Lionbridge (LIOX) 10-K 14 Mar 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 03, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'LIONBRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES INC /DE/	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001058299	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	64,578,897	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$164

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$38,867	$25,797
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $250 at December 31, 2013 and 2012	70,431	64,152
Unbilled receivables	19,498	22,127
Other current assets	12,938	11,729
Total current assets	141,734	123,805
Property and equipment, net	20,968	19,430
Asset held for sale	'	727
Goodwill	19,595	18,652
Acquisition-related intangible assets, net	13,226	16,181
Other assets	5,487	5,262
Total assets	201,010	184,057
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	21,784	19,897
Accrued compensation and benefits	18,183	14,885
Accrued outsourcing	12,579	11,042
Accrued restructuring	1,201	2,210
Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities	11,155	11,092
Income taxes payable	2,047	3,220
Deferred revenue	10,583	9,277
Total current liabilities	77,532	71,623
Long-term debt	27,000	26,700
Deferred income taxes, net of current portion	913	1,143
Other long-term liabilities	13,172	15,010
Total liabilities	118,617	114,476
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 7)	'	'
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; 63,705,585 and 64,039,585 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively	637	640
Additional paid-in capital	273,411	273,479
Accumulated deficit	-212,004	-223,644
Accumulated other comprehensive income	20,349	19,106
Total stockholders' equity	82,393	69,581
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$201,010	$184,057

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 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	63,705,585	64,039,585
Common stock, shares outstanding	63,705,585	64,039,585

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'
Revenue	$489,196	$457,198	$427,856
Operating expenses:	'	'	'
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization )	334,513	314,252	296,221
Sales and marketing	36,216	34,807	33,563
General and administrative	80,462	75,258	75,047
Research and development	6,750	5,399	5,765
Depreciation and amortization	7,374	6,616	5,956
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets	3,351	2,454	2,332
Restructuring, impairment and other charges	5,114	8,206	3,369
Total operating expenses	473,780	446,992	422,253
Income from operations	15,416	10,206	5,603
Interest expense:	'	'	'
Interest on outstanding debt	775	732	722
Amortization of deferred financing costs	191	99	100
Interest income	92	80	71
Other expense, net	878	1,054	3,195
Income before income taxes	13,664	8,401	1,657
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	2,024	-2,931	-71
Net income	$11,640	$11,332	$1,728
Net income per share of common stock:	'	'	'
Basic	$0.19	$0.19	$0.03
Diluted	$0.19	$0.19	$0.03
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:	'	'	'
Basic	59,989	59,102	57,859
Diluted	62,003	61,119	59,478

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net income	$11,640	$11,332	$1,728
Other comprehensive income:	'	'	'
Impact to revalue unfunded projected benefit obligation, net of tax	453	-219	25
Foreign currency translation adjustment	790	1,064	-501
Comprehensive income	$12,883	$12,177	$1,252

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$45,174	$601	$262,540	($236,704)	$18,737
Beginning Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010	'	60,084,269	'	'	'
Issuance of restricted stock	'	20	-20	'	'
Issuance of restricted stock, shares	'	2,003,039	'	'	'
Restricted stock forfeitures to cover employee withholding taxes on vested shares	-753	-2	-751	'	'
Restricted stock forfeitures to cover employee withholding taxes on vested shares, shares	'	-210,353	'	'	'
Common stock issued for option exercises	533	3	530	'	'
Common stock issued for option exercises, shares	'	336,480	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation (net of unvested restricted stock forfeitures)	5,513	-2	5,515	'	'
Stock-based compensation (net of unvested restricted stock forfeitures), shares	'	-178,063	'	'	'
Shares repurchased in exchange of options exercised	-427	-1	-426	'	'
Shares repurchased in exchange of options exercised, shares	'	-131,854	'	'	'
Net income	1,728	'	'	1,728	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-476	'	'	'	-476
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	51,292	619	267,388	-234,976	18,261
Ending Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011	'	61,903,518	'	'	'
Issuance of restricted stock	'	20	-20	'	'
Issuance of restricted stock, shares	'	2,005,821	'	'	'
Restricted stock forfeitures to cover employee withholding taxes on vested shares	-1,221	-4	-1,217	'	'
Restricted stock forfeitures to cover employee withholding taxes on vested shares, shares	'	-443,873	'	'	'
Common stock issued for option exercises	1,731	7	1,724	'	'
Common stock issued for option exercises, shares	'	724,204	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation (net of unvested restricted stock forfeitures)	5,783	-1	5,784	'	'
Stock-based compensation (net of unvested restricted stock forfeitures), shares	'	-98,789	'	'	'
Shares repurchased in exchange of options exercised	-181	-1	-180	'	'
Shares repurchased in exchange of options exercised, shares	'	-51,296	'	'	'
Net income	11,332	'	'	11,332	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	845	'	'	'	845
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	69,581	640	273,479	-223,644	19,106
Ending Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	'	64,039,585	'	'	'
Issuance of restricted stock	'	18	-18	'	'
Issuance of restricted stock, shares	'	1,820,619	'	'	'
Restricted stock forfeitures to cover employee withholding taxes on vested shares	-2,196	-5	-2,191	'	'
Restricted stock forfeitures to cover employee withholding taxes on vested shares, shares	'	-569,288	'	'	'
Common stock issued for option exercises	617	2	615	'	'
Common stock issued for option exercises, shares	214,084	214,084	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation (net of unvested restricted stock forfeitures)	6,776	-1	6,777	'	'
Stock-based compensation (net of unvested restricted stock forfeitures), shares	'	-103,188	'	'	'
Shares repurchased in exchange of options exercised	-55	'	-55	'	'
Shares repurchased in exchange of options exercised, shares	'	-14,036	'	'	'
Shares repurchased as part of share repurchase program	-5,213	-17	-5,196	'	'
Shares repurchased as part of share repurchase program, shares	-1,682,191	-1,682,191	'	'	'
Net income	11,640	'	'	11,640	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,243	'	'	'	1,243
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$82,393	$637	$273,411	($212,004)	$20,349
Ending Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013	'	63,705,585	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'	'
Net income	$11,640	$11,332	$1,728
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets	3,351	2,454	2,332
Stock-based compensation	6,777	5,784	5,515
Non-cash restructuring, impairment and other charges	650	4,167	'
Amortization of deferred financing costs	191	99	100
Depreciation and amortization	7,374	6,616	5,956
Provision for doubtful accounts	198	-263	200
Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment	-33	2	-24
Deferred income taxes	-645	-4,594	303
Net realized and unrealized foreign currency losses (gains) on forward contracts	'	'	607
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	-6,157	-2,303	-1,049
Unbilled receivables	3,384	-352	-3,222
Other current assets	-1,089	-2,144	358
Other assets	-73	4,888	2,560
Accounts payable	1,467	649	924
Accrued compensation and benefits	1,017	-2,682	-2,965
Accrued outsourcing	1,457	-25	1,539
Accrued restructuring	-1,070	127	-3,735
Other accrued expenses and other liabilities	-124	-4,926	-2,018
Income taxes payable	-384	1,642	746
Deferred revenue	1,187	-1,948	-21
Net cash provided by operating activities	29,118	18,523	9,834
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-9,000	-8,464	-12,433
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	'	727	'
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-1,663	-13,879	'
Net proceeds from (payments of) forward contract hedges	'	'	-607
Net cash used in investing activities	-10,663	-21,616	-13,040
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from borrowings on revolving line of credit	9,550	3,000	23,500
Payments of borrowings on revolving line of credit	-9,550	-3,000	-23,500
Proceeds from borrowings on long-term debt	300	10,000	'
Payments of borrowings on long-term debt	'	-8,150	'
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under option and employee stock purchase plans	1,026	1,358	104
Payments of debt issuance costs	-420	'	'
Payments for repurchase of common shares	-5,213	'	'
Payments of deferred acquisition obligations	-1,147	'	'
Payments of capital lease obligations	-35	-19	-14
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-5,489	3,189	90
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	12,966	96	-3,116
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	104	482	129
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	25,797	25,219	28,206
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$38,867	$25,797	$25,219

