	(43	)
	General and administrative expenses	$	(365	)	$	—		$	(365	)	$	—
	Other expense, net	$	—		$	101		$	(166	)	$	91
	Net income	$	582		$	(117	)	$	770		$	(134	)

Stockholders_Equity_and_StockB

Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation	'
	2. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	Restricted Stock Awards
	Lionbridge issued 1,637,500 and 98,568 shares of restricted common stock and restricted stock units, respectively, under the Company’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan, during the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 representing a fair market value of $6.8 million. Of the total 1,736,068 shares of restricted common stock and restricted stock units issued in the nine month period ended September 30, 2013, 1,305,500 have restrictions on disposition which lapse over four years from the date of grant, 53,568 have restrictions on disposition which lapse over thirteen months from date of grant, and 377,000 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 Corporation’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan. Pursuant to the terms of the LTIP, restrictions with respect to the stock will lapse upon the achievement of revenue and/or 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 in accordance with the forfeiture table per the grant agreements.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, Lionbridge’s Stockholders approved an additional 4.0 million shares for issuance under the Company’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan.
	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 of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation”. Total compensation expense related to stock options, performance-based restricted stock awards and time-based restricted stock awards was $1.7 million and $1.5 million for the three month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $5.0 million and $4.3 million for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, classified in the condensed consolidated statements of operations line items as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Cost of revenue	$	23	$	22	$	69	$	88
	Sales and marketing		316		297		936		847
	General and administrative		1,299		1,208		3,919		3,365
	Research and development		13		13		37		39
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	1,651	$	1,540	$	4,961	$	4,339
	As of September 30, 2013, future compensation cost related to non-vested stock options, less estimated forfeitures, is approximately $1.1 million and will be recognized over an estimated weighted “average” period of approximately 2.3 years. Lionbridge currently expects to amortize $8.8 million of unamortized compensation in connection with restricted stock awards outstanding as of September 30, 2013 over an estimated weighted “average” period of approximately 2.3 years.
	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. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company repurchased approximately 249,000 and 1,564,500 common shares for an aggregate purchase price of $0.8 million and $4.8 million, respectively.

Unbilled_Receivables_and_Defer

Unbilled Receivables and Deferred Revenue	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]	'
Unbilled Receivables and Deferred Revenue	'
	3. UNBILLED RECEIVABLES AND DEFERRED REVENUE
	Unbilled receivables represent revenue recognized 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.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	4. DEBT
	On September 30, 2010, the Company entered into Amendment No. 3 (the “Amendment”) with HSBC Bank USA, National Association (“HSBC”) to extend the term for an additional four years to 2014 on its revolving credit agreement dated as of December 31, 2006, as the amended to date (the “Credit Agreement”), which was scheduled to expire in December 2011. In addition, under the terms of the Amendment, the Credit Agreement was amended to reflect that HSBC is the sole lender under the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement provides for a $50.0 million revolving credit facility and establishes interest rates in the range of Prime or LIBOR plus 1.75% - 2.50% (at the Company’s discretion), depending on certain conditions. At September 30, 2013, $26.7 million was outstanding with an interest rate of 2.18%. The fair value of debt approximates its current value of $26.7 million as of September 30, 2013. The fair value of the debt would be classified as a Level 2 measurement due to the use of inputs based on similar liabilities in the market. The outstanding debt on the Credit Agreement will be due in full on September 30, 2014. 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 bank covenants as of September 30, 2013.
	On October 30, 2013 the Company entered into amended and restated the Credit Agreement discussed above. See note 15—Subsequent Events for further details.

Net_Income_Per_Share

Net Income Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Net Income Per Share	'
	5. 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 three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding-basic		59,523		59,336		60,461		58,934
	Dilutive common stock equivalents relating to options and restricted stock		1,928		2,201		1,545		1,662
	Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding-diluted		61,451		61,537		62,006		60,596
	Options and unvested restricted stock to purchase 2.6 million and 2.1 million shares of common stock for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and 3.8 million and 2.3 million for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, were not included in the calculation of diluted net income per share, as their effect would be anti-dilutive.

