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Webinar: Technical Documentation Localization
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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!
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Localization Checklist>Have you …
• Frozen content?• Prepared for text expansion? • Linked graphics?• Considered screenshot roadmap?• Provided editable source files?• Compressed your files?• Provided specs?
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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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