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	1	Basis of Presentation
	Nature of the Business
	Lionbridge Technologies, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, “Lionbridge” or the “Company”) provides a suite of globalization solutions to businesses in diverse end markets including technology, internet and media, manufacturing, mobile and telecommunications, life sciences, government, automotive, aerospace and retail. Lionbridge is a leading provider of language, content and testing solutions that enable clients to optimize, release, manage and maintain their technology applications and content globally. Lionbridge’s solutions include product and content globalization; interpretation services; application development and maintenance; software and hardware testing; product certification and competitive analysis. Lionbridge has three operating segments: Global Language and Content (“GLC”), Global Enterprise Solutions (“GES”, formerly referred to as Global Development and Testing, “GDT”) and Interpretation. As part of its GLC solutions, Lionbridge also provides global marketing services and creates and translates technical documentation for clients who market to and support customers in global markets. Lionbridge GLC solutions utilize the Company’s cloud-based technology platform and global service delivery model which make the translation, localization and authoring process more efficient for Lionbridge clients. Through its GES solutions, Lionbridge optimizes, tests and maintains IT applications to ensure the quality, interoperability, usability relevance and performance of clients’ software, consumer technology products, web sites and content. Lionbridge’s testing services, which are offered under the VeriTest brand, also include product certification and competitive analysis. Lionbridge has substantial domain experience developing, testing and maintaining applications in a cost-efficient, blended on-site and offshore model. As part of its GES offering, Lionbridge also provides specialized enterprise crowdsourcing services including search relevance testing, in-country testing for mobile devices, and data management solutions. Lionbridge provides interpretation services for government, business and healthcare organizations that require experienced linguists to facilitate communication. Lionbridge has its head office in the United States, with operations in Europe, Asia, India, North America, and Latin America.
	Lionbridge anticipates that its present cash and cash equivalents position and available financing under its Credit Agreement should provide adequate cash to fund its currently anticipated cash needs for the next twelve months and foreseeable future. Should the Company require additional funding, the Company’s access to capital markets as a means of funding any anticipated cash needs may be limited due to global economic market conditions. Moreover, the Company may not be able to access additional debt financing on the same or substantially similar terms as those in the Credit Agreement due to volatility and instability in worldwide credit markets. Management is committed to pursuing alternative financing arrangements or reducing expenditures as necessary to meet the Company’s cash requirements through 2014 if necessary.
	Out of Period Adjustments
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company identified certain immaterial out of period 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, previously unrecorded asset retirement obligations for certain office leases and the adjustment of uncertain tax liabilities. These corrections resulted in a $0.2 million decrease to revenue, a $0.4 million increase to operating expenses, a $0.2 million increase to other expense, net and a $0.6 million decrease to the provision for income taxes. These corrections represented an overstatement to revenue of $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, an understatement of operating expenses of $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2007, respectively, an understatement of other expense, net of $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 and an overstatement of the provision for income taxes of $0.1 million, $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and prior periods, respectively.
	During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company identified certain immaterial out of period errors related to the calculation of commission expense and certain revenue adjustments. These corrections resulted in a $0.1 million decrease to revenue, representing an overstatement of revenue of less than $0.1 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The impact of the sales commission adjustment only related to interim periods within 2013 and did not impact prior financial years.
	During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company identified certain immaterial out of period errors related to revenue recognition and certain gross receipt and property taxes for the period of fiscal years 2007 through 2010. These corrections resulted in a $0.3 million decrease to revenue and an immaterial impact to operating expenses, as the gross receipt and property tax items were offsetting within general and administrative expenses. These corrections represented an overstatement to revenue of $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.
	The Company has evaluated these errors and does not believe the amounts are material to any periods impacted and the correction of these errors is not material to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 or any interim periods within these years.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies	'
	2	Significant Accounting Policies
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Lionbridge reflect the application of certain significant accounting policies as described below:
	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lionbridge and its wholly owned subsidiaries from the effective date of their acquisition or formation. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
	Revenue Recognition
	Lionbridge recognizes revenue as services are performed and amounts are earned in accordance with ASC 605-20, “Services” (“ASC 605-20”). Lionbridge considers amounts to be earned when (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement has been obtained; (2) services are delivered; (3) the fee is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. Determination of criteria (3) and (4) are based on management’s judgments regarding the fixed nature of the fee charged for services rendered and products delivered and the collectability of those fees.
	Lionbridge’s revenue is recorded from the provision of services to customers for GLC, GES and Interpretation services which include content development, product and content globalization, interpretation, software and hardware testing, product certification and application development and maintenance.
	Content development, software and hardware testing, interpretation and application development and maintenance projects are normally time and expense priced contracts, and revenue is recognized using a time and expense basis over the period of performance, primarily based on labor costs incurred to date.
	Product and content globalization and product certification projects are generally fixed price contracts and revenue is recognized as services are delivered. Depending on specific contractual provisions and the nature of the deliverable, revenue is recognized (1) on a proportional performance model based on level of effort, (2) as milestones are achieved or (3) when final deliverables have been met. Amounts billed in excess of revenue recognized are recorded as deferred revenue.
	The delivery of Lionbridge’s GLC services involves and is dependent on the translation and development of content by subcontractors and in-house employees. As the time and cost to translate or produce each word of content within a project is relatively uniform, labor input is reflective of the delivery of the contracted service and an appropriate metric for the measurement of proportional performance in delivering such services. The use of a proportional performance assessment of service delivery requires significant judgment relative to estimating total contract costs, including assumptions relative to the length of time to complete the project, the nature and complexity of the work to be performed, anticipated increases in employee wages and prices for subcontractor services, and the availability of subcontractor services. When adjustments in estimated project costs are identified, anticipated losses, if any, are recognized in the period in which they are determined.
	Lionbridge’s GLC agreements with its customers may provide the customer with a fixed and limited time period following delivery during which Lionbridge will attempt to address any non-conformity to previously agreed upon objective specifications relating to the work, either in the form of a limited acceptance period or a post-delivery warranty period. Management believes recognition of revenue at the time the services are delivered is appropriate, because its obligations under such provisions are limited in time, limited in scope, and historically have not involved significant costs. In the future, if the post delivery acceptance or warranty provisions become more complex or include subjective acceptance criteria, Lionbridge may have to revise its revenue recognition policy accordingly, which could affect the timing of revenue recognition.
	Lionbridge’s GLC segment includes Translation Workspace, the Company’s hosted proprietary, internet-architected translation memory application that simplifies translation management. This SaaS-based application is available to translators on a subscription basis. SaaS-based revenue is billed in advance and generally recognized over the subscription period. Incremental overage fees are recognized in the period incurred.
	Lionbridge occasionally provides integrated full-service offerings throughout a client’s product and content lifecycle, including GLC and GES services. Such multiple-element service offerings are governed by ASC 605-25, “Multiple-Element Arrangements” (“ASC 605-25”). For these arrangements where the GLC and GES services have independent value to the customer, and there is evidence of selling price for each service, the combined service arrangement is bifurcated into separate units for accounting treatment. In instances where it is not possible to bifurcate a project, direct and incremental costs attributable to each component are deferred and recognized together with the service revenue upon delivery. The determination of selling price requires the use of significant judgment. Lionbridge determines the selling price of service revenues based upon its recent pricing for those services when sold separately and/or prevailing market rates for similar services.
	Revenue includes reimbursement of travel, out-of-pocket expenses, certain facilities and hardware costs with equivalent amounts of expense recorded in cost of revenue.
	Estimates for incentive rebates and other allowances are recorded as a reduction of revenues in the period the related revenues are recorded. These estimates are based upon contracted terms, historical experience and information currently available to management with respect to business and economic trends. Revisions of these estimates are recorded in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known.
	Advertising Costs
	Advertising costs are included in sales and marketing expenses and are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs were approximately $0.3 million, $0.4 million and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Research and Development Costs
	Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and include salaries and associated employee benefits and third-party contractor expenses unless capitalized as costs incurred during the application development stage of software developed for internal use. These costs relate primarily to the Company’s web-based hosted language management technology platform used in the globalization process and its globalization management system.
	Foreign Currency Translation
	The functional currency for each of Lionbridge’s foreign operations is predominantly the local currency of the country in which those operations are based. Revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated into U.S. Dollars at the average rates of exchange during the year. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. Dollars at year-end rates of exchange. The Company has recorded translation gains of $0.8 million and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, and a translation loss of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, in accumulated other comprehensive income, which is a component of stockholders’ equity. These unrealized gains and losses are primarily attributable to the fluctuation in value between the U.S. Dollar and the Euro. For the purpose of disclosure of comprehensive income (loss), Lionbridge does not record tax provisions or benefits for the net changes in foreign currency translation adjustments, as Lionbridge intends to permanently reinvest undistributed earnings in its foreign subsidiaries.
	Realized and unrealized foreign currency transaction gains or losses, arising from exchange rate fluctuations on balances denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies, are included in “Other expense, net” in the consolidated statements of operations and resulted in losses of $0.9 million, $1.1 million and $1.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Financial Instruments
	Lionbridge may enter into foreign currency forward contracts with commercial banks to hedge exposure to foreign currency assets and liabilities recorded on its balance sheet and utilizes interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk. Changes in the fair value of foreign exchange forward contracts are recorded in the Company’s earnings. The Company had no foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012.
	Lionbridge does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
	Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with a maturity of ninety days or less at the time of purchase. Cash equivalents consist primarily of time deposits and are stated at cost plus accrued interest.
	Unbilled Receivables and Deferred Revenue
	Unbilled receivables represent revenue not yet billed. Unbilled receivables are calculated for each individual project based on the proportional delivery of services at the balance sheet date. Billing of amounts in unbilled receivables occurs according to customer-agreed payment schedules or upon completion of specified project milestones. All of Lionbridge’s projects in unbilled receivables are expected to be billed and collected within one year.
	Deferred revenue represents billings in excess of revenue recognized for work. Deferred revenue is calculated for each individual project and constitutes a performance obligation for which revenue will be recognized as services are delivered.
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization and any recognized impairment loss. Additions and improvements that extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized; maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Upon retirement or other disposition, the cost and related accumulated depreciation of the assets are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in the determination of net income or loss.
	In accordance with ASC 350-40, “Internal Use Software” (“ASC 350-40”), the Company capitalizes costs incurred during the application development stage, which include costs of designing the software configuration and interfaces, coding, installation and testing. Costs incurred during the preliminary project stage along with post-implementation stages of internal use computer software are generally expensed as incurred. Capitalized development costs are amortized over the estimated life of the software, using the straight-line method, beginning with the date that an asset is ready for its intended use. The capitalization and ongoing assessment of development costs requires considerable judgment by management, including, but not limited to, technological feasibility and estimated economic life. Capitalized software is included in “Property and equipment, net” on the consolidated balance sheets.
	The Company capitalized costs of $2.8 million, $3.7 million, and $4.1 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, which primarily related to the development of internal financial systems and enhancements of internal products. Of such total capitalized costs, $2.8 million, $2.4 million, and $4.1 million related to costs associated with software developed for internal use that was placed into service during 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The remaining $1.3 million for 2012 related to costs associated with the development of software for internal use that was not yet placed into service as of December 31, 2012. There were no costs associated with the development of software for internal use that was not yet placed into service as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2011. The capitalized costs placed in service during 2013, 2012 and 2011 are being amortized over two to seven years. Amortization expenses for costs incurred to develop computer software for internal use totaled $2.1 million, $2.2 million and $2.3 million during 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and are included in “Depreciation and amortization” in the consolidated statements of operations.
	The cost of property and equipment is depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method, based upon the following asset lives:
	Computer software and equipment		1 to 7 years
	Building and building improvements		5 to 40 years
	Furniture and office equipment		3 to 10 years
	Leasehold improvements		Shorter of remaining lease term or useful life of asset
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Lionbridge assesses the impairment of goodwill and acquisition-related intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Such events or conditions could include an economic downturn in the industries to which Lionbridge provides services; increased competition; an increase in operating or other costs; additional volatility in international currencies; the pace of technological improvements; or other information regarding Lionbridge’s market value, such as a reduction in stock price to a price near or below the book value of the Company for an extended period of time. When Lionbridge determines that the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable based upon one or more of these indicators of impairment, the Company initially assesses any impairment using fair value measurements based on projected discounted cash flow valuation models and the market approach. 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, 2013 and 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 substantially exceeded the carrying value of the net assets of each respective reporting unit, using projected discounted cash flow modeling. As a result, no impairment was recorded for either year.
	The Company evaluates whether there has been an impairment in the carrying value of its long-lived assets 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 the Company’s stock price for a sustained period and a decline in our market capitalization relative to net book value.
	Acquisition-related intangible assets arose from acquisitions made prior to 2011 and the acquisitions of Productive Resources, LLC (“PRI”) in June 2012, Virtual Solutions, Inc. (“VSI”) in November 2012 and E5 Global Holdings, Inc. (“E5”) in October 2013 and consist of the following, which have been or are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives, except for the customer relationships related to previous acquisitions, of which a portion is being amortized using an economic consumption method:
			Estimated
			Useful
			Life
	Acquisitions previous to 2011:
	Customer relationships			3 to 12 years
	Customer contracts			3 to 5 years
	Internally developed software			1 to 4 years
	PRI, VSI & E5:
	Developed technology			5 years
	Core technology			10 years
	Customer relationships			2 to 12 years
	Non-compete agreements			1 to 5 years
	Trademark			1 to 2 years
	Income Taxes
	Current income taxes are recorded based on statutory obligations for the current operating period for the various countries in which the Company has operations.
	Deferred income taxes are generally recognized for the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities (temporary differences) multiplied by the enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
	Net Income (Loss) per Share
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. For purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share, the denominator includes both the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding and the number of dilutive common stock equivalents such as stock options, unvested restricted stock and warrants, as determined using the treasury stock method.
	Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company recognizes expense for stock options, performance-based restricted stock awards and time-based restricted stock awards pursuant to ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”), which requires recognition of stock-based compensation expense in the statement of operations over the vesting period based on the fair value of the award at the grant date.
The Company has stock-based employee compensation plans which are described more fully in Note 8 to these consolidated financial statements.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, actuarial valuations and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Estimates are used when accounting for the collectability of receivables, calculating revenue based on the proportional delivery of services, and valuing intangible assets, deferred tax assets, net assets of businesses acquired and accrued liabilities associated with compensation. Some of these estimates can be subjective and complex and, consequently, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. However, if different assumptions or conditions were to prevail, the results could be materially different from the amounts recorded.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Total comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss), the net change in the funded status of defined benefit postretirement plans and the net change in foreign currency translation adjustment.
Concentrations of Credit Risk and Significant Customers
Financial instruments which potentially subject Lionbridge to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with several investment grade financial institutions. Investments consist of time deposits with maturities less than 30 days. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable are limited due to the dispersion of customers across different industries and geographic regions. Hewlett Packard accounted for approximately 11% of consolidated accounts receivable at December 31, 2013. Hewlett Packard and Microsoft accounted for approximately 12% and 10%, respectively of consolidated accounts receivable at December 31, 2012. No other client individually accounted for more than 10% of consolidated accounts receivable at December 31, 2013 or 2012. Lionbridge generally does not require collateral or other security against trade receivable balances; however, it maintains reserves for potential credit losses and such losses have historically been within management’s expectations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Financial instruments are carried in the consolidated financial statements at amounts that approximate fair value at December 31, 2013 and 2012. Fair values are based on market prices and assumptions concerning the amount and timing of estimated future cash flows and assumed discount rates, reflecting varying degrees of perceived risk. The Company recognizes all derivative financial instruments in our consolidated financial statements at fair value in accordance with ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging—Net Settlement”. The Company records changes in the fair value of derivative instruments in earnings unless deferred hedge accounting criteria is met. For derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges, the Company records the changes in fair value of both the derivative instrument and the hedged item in earnings.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-11, “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“ASU 2011-11”). This amendment requires disclosing and reconciling gross and net amounts for financial instruments that are offset in the balance sheet, and amounts for financial instruments that are subject to master netting arrangements and other similar clearing and repurchase arrangements. In January 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2013-01, “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“ASU 2013-01”), which clarifies the scope of the offsetting disclosures of ASU 2011-11. ASU 2011-11 and ASU 2013-01 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company adopted ASU 2011-11 and ASU 2013-01 on January 1, 2013. The adoption of ASU 2011-11 and ASU 2013-01 did not have a material impact on the Company’s disclosures.
In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05 “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2011-05”), which prohibits the presentation of other comprehensive income in the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity and requires the presentation of net income, items of other comprehensive income and total comprehensive income in one continuous statement or two separate but consecutive statements. In December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-12 “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05” (“ASU 2011-12”), which deferred the requirement to present reclassification adjustments for each component of other comprehensive income on the face of the financial statements mandated by ASU 2011-05. In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-02 “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2013-02”), which requires disclosures of the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component, including the respective line items of net income if the amount is required to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. ASU 2011-05 and 2011-12 were effective and adopted by the Company in the first quarter of 2012 and ASU 2013-02 will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2013. The ASUs have impacted and will impact the Company’s financial statement presentation, but otherwise did not and will not impact its consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	3	Acquisitions
	E5 Global Holdings, Inc.
	On October 2, 2013, the Company acquired 100% of the shares of E5 Global Holdings, Inc. (“E5”), a U.S.-based privately-held provider of application development and testing solutions with a track record of providing secure, high-quality testing services using a China-based delivery model. The acquisition enables the Company to expand its presence in China, meet growing demand for integrated onshore and offshore solutions and access E5’s long-standing relationships with clients in the hospitality and financial services industries. The results of operations of E5 are included in the Company’s results of operations from the date of acquisition. E5 is included in the Company’s GES operating segment.
	The Company made an initial cash payment of approximately $1.4 million at closing with an additional $0.2 million of deferred purchase consideration due on the first anniversary of the closing date. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, the former owners of E5 will also be eligible to receive additional cash consideration up to $2.2 million, contingent on the fulfillment of certain revenue-based financial conditions during the two years ended September 30, 2015. Using a discounted cash flow method, the Company recorded an estimated liability related to the earn-out of $0.3 million as of the acquisition date and as of December 31, 2013. 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.
	The total acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred was estimated at $1.9 million as follows (in thousands):
	Initial cash payment .		$	1,393
	Deferred cash payment			225
	Fair value of deferred cash payments			309
	Total consideration transferred		$	1,927
	The assets and liabilities associated with E5 were recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date and the amounts as follows (in thousands):
	Cash .		$	104
	Accounts receivable and unbilled receivables			589
	Other assets			104
	Intangible assets			397
	Goodwill			943
	Total assets			2,137
	Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities			(210	)
	Total consideration transferred		$	1,927
	Intangible assets acquired totaling $0.4 million include customer relationships of $0.3 million, non-compete agreements executed by key employees (“the Non-Competition Agreements”) of $50,000, and a trademark of $47,000. The estimated fair value attributed to the intangible assets was determined based upon a discounted cash flow forecast using a discount rate of 17%.
	The fair value of the customer relationships will be amortized over a period of 5 years on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits of the customer relationships and trademark are expected to be realized.
	The fair value of the Non-Competition Agreements and trademark will be amortized over 1 year on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits of the non-compete agreement is expected to be realized.
	Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and is primarily the result of expected synergies and the value of the assembled workforce. None of the goodwill or identifiable intangibles associated with this transaction will be deductible for tax purposes.
	Transaction costs related to this acquisition were $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, and are included in “Restructuring, impairment and other charges” in the consolidated statement of operations.
	Consolidated revenues and net income for 2013 attributable to E5 since the acquisition date were not material.
	Virtual Solutions, Inc.
	On November 30, 2012, the Company acquired VSI, a provider of crowdsourcing solutions to state and local governments. VSI is included in the Company’s GES operating segment. The acquisition enables the Company to address growing demand for secure, technology-enabled enterprise crowdsourcing solutions that leverage a pre-qualified global talent pool or “private crowd” and a highly-secure technology platform to manage and complete business projects.
	The Company paid $3.4 million in cash upon closing, $1.0 million of deferred cash consideration, and a $3.0 million contingent potential payable in cash over the course of three years for the acquisition of VSI. The purchase price and goodwill is subject to change upon settlement of post-closing adjustments related to the working capital payment which was completed during December 2012 and the Company paid $0.4 million in January 2013, which is included in the $1.0 million of deferred cash consideration. Using a discounted cash flow method, the Company recorded an estimated liability related to the earn-out of $1.5 million as of the acquisition date and $2.1 million as of December 31, 2013. 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. Accretion and changes in fair value to the liability are recorded in “Restructuring, impairment and other charges” in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.
	The Company paid the former shareholders of VSI $0.9 million in February 2014 based on the achievement of the financial metrics for the first year of the contingent period.
	The total acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred was estimated at $6.3 million as follows (in thousands):
	Initial cash payment		$	3,449
	Fair value of deferred and contingent earn-out cash payments			2,882
	Total consideration transferred		$	6,331
	The assets and liabilities associated with VSI were recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date and the amounts as follows (in thousands):
	Cash		$	4
	Accounts receivable			529
	Other current assets			2
	Intangible assets			3,880
	Goodwill			3,713
	Total assets			8,128
	Accounts payable			(20	)
	Accrued expenses			(29	)
	Other liabilities			(93	)
	Deferred tax liabilities			(1,504	)
	Debt			(151	)
	Total consideration transferred		$	6,331
	Intangible assets acquired totaling $3.9 million include developed technology of $1.7 million, core technology of $1.1 million, customer relationships of $0.9 million, non-compete agreements executed by key employees (“the Non-Competition Agreements”) of $0.2 million, and a trademark of $40,000.
	The estimated fair value attributed to the developed technology was determined based upon a discounted cash flow forecast utilizing a multi-period excess earning method. Cash flows were discounted at a rate of 19%. The developed technology will be amortized over a period of 5 years on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits of the developed technology is expected to be realized.
	The estimated fair value attributed to the core technology was determined based upon a discounted cash flow forecast utilizing a relief from royalty method. Cash flows were discounted at a rate of 26%. The core technology will be amortized over a period of 10 years on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits of the core technology is expected to be realized.
	The estimated fair value attributed to the customer relationships and trademark were determined based upon a discounted cash flow forecast. Cash flows were discounted at a rate of 23%. The fair value of the customer relationships and trademark will be amortized over a period of 2 years on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits of the customer relationships and trademark are expected to be realized.
	The fair value of the Non-Competition Agreements will be amortized over 4 years on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits of the non-compete agreement is expected to be realized. Cash flows were discounted at a rate of 23%.
	Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and is primarily the result of expected synergies. None of the goodwill or identifiable intangibles associated with this transaction will be deductible for tax purposes.
	Transaction costs related to this acquisition were $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, and are included in “Restructuring, impairment and other charges” in the consolidated statements of operations.
	Consolidated revenues and net income for 2012 attributable to VSI since the acquisition date were not material.
	Productive Resources, LLC
	On June 1, 2012, the Company acquired PRI for $10.5 million in cash, (including the effect of preliminary working capital adjustments) and deferred payments totaling $2.0 million that are payable in three annual payments starting on the first anniversary of the acquisition date. PRI is a provider of outsourced technical engineering, documentation and drafting solutions. PRI is included in the Company’s GLC operating segment. PRI provides Lionbridge with operations in the Midwestern region of the United States and long-standing relationships with clients in the manufacturing sector. The acquisition also expands the Company’s delivery model for addressing all aspects of client’s global content lifecycle, including drafting, illustration, documentation, translation and support.
	The total acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred was estimated at $12.4 million as follows (in thousands):
	Initial cash payment		$	10,457
	Fair value of deferred cash payments			1,936
	Total consideration transferred		$	12,393
	The assets and liabilities associated with PRI were recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date and the amounts as follows (in thousands):
	Cash		$	27
	Accounts receivable			2,077
	Unbilled receivables			967
Prepaid and other assets			118
Property and equipment			240
Intangible assets			7,500
Goodwill			5,264
Total assets			16,193
Accounts payable			(82	)
Accrued compensation and benefits			(704	)
Other liabilities			(62	)
Deferred tax liabilities			(2,952	)
Total consideration transferred		$	12,393
Intangible assets acquired totaling $7.5 million include customer relationships of $6.2 million and a non-compete agreement executed by a key employee (“the Non-Competition Agreement”) of $1.3 million. A measurement period adjustment to the income tax provision in the amount of $0.2 million was recorded in connection with this acquisition.
The estimated fair value attributed to the customer relationships was determined based upon a discounted cash flow forecast. Cash flows were discounted at a rate of 16%. The fair value of the customer relationships will be amortized over a period of 12 years on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits of the customer relationships are expected to be realized.
The fair value of the Non-Competition Agreement will be amortized over 5 years on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits of the non-compete agreement is expected to be realized.
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and is primarily the result of expected synergies. None of the goodwill or identifiable intangibles associated with this transaction will be deductible for tax purposes. The purchase price and goodwill is subject to change upon settlement of post-closing adjustments related to the working capital payment which is expected to be finalized by the end of the second quarter of 2014.
Transaction costs related to this acquisition were $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, and are included in “Restructuring, impairment and other charges” in the consolidated statement of operations.
The unaudited pro forma information presented in the following table summarizes the Company’s consolidated results of operations for the periods presented, as if the acquisition of PRI had occurred on January 1, 2011 (in thousands, except per share amounts). The pro forma financial information is presented for comparative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that actually would have been achieved if the acquisition had taken place at the beginning of 2011, nor is it intended to be a projection of future results.
		Year ended December 31,
		2012			2011
Revenue		$	461,932		$	437,877
Net income		$	11,960		$	1,910
Basic earnings per share		$	0.2		$	0.03
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.2		$	0.03
The Company has recorded $10.9 million and $6.2 million of revenue attributable to PRI within its consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment	'
	4	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment consisted of the following at December 31 (in thousands):
			2013			2012
	Computer software and equipment		$	44,183		$	38,290
	Furniture and office equipment			3,595			3,015
	Leasehold improvements			12,535			9,789
				60,313			51,094
	Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization			(39,345	)		(31,664	)
			$	20,968		$	19,430
	Depreciation and amortization expense was $7.4 million, $6.6 million and $6.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	In certain jurisdictions, the Company makes significant improvements or modifications to its leased office space. Where the cost of restoring leased office space to its original condition at the end of the lease is material, the Company measures an asset retirement obligation (“ARO”), which is recorded at fair value proportionately with the improvements or modifications that will result in the future cost of removal. The table below sets forth the rollforward of ARO balances for the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
	ARO balance, as of December 31, 2011		$	969
	Liabilities recorded			50
	Liabilities settled			(79	)
	Accretion expense and currency impact			10
	ARO balance, as of December 31, 2012			950
	Liabilities recorded			560
	Liabilities settled			(87	)
	Accretion expense and currency impact			13
	ARO balance, as of December 31, 2013		$	1,436
	ARO’s are recorded in “Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other long-term liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheet.