Restructuring_Impairment_and_O

Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges	'
	6. RESTRUCTURING, IMPAIRMENT AND OTHER CHARGES
	During the nine month period ended September 30, 2013, Lionbridge recorded $3.4 million of restructuring and other charges, which included restructuring charges of $2.0 million for workforce reductions in Europe, the Americas and Asia consisting of 18 technical staff, 15 administrative staff and eight sales staff, and $0.2 million of 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, 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. These charges related primarily to the Company’s Global Language and Content (“GLC”) segments. The Company made $3.0 million of cash payments in the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 all of which related primarily to the GLC operating segments. The remaining $1.2 million of other charges recorded in the three months ended September 30, 2013 related to the Company’s engagement in strategic initiatives, a true-up of the deferred acquisition liability fair value from the VSI acquisition and acquisition costs related to the Company’s acquisition of E5 Global Holdings, Inc. on October 2, 2013.
	During the nine month period ended September 30, 2012, Lionbridge recorded $7.2 million of restructuring, impairment, and other charges consisting of $2.7 million in restructuring, $4.2 million in long-lived asset impairment and $0.3 million of acquisition related costs. The $2.7 million of restructuring charges recorded in the nine month period ended September 30, 2012 included $2.4 million for workforce reductions in Europe, the Americas and Asia consisting of 32 technical staff and 3 administrative staff, and $0.3 million of 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. The Company made $1.6 million of cash payments in the nine month period ended September 30, 2012 all of which related to the GLC operating segments. The $0.3 million of other charges recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 relate to transaction costs related to the PRI acquisition in June 2012.
	The following table summarizes the restructuring accrual activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, by category (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Beginning balance, January 1	$	3,794		$	2,867
	Employee severance:
	Restructuring charges recorded		1,947			2,434
	Cash payments related to liabilities recorded on exit or disposal activities		(2,754	)		(1,361	)
	Net employee severance activity		(807	)		1,073
	Vacated facility/Lease termination:
	Restructuring charges recorded		35			—
	Revision of estimated liabilities		248			242
	Cash payments related to liabilities recorded on exit or disposal activities		(294	)		(288	)
	Net vacated facility/lease termination activity		(11	)		(46	)
	Ending balance, September 30	$	2,976		$	3,894
	At September 30, 2013, the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet includes accruals totaling $3.0 million primarily related to employee termination costs and vacated facilities. Lionbridge currently anticipates that $1.4 million of these will be fully paid within twelve months. The remaining $1.6 million relates to lease obligations on unused facilities expiring through 2026 and is included in long-term liabilities.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	7. INCOME TAXES
	The provision for income taxes for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $1.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively. The provision (benefit) for income taxes for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $2.6 million and $(1.7) million, respectively. The tax provision (benefit) for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 consisted primarily of taxes on income in foreign jurisdictions, interest, and penalties recorded in relation to the Company’s uncertain tax positions. The tax provision for (benefit from) the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 consisted primarily of taxes on income in foreign jurisdictions, a deferred tax benefit related to the release of valuation allowance resulting from the deferred tax liability recorded in purchase price accounting for the Productive Resources, LLC (“PRI”) acquisition, as well as a tax benefit for the release of certain existing reserves for uncertain tax positions, primarily due to a favorable tax ruling in India. The tax provision change year over year is primarily due to the change in the mix of profits in foreign jurisdictions which are subject to tax, a deferred tax benefit related to the release of valuation allowance in 2012 resulting from the PRI acquisition, and a tax benefit for the release of certain existing reserves for uncertain tax positions.
	The balance of unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2013, not including interest and penalties, was $4.1 million, which, if recognized, would affect the effective income tax rate in future periods. Lionbridge also recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in tax expense. At September 30, 2013, Lionbridge had approximately $1.7 million of interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits.
	The Company conducts business globally and in the normal course of business is subject to examination by local, state and federal jurisdictions in the United States as well as in multiple foreign jurisdictions. Currently, no Internal Revenue Service audits are underway and audits in Belgium, Canada, Finland, Poland, and India are in varying stages of completion. Open audit years are dependent upon the tax jurisdiction and range from 2005 to present.
	At September 30, 2013, 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. Determination of the potential deferred income tax liability on these unrepatriated earnings is not practicable.
	Lionbridge’s management has evaluated the positive and negative evidence as it relates to the realizability of its deferred tax assets. Under the applicable accounting standards, management has considered Lionbridge’s history of losses and concluded 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 tax assets. As a result, no income tax benefit has been recorded for the losses incurred in the U.S. and certain foreign jurisdictions during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	8. SEGMENT INFORMATION
	Lionbridge has determined that its operating segments are those that are based on its method of internal reporting, which separately presents its business based on the service performed. The Company is reporting its results among the following three business segments:
	GLC—this segment includes solutions that enable the translation, localization and worldwide multilingual release of clients’ products, content and related technical support, training materials, and sales and marketing information. Lionbridge GLC solutions involve translating, localizing and adapting content and products to meet the language and cultural requirements of users throughout the world. As part of its GLC solutions, Lionbridge also develops technical documentation and eLearning content. Lionbridge GLC solutions are based on the Company’s cloud-based language technology platforms and applications, and its global service delivery model which make the translation and localization processes more efficient for Lionbridge clients and subscribers.
	GDT—this segment includes Lionbridge’s development, engineering and testing services for software, hardware, websites, search engines and content. Specifically, through its GDT solutions, Lionbridge develops, optimizes and maintains IT applications and performs testing to ensure the quality, interoperability, usability and performance of clients’ software, search engines, consumer technology products, web sites, and content. Lionbridge’s testing services, some of which are offered under the VeriTest brand, also include product certification and competitive analysis. Lionbridge has deep domain experience developing, testing and maintaining applications in a cost-efficient, blended on-site and offshore model. Lionbridge also provides specialized search relevance testing, keyword optimization and related services for clients with global search engines and online marketing initiatives. Lionbridge also provides specialized enterprise crowdsourcing services including search relevance testing, in-country testing for mobile devices, and data management solutions. Lionbridge’s enterprise crowdsourcing practice uses a cloud-based task management platform that manages the workflows of private crowd professionals.
	Interpretation—this segment includes interpretation services for government and business organizations that require experienced linguists to facilitate communication. Lionbridge provides interpretation communication services in more than 360 languages and dialects, including on-site interpretation, over-the-phone interpretation and interpreter testing, training, and assessment 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, 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 Company’s segment data for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands). Asset information by reportable segment is not reported, since the Company does not produce such information internally.
		GLC		GDT		Interpretation		Corporate			Total
								and Other
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	External revenue	$	84,398	$	34,810	$	5,439	$	—		$	124,647
	Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		54,170		24,309		4,609		—			83,088
	Depreciation and amortization including acquisition-related intangible assets		1,257		787		8		642			2,694
	Other operating expenses		18,671		4,547		341		—			23,559
	Segment contribution		10,300		5,167		481		(642	)		15,306
	Interest expense and other unallocated items		—		—		—		(9,019	)		(9,019	)
	Income (loss) before income taxes		10,300		5,167		481		(9,661	)		6,287
	Provision for income taxes		—		—		—		1,273			1,273
	Net income (loss)	$	10,300	$	5,167	$	481	$	(10,934	)	$	5,014
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
	External revenue	$	78,451	$	28,054	$	5,565	$	—		$	112,070
	Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		52,188		19,283		4,705		—			76,176
	Depreciation and amortization including acquisition-related intangible assets		1,188		430		7		638			2,263
	Other operating expenses		17,511		3,667		480		—			21,658
	Segment contribution		7,564		4,674		373		(638	)		11,973
	Interest expense and other unallocated items		—		—		—		(7,184	)		(7,184	)
	Income (loss) before income taxes		7,564		4,674		373		(7,822	)		4,789
	Provision for income taxes		—		—		—		700			700
	Net income (loss)	$	7,564	$	4,674	$	373	$	(8,522	)	$	4,089
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	External revenue	$	237,226	$	107,169	$	17,329	$	—		$	361,724
	Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		160,643		74,247		14,333		—			249,223
	Depreciation and amortization including acquisition-related intangible assets		3,857		2,313		24		1,803			7,997
	Other operating expenses		56,341		13,645		1,331		—			71,317
	Segment contribution		16,385		16,964		1,641		(1,803	)		33,187
	Interest expense and other unallocated items		—		—		—		(25,040	)		(25,040	)
	Income (loss) before income taxes		16,385		16,964		1,641		(26,843	)		8,147
	Provision for income taxes		—		—		—		2,636			2,636
	Net income (loss)	$	16,385	$	16,964	$	1,641	$	(29,479	)	$	5,511
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	External revenue	$	239,073	$	86,700	$	17,582	$	—		$	343,355
	Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		159,962		60,281		14,679		—			234,922
	Depreciation and amortization including acquisition-related intangible assets		3,404		1,244		20		1,953			6,621
	Other operating expenses		54,545		11,206		1,443		—			67,194
	Segment contribution		21,162		13,969		1,440		(1,953	)		34,618
	Interest expense and other unallocated items		—		—		—		(28,242	)		(28,242	)
	Income (loss) before income taxes		21,162		13,969		1,440		(30,195	)		6,376
	Benefit from income taxes		—		—		—		(1,683	)		(1,683	)
	Net income (loss)	$	21,162	$	13,969	$	1,440	$	(28,512	)	$	8,059

