This document presents MLIF (Multi Lingual Information Framework), a high-level model for describing multilingual data across a wide range of possible applications in the translation/localization process within several multimedia domains (e.g. broadcasting interactive programs within a multilingual community). There are at present numerous different standards available for dealing with translation and localization activities. All these formats work well in the specific field they are designed for, but they lack a synergy that would make them interoperable when using one type of information in a slightly different context, giving rise to the fear of competition between them. MLIF defines a generic model for all these formats, from which one can derive precise specifications for each of them.