Goodwill_and_AcquisitionRelate

Goodwill and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets	'
	5	Goodwill and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets
	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill on a total consolidated basis and by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 consisted of the following (in thousands):
			GLC			GES			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2011, gross		$	120,587		$	9,675		$	130,262
	Accumulated goodwill impairment			(120,587	)		—			(120,587	)
	Balance at December 31, 2011, net			—			9,675			9,675
	Acquisition of PRI			5,264			—			5,264
	Acquisition of VSI			—			3,713			3,713
	Balance at December 31, 2012, gross			125,851			13,388			139,239
	Accumulated goodwill impairment			(120,587	)		—			(120,587	)
	Balance at December 31, 2012, net			5,264			13,388			18,652
	Acquisition of E5			—			943			943
	Balance at December 31, 2013, gross			125,851			14,331			140,182
	Accumulated goodwill impairment			(120,587	)		—			(120,587	)
	Balance at December 31, 2013, net		$	5,264		$	14,331		$	19,595
	Included in “Acquisition-related intangible assets, net” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet are acquisition-related intangible assets that are subject to amortization. The following table summarizes acquisition-related intangible assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively (in thousands):
			2013									2012
			Gross			Accumulated			Balance			Gross		Accumulated			Balance
			Carrying			Amortization						Carrying		Amortization
			Value									Value
	BGS acquired customer relationships		$	32,000		$	(28,248	)	$	3,752		$	32,000	$	(26,666	)	$	5,334
	BGS acquired customer contracts			14,000			(14,000	)		—			14,000		(14,000	)		—
	BGS acquired technology			2,317			(2,317	)		—			2,317		(2,317	)		—
	PRI acquired customer relationships			6,200			(819	)		5,381			6,200		(302	)		5,898
	PRI non-compete agreement			1,300			(412	)		888			1,300		(152	)		1,148
	VSI acquired developed technology			1,700			(368	)		1,332			1,700		(28	)		1,672
	VSI acquired core technology			1,100			(119	)		981			1,100		(9	)		1,091
	VSI customer relationships			890			(482	)		408			890		(37	)		853
	VSI non-compete agreements			150			(41	)		109			150		(3	)		147
	VSI acquired trademark			40			(22	)		18			40		(2	)		38
	E5 customer relationships			300			(15	)		285			—		—			—
	E5 non-compete agreements			50			(12	)		38			—		—			—
	E5 trademark			47			(12	)		35			—		—			—
			$	60,094		$	(46,867	)	$	13,226		$	59,697	$	(43,516	)	$	16,181
	Amortizaiton of acquisition related intangible assets was $3.4 million, $2.5 million and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Estimated annual amortization expense related to these intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):
	Year ending December 31,
	2014		$	3,127
	2015			2,399
	2016			2,206
	2017			1,594
	2018			672
	Thereafter			3,228
			$	13,226
	Impairment
	Lionbridge has three reporting units: (1) GLC, (2) GES, and (3) Interpretation. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, no goodwill was assigned to our Interpretation reporting unit. The Company performs an annual impairment test of its goodwill as required under the provisions of ASC 350 on December 31 and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. ASC 350 requires that the impairment test be performed through the application of a two-step process. The first step compares the carrying value of the Company’s reporting units to their estimated fair values as of the test date. If fair value is less than carrying value, a second step is performed to quantify the amount of the impairment, if any. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company performed its annual impairment test for goodwill at the reporting unit level and, after conducting the first step, determined that it was not necessary to conduct the second step as it concluded that the fair value of its reporting units substantially exceeded their carrying value. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company determined no adjustment to goodwill was necessary.
	For intangible assets and other long-lived assets, the Company assesses the carrying value of these assets whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset, or asset group, to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset, or asset group. In 2012, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $4.0 million related to certain software license and capitalized development costs related to automated machine translation technology licensed from IBM Corporation and $0.2 million related to real property of the Company located in Wuppertal, Germany being held for sale at a value lower than its carrying value.
	In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, “Testing Goodwill for Impairment” (“ASU 2011-08”), authoritative guidance which simplifies how entities test goodwill for impairment and permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. This authoritative guidance is to be applied for goodwill impairment testing performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. ASU 2011-08 was effective and adopted by the Company during 2012. However, it did not have a material impact to its consolidated financial statements.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	6	Debt
	On October 30, 2013, the Company amended and restated the Credit Agreement with HSBC Bank, as Administrative Agent and a lender, and a syndicate of other lenders (the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”). The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement includes a $65 million senior secured revolving credit facility, which includes a $10 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit and a $10 million sublimit for swing-line loans. The Company may request, at any time and from time to time, that the revolving credit facility be increased by an amount not to exceed $35 million, dependent upon certain conditions. The interest rates are in the range of Prime Rate plus 0.25%—1.00% or LIBOR plus 1.25%—2.00% (at the Company’s discretion), depending on certain conditions. This facility expires on October 30, 2018, after which time the Company may need to secure new financing. The Company cannot assure that it will be able to secure new financing, or financing on terms that are acceptable. As of December 31, 2013, the Company has $27 million outstanding amounts under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement at an interest rate of 1.67%. The fair value of debt approximates its current value of $27 million as of December 31, 2013. The amendment was accounted for as a debt modification. 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 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. The Company was in compliance with both of these ratios as well as all other financial covenants as of December 31, 2013.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	7	Commitments and Contingencies
	Operating Lease Commitments
	The Company leases certain equipment and office space under noncancelable agreements which expire at various dates through 2026. Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases (excluding recognition of sublease income) at December 31, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
	Year ending December 31,
	2014		$	12,259
	2015			10,394
	2016			7,760
	2017			3,965
	2018			3,243
	Thereafter			13,224
			$	50,845
	Lionbridge recorded total rental expense of $13.4 million, $13.5 million and $14.1 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Guarantor Arrangements
	When as part of an acquisition the Company acquires all of the stock or all of the assets and liabilities of a company, the Company assumes the liability for certain events or occurrences that took place prior to the date of acquisition. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make for such obligations is undeterminable at this time. In September 2005, the Company acquired all of the stock of Bowne Global Solutions (“BGS”). Since those dates, the Company has not received any claims for events that occurred prior to such acquisition. The Company believes that there are no such liabilities outside the ordinary course of business related to the acquisition of BGS. Accordingly, the Company has no liabilities recorded for these guarantees as of December 31, 2013. Moreover, pursuant to the terms of the acquisition agreement with BGS, BGS is obligated to indemnify the Company for tax liabilities incurred prior to the September 1, 2005 acquisition date. This indemnification obligation continues in perpetuity with respect to tax liabilities arising prior to the acquisition date.
	Under the terms of the Company’s existing Credit Agreement dated as of October 30, 2013, with HSBC Bank USA, National Association, the Company has guaranteed the obligations of certain of its subsidiaries that are borrowers under the terms of the Credit Agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make for such obligations is equal to the maximum amount of borrowings under the Credit Agreement at such time.
	Lionbridge enters into services agreements in the ordinary course of business with its customers. Most of these agreements require us to indemnify the customers against third party claims alleging that deliverables provided by Lionbridge infringe on a patent, copyright or other proprietary rights. Certain of these agreements require Lionbridge to indemnify the customers against certain claims relating to property damage, personal injury or the acts or omissions of Lionbridge, its employees, agents or representatives.
	From time to time, Lionbridge may guarantee the performance by its subsidiaries of contractual obligations to customers under the terms of services agreements entered into with customers in the ordinary course of business.
	Based upon Lionbridge’s historical experience, contractual limitations of liability applicable to such indemnities, and information known as of December 31, 2013, the Company believes its liability on the above guarantees and indemnities at December 31, 2013 is immaterial.
	Contingencies
	From time to time the Company is subject to litigation and claims in the ordinary course of business. The Company is not currently subject to any litigation that management considers material.

Stockholders_Equity_and_StockB

Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation	'
	8	Stockholders’ Equity and Stock-Based Compensation
	Stock Repurchase
	In 2013, the Company repurchased 583,324 shares of the Company’s common stock from employees to cover the cost and tax withholding obligation for options, restricted common stock awards and restricted common stock units.
	On October 30, 2012, Lionbridge’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchasing program for up to $18 million over three years. During the program, the Company is authorized to repurchase Lionbridge common shares with a total value up to $6 million per year, subject to certain market rate conditions. The repurchase data for the year ended is as follows:
	Period		Total Number of			Average Price
			Shares Purchased			Paid Per Share
	May 1, 2013—May 31, 2013			182,818		$	2.8
	June 1, 2013—June 30, 2013			1,132,734		$	3.02
	July 1, 2013—July 31, 2013			118,275		$	3.07
	August 1, 2013—August 31, 2013			21,887		$	3.31
	September 1, 2013—September 30, 2013			108,886		$	3.63
	October 1, 2013—October 31, 2013			117,591		$	3.77
				1,682,191		$	3.1
	Stock Option Plans
	On May 3, 2011, the stockholders of Lionbridge Technologies, Inc. approved the Lionbridge 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”), which had been previously adopted by the Lionbridge Board of Directors on January 27, 2011 and replaces the Lionbridge 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”). The 2011 Plan provides for the issuance of 4,500,000 shares of common stock to officers, employees, non-employee directors and other key persons of Lionbridge and its subsidiaries in the form of stock options, shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units and other forms of equity. During the year ended December 31, 2013, Lionbridge’s Stockholders approved an additional 4.0 million shares for issuance under the Company’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan. Options to purchase common stock under the 2011 Plan are granted at the discretion of the Board of Directors and the Nominating and Compensation Committee. Generally, stock options granted under the 2011 Plan vest over a four-year period: 25% of the option shares vest one year from the date of grant and the remaining option shares vest at the rate of 12.5% each six month period thereafter. Stock options generally expire five to seven years from the date of grant under the 2011 Plan. Under the terms of the 2011 Plan, the exercise price of incentive and non-qualified stock option grants must not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the 2011 Plan are amortized using a straight-line basis over the option vesting period. At December 31, 2013, there were 3,825,495 shares available for future grant under the 2011 Plan.
	Lionbridge’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) provided for the issuance of incentive and nonqualified stock options. The maximum number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2005 Plan is 8,500,000 shares and the 2005 Plan expired on May 3, 2011. There are no options available for future grant under the 2005 Plan. Options to purchase common stock are granted at the discretion of the Board of Directors and the Nominating and Compensation Committee. Generally, stock options vest over a four-year period: 25% of the option shares vest one year from the date of grant and the remaining option shares vest at the rate of 12.5% each six month period thereafter. Stock options generally expire five to seven years from the date of grant under the 2005 Plan. Under the terms of the 2005 Plan, the exercise price of incentive and non-qualified stock option grants must not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Options are amortized using a straight line basis over the option vesting period.
	Lionbridge’s 1998 Stock Option Plan (the “1998 Plan”) provided for the issuance of incentive and nonqualified stock options. The maximum number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the Plan is 11,722,032 shares and the 1998 Plan expired on January 26, 2008. There are no future options available for future grant under the 1998 Plan. Options to purchase common stock are granted at the discretion of the Board of Directors and the Nominating and Compensation Committee. Generally, stock options vest over a four-year period: 25% of the option shares vest one year from the date of grant and the remaining option shares vest at the rate of 12.5% each six month period thereafter. Stock options generally expire ten years (five years in certain cases) from the date of grant under the 1998 Plan. Under the terms of the 1998 Plan, the exercise price of incentive stock options granted must not be less than 100% (110% in certain cases) of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant, as determined by the Board of Directors. The exercise price of nonqualified stock options may be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant, as determined by the Board of Directors, but in no case may the exercise price be less than the statutory minimum, the par value per share of Lionbridge’s common stock.
	Stock Option Activity
	The following table summarizes stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2013:
			Number of			Weighted  Avg.			Weighted Avg.			Aggregate
			Options			Exercise			Remaining			Intrinsic Value
						Price			Contractual			(in thousands)
									Life (years)
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2012			2,723,179		$	5.01
	Granted			350,000		$	3.87
	Exercised			(214,084	)	$	2.88					$	358
	Canceled (forfeited and expired)			(628,000	)	$	9.17
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2013			2,231,095		$	3.87			2.4		$	4,666
	Vested or expected to vest as of December 31, 2013			2,048,989		$	3.7			3.5		$	4,745
	Exercisable as of December 31, 2013			1,344,783		$	3.84			2.4		$	2,967
	The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total intrinsic value, based on the Company’s common stock closing price of $5.95 as of December 31, 2013, which would have been received by the option holders had all in-the-money option holders exercised their options as of that date.
	The weighted average grant date fair value of options, as determined under ASC 718 granted during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $3.87, $2.79 and $2.19 per share respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $0.4 million, $1.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively. The total cash received from employees as a result of employee stock option exercises during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $0.6 million, $1.7 million and $0.1 million, respectively. The total fair value of shares vested during the year ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $0.7 million, $0.7 million and $1.6 million, respectively. Total compensation expense related to stock options was $0.7 million, $0.6 million and $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	As of December 31, 2013, future compensation cost related to non-vested stock options, less estimated forfeitures, is approximately $0.9 million and will be recognized over an estimated weighted average period of approximately 2.1 years.
	The Company settles employee stock option exercises with newly issued shares of common stock.
	Valuation Assumptions for Stock Options
	For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, 350,000, 422,500 and 424,500 stock options were granted, respectively. The fair value of each option was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
			For the Year Ended December 31,
			2013			2012			2011
	Risk-free interest rate			0.54 to 0.62	%		0.50 to 0.83	%		0.89 to 2.11	%
	Expected volatility			58.9 to 66.7	%		69.3 to 80.2	%		78.8 to 81.7	%
	Expected life (years)			4			4			4.0 to 4.1
	Dividend yield			0	%		0	%		0	%
	The expected life represents the weighted average period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding giving consideration to vesting schedules and the Company’s historical exercise patterns. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for periods corresponding with the expected life of the option.
	Restricted Stock Awards
	Lionbridge issued 1,768,068 and 2,090,621 shares of restricted common stock and restricted stock units with a fair market value of $6.9 million and $5.9 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively. Of the total 1,768,068 shares of restricted common stock and restricted stock units issued in 2013, 1,337,500 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 the date of grant, and 377,000 restricted shares 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 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. 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.
	Total compensation expense related to all restricted stock awards was $6.1 million, $5.2 million and $4.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock awards granted during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $3.90, $2.80 and $3.72 per share, respectively. The total fair value of restricted stock awards vested during the year ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $6.9 million, $3.9 million and $3.0 million, respectively.
	The following table summarizes non-vested restricted stock awards activity for the year ended December 31, 2013:
			Non-vested			Grant Date Fair
			Number of			Value
			Restricted Share
			Awards
	Non-vested balance at December 31, 2012			4,955,535		$	3.19
	Granted at fair market value			1,768,068		$	3.9
	Vested			(1,830,339	)	$	3.34
	Forfeited			(113,638	)	$	3.58
	Non-vested balance at December 31, 2013			4,779,626		$	3.39
	Lionbridge currently expects to amortize $8.2 million of unamortized compensation in connection with restricted stock awards outstanding as of December 31, 2013 over an estimated weighted average period of approximately 2.3 years.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	9	Income Taxes
	The components of consolidated income before taxes were as follows for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):
			2013			2012			2011
	United States		$	3,939		$	3,626		$	(2,324	)
	Foreign			9,725			4,775			3,981
	Income before income taxes		$	13,664		$	8,401		$	1,657
	The components of the provision for (benefit from) income taxes are as follows for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):
			2013			2012			2011
	Current:
	Federal		$	144		$	208		$	85
	State			279			425			276
	Foreign			2,246			982			(735	)
	Total current provision (benefit)		$	2,669		$	1,615		$	(374	)
	Deferred:
	Foreign		$	(645	)	$	(99	)	$	303
	Domestic			—			(4,447	)		—
	Total deferred (benefit) provision			(645	)		(4,546	)		303
	Total provision for (benefit from) income taxes		$	2,024		$	(2,931	)	$	(71	)
	The differences between the income tax provision and income taxes computed using the applicable U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 34 percent are as follows for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):
			2013			2012			2011
	Statutory tax provision		$	4,714		$	2,856		$	563
	State income taxes			427			704			628
	Tax rate differential for international jurisdictions and related items			(2,245	)		(2,209	)		(2,000	)
	Changes in reserves for uncertain tax positions			(401	)		(901	)		(1,883	)
	Valuation allowance			(5,143	)		(9,676	)		(1,286	)
	Stock-based compensation			—			(76	)		(4	)
	Permanent differences			1,839			3,099			3,345
	Rate change on deferred			2,156			3,290			—
	Other			677			(18	)		566
	Effective tax provision (benefit)		$	2,024		$	(2,931	)	$	(71	)
	Lionbridge’s provision for (benefit from) income taxes and our effective income tax rate are significantly impacted by the mix of our domestic and foreign income (loss) before income taxes. Our cost-based transfer pricing model for certain of our foreign affiliates generally results in foreign income. The foreign tax provision on that foreign income is calculated using the enacted statutory rates in those jurisdictions, which currently ranges from 12.5% to 36%. However, in periods where our consolidated income (loss) before income tax is marginal, because of the significance of our foreign operations and our cost-based transfer pricing methodology such foreign profits could exceed consolidated income before taxes and the associated foreign tax provision could result in an overall effective income tax rate that is disproportionate to the consolidated income (loss) before income taxes. Additionally, the provision of a full valuation allowance against our domestic net deferred tax assets results in no U.S. tax benefit recognized for domestic losses, which further impacts the overall consolidated effective income tax rate in periods where the foreign operations have income and the domestic operations reports a loss.
	The consolidated deferred tax assets (liabilities) of the Company were as follows at December 31 (in thousands):
			2013			2012
	U.S. net operating loss carryforwards		$	26,130		$	27,798
	Foreign net operating loss carryforwards			47,244			45,231
	Amortization and depreciation of long-lived assets			(2,287	)		(1,750	)
	Goodwill amortization			2,743			3,567
	Reserves and accruals			936			1,637
	Tax credits carryforwards			1,138			2,020
	Stock-based compensation			6,763			7,412
	Unrealized foreign exchange loss			656			2,224
	Deferred revenue			330			382
	Other			(389	)		560
	Valuation allowance			(82,038	)		(87,374	)
	Net deferred tax asset		$	1,226		$	1,707
	The net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 both relate primarily to net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards in foreign jurisdictions.
	Lionbridge’s management has evaluated the positive and negative evidence in assessing the realizability of its deferred tax assets. Under the applicable accounting standards, management has determined that with the exception of certain foreign tax jurisdictions, it is more-likely-than-not that Lionbridge will not generate sufficient future taxable income to benefit from the tax assets prior to their expiration. Accordingly, full valuation allowances have been maintained against those deferred tax assets.
	As of December 31, 2013, management determined that, under the more-likely-than-not standard, certain assets would not be realized and recorded a reduction to net deferred tax assets of $0.6 million. Management reevaluates the need for a valuation allowance periodically based on the weight of positive and negative evidence.
	At December 31, 2013, Lionbridge had net operating loss carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes of $77 million that may be used to offset future taxable income, which begin to expire in 2020. Of this amount, $7.6 million relates to deductions from the exercise of stock options. The future benefit from these deductions will be recorded as a credit to additional paid-in capital when realized. The Company has federal research and development tax credits which may be used to offset future income tax of $0.1 million, which begin to expire in 2014. Additionally, Lionbridge has non-U.S. net operating loss carryforwards of $160 million which begin to expire in 2014.
	At December 31, 2013, unrepatriated earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries totaled $124.0 million. No provision for U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes has been made for unrepatriated foreign earnings because it is expected that such earnings will be reinvested indefinitely or the distribution of any remaining amount would be principally offset by foreign tax credits. Determination of the potential deferred income tax liability on these unrepatriated earnings is not practicable due to uncertainty regarding the remittance structure, the mix of earnings and profits pools in the year of remittance, and the overall complexity of the calculation.
	Lionbridge Technologies Private, Ltd.’s (“Lionbridge India”) tax holiday expired on March 31, 2011 Accordingly, the taxable profits of this enity are now subject to tax at the full statutory rate of 32.45%. At March 31, 2013, Lionbridge India has an Indian Minimum Alternative Tax (“MAT”) credit carryforward of $0.8 million, which is available to offset certain future Indian income tax liabilities, and which expires at various dates through 2018. This tax holiday resulted in estimated tax savings of $0.3 million for the Indian subsidiary for March 31, 2013 and 2012.
	Under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, certain substantial changes in Lionbridge’s ownership may limit in the future the amount of net operating loss carryforwards that could be used annually to offset future taxable income and income tax liability.
	In connection with the acquisition of BGS, Bowne agreed to indemnify the Company for any tax liabilities accruing on or prior to the acquisition date of September 1, 2005. As of December 31, 2013, there were no remaining unrecognized tax benefits related to the acquisition of BGS subject to indemnification.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
			Total			Lionbridge			Indemnification
	Balance at January 1, 2011		$	5,957		$	4,469		$	1,488
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year			391			391			—
	Settlements			(1,424	)		—			(1,424	)
	Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations			(431	)		(367	)		(64	)
	Balance at December 31, 2011			4,493			4,493			—
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year			491			491			—
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years			(85	)		(85	)		—
	Reductions for audit settlements of prior years			(194	)		(194	)		—
Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations			(884	)		(884	)		—
Balance at December 31, 2012			3,821			3,821			—
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year			305			305			—
Reductions for audit settlements of prior years			(7	)		(7	)		—
Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations			(541	)		(541	)		—
Balance at December 31, 2013		$	3,578		$	3,578		$	—
As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $3.6 million and $3.8 million, respectively, which, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in future periods. Lionbridge accrues interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of its provision for income taxes. The total amount of accrued interest and penalties related to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits was $1.4 million and $1.5 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that approximately $0.8 million of its unrecognized tax benefits, consisting of several items in various jurisdictions, may be recognized by the end of 2014 as a result of a lapse of the statute of limitations. The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. and various states and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years 2009 through present. The tax years which remain subject to examination by tax authorities in foreign jurisdictions, as of December 31, 2013, include years 2004 through present. Carryforward attributes that were generated in earlier periods remain subject to examination to the extent the year in which they were used or will be used remains open for examination. Examinations are currently underway in certain jurisdictions including Canada, Finland, and India as of December 31, 2013.
In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists.” Under this ASU, unrecognized tax benefits will be netted against all available same-jurisdiction loss or other tax carryforwards that would be utilized, rather than only against carryforwards that are created by unrecognized tax benefits. The provisions of this ASU are effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2013. Lionbridge has elected to early adopt the ASU, however, it does not have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations

Restructuring_Charges

Restructuring Charges	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring Charges	'
	10	Restructuring Charges
	Lionbridge recorded $3.5 million of restructuring charges in the year ended December 31, 2013. The $3.5 million of restructuring charges recorded in 2013 included $3.2 million for workforce reductions in Europe, the Americas and Asia consisting of 34 technical staff, 18 administrative staff and 9 sales 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, 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. All these charges are related to the GLC segment. The Company made $4.5 million of cash payments in 2013 all of which related to the GLC operating segments.
	Lionbridge recorded $3.6 million of restructuring charges in the year ended December 31, 2012. The $3.6 million of restructuring charges recorded in 2012 included $3.3 million for workforce reductions in Europe, the Americas and Asia consisting of 35 technical staff and 4 administrative staff, $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, 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. All these charges are related to the Company’s GLC segment. The Company made $2.7 million of cash payments in 2012 all of which related to the GLC operating segment.
	Lionbridge recorded $3.4 million of restructuring charges in the year ended December 31, 2011. The $3.4 million included $2.8 million for workforce reductions in Europe, the Americas and Asia consisting of 53 technical staff, 7 administrative staff and 1 sales staff, $0.2 million recorded for vacated facilities and associated site closure costs, $0.4 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, and ASC 712, and related literature. Of these charges, $3.4 million related to the Company’s GLC segment and $9,000 related to the Interpretation segment. The Company made $7.1 million of cash payments related to restructuring in 2011, $7.1 million, $8,000 and $9,000 related to the GLC, GES and Interpretation segments, respectively.
	The following table summarizes the restructuring reserve activity for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively (in thousands):
			2013			2012			2011
	Beginning balance, January 1		$	3,794		$	2,867		$	6,607
	Employee severance:
	Restructuring charges recorded			3,244			3,273			2,834
	Cash payments related to liabilities recorded on exit or disposal activities			(4,220	)		(2,294	)		(6,395	)
			$	(976	)	$	979		$	(3,561	)
	Vacated facility/lease termination:
	Restructuring charges recorded		$	35		$	—		$	178
	Revisions of estimated liabilities			248			328			345
	Cash payments related to liabilities assumed and recorded on business combinations			—			—			—
	Cash payments related to liabilities recorded on exit or disposal activities			(294	)		(380	)		(702	)
				(11	)		(52	)		(179	)
	Ending balance, December 31		$	2,807		$	3,794		$	2,867
	At December 31, 2013, the consolidated balance sheet includes accruals totaling $2.8 million primarily related to employee termination costs and vacated facilities. Lionbridge currently anticipates that $1.2 million of this will be fully utilized in 2014. The remaining $1.6 million relates to lease obligations on unused facilities expiring through 2026 and is included in other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	11	Fair Value Measurements
	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. During 2012, 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 is 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. Lionbridge did not have any financial assets and liabilities as of December 31, 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. As a result of the PRI acquisition in 2012 Lionbridge acquired a $2.0 million promissory note, using an interest rate similar to quoted market rates for a similar liability, to be paid in three installments and matures in June 2015.
	Level 3:		Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Lionbridge has contingent and deferred consideration assumed as a result of the VSI and E5 acquisition of $3.1 million and $2.9 million designated as Level 3 as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. 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 following table provides the assets and liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
			As of December 31, 2013 Using
			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
	Accrued acquisition payments		$	—		$	789	$	1,389	$	2,178
	Other long-term liabilities:
	Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion			—			595		1,691		2,286
	Total liabilities carried at fair value		$	—		$	1,384	$	3,080	$	4,464
			As of December 31, 2012 Using
			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
	Accrued acquisition payments		$	—		$	624	$	1,483	$	2,108
	Other long-term liabilities:
	Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion			—			1,293		1,398		2,691
	Total		$	—		$	1,917	$	2,881	$	4,799
	Changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 contingent consideration obligations during the year ended December 31, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012 were as follows:
			Year ended December 31,
			2013			2012
	Fair value at beginning of period		$	2,881		$	—
	Acquisition date fair value of contingent consideration obligations			309			1,500
	Acquisition date fair value of deferred consideration obligations			225			1,381
	Changes in the fair value of contingent considerations obligations			650			—
	Changes in the fair value of deferred considerations obligations			—			—
	Payments of contingent consideration obligations			—			—
	Payments of deferred consideration obligations			(985	)		—
	Fair value at the end of the period		$	3,080		$	2,881

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefit Plans	'
	12	Employee Benefit Plans
	Lionbridge maintains an employee benefit plan qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. All U.S. employees may participate in the 401(k) plan subject to certain eligibility requirements. Under the 401(k) plan, a participant may contribute a maximum of 50% of his or her pre-tax salary, commissions and bonuses through payroll deductions (up to the statutorily prescribed annual limit, or $17,500 in 2013) to the 401(k) plan. The percentage elected by more highly compensated participants may be required to be lower. In addition, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, Lionbridge may make discretionary profit-sharing contributions into the 401(k) plan for all eligible employees. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, discretionary contributions totaled $1.1 million, $1.0 million and $0.9 million, respectively. In addition, the Company maintained defined benefit pension plans for employees in The Netherlands, Poland, China, France, Belgium and Norway, a defined contribution plan for employees in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Canada, Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Germany and India, and defined contribution postretirement plans in Korea, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan resulting in contributions charged to operations of $5.8 million, $4.0 million and $3.8 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In total, Lionbridge’s consolidated results of operations include employee benefit contribution charges of $6.9 million, $5.0 million and $4.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	The Company has not provided the disclosures required under ASC 715, “Compensation—Retirement Benefits” (“ASC 715”), for the defined benefit pension plans as the amounts involved are immaterial to the years presented.

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp

Operating Segments and Geographical Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Operating Segments and Geographical Information	'
	13	Operating Segments and Geographical 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.
	GES—this segment includes Lionbridge’s development, engineering and testing services for software, hardware, websites, search engines and content. Specifically, through its GES 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. Lionbridge also provides specialized enterprise crowdsourcing services including search relevance testing, in-country testing for mobile devices and data management solutions. Lionbridge’s enterprise crowd sourcing practices use 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 reported net income (loss) of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands). Asset information, other than goodwill, by reportable segment is not reported, since the Company does not produce such information internally.
			GLC		GES		Interpretation		Corporate and			Total
									Other
	2013
	External revenue		$	321,020	$	145,788	$	22,388	$	—		$	489,196
	Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)			215,612		100,323		18,578		—			334,513
	Depreciation and amortization			5,082		3,148		32		2,463			10,725
	Other operating expenses			75,516		18,807		1,730		—			96,053
	Segment contribution			24,810		23,510		2,048		(2,463	)		47,905
	Interest expense and other unallocated items			—		—		—		(34,241	)		(34,241	)
	Income (loss) before income taxes			24,810		23,510		2,048		(36,704	)		13,664
	Provision for income taxes			—		—		—		2,024			2,024
	Net income (loss)		$	24,810	$	23,510	$	2,048	$	(38,728	)	$	11,640
	2012
	External revenue		$	314,740	$	119,050	$	23,408	$	—		$	457,198
	Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)			211,555		83,094		19,603		—			314,252
	Depreciation and amortization			4,660		1,785		28		2,597			9,070
	Other operating expenses			74,008		15,147		1,867		—			91,022
	Segment contribution			24,517		19,024		1,910		(2,597	)		42,854
	Interest expense and other unallocated items			—		—		—		(34,453	)		(34,453	)
	Income (loss) before income taxes			24,517		19,024		1,910		(37,050	)		8,401
	Benefit from income taxes			—		—		—		(2,931	)		(2,931	)
	Net income (loss)		$	24,517	$	19,024	$	1,910	$	(34,119	)	$	11,332
	2011
	External revenue		$	295,337	$	109,536	$	22,983	$	—		$	427,856
	Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)			199,857		76,601		19,763		—			296,221
	Depreciation and amortization			4,074		1,238		90		2,886			8,288
	Other operating expenses			73,925		14,605		2,105		—			90,635
	Segment contribution			17,481		17,092		1,025		(2,886	)		32,712
	Interest expense and other unallocated items			—		—		—		(31,055	)		(31,055	)
	Income (loss) before income taxes			17,481		17,092		1,025		(33,941	)		1,657
	Benefit from income taxes			—		—		—		(71	)		(71	)
	Net income (loss)		$	17,481	$	17,092	$	1,025	$	(33,870	)	$	1,728
	In 2013, 2012 and 2011, Microsoft accounted for 22%, 17% and 17% of total revenue, respectively. In 2013, 2012 and 2011, Google accounted for 12%, 13% and 12% of total revenue, respectively. No other client accounted for greater than 10% of total revenue in 2013, 2012 or 2011. Revenue from Microsoft and Google is included in the revenue of both the GLC and GES segments.
	A summary of Lionbridge’s revenue and long-lived assets by geographical region is as follows (in thousands):
			Year Ended December 31,
			2013		2012		2011
	Revenue:
	Americas		$	258,471	$	224,322	$	199,368
	Western Europe			161,850		166,542		161,344
	Asia			59,126		57,821		58,754
	Eastern Europe			9,749		8,513		8,390
			$	489,196	$	457,198	$	427,856
	Foreign revenue is presented based on the country in which projects are managed.
			December 31,
			2013		2012
	Long-lived assets:
	Americas		$	13,564	$	13,318
	Western Europe			5,804		6,431
	Asia			5,697		3,869
	Eastern Europe			1,390		1,074
			$	26,455	$	24,692
	Long-lived assets include “Property and equipment, net” and “Other assets” from the consolidated balance sheets, by the geographic location where the asset resides.

Supplemental_Disclosure_of_Cas

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information	'
	14	Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
			Year Ended December 31,
			(in thousands):
			2013		2012		2011
	Interest paid		$	602	$	620	$	660
	Income taxes paid, net		$	3,472	$	2,109	$	1,410

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	'
	15	Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
	The following table sets forth activity in Lionbridge’s allowance for doubtful accounts (in thousands):
	Year Ended:		Balance at		Charges to		(Deductions)/			Balance at
			Beginning of		Operations		Recoveries			End of Year
			Year
	December 31, 2011		$	500		200		(200	)	$	500
	December 31, 2012		$	500		13		(263	)	$	250
	December 31, 2013		$	250		198		(198	)	$	250
	The following table sets forth activity in Lionbridge’s deferred tax asset valuation allowance (in thousands):
	Year Ended:		Balance at		Charges to		(Deductions)/			Balance at
			Beginning of		Operations		Recoveries			End of Year
			Year
	December 31, 2011		$	107,957		2,089		(7,591	)	$	102,455
	December 31, 2012		$	102,455		1,628		(16,709	)	$	87,374
	December 31, 2013		$	87,374		3,039		(8,375	)	$	82,038
	The valuation allowance additions primarily relate to increases to deferred tax assets due to the generation of net operating losses in certain jurisdictions, while the valuation allowance deductions primarily relate to reductions in deferred tax assets for the utilization of tax attributes in certain other jurisdictions.

Net_Income_Loss_per_Share

Net Income (Loss) per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Net Income (Loss) per Share	'
	16	Net Income (Loss) per Share
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. For the purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share, the denominator includes both the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding and the number of dilutive common stock equivalents such as stock options and unvested restricted stock, as determined using the treasury stock method.
	Shares used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, are as follows (in thousands):
			December 31,
			2013		2012		2011
	Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding—basic			59,989		59,102		57,859
	Dilutive common stock equivalents relating to options and restricted stock			2,014		2,017		1,619
	Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding—diluted			62,003		61,119		59,478
	Options and unvested restricted stock outstanding to purchase 1,840,563, 2,192,000 and 4,646,000 shares of common stock for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, were not included in the calculations of diluted net income (loss) per share, as their effect would be anti-dilutive.

Other_Current_Assets_Other_Acc

Other Current Assets, Other Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Other Current Assets, Other Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities	'
	17	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 December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
			December 31,
			2013		2012
	Other current assets:
	Deferred project costs		$	3,872	$	2,885
	Prepaid income tax			2,592		2,251
	Other prepaid expenses			3,522		2,649
	Deferred tax asset, short-term			1,276		1,442
	Other			1,676		2,502
	Total other current assets		$	12,938	$	11,729
	Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
	Accrued acquisition payments		$	2,178	$	2,108
	Accrued volume discounts			1,314		1,051
	Other accrued expenses			5,111		5,007
	Deferred tax liability, short-term			904		539
	Deposit received on asset held for sale			—		727
	Other current liabilities			1,648		1,660
	Total other accrued expenses and other current liabilites		$	11,155	$	11,092
	Other long-term liabilities:
	Pension obligations, long-term portion		$	2,452	$	3,162
	Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion			2,286		2,691
	Accrued income tax uncertainties			5,115		4,975
	Accrued restructuring, long-term portion			1,606		1,584
	Other			1,713		2,598
	Total other long-term liabilities		$	13,172	$	15,010

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	18	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Accumulated other comprehensive income consists of the following at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively (in thousands):
			December 31,
			2013		2012
	Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments		$	19,589	$	18,799
	Unfunded projected benefit obligation			760		307
	Accumulative other comprehensive income		$	20,349	$	19,106