Goodwill_AcquisitionRelated_In

Goodwill, Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets, and Other Long Lived Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill, Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets, and Other Long Lived Assets	'
	9. GOODWILL, ACQUISITION-RELATED INTANGIBLE ASSETS, AND OTHER LONG LIVED 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. In addition, in accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”), goodwill is reviewed for impairment on an annual basis. At December 31, 2012, the Company performed its annual test of goodwill to determine if an impairment existed. This test determined that each reporting unit’s fair value 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 the year ended December 31, 2012. There were no events or changes in circumstances during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 which indicated that an assessment of the impairment of goodwill and acquisition-related intangible assets was required.
	The Company evaluates whether there has been an impairment in the carrying value of its long-lived assets in accordance with ASC 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment” (“ASC 360”), 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 our stock price for a sustained period and a decline in our market capitalization relative to net book value.
	During the three months ended June 30, 2012, Lionbridge determined that two events triggered an evaluation of long-lived assets under ASC 360 resulting in an aggregate impairment charge of $4.1 million. The first event involved certain software license and capitalized development costs in the amount of $3.9 million associated with the expected cash flows from the Company’s RTTS License following the Company’s decision to integrate the Microsoft Translator machine translation engine in its GeoFluent cloud-based real-time translation offering in place of the machine translation technology obtained through the RTTS License for certain language models. As the Company determined that the undiscounted cash flows associated with the RTTS License were lower than the carrying value, the RTTS License was written down to its estimated fair value of zero and a $3.9 million impairment charge was recorded. The second event related to the decision during the three months ended June 30, 2012 to offer for sale certain real property of the Company located in Wuppertal, Germany. The real property was recorded at fair value less selling costs, resulting in a $0.2 million impairment charge.
	Intangible assets arose from the acquisition of Bowne Global Solutions (“BGS”) in September 2005, Productive Resources, LLC (“PRI”) in June 2012 and Virtual Solutions, Inc. (“VSI”) in November 2012. BGS customer relationships are being amortized using an economic consumption method over an estimated useful life of 3 to 12 years. PRI customer relationships and non-compete agreement are being amortized using a straight-line method over an estimated useful life of 12 years and 5 years, respectively. VSI acquired developed technology, acquired core technology, customer relationships, non-compete agreements and acquired trademark are being amortized using a straight-line method over an estimated useful life of 5 years, 10 years, 2 years, 4 years and 2 years, respectively.
	The following table summarizes acquisition-related intangible assets at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively (in thousands).
		September 30, 2013							December 31, 2012
		Gross		Accumulated			Balance		Gross		Accumulated			Balance
		Carrying		Amortization					Carrying		Amortization
		Value							Value
	Acquired customer relationships	$	39,090	$	(28,914	)	$	10,176	$	39,090	$	(27,005	)	$	12,085
	Acquired customer contracts		14,000		(14,000	)		—		14,000		(14,000	)		—
	Acquired technology		5,117		(2,692	)		2,425		5,117		(2,354	)		2,763
	Non-compete agreements		1,450		(378	)		1,072		1,450		(155	)		1,295
	Acquired trademark		40		(17	)		23		40		(2	)		38
		$	59,697	$	(46,001	)	$	13,696	$	59,697	$	(43,516	)	$	16,181
	Lionbridge currently expects to amortize the following remaining amounts of intangible assets held at September 30, 2013 in the fiscal periods as follows (in thousands):
	Year ending December 31,
	2013	$	828
	2014		2,995
	2015		2,339
	2016		2,146
	2017		1,534
	2018 and thereafter		3,854
		$	13,696

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	10. ACQUISITIONS
	Productive Resources, LLC
	On June 1, 2012, the Company acquired PRI for $10.5 million in cash (including the effect of 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. During the three months ended June 30, 2013, the Company paid the first annual installment payment of $0.5 million. 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 Company recorded a measurement period adjustment of $0.2 million to benefit from income taxes in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2012 in connection with the acquisition of PRI in June 2012. This adjustment was presented retrospectively in the condensed and consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2012 in accordance with ASC 805, “Business Combinations”.
	The Company has recorded revenue of $2.8 million and $8.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 related to PRI, respectively. The Company recorded revenue of $2.7 million and $3.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 related to PRI, respectively.
	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 GDT 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 earn-out 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. Using a discounted cash flow method, the Company recorded an estimated liability related to the earn-out of $1.5 million as of the acquisition date and as of December 31, 2012. The Company will continue to assess the probability that the conditions will be fulfilled, and any subsequent changes in the estimated fair value of the liability will be reflected in earnings until the liability is fully settled. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded an additional $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, based on its evaluation of the probability assumptions, which is included in restructuring, impairment and other charges in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	11. 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 made available for sale certain real property in Germany and following guidance in ASC 360, the asset was recorded at its fair value, less selling cost. As of December 31, 2012, the real property was recorded at fair value of $0.7 million. The fair value was determined through its actual sales price, which was paid by the customer in December 2012 but title did not pass until January 1, 2013. The Company did not have any financial assets and liabilities at September 30, 2013 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. Lionbridge’s Level 2 assets and liabilities have historically been an interest rate swap and foreign exchange forward contracts whose fair value were determined using pricing models predicated upon observable market spot and forward rates. Changes in the fair value of foreign exchange forward contracts are recorded in the Company’s earnings as other (income) expense. The Company did not have any foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding at either September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012. Lionbridge does not have any financial assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012 designated as Level 2.
		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 consideration assumed as a result of the VSI acquisition. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the contingent consideration of $1.8 million and $1.5 million, respectively, was 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 of 17% 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 nine months ended September 30, 2013 as the actual results provide the Company with more reliable information to weight the probability scenarios. This adjustment resulted in a $0.3 million increase to the contingent consideration during the nine months ended September 30th, 2013. The actual results have been consistent with the original assumptions. The discount rate and factor have remained consistent during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The Company believes that any probable changes during future periods to these assumptions will not have a material effect on the contingent considerations.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]	'
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	12. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
	New pronouncements issued but not effective until after September 30, 2013 are not expected to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Other_Current_Assets_Other_Acc

