Technical Documentation Localization with Acclaro

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Webinar: Technical Documentation Localization


Agenda>Definitions>Content Creation

• Global English• Best practices for images• Applications• Publishing checklist

>The Localization Process• Working with a translation team• Preparation and glossary• Translation and translation memory• In-context review


Definitions>Translation

• Interpreting the meaning and message of text in one language (“source”) and producing equivalent text in another (“target”)

>Localization (l10n)• Adapting a product or service to a language and culture• Translation is a core requirement for achieving

localization>Globalization (g11n)

• The high level strategy for serving international markets


Localization

> Localization includes:• Translation appropriate for the local market• Modifying graphic, multimedia and visual elements • QA of final from a linguistic + aesthetic perspective

>Localization outputs:• A visually, culturally correct product for an audience

united by national borders, culture and/or language


Best Practices for Content Creation

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Benefits of Global English>The Three “C”s

• Clear• Concise• Consistent

>Saving time and money• Clear = lower risk of mistranslation• Concise = fewer words to translate• Consistent = more recycling of assets

>Increased quality of translation• Better “value for money”

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Be Clear>Avoid idioms, slang, sports references>Use verbs with a limited range of

meanings>Use bulleted lists>Write in short, clear sentences

• Repeat the main subject• Minimize passive voice

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Be Concise and Consistent>Say what you mean

>Be consistent with terminology, writing style and “voice”• More content can be leveraged• Fewer questions

Cut unnecessary words to decrease word count


Best Practices for Images> Keep text out of images

• Use numbered callouts • Text in the content area• Allow for expansion

> If you must have text in images• Keep the amount of text to a minimum• Leave plenty of space for expansion• Provide the "layered" versions (e.g.

Photoshop .psd, Fireworks .png) of the final images


Best Practices for Images>Use screenshots sparingly>If you must have screen

captures…• Do not embed text callouts in screen

captures. • Use "fuzzy" screen captures if possible

>Replace locale-specific images• Not all symbols are international

>Link images• Store screen captures and art

separately


Frequently Used ApplicationsApplications Purpose Types of

DocumentsInDesign, Quark, Illustrator

Multi-purpose, more complex designs

Marketing docs

Structured FrameMaker, XML

Simpler documentation

Straight tech documents

Adobe PDFs Creating a picture of your file

Not a source file!


Localization Checklist>Have you …

• Frozen content?• Prepared for text expansion? • Linked graphics?• Considered screenshot roadmap?• Provided editable source files?• Compressed your files?• Provided specs?


Interested in the full webinar? Visit our website:

http://www.acclaro.com/webinars Send us an email with a request for the pdf

version:[email protected]

Request a presentation for your staff:[email protected]

Read our blog for more tips on documentation localization:http://www.acclaro.com/translation-localization-blog

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Technical Documentation Localization with Acclaro