Basis_of_Presentation_Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Nature of the Business	'
	Nature of the Business
	Lionbridge Technologies, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, “Lionbridge” or the “Company”) provides a suite of globalization solutions to businesses in diverse end markets including technology, internet and media, manufacturing, mobile and telecommunications, life sciences, government, automotive, aerospace and retail. Lionbridge is a leading provider of language, content and testing solutions that enable clients to optimize, release, manage and maintain their technology applications and content globally. Lionbridge’s solutions include product and content globalization; interpretation services; application development and maintenance; software and hardware testing; product certification and competitive analysis. Lionbridge has three operating segments: Global Language and Content (“GLC”), Global Enterprise Solutions (“GES”, formerly referred to as Global Development and Testing, “GDT”) and Interpretation. As part of its GLC solutions, Lionbridge also provides global marketing services and creates and translates technical documentation for clients who market to and support customers in global markets. Lionbridge GLC solutions utilize the Company’s cloud-based technology platform and global service delivery model which make the translation, localization and authoring process more efficient for Lionbridge clients. Through its GES solutions, Lionbridge optimizes, tests and maintains IT applications to ensure the quality, interoperability, usability relevance and performance of clients’ software, consumer technology products, web sites and content. Lionbridge’s testing services, which are offered under the VeriTest brand, also include product certification and competitive analysis. Lionbridge has substantial domain experience developing, testing and maintaining applications in a cost-efficient, blended on-site and offshore model. As part of its GES offering, Lionbridge also provides specialized enterprise crowdsourcing services including search relevance testing, in-country testing for mobile devices, and data management solutions. Lionbridge provides interpretation services for government, business and healthcare organizations that require experienced linguists to facilitate communication. Lionbridge has its head office in the United States, with operations in Europe, Asia, India, North America, and Latin America.
	Lionbridge anticipates that its present cash and cash equivalents position and available financing under its Credit Agreement should provide adequate cash to fund its currently anticipated cash needs for the next twelve months and foreseeable future. Should the Company require additional funding, the Company’s access to capital markets as a means of funding any anticipated cash needs may be limited due to global economic market conditions. Moreover, the Company may not be able to access additional debt financing on the same or substantially similar terms as those in the Credit Agreement due to volatility and instability in worldwide credit markets. Management is committed to pursuing alternative financing arrangements or reducing expenditures as necessary to meet the Company’s cash requirements through 2014 if necessary.
Out of Period Adjustments	'
	Out of Period Adjustments
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company identified certain immaterial out of period 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, previously unrecorded asset retirement obligations for certain office leases and the adjustment of uncertain tax liabilities. These corrections resulted in a $0.2 million decrease to revenue, a $0.4 million increase to operating expenses, a $0.2 million increase to other expense, net and a $0.6 million decrease to the provision for income taxes. These corrections represented an overstatement to revenue of $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, an understatement of operating expenses of $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2007, respectively, an understatement of other expense, net of $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 and an overstatement of the provision for income taxes of $0.1 million, $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and prior periods, respectively.
	During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company identified certain immaterial out of period errors related to the calculation of commission expense and certain revenue adjustments. These corrections resulted in a $0.1 million decrease to revenue, representing an overstatement of revenue of less than $0.1 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The impact of the sales commission adjustment only related to interim periods within 2013 and did not impact prior financial years.
	During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company identified certain immaterial out of period errors related to revenue recognition and certain gross receipt and property taxes for the period of fiscal years 2007 through 2010. These corrections resulted in a $0.3 million decrease to revenue and an immaterial impact to operating expenses, as the gross receipt and property tax items were offsetting within general and administrative expenses. These corrections represented an overstatement to revenue of $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.
	The Company has evaluated these errors and does not believe the amounts are material to any periods impacted and the correction of these errors is not material to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 or any interim periods within these years.
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lionbridge and its wholly owned subsidiaries from the effective date of their acquisition or formation. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	Lionbridge recognizes revenue as services are performed and amounts are earned in accordance with ASC 605-20, “Services” (“ASC 605-20”). Lionbridge considers amounts to be earned when (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement has been obtained; (2) services are delivered; (3) the fee is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. Determination of criteria (3) and (4) are based on management’s judgments regarding the fixed nature of the fee charged for services rendered and products delivered and the collectability of those fees.
	Lionbridge’s revenue is recorded from the provision of services to customers for GLC, GES and Interpretation services which include content development, product and content globalization, interpretation, software and hardware testing, product certification and application development and maintenance.
	Content development, software and hardware testing, interpretation and application development and maintenance projects are normally time and expense priced contracts, and revenue is recognized using a time and expense basis over the period of performance, primarily based on labor costs incurred to date.
	Product and content globalization and product certification projects are generally fixed price contracts and revenue is recognized as services are delivered. Depending on specific contractual provisions and the nature of the deliverable, revenue is recognized (1) on a proportional performance model based on level of effort, (2) as milestones are achieved or (3) when final deliverables have been met. Amounts billed in excess of revenue recognized are recorded as deferred revenue.
	The delivery of Lionbridge’s GLC services involves and is dependent on the translation and development of content by subcontractors and in-house employees. As the time and cost to translate or produce each word of content within a project is relatively uniform, labor input is reflective of the delivery of the contracted service and an appropriate metric for the measurement of proportional performance in delivering such services. The use of a proportional performance assessment of service delivery requires significant judgment relative to estimating total contract costs, including assumptions relative to the length of time to complete the project, the nature and complexity of the work to be performed, anticipated increases in employee wages and prices for subcontractor services, and the availability of subcontractor services. When adjustments in estimated project costs are identified, anticipated losses, if any, are recognized in the period in which they are determined.
	Lionbridge’s GLC agreements with its customers may provide the customer with a fixed and limited time period following delivery during which Lionbridge will attempt to address any non-conformity to previously agreed upon objective specifications relating to the work, either in the form of a limited acceptance period or a post-delivery warranty period. Management believes recognition of revenue at the time the services are delivered is appropriate, because its obligations under such provisions are limited in time, limited in scope, and historically have not involved significant costs. In the future, if the post delivery acceptance or warranty provisions become more complex or include subjective acceptance criteria, Lionbridge may have to revise its revenue recognition policy accordingly, which could affect the timing of revenue recognition.
	Lionbridge’s GLC segment includes Translation Workspace, the Company’s hosted proprietary, internet-architected translation memory application that simplifies translation management. This SaaS-based application is available to translators on a subscription basis. SaaS-based revenue is billed in advance and generally recognized over the subscription period. Incremental overage fees are recognized in the period incurred.
	Lionbridge occasionally provides integrated full-service offerings throughout a client’s product and content lifecycle, including GLC and GES services. Such multiple-element service offerings are governed by ASC 605-25, “Multiple-Element Arrangements” (“ASC 605-25”). For these arrangements where the GLC and GES services have independent value to the customer, and there is evidence of selling price for each service, the combined service arrangement is bifurcated into separate units for accounting treatment. In instances where it is not possible to bifurcate a project, direct and incremental costs attributable to each component are deferred and recognized together with the service revenue upon delivery. The determination of selling price requires the use of significant judgment. Lionbridge determines the selling price of service revenues based upon its recent pricing for those services when sold separately and/or prevailing market rates for similar services.
	Revenue includes reimbursement of travel, out-of-pocket expenses, certain facilities and hardware costs with equivalent amounts of expense recorded in cost of revenue.
	Estimates for incentive rebates and other allowances are recorded as a reduction of revenues in the period the related revenues are recorded. These estimates are based upon contracted terms, historical experience and information currently available to management with respect to business and economic trends. Revisions of these estimates are recorded in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known.
Advertising Costs	'
	Advertising Costs
	Advertising costs are included in sales and marketing expenses and are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs were approximately $0.3 million, $0.4 million and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Research and Development Costs	'
	Research and Development Costs
	Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and include salaries and associated employee benefits and third-party contractor expenses unless capitalized as costs incurred during the application development stage of software developed for internal use. These costs relate primarily to the Company’s web-based hosted language management technology platform used in the globalization process and its globalization management system.
Foreign Currency Translation	'
	Foreign Currency Translation
	The functional currency for each of Lionbridge’s foreign operations is predominantly the local currency of the country in which those operations are based. Revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated into U.S. Dollars at the average rates of exchange during the year. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. Dollars at year-end rates of exchange. The Company has recorded translation gains of $0.8 million and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, and a translation loss of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, in accumulated other comprehensive income, which is a component of stockholders’ equity. These unrealized gains and losses are primarily attributable to the fluctuation in value between the U.S. Dollar and the Euro. For the purpose of disclosure of comprehensive income (loss), Lionbridge does not record tax provisions or benefits for the net changes in foreign currency translation adjustments, as Lionbridge intends to permanently reinvest undistributed earnings in its foreign subsidiaries.
	Realized and unrealized foreign currency transaction gains or losses, arising from exchange rate fluctuations on balances denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies, are included in “Other expense, net” in the consolidated statements of operations and resulted in losses of $0.9 million, $1.1 million and $1.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Financial Instruments	'
	Financial Instruments
	Lionbridge may enter into foreign currency forward contracts with commercial banks to hedge exposure to foreign currency assets and liabilities recorded on its balance sheet and utilizes interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk. Changes in the fair value of foreign exchange forward contracts are recorded in the Company’s earnings. The Company had no foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012.
	Lionbridge does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with a maturity of ninety days or less at the time of purchase. Cash equivalents consist primarily of time deposits and are stated at cost plus accrued interest.
Unbilled Receivables and Deferred Revenue	'
	Unbilled Receivables and Deferred Revenue
	Unbilled receivables represent revenue not yet billed. Unbilled receivables are calculated for each individual project based on the proportional delivery of services at the balance sheet date. Billing of amounts in unbilled receivables occurs according to customer-agreed payment schedules or upon completion of specified project milestones. All of Lionbridge’s projects in unbilled receivables are expected to be billed and collected within one year.
	Deferred revenue represents billings in excess of revenue recognized for work. Deferred revenue is calculated for each individual project and constitutes a performance obligation for which revenue will be recognized as services are delivered.
Property and Equipment	'
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization and any recognized impairment loss. Additions and improvements that extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized; maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Upon retirement or other disposition, the cost and related accumulated depreciation of the assets are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in the determination of net income or loss.
	In accordance with ASC 350-40, “Internal Use Software” (“ASC 350-40”), the Company capitalizes costs incurred during the application development stage, which include costs of designing the software configuration and interfaces, coding, installation and testing. Costs incurred during the preliminary project stage along with post-implementation stages of internal use computer software are generally expensed as incurred. Capitalized development costs are amortized over the estimated life of the software, using the straight-line method, beginning with the date that an asset is ready for its intended use. The capitalization and ongoing assessment of development costs requires considerable judgment by management, including, but not limited to, technological feasibility and estimated economic life. Capitalized software is included in “Property and equipment, net” on the consolidated balance sheets.
	The Company capitalized costs of $2.8 million, $3.7 million, and $4.1 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, which primarily related to the development of internal financial systems and enhancements of internal products. Of such total capitalized costs, $2.8 million, $2.4 million, and $4.1 million related to costs associated with software developed for internal use that was placed into service during 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The remaining $1.3 million for 2012 related to costs associated with the development of software for internal use that was not yet placed into service as of December 31, 2012. There were no costs associated with the development of software for internal use that was not yet placed into service as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2011. The capitalized costs placed in service during 2013, 2012 and 2011 are being amortized over two to seven years. Amortization expenses for costs incurred to develop computer software for internal use totaled $2.1 million, $2.2 million and $2.3 million during 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and are included in “Depreciation and amortization” in the consolidated statements of operations.
	The cost of property and equipment is depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method, based upon the following asset lives:
	Computer software and equipment	1 to 7 years
	Building and building improvements	5 to 40 years
	Furniture and office equipment	3 to 10 years
	Leasehold improvements	Shorter of remaining lease term or useful life of asset
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Lionbridge assesses the impairment of goodwill and acquisition-related intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Such events or conditions could include an economic downturn in the industries to which Lionbridge provides services; increased competition; an increase in operating or other costs; additional volatility in international currencies; the pace of technological improvements; or other information regarding Lionbridge’s market value, such as a reduction in stock price to a price near or below the book value of the Company for an extended period of time. When Lionbridge determines that the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable based upon one or more of these indicators of impairment, the Company initially assesses any impairment using fair value measurements based on projected discounted cash flow valuation models and the market approach. 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, 2013 and 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 substantially exceeded the carrying value of the net assets of each respective reporting unit, using projected discounted cash flow modeling. As a result, no impairment was recorded for either year.
	The Company evaluates whether there has been an impairment in the carrying value of its long-lived assets 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 the Company’s stock price for a sustained period and a decline in our market capitalization relative to net book value.
	Acquisition-related intangible assets arose from acquisitions made prior to 2011 and the acquisitions of Productive Resources, LLC (“PRI”) in June 2012, Virtual Solutions, Inc. (“VSI”) in November 2012 and E5 Global Holdings, Inc. (“E5”) in October 2013 and consist of the following, which have been or are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives, except for the customer relationships related to previous acquisitions, of which a portion is being amortized using an economic consumption method:
		Estimated
		Useful
		Life
	Acquisitions previous to 2011:
	Customer relationships		3 to 12 years
	Customer contracts		3 to 5 years
	Internally developed software		1 to 4 years
	PRI, VSI & E5:
	Developed technology		5 years
	Core technology		10 years
	Customer relationships		2 to 12 years
	Non-compete agreements		1 to 5 years
	Trademark		1 to 2 years
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Current income taxes are recorded based on statutory obligations for the current operating period for the various countries in which the Company has operations.
	Deferred income taxes are generally recognized for the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities (temporary differences) multiplied by the enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Net Income (Loss) per Share	'
	Net Income (Loss) per Share
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. For purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share, the denominator includes both the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding and the number of dilutive common stock equivalents such as stock options, unvested restricted stock and warrants, as determined using the treasury stock method.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company recognizes expense for stock options, performance-based restricted stock awards and time-based restricted stock awards pursuant to ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”), which requires recognition of stock-based compensation expense in the statement of operations over the vesting period based on the fair value of the award at the grant date.
	The Company has stock-based employee compensation plans which are described more fully in Note 8 to these consolidated financial statements.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, actuarial valuations and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Estimates are used when accounting for the collectability of receivables, calculating revenue based on the proportional delivery of services, and valuing intangible assets, deferred tax assets, net assets of businesses acquired and accrued liabilities associated with compensation. Some of these estimates can be subjective and complex and, consequently, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. However, if different assumptions or conditions were to prevail, the results could be materially different from the amounts recorded.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Total comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss), the net change in the funded status of defined benefit postretirement plans and the net change in foreign currency translation adjustment.
Concentrations of Credit Risk and Significant Customers	'
	Concentrations of Credit Risk and Significant Customers
	Financial instruments which potentially subject Lionbridge to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with several investment grade financial institutions. Investments consist of time deposits with maturities less than 30 days. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable are limited due to the dispersion of customers across different industries and geographic regions. Hewlett Packard accounted for approximately 11% of consolidated accounts receivable at December 31, 2013. Hewlett Packard and Microsoft accounted for approximately 12% and 10%, respectively of consolidated accounts receivable at December 31, 2012. No other client individually accounted for more than 10% of consolidated accounts receivable at December 31, 2013 or 2012. Lionbridge generally does not require collateral or other security against trade receivable balances; however, it maintains reserves for potential credit losses and such losses have historically been within management’s expectations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Financial instruments are carried in the consolidated financial statements at amounts that approximate fair value at December 31, 2013 and 2012. Fair values are based on market prices and assumptions concerning the amount and timing of estimated future cash flows and assumed discount rates, reflecting varying degrees of perceived risk. The Company recognizes all derivative financial instruments in our consolidated financial statements at fair value in accordance with ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging—Net Settlement”. The Company records changes in the fair value of derivative instruments in earnings unless deferred hedge accounting criteria is met. For derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges, the Company records the changes in fair value of both the derivative instrument and the hedged item in earnings.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-11, “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“ASU 2011-11”). This amendment requires disclosing and reconciling gross and net amounts for financial instruments that are offset in the balance sheet, and amounts for financial instruments that are subject to master netting arrangements and other similar clearing and repurchase arrangements. In January 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2013-01, “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“ASU 2013-01”), which clarifies the scope of the offsetting disclosures of ASU 2011-11. ASU 2011-11 and ASU 2013-01 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company adopted ASU 2011-11 and ASU 2013-01 on January 1, 2013. The adoption of ASU 2011-11 and ASU 2013-01 did not have a material impact on the Company’s disclosures.
	In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05 “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2011-05”), which prohibits the presentation of other comprehensive income in the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity and requires the presentation of net income, items of other comprehensive income and total comprehensive income in one continuous statement or two separate but consecutive statements. In December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-12 “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05” (“ASU 2011-12”), which deferred the requirement to present reclassification adjustments for each component of other comprehensive income on the face of the financial statements mandated by ASU 2011-05. In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-02 “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2013-02”), which requires disclosures of the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component, including the respective line items of net income if the amount is required to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. ASU 2011-05 and 2011-12 were effective and adopted by the Company in the first quarter of 2012 and ASU 2013-02 will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2013. The ASUs have impacted and will impact the Company’s financial statement presentation, but otherwise did not and will not impact its consolidated financial statements.
Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations	'
	Lionbridge recorded $3.5 million of restructuring charges in the year ended December 31, 2013. The $3.5 million of restructuring charges recorded in 2013 included $3.2 million for workforce reductions in Europe, the Americas and Asia consisting of 34 technical staff, 18 administrative staff and 9 sales 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, 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. All these charges are related to the GLC segment. The Company made $4.5 million of cash payments in 2013 all of which related to the GLC operating segments.
	Lionbridge recorded $3.6 million of restructuring charges in the year ended December 31, 2012. The $3.6 million of restructuring charges recorded in 2012 included $3.3 million for workforce reductions in Europe, the Americas and Asia consisting of 35 technical staff and 4 administrative staff, $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, 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. All these charges are related to the Company’s GLC segment. The Company made $2.7 million of cash payments in 2012 all of which related to the GLC operating segment.
	Lionbridge recorded $3.4 million of restructuring charges in the year ended December 31, 2011. The $3.4 million included $2.8 million for workforce reductions in Europe, the Americas and Asia consisting of 53 technical staff, 7 administrative staff and 1 sales staff, $0.2 million recorded for vacated facilities and associated site closure costs, $0.4 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, and ASC 712, and related literature. Of these charges, $3.4 million related to the Company’s GLC segment and $9,000 related to the Interpretation segment. The Company made $7.1 million of cash payments related to restructuring in 2011, $7.1 million, $8,000 and $9,000 related to the GLC, GES and Interpretation segments, respectively.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Estimated Useful Lives of the Assets	'
	The cost of property and equipment is depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method, based upon the following asset lives:
	Computer software and equipment	1 to 7 years
	Building and building improvements	5 to 40 years
	Furniture and office equipment	3 to 10 years
	Leasehold improvements	Shorter of remaining lease term or useful life of asset
Estimated Useful Lives of Acquisition Intangible Assets	'
	Acquisition-related intangible assets arose from acquisitions made prior to 2011 and the acquisitions of Productive Resources, LLC (“PRI”) in June 2012 , Virtual Solutions, Inc. (“VSI”) in November 2012 and E5 Global Holdings, Inc. (“E5”) in October 2013 and consist of the following, which have been or are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives, except for the customer relationships related to previous acquisitions, of which a portion is being amortized using an economic consumption method:
		Estimated
		Useful
		Life
	Acquisitions previous to 2011:
	Customer relationships		3 to 12 years
	Customer contracts		3 to 5 years
	Internally developed software		1 to 4 years
	PRI, VSI & E5:
	Developed technology		5 years
	Core technology		10 years
	Customer relationships		2 to 12 years
	Non-compete agreements		1 to 5 years
	Trademark		1 to 2 years