Other Current Assets, Other Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Other Current Assets, Other Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities	'
	13. OTHER CURRENT ASSETS, OTHER ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES AND OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
	The follow table presents the components of selected balance sheet items as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Other current assets:
	Deferred project costs	$	2,609	$	2,885
	Prepaid income tax		2,543		2,251
	Other prepaid expenses		3,891		2,649
	Deferred tax asset, short-term		1,442		1,442
	Other current assets		2,668		2,502
	Total other current assets	$	13,153	$	11,729
	Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
	Accrued acquisition payments	$	1,883	$	2,108
	Accrued volume discounts		1,461		1,051
	Other accrued expenses		6,758		5,007
	Deferred tax liability, short-term		539		539
	Deposit received on asset held for sale		—		727
	Other current liabilities		1,712		1,660
	Total other accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	12,353	$	11,092
	Other long-term liabilities:
	Pension obligations, long-term portion	$	2,538	$	3,162
	Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion		2,135		2,691
	Accrued income tax uncertainties		5,469		4,975
	Accrued restructuring, long-term portion		1,569		1,584
	Other		2,821		2,598
	Total other long-term liabilities	$	14,532	$	15,010

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	14. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	Accumulated other comprehensive income consists of the following at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments	$	19,324	$	18,799
	Unfunded projected benefit obligation		306		307
	Accumulative other comprehensive income	$	19,630	$	19,106

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	15. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	On October 2, 2013, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of E5 Global Holdings, Inc. (“E5”), a U.S.-based privately-held provider of application testing solutions with a track record of providing secure, high-quality testing services using a China-based delivery model. The Company acquired E5 to expand its presence in China, meet growing demand for integrated offshore solutions and access E5’s long-standing relationships with clients in the hospitality and travel industry. The Company made an initial cash payment of approximately $1.4 million at closing with an additional $0.2 million of deferred purchase consideration on the first anniversary of the closing date. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, the former owners of E5 will be eligible to receive additional cash consideration of up to $2.1 million, contingent on the fulfillment of certain revenue based financial conditions during the two years ending September 30, 2015. The transaction will be accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method. Due to the timing of this acquisition, certain disclosures, including the preliminary allocation of the purchase price, have been omitted from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q because the initial accounting for the business combination was incomplete as of the filing date.
	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.
	The Company is required to maintained 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. As of October 30, 2013, the Company has $27 million outstanding amounts under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

Basis_of_Presentation_Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Nature of the Business	'
	Nature of the Business
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lionbridge Technologies, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, “Lionbridge” or the “Company”). These financial statements are unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, all of a normal recurring nature, necessary for their fair presentation. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results expected for a full year. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of the operations, financial position and cash flows of the Company in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2012 was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP for annual financial statements. These statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	The Company’s preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Estimates are used (but not limited to) when accounting for collectability of receivables, calculating service revenue using a proportional performance assessment and valuing intangible assets and deferred tax assets. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Out of Period Adjustment	'
	Out of Period Adjustments
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company identified certain out of period immaterial errors related to the calculation of revenue-related discounts, the calculation of the foreign exchange impact of a certain intercompany balance, time and materials revenue calculations for a certain project, and previously unrecorded asset retirement obligations for certain office leases.
	The Company corrected the identified error relating to the calculation of revenue-related discounts during the three-month interim period ended December 31, 2012 during the first quarter of 2013, which had the effect of reducing revenue and net income by $0.2 million during the three-month interim period ended March 31, 2013.
	The Company corrected the identified error relating to the calculation of foreign exchange impact of a certain intercompany balance during the three-month interim period ended June 30, 2013, which had the effect of overstating other expense, net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations by $0.1 million for the three-month interim period ended June 30, 2013.
	The Company corrected the identified error relating to the calculation of time and materials revenue during the three-month interim period ended September 30, 2013, which had the effect of reducing revenue and net income by $0.2 million during the three-month interim period ended September 30, 2013.
	The Company corrected the identified error relating to previously unrecorded asset retirement obligations during the three-month interim period ended September 30, 2013, which had the effect of increasing accrued expenses and other current liabilities, increasing general and administrative expenses and decreasing net income by $0.4 million during the three-month interim period ended September 30, 2013. Had the asset retirement obligations been booked in the proper periods, the Company would have booked $0.3 million during the three-month interim period ended September 30, 2007 and $0.1 million during the three-month interim period ended June 30, 2010.
	The Company has evaluated these errors and does not believe the amounts are material to any of the periods impacted. The table below summarizes the net impact of the aforementioned adjustments on the condensed and consolidated statement of operations, had they been recorded in the proper period (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Revenue	$	217		$	(16	)	$	239		$	(43	)
	General and administrative expenses	$	(365	)	$	—		$	(365	)	$	—
	Other expense, net	$	—		$	101		$	(166	)	$	91
	Net income	$	582		$	(117	)	$	770		$	(134	)
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	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 of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation”. Total compensation expense related to stock options, performance-based restricted stock awards and time-based restricted stock awards was $1.7 million and $1.5 million for the three month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $5.0 million and $4.3 million for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, classified in the condensed consolidated statements of operations line items as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Cost of revenue	$	23		$	22		$	69		$	88
	Sales and marketing		316			297			936			847
	General and administrative		1,299			1,208			3,919			3,365
	Research and development		13			13			37			39
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	1,651		$	1,540		$	4,961		$	4,339
	As of September 30, 2013, future compensation cost related to non-vested stock options, less estimated forfeitures, is approximately $1.1 million and will be recognized over an estimated weighted “average” period of approximately 2.3 years. Lionbridge currently expects to amortize $8.8 million of unamortized compensation in connection with restricted stock awards outstanding as of September 30, 2013 over an estimated weighted “average” period of approximately 2.3 years.
Goodwill, Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets, and Other Long Lived 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. In addition, in accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”), goodwill is reviewed for impairment on an annual basis. At December 31, 2012, the Company performed its annual test of goodwill to determine if an impairment existed. This test determined that each reporting unit’s fair value 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 the year ended December 31, 2012. There were no events or changes in circumstances during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 which indicated that an assessment of the impairment of goodwill and acquisition-related intangible assets was required.
	The Company evaluates whether there has been an impairment in the carrying value of its long-lived assets in accordance with ASC 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment” (“ASC 360”), 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 our stock price for a sustained period and a decline in our market capitalization relative to net book value.
	During the three months ended June 30, 2012, Lionbridge determined that two events triggered an evaluation of long-lived assets under ASC 360 resulting in an aggregate impairment charge of $4.1 million. The first event involved certain software license and capitalized development costs in the amount of $3.9 million associated with the expected cash flows from the Company’s RTTS License following the Company’s decision to integrate the Microsoft Translator machine translation engine in its GeoFluent cloud-based real-time translation offering in place of the machine translation technology obtained through the RTTS License for certain language models. As the Company determined that the undiscounted cash flows associated with the RTTS License were lower than the carrying value, the RTTS License was written down to its estimated fair value of zero and a $3.9 million impairment charge was recorded. The second event related to the decision during the three months ended June 30, 2012 to offer for sale certain real property of the Company located in Wuppertal, Germany. The real property was recorded at fair value less selling costs, resulting in a $0.2 million impairment charge.
	Intangible assets arose from the acquisition of Bowne Global Solutions (“BGS”) in September 2005, Productive Resources, LLC (“PRI”) in June 2012 and Virtual Solutions, Inc. (“VSI”) in November 2012. BGS customer relationships are being amortized using an economic consumption method over an estimated useful life of 3 to 12 years. PRI customer relationships and non-compete agreement are being amortized using a straight-line method over an estimated useful life of 12 years and 5 years, respectively. VSI acquired developed technology, acquired core technology, customer relationships, non-compete agreements and acquired trademark are being amortized using a straight-line method over an estimated useful life of 5 years, 10 years, 2 years, 4 years and 2 years, respectively.
	The following table summarizes acquisition-related intangible assets at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively (in thousands).
		September 30, 2013									December 31, 2012
		Gross			Accumulated			Balance			Gross			Accumulated			Balance
		Carrying			Amortization						Carrying			Amortization
		Value									Value
	Acquired customer relationships	$	39,090		$	(28,914	)	$	10,176		$	39,090		$	(27,005	)	$	12,085
	Acquired customer contracts		14,000			(14,000	)		—			14,000			(14,000	)		—
	Acquired technology		5,117			(2,692	)		2,425			5,117			(2,354	)		2,763
	Non-compete agreements		1,450			(378	)		1,072			1,450			(155	)		1,295
	Acquired trademark		40			(17	)		23			40			(2	)		38
		$	59,697		$	(46,001	)	$	13,696		$	59,697		$	(43,516	)	$	16,181
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 made available for sale certain real property in Germany and following guidance in ASC 360, the asset was recorded at its fair value, less selling cost. As of December 31, 2012, the real property was recorded at fair value of $0.7 million. The fair value was determined through its actual sales price, which was paid by the customer in December 2012 but title did not pass until January 1, 2013. The Company did not have any financial assets and liabilities at September 30, 2013 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. Lionbridge’s Level 2 assets and liabilities have historically been an interest rate swap and foreign exchange forward contracts whose fair value were determined using pricing models predicated upon observable market spot and forward rates. Changes in the fair value of foreign exchange forward contracts are recorded in the Company’s earnings as other (income) expense. The Company did not have any foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding at either September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012. Lionbridge does not have any financial assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012 designated as Level 2.
		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 consideration assumed as a result of the VSI acquisition. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the contingent consideration of $1.8 million and $1.5 million, respectively, was 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 of 17% 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 nine months ended September 30, 2013 as the actual results provide the Company with more reliable information to weight the probability scenarios. This adjustment resulted in a $0.3 million increase to the contingent consideration during the nine months ended September 30th, 2013. The actual results have been consistent with the original assumptions. The discount rate and factor have remained consistent during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The Company believes that any probable changes during future periods to these assumptions will not have a material effect on the contingent considerations.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	New pronouncements issued but not effective until after September 30, 2013 are not expected to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Basis_of_Presentation_Tables

