Localization a definition

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Localization and the technical writer

• Localization a definition
• Key reasons for localizing a product
• Preparing documentation for translation
• Working with a translation company
• QA
• Localization and the future

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Localization vs. Globalization

• Localization makes our documentation appropriate
  for a particular locale
• Globalization makes our documentation appropriate
  globally - worldwide

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Why do we need to Localize ?

• Marketing needs
• Regulatory requirements

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Localization What is it?

• Linguistic issues
• Technical issues

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Localization Why does it concern me?

• Technical writers are the best choice to spur
  head the localization process with regard to
  translation

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Localization the challenge of the technical
writer

• Produce localized documentation that remains true
  to the content and graphic intent of the source
• Create documentation that can be easily localized

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How do I choose a translation company?

• Individual translators
• Translation agency

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How do I choose a translation company?

• Local vs. international firm
• Tools
• Experience
• Trust
• Cost

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When can I start translating?

• You should not begin the translation until
  everyone and their boss and their mother and
  uncles approves the text
• Paula Stern, Writepoint

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Writing for localization

• Glossary
• Style Guide
• Authoring Tools
• Template Design
• Graphics
• Simplified English

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Writing for localization - Glossary

• Create a glossary of terms/phrases
• Get company approval of terms and definitions
• List terms not to be translated

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Writing for localization Style guide

• Paper size
• Weights and measures
• Fonts
• Punctuation styles for different languages
• Country specific requirements

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Writing for localization Authoring tools

• FrameMaker
• Word
• Other (Quark, PageMaker)

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Writing for localization Template design

• Management of space
• Increase white space
• Exploit software utilities
• line spacing
• paragraph leading
• character kerning

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Writing for localization Graphics

• Use icons with care
• Avoid text embedded in graphics

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Writing for translations

• Be consistent
• Whenever possible use the active voice
• Use simple sentences rather than complex
• Use the simplest verb forms
• Use commas aggressively
• Avoid colloquialisms
• Avoid words that have opposite meanings
• Avoid humor
• Avoid wordplay

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QA Getting it right

• Check it yourself
• Have a local distributor to review it

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Looking forward

• The wordless manual?

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References

• Balchunas, John. Subsidiary reviews in the
  European Union. Intercomm, May 2003
• Hoft, Nancy. International Technical
  Communication How to Export Information about
  High Technology. John Wiley Sons, 1996
• Kohl, John R. Improving Translatability and
  readability with syntactic cues. Technical
  Communication. May 1999.
• Locke, Nancy A. Graphic design with the world in
  mind. Intercom, May 2003
• Maaks, Betsy M. Translation stumbling blocks.
  Intercom, May 2003
• Postus, Whitney B. and Kvaavik Kaarina. Is your
  documentation translation ready? Intercom, May
  2001.
• Walmer, Daphner. One companys efforts tob
  improve translation and localization. Technical
  Communication. May 1999
• LISA The localization industry primer. 2nd
  edition. http//www.lisa.org