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Consideration Transferred	'
	The total acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred was estimated at $1.9 million as follows (in thousands):
	Initial cash payment	$	1,393
	Deferred cash payment		225
	Fair value of deferred cash payments		309
	Total consideration transferred	$	1,927
	The total acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred was estimated at $6.3 million as follows (in thousands):
	Initial cash payment	$	3,449
	Fair value of deferred and contingent earn-out cash payments		2,882
	Total consideration transferred	$	6,331
	The total acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred was estimated at $12.4 million as follows (in thousands):
	Initial cash payment	$	10,457
	Fair value of deferred cash payments		1,936
	Total consideration transferred	$	12,393
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Recorded as of the Acquisition Date	'
	The assets and liabilities associated with E5 were recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date and the amounts as follows (in thousands):
	Cash .	$	104
	Accounts receivable and unbilled receivables		589
	Other assets		104
	Intangible assets		397
	Goodwill		943
	Total assets		2,137
	Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		(210	)
	Total consideration transferred	$	1,927
	The assets and liabilities associated with VSI were recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date and the amounts as follows (in thousands):
	Cash	$	4
	Accounts receivable		529
	Other current assets		2
	Intangible assets		3,880
	Goodwill		3,713
	Total assets		8,128
	Accounts payable		(20	)
	Accrued expenses		(29	)
	Other liabilities		(93	)
	Deferred tax liabilities		(1,504	)
	Debt		(151	)
	Total consideration transferred	$	6,331
	The assets and liabilities associated with PRI were recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date and the amounts as follows (in thousands):
	Cash	$	27
	Accounts receivable		2,077
	Unbilled receivables		967
	Prepaid and other assets		118
	Property and equipment		240
	Intangible assets		7,500
	Goodwill		5,264
	Total assets		16,193
	Accounts payable		(82	)
	Accrued compensation and benefits		(704	)
	Other liabilities		(62	)
	Deferred tax liabilities		(2,952	)
	Total consideration transferred	$	12,393
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Results of Operations	'
	The unaudited pro forma information presented in the following table summarizes the Company’s consolidated results of operations for the periods presented, as if the acquisition of PRI had occurred on January 1, 2011 (in thousands, except per share amounts). The pro forma financial information is presented for comparative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that actually would have been achieved if the acquisition had taken place at the beginning of 2011, nor is it intended to be a projection of future results.
		Year ended December 31,
		2012			2011
	Revenue	$	461,932		$	437,877
	Net income	$	11,960		$	1,910
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.2		$	0.03
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.2		$	0.03

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Summary of Property and Equipment	'
	Property and equipment consisted of the following at December 31 (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Computer software and equipment	$	44,183		$	38,290
	Furniture and office equipment		3,595			3,015
	Leasehold improvements		12,535			9,789
			60,313			51,094
	Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(39,345	)		(31,664	)
		$	20,968		$	19,430
Summary of Rollforward of ARO Balances	'
	The table below sets forth the rollforward of ARO balances for the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
	ARO balance, as of December 31, 2011	$	969
	Liabilities recorded		50
	Liabilities settled		(79	)
	Accretion expense and currency impact		10
	ARO balance, as of December 31, 2012		950
	Liabilities recorded		560
	Liabilities settled		(87	)
	Accretion expense and currency impact		13
	ARO balance, as of December 31, 2013	$	1,436

Goodwill_and_AcquisitionRelate1

Goodwill and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill	'
	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill on a total consolidated basis and by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		GLC			GES			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2011, gross	$	120,587		$	9,675		$	130,262
	Accumulated goodwill impairment		(120,587	)		—			(120,587	)
	Balance at December 31, 2011, net		—			9,675			9,675
	Acquisition of PRI		5,264			—			5,264
	Acquisition of VSI		—			3,713			3,713
	Balance at December 31, 2012, gross		125,851			13,388			139,239
	Accumulated goodwill impairment		(120,587	)		—			(120,587	)
	Balance at December 31, 2012, net		5,264			13,388			18,652
	Acquisition of E5		—			943			943
	Balance at December 31, 2013, gross		125,851			14,331			140,182
	Accumulated goodwill impairment		(120,587	)		—			(120,587	)
	Balance at December 31, 2013, net	$	5,264		$	14,331		$	19,595
Summary of Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets	'
	The following table summarizes acquisition-related intangible assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively (in thousands):
		2013									2012
		Gross Carrying			Accumulated			Balance			Gross Carrying		Accumulated			Balance
		Value			Amortization						Value		Amortization
	BGS acquired customer relationships	$	32,000		$	(28,248	)	$	3,752		$	32,000	$	(26,666	)	$	5,334
	BGS acquired customer contracts		14,000			(14,000	)		—			14,000		(14,000	)		—
	BGS acquired technology		2,317			(2,317	)		—			2,317		(2,317	)		—
	PRI acquired customer relationships		6,200			(819	)		5,381			6,200		(302	)		5,898
	PRI non-compete agreement		1,300			(412	)		888			1,300		(152	)		1,148
	VSI acquired developed technology		1,700			(368	)		1,332			1,700		(28	)		1,672
	VSI acquired core technology		1,100			(119	)		981			1,100		(9	)		1,091
	VSI customer relationships		890			(482	)		408			890		(37	)		853
	VSI non-compete agreements		150			(41	)		109			150		(3	)		147
	VSI acquired trademark		40			(22	)		18			40		(2	)		38
	E5 customer relationships		300			(15	)		285			—		—			—
	E5 non-compete agreements		50			(12	)		38			—		—			—
	E5 trademark		47			(12	)		35			—		—			—
		$	60,094		$	(46,867	)	$	13,226		$	59,697	$	(43,516	)	$	16,181
Amortization of Intangible Assets	'
	Estimated annual amortization expense related to these intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):
	Year ending December 31,
	2014	$	3,127
	2015		2,399
	2016		2,206
	2017		1,594
	2018		672
	Thereafter		3,228
		$	13,226

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Noncancelable Operating Leases	'
	Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases (excluding recognition of sublease income) at December 31, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
	Year ending December 31,
	2014	$	12,259
	2015		10,394
	2016		7,760
	2017		3,965
	2018		3,243
	Thereafter		13,224
		$	50,845

Stockholders_Equity_and_StockB1

Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Summary of Repurchase Data	'
	The repurchase data for the year ended is as follows:
	Period	Total Number of			Average Price
		Shares Purchased			Paid Per Share
	May 1, 2013—May 31, 2013		182,818		$	2.8
	June 1, 2013—June 30, 2013		1,132,734		$	3.02
	July 1, 2013—July 31, 2013		118,275		$	3.07
	August 1, 2013—August 31, 2013		21,887		$	3.31
	September 1, 2013—September 30, 2013		108,886		$	3.63
	October 1, 2013—October 31, 2013		117,591		$	3.77
			1,682,191		$	3.1
Summary of Stock Option Activity	'
	The following table summarizes stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2013:
		Number of			Weighted  Avg.			Weighted Avg.			Aggregate
		Options			Exercise			Remaining			Intrinsic Value
					Price			Contractual			(in thousands)
								Life (years)
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2012		2,723,179		$	5.01
	Granted		350,000		$	3.87
	Exercised		(214,084	)	$	2.88					$	358
	Canceled (forfeited and expired)		(628,000	)	$	9.17
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2013		2,231,095		$	3.87			2.4		$	4,666
	Vested or expected to vest as of December 31, 2013		2,048,989		$	3.7			3.5		$	4,745
	Exercisable as of December 31, 2013		1,344,783		$	3.84			2.4		$	2,967
Fair Value of Option	'
	The fair value of each option was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Risk-free interest rate		0.54 to 0.62	%		0.50 to 0.83	%		0.89 to 2.11	%
	Expected volatility		58.9 to 66.7	%		69.3 to 80.2	%		78.8 to 81.7	%
	Expected life (years)		4			4			4.0 to 4.1
	Dividend yield		0	%		0	%		0	%
Summary of Non-Vested Restricted Stock Awards Activity	'
	The following table summarizes non-vested restricted stock awards activity for the year ended December 31, 2013:
		Non-vested			Grant Date Fair
		Number of			Value
		Restricted Share
		Awards
	Non-vested balance at December 31, 2012		4,955,535		$	3.19
	Granted at fair market value		1,768,068		$	3.9
	Vested		(1,830,339	)	$	3.34
	Forfeited		(113,638	)	$	3.58
	Non-vested balance at December 31, 2013		4,779,626		$	3.39

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of the Provision For (Benefit) From Income Taxes	'
	The components of the provision for (benefit from) income taxes are as follows for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	Current:
	Federal	$	144		$	208		$	85
	State		279			425			276
	Foreign		2,246			982			(735	)
	Total current provision (benefit)	$	2,669		$	1,615		$	(374	)
	Deferred:
	Foreign	$	(645	)	$	(99	)	$	303
	Domestic		—			(4,447	)		—
	Total deferred (benefit) provision		(645	)		(4,546	)		303
	Total provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	2,024		$	(2,931	)	$	(71	)
Components of Consolidated Income Before Taxes	'
	The components of consolidated income before taxes were as follows for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	United States	$	3,939		$	3,626		$	(2,324	)
	Foreign		9,725			4,775			3,981
	Income before income taxes	$	13,664		$	8,401		$	1,657
Summary Income Tax Provision and Income Taxes Computed Using U.S. Federal Statutory Tax Rate	'
	The differences between the income tax provision and income taxes computed using the applicable U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 34 percent are as follows for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	Statutory tax provision	$	4,714		$	2,856		$	563
	State income taxes		427			704			628
	Tax rate differential for international jurisdictions and related items		(2,245	)		(2,209	)		(2,000	)
	Changes in reserves for uncertain tax positions		(401	)		(901	)		(1,883	)
	Valuation allowance		(5,143	)		(9,676	)		(1,286	)
	Stock-based compensation		—			(76	)		(4	)
	Permanent differences		1,839			3,099			3,345
	Rate change on deferred		2,156			3,290			—
	Other		677			(18	)		566
	Effective tax provision (benefit)	$	2,024		$	(2,931	)	$	(71	)
Consolidated Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities)	'
	The consolidated deferred tax assets (liabilities) of the Company were as follows at December 31 (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	U.S. net operating loss carryforwards	$	26,130		$	27,798
	Foreign net operating loss carryforwards		47,244			45,231
	Amortization and depreciation of long-lived assets		(2,287	)		(1,750	)
	Goodwill amortization		2,743			3,567
	Reserves and accruals		936			1,637
	Tax credits carryforwards		1,138			2,020
	Stock-based compensation		6,763			7,412
	Unrealized foreign exchange loss		656			2,224
	Deferred revenue		330			382
	Other		(389	)		560
	Valuation allowance		(82,038	)		(87,374	)
	Net deferred tax asset	$	1,226		$	1,707
Reconciliation of the Beginning and Ending Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
		Total			Lionbridge			Indemnification
	Balance at January 1, 2011	$	5,957		$	4,469		$	1,488
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		391			391			—
	Settlements		(1,424	)		—			(1,424	)
	Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations		(431	)		(367	)		(64	)
	Balance at December 31, 2011		4,493			4,493			—
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		491			491			—
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(85	)		(85	)		—
	Reductions for audit settlements of prior years		(194	)		(194	)		—
	Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations		(884	)		(884	)		—
	Balance at December 31, 2012		3,821			3,821			—
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		305			305			—
	Reductions for audit settlements of prior years		(7	)		(7	)		—
	Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations		(541	)		(541	)		—
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	3,578		$	3,578		$	—

Restructuring_Charges_Tables

Restructuring Charges (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Summary of Restructuring Reserve Activity	'
	The following table summarizes the restructuring reserve activity for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	Beginning balance, January 1	$	3,794		$	2,867		$	6,607
	Employee severance:
	Restructuring charges recorded		3,244			3,273			2,834
	Cash payments related to liabilities recorded on exit or disposal activities		(4,220	)		(2,294	)		(6,395	)
		$	(976	)	$	979		$	(3,561	)
	Vacated facility/lease termination:
	Restructuring charges recorded	$	35		$	—		$	178
	Revisions of estimated liabilities		248			328			345
	Cash payments related to liabilities assumed and recorded on business combinations		—			—			—
	Cash payments related to liabilities recorded on exit or disposal activities		(294	)		(380	)		(702	)
			(11	)		(52	)		(179	)
	Ending balance, December 31	$	2,807		$	3,794		$	2,867

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Assets and Liabilities Carried at Fair Value	'
	The following table provides the assets and liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		As of December 31, 2013 Using
		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
	Accrued acquisition payments	$	—		$	789	$	1,389	$	2,178
	Other long-term liabilities:
	Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion		—			595		1,691		2,286
	Total liabilities carried at fair value	$	—		$	1,384	$	3,080	$	4,464
		As of December 31, 2012 Using
		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
	Accrued acquisition payments	$	—		$	624	$	1,483	$	2,108
	Other long-term liabilities:
	Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion		—			1,293		1,398		2,691
	Total	$	—		$	1,917	$	2,881	$	4,799
Contingent Consideration Obligations Level 3	'
	Changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 contingent consideration obligations during the year ended December 31, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012 were as follows:
		Year ended December 31,
		2013			2012
	Fair value at beginning of period	$	2,881		$	—
	Acquisition date fair value of contingent consideration obligations		309			1,500
	Acquisition date fair value of deferred consideration obligations		225			1,381
	Changes in the fair value of contingent considerations obligations		650			—
	Changes in the fair value of deferred considerations obligations		—			—
	Payments of contingent consideration obligations		—			—
	Payments of deferred consideration obligations		(985	)		—
	Fair value at the end of the period	$	3,080		$	2,881

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp1

Operating Segments and Geographical Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Reported Net Income (Loss) of the Company	'
	The table below presents information about the reported net income (loss) of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands). Asset information, other than goodwill, by reportable segment is not reported, since the Company does not produce such information internally.
		GLC		GES		Interpretation		Corporate and			Total
								Other
	2013
	External revenue	$	321,020	$	145,788	$	22,388	$	—		$	489,196
	Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		215,612		100,323		18,578		—			334,513
	Depreciation and amortization		5,082		3,148		32		2,463			10,725
	Other operating expenses		75,516		18,807		1,730		—			96,053
	Segment contribution		24,810		23,510		2,048		(2,463	)		47,905
	Interest expense and other unallocated items		—		—		—		(34,241	)		(34,241	)
	Income (loss) before income taxes		24,810		23,510		2,048		(36,704	)		13,664
	Provision for income taxes		—		—		—		2,024			2,024
	Net income (loss)	$	24,810	$	23,510	$	2,048	$	(38,728	)	$	11,640
	2012
	External revenue	$	314,740	$	119,050	$	23,408	$	—		$	457,198
	Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		211,555		83,094		19,603		—			314,252
	Depreciation and amortization		4,660		1,785		28		2,597			9,070
	Other operating expenses		74,008		15,147		1,867		—			91,022
	Segment contribution		24,517		19,024		1,910		(2,597	)		42,854
	Interest expense and other unallocated items		—		—		—		(34,453	)		(34,453	)
	Income (loss) before income taxes		24,517		19,024		1,910		(37,050	)		8,401
	Benefit from income taxes		—		—		—		(2,931	)		(2,931	)
	Net income (loss)	$	24,517	$	19,024	$	1,910	$	(34,119	)	$	11,332
	2011
	External revenue	$	295,337	$	109,536	$	22,983	$	—		$	427,856
	Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		199,857		76,601		19,763		—			296,221
	Depreciation and amortization		4,074		1,238		90		2,886			8,288
	Other operating expenses		73,925		14,605		2,105		—			90,635
	Segment contribution		17,481		17,092		1,025		(2,886	)		32,712
	Interest expense and other unallocated items		—		—		—		(31,055	)		(31,055	)
	Income (loss) before income taxes		17,481		17,092		1,025		(33,941	)		1,657
	Benefit from income taxes		—		—		—		(71	)		(71	)
	Net income (loss)	$	17,481	$	17,092	$	1,025	$	(33,870	)	$	1,728
Summary of Lionbridge's Revenue and Long-lived Assets by Geographical Region	'
	A summary of Lionbridge’s revenue and long-lived assets by geographical region is as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Revenue:
	Americas	$	258,471	$	224,322	$	199,368
	Western Europe		161,850		166,542		161,344
	Asia		59,126		57,821		58,754
	Eastern Europe		9,749		8,513		8,390
		$	489,196	$	457,198	$	427,856
	Foreign revenue is presented based on the country in which projects are managed.
		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Long-lived assets:
	Americas	$	13,564	$	13,318
	Western Europe		5,804		6,431
	Asia		5,697		3,869
	Eastern Europe		1,390		1,074
		$	26,455	$	24,692

Supplemental_Disclosure_of_Cas1

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information	'
		Year Ended December 31,
		(in thousands):
		2013		2012		2011
	Interest paid	$	602	$	620	$	660
	Income taxes paid, net	$	3,472	$	2,109	$	1,410

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou1

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts Receivable Reserve [Member]	'
Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	'
	The following table sets forth activity in Lionbridge’s allowance for doubtful accounts (in thousands):
	Year Ended:	Balance at		Charges to		(Deductions)/			Balance at
		Beginning of		Operations		Recoveries			End of Year
		Year
	December 31, 2011	$	500		200		(200	)	$	500
	December 31, 2012	$	500		13		(263	)	$	250
	December 31, 2013	$	250		198		(198	)	$	250
Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance [Member]	'
Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	'
	The following table sets forth activity in Lionbridge’s deferred tax asset valuation allowance (in thousands):
	Year Ended:	Balance at		Charges to		(Deductions)/			Balance at
		Beginning of		Operations		Recoveries			End of Year
		Year
	December 31, 2011	$	107,957		2,089		(7,591	)	$	102,455
	December 31, 2012	$	102,455		1,628		(16,709	)	$	87,374
	December 31, 2013	$	87,374		3,039		(8,375	)	$	82,038

Net_Income_Loss_per_Share_Tabl

Net Income (Loss) per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share	'
	Shares used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, are as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding—basic		59,989		59,102		57,859
	Dilutive common stock equivalents relating to options and restricted stock		2,014		2,017		1,619
	Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding—diluted		62,003		61,119		59,478