Basis of Presentation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Net Impact of Aforementioned Adjustments on the Condensed and Consolidated Statement of Operations	'
	The table below summarizes the net impact of the aforementioned adjustments on the condensed and consolidated statement of operations, had they been recorded in the proper period (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Revenue	$	217		$	(16	)	$	239		$	(43	)
	General and administrative expenses	$	(365	)	$	—		$	(365	)	$	—
	Other expense, net	$	—		$	101		$	(166	)	$	91
	Net income	$	582		$	(117	)	$	770		$	(134	)

Stockholders_Equity_and_StockB1

Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation Expense	'
	Total compensation expense related to stock options, performance-based restricted stock awards and time-based restricted stock awards was $1.7 million and $1.5 million for the three month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $5.0 million and $4.3 million for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, classified in the condensed consolidated statements of operations line items as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Cost of revenue	$	23	$	22	$	69	$	88
	Sales and marketing		316		297		936		847
	General and administrative		1,299		1,208		3,919		3,365
	Research and development		13		13		37		39
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	1,651	$	1,540	$	4,961	$	4,339

Net_Income_Per_Share_Tables

Net Income Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	'
	Shares used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding-basic		59,523		59,336		60,461		58,934
	Dilutive common stock equivalents relating to options and restricted stock		1,928		2,201		1,545		1,662
	Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding-diluted		61,451		61,537		62,006		60,596

Restructuring_Impairment_and_O1

Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Summary of Restructuring Accrual Activity	'
	The following table summarizes the restructuring accrual activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, by category (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Beginning balance, January 1	$	3,794		$	2,867
	Employee severance:
	Restructuring charges recorded		1,947			2,434
	Cash payments related to liabilities recorded on exit or disposal activities		(2,754	)		(1,361	)
	Net employee severance activity		(807	)		1,073
	Vacated facility/Lease termination:
	Restructuring charges recorded		35			—
	Revision of estimated liabilities		248			242
	Cash payments related to liabilities recorded on exit or disposal activities		(294	)		(288	)
	Net vacated facility/lease termination activity		(11	)		(46	)
	Ending balance, September 30	$	2,976		$	3,894