Other_Current_Assets_Other_Acc1

Other Current Assets, Other Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Summary of Selected Balance Sheet Items	'
	The follow table presents the components of selected balance sheet items as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Other current assets:
	Deferred project costs	$	3,872	$	2,885
	Prepaid income tax		2,592		2,251
	Other prepaid expenses		3,522		2,649
	Deferred tax asset, short-term		1,276		1,442
	Other		1,676		2,502
	Total other current assets	$	12,938	$	11,729
	Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
	Accrued acquisition payments	$	2,178	$	2,108
	Accrued volume discounts		1,314		1,051
	Other accrued expenses		5,111		5,007
	Deferred tax liability, short-term		904		539
	Deposit received on asset held for sale		—		727
	Other current liabilities		1,648		1,660
	Total other accrued expenses and other current liabilites	$	11,155	$	11,092
	Other long-term liabilities:
	Pension obligations, long-term portion	$	2,452	$	3,162
	Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion		2,286		2,691
	Accrued income tax uncertainties		5,115		4,975
	Accrued restructuring, long-term portion		1,606		1,584
	Other		1,713		2,598
	Total other long-term liabilities	$	13,172	$	15,010

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Accumulated other comprehensive income consists of the following at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments	$	19,589	$	18,799
	Unfunded projected benefit obligation		760		307
	Accumulative other comprehensive income	$	20,349	$	19,106

Basis_of_Presentation_Addition

Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2007

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Segment

Revenue [Member]

Revenue [Member]

Revenue [Member]

Operating Expense [Member]

Other Expense Net [Member]

Provision For Income Taxes [Member]

Overstatement [Member]

Overstatement [Member]

Overstatement [Member]

Overstatement [Member]

Overstatement [Member]

Understatement [Member]

Understatement [Member]

Understatement [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Revenue [Member]

Revenue [Member]

Provision For Income Taxes [Member]

Provision For Income Taxes [Member]

Provision For Income Taxes [Member]

Operating Expense [Member]

Operating Expense [Member]

Other Expense Net [Member]

Overstatement [Member]

Overstatement [Member]

Revenue [Member]

Revenue [Member]

Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business segments

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase (Decrease) to Revenue/Expense

'

($0.20)

($0.10)

($0.30)

$0.40

$0.20

($0.60)

$0.20

$0.30

$0.10

$0.20

$0.30

$0.10

$0.30

$0.20

$0.10

$0.10

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Clients	Clients
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Advertising costs	$300,000	$400,000	$400,000
Translation loss or gain	790,000	1,064,000	-501,000
Realized and unrealized foreign currency transaction gains or losses	900,000	1,100,000	1,700,000
Foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding	0	0	'
Maturity period of highly liquid investments under Cash and cash equivalents	'90 days	'	'
Unbilled receivables are expected to be billed and collected	'1 year	'	'
Amortization expenses	3,351,000	2,454,000	2,332,000
Impairment of goodwill	0	0	'
Maturity period of time deposits Investments under cash and cash equivalents	'30 days	'	'
Number of other clients, individually accounted for more than 10% of account receivables	0	0	'
Hewlett Packard [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of consolidated accounts receivable	11.00%	12.00%	'
Microsoft [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of consolidated accounts receivable	'	10.00%	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of consolidated accounts receivable	10.00%	10.00%	'
Internal Use Software [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Capitalized costs	2,800,000	3,700,000	4,100,000
Amortization expenses	2,100,000	2,200,000	2,300,000
Internal Use Software Placed in Service [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Capitalized costs	2,800,000	2,400,000	4,100,000
Internal Use Software Not Yet Placed in Service [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Capitalized costs	$0	$1,300,000	$0
Software Developed [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortization period for capitalized costs placed in service	'2 years	'	'
Software Developed [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortization period for capitalized costs placed in service	'7 years	'	'

Significant_Accounting_Policie3

Significant Accounting Policies - Estimated Useful Lives of the Assets (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Computer Software and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, depreciated over useful life	'1 year
Computer Software and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, depreciated over useful life	'7 years
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, depreciated over useful life	'5 years
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, depreciated over useful life	'40 years
Furniture and Office Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, depreciated over useful life	'3 years
Furniture and Office Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, depreciated over useful life	'10 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Leasehold improvements	'Shorter of remaining lease term or useful life of asset

Significant_Accounting_Policie4

Significant Accounting Policies - Estimated Useful Lives of Acquisition Intangible Assets (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
PRI, VSI & E5 [Member] | Developed Technology [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	'5 years
PRI, VSI & E5 [Member] | Core Technology [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	'10 years
Minimum [Member] | Acquisitions Previous To 2011 [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	'3 years
Minimum [Member] | Acquisitions Previous To 2011 [Member] | Customer Contracts [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	'3 years
Minimum [Member] | Acquisitions Previous To 2011 [Member] | Software Developed [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	'1 year
Minimum [Member] | PRI, VSI & E5 [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	'2 years
Minimum [Member] | PRI, VSI & E5 [Member] | Non-compete Agreements [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	'1 year
Minimum [Member] | PRI, VSI & E5 [Member] | Trademark [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	'1 year
Maximum [Member] | Acquisitions Previous To 2011 [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	'12 years
Maximum [Member] | Acquisitions Previous To 2011 [Member] | Customer Contracts [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	'5 years
Maximum [Member] | Acquisitions Previous To 2011 [Member] | Software Developed [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	'4 years
Maximum [Member] | PRI, VSI & E5 [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	'12 years
Maximum [Member] | PRI, VSI & E5 [Member] | Non-compete Agreements [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	'5 years
Maximum [Member] | PRI, VSI & E5 [Member] | Trademark [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets acquired	'2 years

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Jun. 01, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 01, 2012

Jun. 01, 2012

Nov. 30, 2012

Jan. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Feb. 28, 2014

Nov. 30, 2012

Nov. 30, 2012

Nov. 30, 2012

Nov. 30, 2012

Nov. 30, 2012

Oct. 02, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Nov. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

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]

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]

E5 Global Holdings [Member]

E5 Global Holdings [Member]

E5 Global Holdings [Member]

E5 Global Holdings [Member]

E5 Global Holdings [Member]

E5 Global Holdings [Member]

Customer Relationships [Member]

Non-compete Agreements [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Customer Relationships [Member]

Non-compete Agreements [Member]

Developed Technology [Member]

Core Technology [Member]

Trademark [Member]

Customer Relationships [Member]

Non-compete Agreements [Member]

Trademark [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares Acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition by cash payment

$10,457,000

'

'

'

'

$3,449,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,393,000

$1,400,000

'

'

'

'

Fair value of deferred cash payments

2,000,000

'

'

'

'

1,000,000

'

'

'

900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

200,000

'

'

'

'

Period of cash to be paid

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years

'

'

'

'

Estimated liability

'

'

'

'

'

1,500,000

'

'

2,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

300,000

'

'

'

'

Total acquisition date fair value of the consideration

12,393,000

'

'

'

'

6,331,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,927,000

'

'

'

'

'

Acquired intangible assets

7,500,000

'

'

6,200,000

1,300,000

3,880,000

'

'

'

'

900,000

200,000

1,700,000

1,100,000

40,000

397,000

400,000

'

300,000

50,000

47,000

Percentage of discounted cash flows

'

'

'

16.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

23.00%

23.00%

19.00%

26.00%

23.00%

'

17.00%

'

'

'

'

Acquired finite lived intangible assets amortization period

'

'

'

'12 years

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years

'4 years

'5 years

'10 years

'2 years

'

'

'

'5 years

'1 year

'1 year

Transaction costs related to the acquisition

'

'

300,000

'

'

'

'

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200,000

'

'

'

'

Earn out potential payable

'

'

'

'

'

3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,200,000

'

'

'

Cash paid upon closing

'

'

'

'

'

'

400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Measurement period adjustment, amount

200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue attributable

'

$10,900,000

$6,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisitions_Estimated_Acquisi

Acquisitions - Estimated Acquisition Date Fair Value (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 02, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Jun. 01, 2012
	E5 Global Holdings [Member]	E5 Global Holdings [Member]	Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]	Productive Resources LLC (PRI) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Initial cash payment	$1,393	$1,400	$3,449	$10,457
Deferred cash payment	225	'	'	'
Fair value of deferred and contingent earn-out cash payments	309	'	2,882	1,936
Total consideration transferred	$1,927	'	$6,331	$12,393

Acquisitions_Fair_Value_of_Ass

Acquisitions - Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Recorded as of the Acquisition Date (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Oct. 02, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Jun. 01, 2012
				E5 Global Holdings [Member]	E5 Global Holdings [Member]	Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]	Productive Resources LLC (PRI) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash	'	'	'	'	$104,000	$4,000	$27,000
Accounts receivable	'	'	'	'	589,000	529,000	2,077,000
Unbilled receivables	'	'	'	'	'	'	967,000
Other assets	'	'	'	'	104,000	2,000	'
Prepaid and other assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	118,000
Property and equipment	'	'	'	'	'	'	240,000
Intangible assets	'	'	'	400,000	397,000	3,880,000	7,500,000
Goodwill	19,595,000	18,652,000	9,675,000	'	943,000	3,713,000	5,264,000
Total assets	'	'	'	'	2,137,000	8,128,000	16,193,000
Accounts payable	'	'	'	'	'	-20,000	-82,000
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	'	'	'	'	-210,000	'	'
Accrued compensation and benefits	'	'	'	'	'	'	-704,000
Accrued expenses	'	'	'	'	'	-29,000	'
Other liabilities	'	'	'	'	'	-93,000	-62,000
Deferred tax liabilities	'	'	'	'	'	-1,504,000	-2,952,000
Debt	'	'	'	'	'	-151,000	'
Total consideration transferred	'	'	'	'	$1,927,000	$6,331,000	$12,393,000

Acquisitions_Unaudited_Pro_For

Acquisitions - Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Results of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Basic earnings per share	$0.19	$0.19	$0.03
Diluted earnings per share	$0.19	$0.19	$0.03
Productive Resources LLC (PRI) [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenue	'	$461,932	$437,877
Net income	'	$11,960	$1,910
Basic earnings per share	'	$0.20	$0.03
Diluted earnings per share	'	$0.20	$0.03

Property_and_Equipment_Summary

Property and Equipment - Summary of Property and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$60,313	$51,094
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-39,345	-31,664
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total	20,968	19,430
Computer Software and Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	44,183	38,290
Furniture and Office Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	3,595	3,015
Leasehold Improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$12,535	$9,789

Property_and_Equipment_Additio

Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property Plant And Equipment Useful Life And Values [Abstract]	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	$7,374	$6,616	$5,956

Property_and_Equipment_Summary1

Property and Equipment - Summary of Rollforward of ARO Balances (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property Plant And Equipment Useful Life And Values [Abstract]	'	'
ARO Beginning Balance	$950	$969
Liabilities recorded	560	50
Liabilities settled	-87	-79
Accretion expense and currency impact	13	10
ARO Ending Balance	$1,436	$950

Goodwill_and_AcquisitionRelate2

Goodwill and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets - Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 01, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Nov. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Productive Resources LLC (PRI) [Member]

Productive Resources LLC (PRI) [Member]

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]

EFive Systems [Member]

GLC [Member]

GLC [Member]

GLC [Member]

GLC [Member]

GLC [Member]

GLC [Member]

GES [Member]

GES [Member]

GES [Member]

GES [Member]

GES [Member]

GES [Member]

Productive Resources LLC (PRI) [Member]

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]

EFive Systems [Member]

Productive Resources LLC (PRI) [Member]

Virtual Solutions (VSI) [Member]

EFive Systems [Member]

Goodwill [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance, gross

$140,182

$139,239

$130,262

'

'

'

'

'

$125,851

$125,851

$120,587

'

'

'

$14,331

$13,388

$9,675

'

'

'

Accumulated goodwill impairment

-120,587

-120,587

-120,587

'

'

'

'

'

-120,587

-120,587

-120,587

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill Acquired

'

'

'

5,264

'

3,713

'

943

'

'

'

5,264

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,713

943

Balance, net

$19,595

$18,652

$9,675

'

$5,264

'

$3,713

'

$5,264

$5,264

'

'

'

'

$14,331

$13,388

$9,675

'

'

'

Goodwill_and_AcquisitionRelate3

Goodwill and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets - Summary of Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	$60,094	$59,697
Accumulated Amortization	-46,867	-43,516
Balance	13,226	16,181
BGS Acquired Customer Relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	32,000	32,000
Accumulated Amortization	-28,248	-26,666
Balance	3,752	5,334
Bowne Global Solutions Customer Contracts [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	14,000	14,000
Accumulated Amortization	-14,000	-14,000
Balance	'	'
BGS Acquired technology [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	2,317	2,317
Accumulated Amortization	-2,317	-2,317
Balance	'	'
PRI Acquired Customer Relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	6,200	6,200
Accumulated Amortization	-819	-302
Balance	5,381	5,898
PRI Non-compete Agreement [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	1,300	1,300
Accumulated Amortization	-412	-152
Balance	888	1,148
VSI Acquired Developed Technology [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	1,700	1,700
Accumulated Amortization	-368	-28
Balance	1,332	1,672
VSI Acquired Core Technology [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	1,100	1,100
Accumulated Amortization	-119	-9
Balance	981	1,091
VSI Customer Relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	890	890
Accumulated Amortization	-482	-37
Balance	408	853
VSI non-compete agreements [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	150	150
Accumulated Amortization	-41	-3
Balance	109	147
VSI Acquired Trademark [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	40	40
Accumulated Amortization	-22	-2
Balance	18	38
EFive Customer Relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	300	'
Accumulated Amortization	-15	'
Balance	285	'
EFIve Noncompete Agreements [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	50	'
Accumulated Amortization	-12	'
Balance	38	'
EFive Trademarks [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	47	'
Accumulated Amortization	-12	'
Balance	$35	'

Goodwill_and_AcquisitionRelate4

Goodwill and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Segment
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets	$3,351,000	$2,454,000	$2,332,000
Number of reporting units	3	'	'
Goodwill	19,595,000	18,652,000	9,675,000
Adjustment to goodwill	0	0	'
Software license and capitalized development costs impairment	'	4,000,000	'
Cost related to real property	'	200,000	'
Interpretation [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill	$0	$0	'

Goodwill_and_AcquisitionRelate5

Goodwill and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets - Amortization of Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
2014	$3,127	'
2015	2,399	'
2016	2,206	'
2017	1,594	'
2018	672	'
Thereafter	3,228	'
Balance	$13,226	$16,181

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Oct. 30, 2013	Oct. 30, 2013	Oct. 30, 2013	Oct. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
			Standby Letters of Credit [Member]	Swingline Loan [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Minimum [Member]
						Prime Rate [Member]	London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]	Prime Rate [Member]	London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amended and restated credit agreement	'	$65	$10	$10	'	'	'	'	'
Revolving credit facility increased amount limit	'	'	'	'	35	'	'	'	'
Interest rate for revolving credit facility	'	'	'	'	'	1.00%	2.00%	0.25%	1.25%
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	'Prime or LIBOR	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Outstanding debt maturity date	30-Oct-18	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit agreement outstanding	27	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit agreement interest rate	1.67%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value of debt	$27	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Noncancelable Operating Leases (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2014	$12,259
2015	10,394
2016	7,760
2017	3,965
2018	3,243
Thereafter	13,224
Operating leases, future minimum payments receivable, total	$50,845

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Rental expense	$13,400,000	$13,500,000	$14,100,000
Liabilities Recorded	0	'	'
Acquisition date for tax liabilities	1-Sep-05	'	'
Bowne Global Solutions (BGS) [Member]	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amount of guarantee liability recorded	$0	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_and_StockB2

Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Oct. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

3-May-11

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Restricted Stock Awards [Member]

Restricted Stock Awards [Member]

Restricted Stock Awards [Member]

Disposition Which Lapse Over Four Years [Member]

Disposition Which Lapse Over Thirteen Months [Member]

Restricted Common Stock [Member]

2011 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2011 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2011 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2011 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2011 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2011 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2005 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2005 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2005 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2005 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2005 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

1998 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

1998 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

1998 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

1998 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

1998 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

Vesting Year One [Member]

Vesting Each Six Months Thereafter [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Vesting Year One [Member]

Vesting Each Six Months Thereafter [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Vesting Year One [Member]

Vesting Each Six Months Thereafter [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares repurchased

'

583,324

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock issued to stake holders

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,500,000

'

'

'

'

8,500,000

'

'

'

'

11,722,032

'

'

'

'

Shares approved by stockholders

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of option shares vesting rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25.00%

12.50%

'

'

'

25.00%

12.50%

'

'

'

25.00%

12.50%

'

'

Number of shares available for future grant

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,825,495

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

Exercise price of incentive and non-qualified stock option grant fair market value of the common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

110.00%

'

Stock incentive plan vesting period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4 years

'

'

'

'

'

'4 years

'

'

'

'

'4 years

'

'

'

'

Stock option expiration period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'7 years

'5 years

'

'

'

'7 years

'5 years

'

'

'

'10 years

'5 years

Expiration date of stock incentive plan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3-May-11

'

'

'

'

26-Jan-08

'

'

'

'

Company's common stock closing price

'

$5.95

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average grant fair value of options

'

$3.87

$2.79

$2.19

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total intrinsic value of options exercised

'

358,000

1,200,000

500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total cash received from employees as a result of employee stock option exercises

'

600,000

1,700,000

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total fair value of shares vested

'

700,000

700,000

1,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock-based compensation expense

'

700,000

600,000

700,000

6,100,000

5,200,000

4,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated weighted average period of recognition of future compensation cost

'

'2 years 1 month 6 days

'

'

'2 years 3 months 18 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Future compensation cost related to non-vested stock options

'

900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Option, Granted

'

350,000

422,500

424,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares issued

'

'

'

'

1,768,068

2,090,621

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Combined fair market value of restricted common stock and restricted stock units

'

'

'

'

6,900,000

5,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restrictions on disposition lapse over from the date of grant

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4 years

'13 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restrictions on disposition shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,337,500

53,568

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restricted shares granted to employees

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

377,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Period for lapse of restriction upon achievement of targets

'

'2 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average grant fair value of restricted stock awards granted

'

'

'

'

$3.90

$2.80

$3.72

'

'

$3.90

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total fair value of restricted stock awards vested

'

'

'

'

6,900,000

3,900,000

3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restricted stock awards unamortized compensation

'

'

'

'

$8,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stockholders_Equity_and_StockB3

Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Repurchase Data (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Share Purchase Programs [Line Items]	'
Total Number of Shares Purchased	1,682,191
Average Price Paid Per Share	$3.10
Share Repurchase Program Period One [Member]	'
Share Purchase Programs [Line Items]	'
Total Number of Shares Purchased	182,818
Average Price Paid Per Share	$2.80
Share Repurchase Program Period Two [Member]	'
Share Purchase Programs [Line Items]	'
Total Number of Shares Purchased	1,132,734
Average Price Paid Per Share	$3.02
Share Repurchase Program Period Three [Member]	'
Share Purchase Programs [Line Items]	'
Total Number of Shares Purchased	118,275
Average Price Paid Per Share	$3.07
Share Repurchase Program Period Four [Member]	'
Share Purchase Programs [Line Items]	'
Total Number of Shares Purchased	21,887
Average Price Paid Per Share	$3.31
Share Repurchase Program Period Five [Member]	'
Share Purchase Programs [Line Items]	'
Total Number of Shares Purchased	108,886
Average Price Paid Per Share	$3.63
Share Repurchase Program Period Six [Member]	'
Share Purchase Programs [Line Items]	'
Total Number of Shares Purchased	117,591
Average Price Paid Per Share	$3.77

Stockholders_Equity_and_StockB4

Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of Options Outstanding, Beginning Balance	2,723,179	'	'
Number of Options, Granted	350,000	422,500	424,500
Number of Options, Exercised	-214,084	'	'
Number of Options, Canceled (forfeited and expired)	-628,000	'	'
Number of Options Outstanding, Ending Balance	2,231,095	2,723,179	'
Number of Options, vested or expected to vest	2,048,989	'	'
Number of Options, Exercisable	1,344,783	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$5.01	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted	$3.87	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised	$2.88	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Canceled (forfeited and expired)	$9.17	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Ending Balance	$3.87	$5.01	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Vested or expected to vest	$3.70	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable	$3.84	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years), Outstanding	'2 years 4 months 24 days	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years), Vested or expected to vest	'3 years 6 months 0 days	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years), Exercisable	'2 years 4 months 24 days	'	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercised	$358	$1,200	$500
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding	4,666	'	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested or Expected to vest	4,745	'	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	$2,967	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_and_StockB5

Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation - Fair Value of Option (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	0.54%	0.50%	0.89%
Expected volatility	58.90%	69.30%	78.80%
Expected life (years)	'	'	'4 years
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	0.62%	0.83%	2.11%
Expected volatility	66.70%	80.20%	81.70%
Expected life (years)	'4 years	'4 years	'4 years 1 month 6 days
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Stockholders_Equity_and_StockB6

Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Non-Vested Restricted Stock Awards Activity (Detail) (Restricted Common Stock [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Restricted Common Stock [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Non-vested, Number of Restricted Share Awards beginning balance	4,955,535
Granted at fair market value, Non-vested Number of Restricted Share Awards	1,768,068
Vested, Non-vested Number of Restricted Share Awards	-1,830,339
Forfeited, Non-vested Number of Restricted Share Awards	-113,638
Non-vested, Number of Restricted Share Awards ending balance	4,779,626
Non-vested, Grant Date Fair Value beginning balance	$3.19
Granted at fair market value, Grant Date Fair Value	$3.90
Vested, Grant Date Fair Value	$3.34
Forfeited, Grant Date Fair Value	$3.58
Non-vested, Grant Date Fair Value ending balance	$3.39

Income_Taxes_Components_of_the

Income Taxes - Components of the Provision for (Benefit) from Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current:	'	'	'
Federal	$144	$208	$85
State	279	425	276
Foreign	2,246	982	-735
Total current provision (benefit)	2,669	1,615	-374
Deferred:	'	'	'
Foreign	-645	-99	303
Domestic	'	-4,447	'
Total deferred (benefit) provision	-645	-4,546	303
Total provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$2,024	($2,931)	($71)

Income_Taxes_Components_of_Con

Income Taxes - Components of Consolidated Income Before Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
United States	$3,939	$3,626	($2,324)
Foreign	9,725	4,775	3,981
Income before income taxes	$13,664	$8,401	$1,657

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Bowne Global Solutions (BGS) [Member]

Scenario Forecast [Member]

Federal Research and Development [Member]

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]

Foreign Tax Provision [Member]

Foreign Tax Provision [Member]

Foreign Tax Provision [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Statutory rates

'

'

34.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12.50%

36.00%

Reduction to net deferred tax asset

'

'

$600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net operating loss carryforwards

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

77,000,000

160,000,000

'

'

Operating loss carryforwards expiration year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2014

'2020

'

'

'

Operating loss carryforwards exercise of stock options

'

'

7,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Federal foreign tax credits used to offset future income tax

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000

'

'

'

'

Federal foreign tax credit expiration year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2014

'

'

Un-repatriated earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries

'

'

124,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Statutory rate of taxable profit

'

'

32.45%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Indian Minimum Alternative Tax (MAT) credit carryforward

800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tax savings

300,000

300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Future income tax liabilities expiration date

'

'

'2018

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized tax benefits related to acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized tax benefits

'

'

3,578,000

3,821,000

4,493,000

5,957,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accrued interest and penalties related unrecognized tax benefits

'

'

1,400,000

1,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized tax positions

'

'

$541,000

$884,000

$431,000

'

'

$800,000

'

'

'

'

'

Income_Taxes_Summary_Income_Ta

Income Taxes - Summary Income Tax Provision and Income Taxes Computed Using U.S. Federal Statutory Tax Rate (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Statutory tax provision	$4,714	$2,856	$563
State income taxes	427	704	628
Tax rate differential for international jurisdictions and related items	-2,245	-2,209	-2,000
Changes in reserves for uncertain tax positions	-401	-901	-1,883
Valuation allowance	-5,143	-9,676	-1,286
Stock-based compensation	'	-76	-4
Permanent differences	1,839	3,099	3,345
Rate change on deferred	2,156	3,290	'
Other	677	-18	566
Total provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$2,024	($2,931)	($71)

Income_Taxes_Consolidated_Defe

Income Taxes - Consolidated Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
U.S. net operating loss carryforwards	$26,130	$27,798
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards	47,244	45,231
Amortization and depreciation of long-lived assets	-2,287	-1,750
Goodwill amortization	2,743	3,567
Reserves and accruals	936	1,637
Tax credits carryforwards	1,138	2,020
Stock-based compensation	6,763	7,412
Unrealized foreign exchange loss	656	2,224
Deferred revenue	330	382
Other	-389	560
Valuation allowance	-82,038	-87,374
Net deferred tax asset	$1,226	$1,707

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of the Beginning and Ending Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	$3,821	$4,493	$5,957
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	305	491	391
Settlements	'	'	-1,424
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	'	-85	'
Reductions for audit settlements of prior years	-7	-194	'
Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations	-541	-884	-431
Ending Balance	3,578	3,821	4,493
Lionbridge [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	3,821	4,493	4,469
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	305	491	391
Settlements	'	'	'
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	'	-85	'
Reductions for audit settlements of prior years	-7	-194	'
Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations	-541	-884	-367
Ending Balance	3,578	3,821	4,493
Indemnification [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	'	'	1,488
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	'	'	'
Settlements	'	'	-1,424
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	'	'	'
Reductions for audit settlements of prior years	'	'	'
Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations	'	'	-64
Ending Balance	'	'	'

Restructuring_Charges_Addition

Restructuring Charges - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges recorded	$3,500,000	$3,600,000	$3,400,000	'
Additional cost recorded for previously vacated facility	300,000	300,000	400,000	'
Cost recorded for vacated facilities and associated site closure costs	'	'	200,000	'
Anticipated payment of accruals related to employee termination costs and vacated facilities	2,807,000	3,794,000	2,867,000	6,607,000
Accrued restructuring	1,606,000	1,584,000	'	'
Lease Obligation on Unused Facilities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Accrued restructuring	1,600,000	'	'	'
Restructuring and related activities amount expected to be utilized in next fiscal year	1,200,000	'	'	'
Restructuring reserve on unused facility expiration year	'2026	'	'	'
Technical Staff [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Workforce reduction positions	34	35	53	'
Administrative Staff [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Workforce reduction positions	18	4	7	'
Sales Staff [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Workforce reduction positions	9	'	1	'
GLC [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges recorded	'	'	3,400,000	'
Restructuring charges paid	4,500,000	2,700,000	7,100,000	'
Interpretation [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges recorded	'	'	9,000	'
Restructuring charges paid	'	'	9,000	'
GES [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges paid	'	'	8,000	'
Workforce Reductions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges recorded	$3,200,000	$3,300,000	$2,800,000	'

Restructuring_Charges_Summary_

Restructuring Charges - Summary of Restructuring Reserve Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning balance	$3,794,000	$2,867,000	$6,607,000
Restructuring charges recorded	3,500,000	3,600,000	3,400,000
Ending balance	2,807,000	3,794,000	2,867,000
Employee Severance [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring charges recorded	3,244,000	3,273,000	2,834,000
Cash payments related to liabilities recorded on exit or disposal activities	-4,220,000	-2,294,000	-6,395,000
Restructuring reserve, period increase (decrease), Total	-976,000	979,000	-3,561,000
Vacated Facility/Lease Termination [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring charges recorded	35,000	'	178,000
Revisions of estimated liabilities	248,000	328,000	345,000
Cash payments related to liabilities assumed and recorded on business combinations	'	'	'
Cash payments related to liabilities recorded on exit or disposal activities	-294,000	-380,000	-702,000
Restructuring reserve, period increase (decrease), Total	($11,000)	($52,000)	($179,000)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
		Level 1 [Member]	Level 2 [Member]	Level 3 [Member]	Level 3 [Member]	Level 3 [Member]
			Productive Resources LLC (PRI) [Member]
			Installment
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value of real property	$700,000	'	'	'	'	'
Financial assets liabilities fair value disclosure	'	0	'	'	'	'
Acquisition costs	'	'	2,000,000	'	'	'
Number of installments	'	'	3	'	'	'
Maturity date	'	'	'2015-06	'	'	'
Contingent consideration	'	'	'	$3,080,000	$2,881,000	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Assets

Fair Value Measurements - Assets and Liabilities Carried at Fair Value (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities:	'	'
Accrued acquisition payments	$77,532	$71,623
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Accrued Acquisition Payments [Member]	'	'
Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities:	'	'
Accrued acquisition payments	2,178	2,108
Other long-term liabilities:	'	'
Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion	2,286	2,691
Total liabilities carried at fair value	4,464	4,799
Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Accrued Acquisition Payments [Member]	'	'
Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities:	'	'
Accrued acquisition payments	'	'
Other long-term liabilities:	'	'
Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion	'	'
Total liabilities carried at fair value	'	'
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Accrued Acquisition Payments [Member]	'	'
Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities:	'	'
Accrued acquisition payments	789	624
Other long-term liabilities:	'	'
Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion	595	1,293
Total liabilities carried at fair value	1,384	1,917
Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Accrued Acquisition Payments [Member]	'	'
Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities:	'	'
Accrued acquisition payments	1,389	1,483
Other long-term liabilities:	'	'
Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion	1,691	1,398
Total liabilities carried at fair value	$3,080	$2,881

Fair_Value_Measurements_Contin

Fair Value Measurements - Contingent Consideration Obligations Level 3 (Detail) (Level 3 [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified				Contingent Consideration Obligation [Member]	Contingent Consideration Obligation [Member]	Deferred Consideration Obligation [Member]	Deferred Consideration Obligation [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value at beginning of period	$3,080	$2,881	'	'	'	'	'
Acquisition date fair value of contingent consideration obligations	'	'	'	309	1,500	225	1,381
Changes in the fair value of contingent considerations obligations	'	'	'	650	'	'	'
Payments of contingent consideration obligations	'	'	'	'	'	-985	'
Fair value at the end of the period	$3,080	$2,881	'	'	'	'	'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Additio

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Contribution of pre tax salary commission and bonuses through payroll deductions contribution percentage	50.00%	'	'
Contribution of pre tax salary commission and bonuses through payroll deductions contribution statutorily prescribed annual limit	$17,500	'	'
Discretionary profit sharing contributions	1,100,000	1,000,000	900,000
Defined benefit pension plan for employees	6,900,000	5,000,000	4,700,000
Foreign Countries [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined benefit pension plan for employees	$5,800,000	$4,000,000	$3,800,000

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp2

Operating Segments and Geographical Information - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Language
	Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Business segments	3	'	'
Number of Languages	360	'	'
Percentage of client accounted for total revenue	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Revenue [Member] | Microsoft [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total Revenue	22.00%	17.00%	17.00%
Revenue [Member] | Google [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total Revenue	12.00%	13.00%	12.00%

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp3

Operating Segments and Geographical Information - Information about Company's Segment Data (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
External revenue	$489,196	$457,198	$427,856
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	334,513	314,252	296,221
Depreciation and amortization	10,725	9,070	8,288
Other operating expenses	96,053	91,022	90,635
Segment contribution	47,905	42,854	32,712
Interest expense and other unallocated items	-34,241	-34,453	-31,055
Income before income taxes	13,664	8,401	1,657
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	2,024	-2,931	-71
Net income (loss)	11,640	11,332	1,728
GLC [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
External revenue	321,020	314,740	295,337
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	215,612	211,555	199,857
Depreciation and amortization	5,082	4,660	4,074
Other operating expenses	75,516	74,008	73,925
Segment contribution	24,810	24,517	17,481
Interest expense and other unallocated items	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	24,810	24,517	17,481
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	24,810	24,517	17,481
GES [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
External revenue	145,788	119,050	109,536
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	100,323	83,094	76,601
Depreciation and amortization	3,148	1,785	1,238
Other operating expenses	18,807	15,147	14,605
Segment contribution	23,510	19,024	17,092
Interest expense and other unallocated items	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	23,510	19,024	17,092
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	23,510	19,024	17,092
Interpretation [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
External revenue	22,388	23,408	22,983
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	18,578	19,603	19,763
Depreciation and amortization	32	28	90
Other operating expenses	1,730	1,867	2,105
Segment contribution	2,048	1,910	1,025
Interest expense and other unallocated items	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	2,048	1,910	1,025
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	2,048	1,910	1,025
Corporate and Other [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
External revenue	'	'	'
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	2,463	2,597	2,886
Other operating expenses	'	'	'
Segment contribution	-2,463	-2,597	-2,886
Interest expense and other unallocated items	-34,241	-34,453	-31,055
Income before income taxes	-36,704	-37,050	-33,941
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	2,024	-2,931	-71
Net income (loss)	($38,728)	($34,119)	($33,870)

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp4

Operating Segments and Geographical Information - Summary of Lionbridge's Revenue and Long-Lived Assets by Geographical Region (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenue:	'	'	'
Revenue	$489,196	$457,198	$427,856
Long-lived assets:	'	'	'
Long-lived assets	26,455	24,692	'
Americas [Member]	'	'	'
Revenue:	'	'	'
Revenue	258,471	224,322	199,368
Long-lived assets:	'	'	'
Long-lived assets	13,564	13,318	'
Western Europe [Member]	'	'	'
Revenue:	'	'	'
Revenue	161,850	166,542	161,344
Long-lived assets:	'	'	'
Long-lived assets	5,804	6,431	'
Asia [Member]	'	'	'
Revenue:	'	'	'
Revenue	59,126	57,821	58,754
Long-lived assets:	'	'	'
Long-lived assets	5,697	3,869	'
Eastern Europe [Member]	'	'	'
Revenue:	'	'	'
Revenue	9,749	8,513	8,390
Long-lived assets:	'	'	'
Long-lived assets	$1,390	$1,074	'

Supplemental_Disclosure_of_Cas2

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information - Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract]	'	'	'
Interest paid	$602	$620	$660
Income taxes paid, net	$3,472	$2,109	$1,410

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou2

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance [Member]	'	'	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at Beginning of Year	$87,374	$102,455	$107,957
Charges to Operations	3,039	1,628	2,089
(Deductions)/ Recoveries	-8,375	-16,709	-7,591
Balance at End of Year	82,038	87,374	102,455
Accounts Receivable Reserve [Member]	'	'	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at Beginning of Year	250	500	500
Charges to Operations	198	13	200
(Deductions)/ Recoveries	-198	-263	-200
Balance at End of Year	$250	$250	$500

Net_Income_Per_Share_Basic_and

Net Income Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share (Detail)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding-basic	59,989	59,102	57,859
Dilutive common stock equivalents relating to options and restricted stock	2,014	2,017	1,619
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding-diluted	62,003	61,119	59,478

Net_Income_Per_Share_Additiona

Net Income Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'
Options and unvested restricted stock to purchase	1,840,563	2,192,000	4,646,000

Other_Current_Assets_Other_Acc2

Other Current Assets, Other Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities - Summary of Selected Balance Sheet Items (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other current assets:	'	'
Deferred project costs	$3,872	$2,885
Prepaid income tax	2,592	2,251
Other prepaid expenses	3,522	2,649
Deferred tax asset, short-term	1,276	1,442
Other	1,676	2,502
Total other current assets	12,938	11,729
Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities:	'	'
Accrued acquisition payments	2,178	2,108
Accrued volume discounts	1,314	1,051
Other accrued expenses	5,111	5,007
Deferred tax liability, short-term	904	539
Deposit received on asset held for sale	'	727
Other current liabilities	1,648	1,660
Total other accrued expenses and other current liabilities	11,155	11,092
Other long-term liabilities:	'	'
Pension obligations, long-term portion	2,452	3,162
Accrued acquisition payments, long-term portion	2,286	2,691
Accrued income tax uncertainties	5,115	4,975
Accrued restructuring, long-term portion	1,606	1,584
Other	1,713	2,598
Total other long-term liabilities	$13,172	$15,010

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Abstract]	'	'
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments	$19,589	$18,799
Unfunded projected benefit obligation	760	307
Accumulative other comprehensive income	$20,349	$19,106