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Information about Company's Segment Data	'
	The table below presents information about the Company’s segment data for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands). Asset information by reportable segment is not reported, since the Company does not produce such information internally.
		GLC		GDT		Interpretation		Corporate			Total
								and Other
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	External revenue	$	84,398	$	34,810	$	5,439	$	—		$	124,647
	Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		54,170		24,309		4,609		—			83,088
	Depreciation and amortization including acquisition-related intangible assets		1,257		787		8		642			2,694
	Other operating expenses		18,671		4,547		341		—			23,559
	Segment contribution		10,300		5,167		481		(642	)		15,306
	Interest expense and other unallocated items		—		—		—		(9,019	)		(9,019	)
	Income (loss) before income taxes		10,300		5,167		481		(9,661	)		6,287
	Provision for income taxes		—		—		—		1,273			1,273
	Net income (loss)	$	10,300	$	5,167	$	481	$	(10,934	)	$	5,014
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
	External revenue	$	78,451	$	28,054	$	5,565	$	—		$	112,070
	Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		52,188		19,283		4,705		—			76,176
	Depreciation and amortization including acquisition-related intangible assets		1,188		430		7		638			2,263
	Other operating expenses		17,511		3,667		480		—			21,658
	Segment contribution		7,564		4,674		373		(638	)		11,973
	Interest expense and other unallocated items		—		—		—		(7,184	)		(7,184	)
	Income (loss) before income taxes		7,564		4,674		373		(7,822	)		4,789
	Provision for income taxes		—		—		—		700			700
	Net income (loss)	$	7,564	$	4,674	$	373	$	(8,522	)	$	4,089
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	External revenue	$	237,226	$	107,169	$	17,329	$	—		$	361,724
	Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		160,643		74,247		14,333		—			249,223
	Depreciation and amortization including acquisition-related intangible assets		3,857		2,313		24		1,803			7,997
	Other operating expenses		56,341		13,645		1,331		—			71,317
	Segment contribution		16,385		16,964		1,641		(1,803	)		33,187
	Interest expense and other unallocated items		—		—		—		(25,040	)		(25,040	)
	Income (loss) before income taxes		16,385		16,964		1,641		(26,843	)		8,147
	Provision for income taxes		—		—		—		2,636			2,636
	Net income (loss)	$	16,385	$	16,964	$	1,641	$	(29,479	)	$	5,511
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	External revenue	$	239,073	$	86,700	$	17,582	$	—		$	343,355
	Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		159,962		60,281		14,679		—			234,922
	Depreciation and amortization including acquisition-related intangible assets		3,404		1,244		20		1,953			6,621
	Other operating expenses		54,545		11,206		1,443		—			67,194
	Segment contribution		21,162		13,969		1,440		(1,953	)		34,618
	Interest expense and other unallocated items		—		—		—		(28,242	)		(28,242	)
	Income (loss) before income taxes		21,162		13,969		1,440		(30,195	)		6,376
	Benefit from income taxes		—		—		—		(1,683	)		(1,683	)
	Net income (loss)	$	21,162	$	13,969	$	1,440	$	(28,512	)	$	8,059

Goodwill_AcquisitionRelated_In1

Goodwill, Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets, and Other Long Lived Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets	'
	The following table summarizes acquisition-related intangible assets at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively (in thousands).
		September 30, 2013							December 31, 2012
		Gross		Accumulated			Balance		Gross		Accumulated			Balance
		Carrying		Amortization					Carrying		Amortization
		Value							Value
	Acquired customer relationships	$	39,090	$	(28,914	)	$	10,176	$	39,090	$	(27,005	)	$	12,085
	Acquired customer contracts		14,000		(14,000	)		—		14,000		(14,000	)		—
	Acquired technology		5,117		(2,692	)		2,425		5,117		(2,354	)		2,763
	Non-compete agreements		1,450		(378	)		1,072		1,450		(155	)		1,295
	Acquired trademark		40		(17	)		23		40		(2	)		38
		$	59,697	$	(46,001	)	$	13,696	$	59,697	$	(43,516	)	$	16,181
Amortization of Intangible Assets	'
	Lionbridge currently expects to amortize the following remaining amounts of intangible assets held at September 30, 2013 in the fiscal periods as follows (in thousands):
	Year ending December 31,
	2013	$	828
	2014		2,995
	2015		2,339
	2016		2,146
	2017		1,534
	2018 and thereafter		3,854
		$	13,696

Other_Current_Assets_Other_Acc1

Other Current Assets, Other Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Summary of Selected Balance Sheet Items	'
	The follow table presents the components of selected balance sheet items as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Other current assets:
	Deferred project costs	$	2,609	$	2,885
	Prepaid income tax		2,543		2,251
	Other prepaid expenses		3,891		2,649
	Deferred tax asset, short-term		1,442		1,442
	Other current assets		2,668		2,502
	Total other current assets	$	13,153	$	11,729
	Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
	Accrued acquisition payments	$	1,883	$	2,108
	Accrued volume discounts		1,461		1,051
	Other accrued expenses		6,758		5,007
	Deferred tax liability, short-term		539		539
	Deposit received on asset held for sale		—		727
	Other current liabilities		1,712		1,660
	Total other accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	12,353	$	11,092
	Other long-term liabilities:
	Pension obligations, long-term portion	$	2,538	$	3,162
	Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion		2,135		2,691
	Accrued income tax uncertainties		5,469		4,975
	Accrued restructuring, long-term portion		1,569		1,584
	Other		2,821		2,598
	Total other long-term liabilities	$	14,532	$	15,010

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Accumulated other comprehensive income consists of the following at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments	$	19,324	$	18,799
	Unfunded projected benefit obligation		306		307
	Accumulative other comprehensive income	$	19,630	$	19,106

Basis_of_Presentation_Addition

Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2007
	Discount Related to Revenue [Member]	Foreign Exchange [Member]	Time and Materials [Member]	Asset Retirement Obligation [Member]	Asset Retirement Obligation [Member]	Asset Retirement Obligation [Member]
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Reduction in revenue and net income	$200	$100	$200	$400	$100	$300

Basis_of_Presentation_Summary_

Basis of Presentation - Summary of Net Impact of Aforementioned Adjustments on the Condensed and Consolidated Statement of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenue [Member]	'	'	'	'
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net impact of the adjustments on the condensed and consolidated statement of operations	$217	($16)	$239	($43)
General and Administrative [Member]	'	'	'	'
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net impact of the adjustments on the condensed and consolidated statement of operations	-365	'	-365	'
Other Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net impact of the adjustments on the condensed and consolidated statement of operations	'	101	-166	91
Net Income (Loss) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net impact of the adjustments on the condensed and consolidated statement of operations	$582	($117)	$770	($134)

Stockholders_Equity_and_StockB2

Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of shares issued	'	'	'	1,736,068	'
Restrictions on disposition lapse over from the date of grant	'	'	'	'4 years	'
Restrictions on disposition lapse over from the date of grant	'	'	'	'13 months	'
Period for lapse of restriction upon achievement of targets	'	'	'	'2 years	'
Shares approved by stockholders	'	'	'	4,000,000	'
Stock-based compensation expense	'	$1,651,000	$1,540,000	$4,961,000	$4,339,000
Future compensation cost related to non-vested stock options	'	1,100,000	'	1,100,000	'
Estimated weighted average period of recognition of future compensation cost	'	'	'	'2 years 3 months 18 days	'
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	'	'	'	'
Shares repurchases	'	249,000	'	1,564,500	'
Repurchased common shares aggregate purchase price	'	800,000	'	4,800,000	'
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Combined fair market value of restricted common stock and restricted stock units	'	'	'	6,800,000	'
Stock-based compensation expense	'	1,700,000	1,500,000	5,000,000	4,300,000
Estimated weighted average period of recognition of future compensation cost	'	'	'	'2 years 3 months 18 days	'
Restricted stock awards unamortized compensation	'	'	'	$8,800,000	'
Restricted Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of shares issued	'	'	'	1,637,500	'
Restricted shares granted to employees	'	'	'	377,000	'
Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of shares issued	'	'	'	98,568	'
Disposition Which Lapse Over Four Years [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restrictions on disposition shares	'	'	'	1,305,500	'
Disposition Which Lapse Over Thirteen Months [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restrictions on disposition shares	'	'	'	53,568	'

Stockholders_Equity_and_StockB3

Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation - Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$1,651	$1,540	$4,961	$4,339
Cost of Revenue [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	23	22	69	88
Sales and Marketing [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	316	297	936	847
General and Administrative [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	1,299	1,208	3,919	3,365
Research and Development [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$13	$13	$37	$39

Unbilled_Receivables_and_Defer1

Unbilled Receivables and Deferred Revenue - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Unbilled receivables are expected to be billed and collected	'1 year

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Revolving credit agreement term	'4 years
Line of credit agreement	$50
Credit agreement interest rate	2.18%
Credit agreement outstanding	26.7
Fair value of debt	$26.70
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	'Prime or LIBOR
Outstanding debt maturity date	30-Sep-14
Minimum [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Interest rate for revolving credit facility minimum	1.75%
Maximum [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Interest rate for revolving credit facility minimum	2.50%

Net_Income_Per_Share_Basic_and

Net Income Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding-basic	59,523	59,336	60,461	58,934
Dilutive common stock equivalents relating to options and restricted stock	1,928	2,201	1,545	1,662
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding-diluted	61,451	61,537	62,006	60,596

Net_Income_Per_Share_Additiona

Net Income Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Options and unvested restricted stock to purchase	2.6	2.1	3.8	2.3

Restructuring_Impairment_and_O2

Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring and other charges recorded	'	'	'	$3,400,000	'	'	'
Restructuring charges recorded	'	'	'	'	2,700,000	'	'
Restructuring, impairment and other charges recorded	1,363,000	241,000	'	3,384,000	7,244,000	'	'
Impairment charge related to buildings	'	'	200,000	'	4,200,000	'	'
Other charges recorded relate to transaction costs	'	'	'	'	300,000	'	'
Anticipated payment of accruals related to employee termination costs and vacated facilities	2,976,000	3,894,000	'	2,976,000	3,894,000	3,794,000	2,867,000
Accrued restructuring	1,407,000	'	'	1,407,000	'	2,210,000	'
Accrued restructuring, long-term portion	1,569,000	'	'	1,569,000	'	1,584,000	'
Restructuring reserve on unused facility expiration year	'	'	'	'2026	'	'	'
Lease Obligation on Unused Facilities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accrued restructuring, long-term portion	1,600,000	'	'	1,600,000	'	'	'
Productive Resources LLC (PRI) [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other charges recorded relate to transaction costs	'	'	'	'	300,000	'	'
Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Additional cost recorded for previously vacated facility	1,200,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
GLC [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Additional cost recorded for previously vacated facility	'	'	'	200,000	300,000	'	'
Restructuring charges paid	'	'	'	3,000,000	1,600,000	'	'
GLC [Member] | Technical Staff [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Workforce reduction, positions	'	'	'	18	32	'	'
GLC [Member] | Administrative Staff [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Workforce reduction, positions	'	'	'	15	3	'	'
GLC [Member] | Sales Staff [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Workforce reduction, positions	'	'	'	8	'	'	'
Workforce Reduction [Member] | GLC [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges recorded	'	'	'	$2,000,000	$2,400,000	'	'

Restructuring_Impairment_and_O3

Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges - Summary of Accrual Activity (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified					Employee Severance [Member]	Employee Severance [Member]	Vacated Facility/Lease Termination [Member]	Vacated Facility/Lease Termination [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	$2,976	$3,794	$3,894	$2,867	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges recorded	'	'	'	'	1,947	2,434	35	'
Revision of estimated liabilities	'	'	'	'	'	'	248	242
Cash payments related to liabilities recorded on exit or disposal activities	'	'	'	'	-2,754	-1,361	-294	-288
Net employee severance activity	'	'	'	'	-807	1,073	-11	-46
Ending balance	$2,976	$3,794	$3,894	$2,867	'	'	'	'

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$1,273,000	$700,000	$2,636,000	($1,683,000)
Unrecognized tax benefits	4,100,000	'	4,100,000	'
Unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties accrued	1,700,000	'	1,700,000	'
Provision for income and foreign withholding taxes	0	'	0	'
Income tax benefit	'	'	$0	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Open audit year	'	'	'2005	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Open audit year	'	'	'2013	'

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Business segments	3

Segment_Information_Informatio

Segment Information - Information about Company's Segment Data (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
External revenue	$124,647	$112,070	$361,724	$343,355
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	83,088	76,176	249,223	234,922
Depreciation and amortization including acquisition-related intangible assets	2,694	2,263	7,997	6,621
Other operating expenses	23,559	21,658	71,317	67,194
Segment contribution	15,306	11,973	33,187	34,618
Interest expense and other unallocated items	-9,019	-7,184	-25,040	-28,242
Income before income taxes	6,287	4,789	8,147	6,376
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	1,273	700	2,636	-1,683
Net income (loss)	5,014	4,089	5,511	8,059
GLC [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
External revenue	84,398	78,451	237,226	239,073
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	54,170	52,188	160,643	159,962
Depreciation and amortization including acquisition-related intangible assets	1,257	1,188	3,857	3,404
Other operating expenses	18,671	17,511	56,341	54,545
Segment contribution	10,300	7,564	16,385	21,162
Interest expense and other unallocated items	'	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	10,300	7,564	16,385	21,162
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	10,300	7,564	16,385	21,162
GDT [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
External revenue	34,810	28,054	107,169	86,700
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	24,309	19,283	74,247	60,281
Depreciation and amortization including acquisition-related intangible assets	787	430	2,313	1,244
Other operating expenses	4,547	3,667	13,645	11,206
Segment contribution	5,167	4,674	16,964	13,969
Interest expense and other unallocated items	'	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	5,167	4,674	16,964	13,969
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	5,167	4,674	16,964	13,969
Interpretation [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
External revenue	5,439	5,565	17,329	17,582
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	4,609	4,705	14,333	14,679
Depreciation and amortization including acquisition-related intangible assets	8	7	24	20
Other operating expenses	341	480	1,331	1,443
Segment contribution	481	373	1,641	1,440
Interest expense and other unallocated items	'	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	481	373	1,641	1,440
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	481	373	1,641	1,440
Corporate and Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
External revenue	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization including acquisition-related intangible assets	642	638	1,803	1,953
Other operating expenses	'	'	'	'
Segment contribution	-642	-638	-1,803	-1,953
Interest expense and other unallocated items	-9,019	-7,184	-25,040	-28,242
Income before income taxes	-9,661	-7,822	-26,843	-30,195
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	1,273	700	2,636	-1,683
Net income (loss)	($10,934)	($8,522)	($29,479)	($28,512)

Goodwill_AcquisitionRelated_In2

Goodwill, Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets, and Other Long-Lived Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2012

PRI Acquired Customer Relationships [Member]

Non-compete Agreement [Member]

VSI Acquired Developed Technology [Member]

VSI Acquired Core Technology [Member]

VSI Customer Relationships [Member]

VSI Non-compete Agreement [Member]

Acquired Trademark [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

RTTS License [Member]

VSI [Member]

VSI [Member]

Acquired Customer Relationships [Member]

Acquired Customer Relationships [Member]

Goodwill [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Recorded impairment charges

'

'

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate impairment charge

4,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

License of automated machine translation technology, capitalized cost

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,900,000

License of automated machine translation technology, impairment charge

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,900,000

License of automated machine translation technology, Fair value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

Impairment charges related to building

$200,000

$4,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated useful life of intangible assets

'

'

'

'12 years

'5 years

'5 years

'10 years

'2 years

'4 years

'2 years

'3 years

'12 years

'

Goodwill_AcquisitionRelated_In3

Goodwill, Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets, and Other Long-Lived Assets - Summary of Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	$59,697	$59,697
Accumulated Amortization	-46,001	-43,516
Balance	13,696	16,181
Acquired Customer Relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	39,090	39,090
Accumulated Amortization	-28,914	-27,005
Balance	10,176	12,085
Acquired Customer Contracts [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	14,000	14,000
Accumulated Amortization	-14,000	-14,000
Balance	'	'
Acquired Technology [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	5,117	5,117
Accumulated Amortization	-2,692	-2,354
Balance	2,425	2,763
Non-compete Agreements [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	1,450	1,450
Accumulated Amortization	-378	-155
Balance	1,072	1,295
Acquired Trademark [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	40	40
Accumulated Amortization	-17	-2
Balance	$23	$38

Goodwill_AcquisitionRelated_In4

Goodwill, Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets, and Other Long-Lived Assets - Amortization of Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
2013	$828	'
2014	2,995	'
2015	2,339	'
2016	2,146	'
2017	1,534	'
2018 and thereafter	3,854	'
Balance	$13,696	$16,181

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jan. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 01, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]

Productive Resources LLC (PRI) [Member]

Productive Resources LLC (PRI) [Member]

Productive Resources LLC (PRI) [Member]

Productive Resources LLC (PRI) [Member]

Productive Resources LLC (PRI) [Member]

Productive Resources LLC (PRI) [Member]

Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition by cash payment

'

'

'

'

'

$3.40

$10.50

'

$0.50

'

'

'

Fair value of deferred cash payments

'

'

'

'

'

1

2

'

'

'

'

'

Period of cash to be paid

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

Benefit from income taxes in the condensed consolidated statements of operations

0.2

0.2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue attributable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.8

'

2.7

8.3

3.5

Earn out potential payable

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash paid upon closing

'

'

0.4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated liability related to earn-out

'

'

'

'

'

1.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

Evaluation of probability assumptions

'

'

'

$0.10

$0.30

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of real property	'	$700,000
Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets liabilities fair value disclosure	0	'
Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets liabilities fair value disclosure	0	0
Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Contingent consideration	1,800,000	1,500,000
Acquisition discount rate	17.00%	'
Increase in contingent consideration	300,000	'
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding	$0	$0

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 $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other current assets:	'	'
Deferred project costs	$2,609	$2,885
Prepaid income tax	2,543	2,251
Other prepaid expenses	3,891	2,649
Deferred tax asset, short-term	1,442	1,442
Other current assets	2,668	2,502
Total other current assets	13,153	11,729
Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities:	'	'
Accrued acquisition payments	1,883	2,108
Accrued volume discounts	1,461	1,051
Other accrued expenses	6,758	5,007
Deferred tax liability, short-term	539	539
Deposit received on asset held for sale	'	727
Other current liabilities	1,712	1,660
Total other accrued expenses and other current liabilities	12,353	11,092
Other long-term liabilities:	'	'
Pension obligations, long-term portion	2,538	3,162
Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion	2,135	2,691
Accrued income tax uncertainties	5,469	4,975
Accrued restructuring, long-term portion	1,569	1,584
Other	2,821	2,598
Total other long-term liabilities	$14,532	$15,010

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Abstract]	'	'
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments	$19,324	$18,799
Unfunded projected benefit obligation	306	307
Accumulative other comprehensive income	$19,630	$19,106

Subsequent_Event_Additional_In

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 30, 2013	Oct. 30, 2013	Oct. 30, 2013	Oct. 30, 2013	Oct. 30, 2013	Oct. 30, 2013	Oct. 30, 2013	Oct. 02, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified		Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
					Standby Letters of Credit [Member]	Swing Line Loans [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Maximum [Member]	E5 Global Holdings [Member]
							Prime Rate [Member]	London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]	Prime Rate [Member]	London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Outstanding shares acquired by the company	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	100.00%
Acquisition by cash payment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1.40
Deferred purchase consideration	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0.2
Additional cash consideration ,eligible for former owners	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2.1
Contingent on the fulfillment of financial conditions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'2 years
Senior secured revolving credit facility	'	'	'	65	10	10	'	'	'	'	'
Increase in revolving credit facility	50	'	'	35	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest rates	'	1.75%	2.50%	'	'	'	0.25%	1.25%	1.00%	2.00%	'
Date of expire	'	'	'	30-Oct-18	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Outstanding amounts	$26.70	'	'	$27	'	'	'	'	'	'	'