#31353
Language Quality-Assurance Software 
Explores the benefits of using Language QA Software to optimize documentation for organizations and companies.
Kohl, John R. Intercom (2008). Articles>Documentation>Software>Language
#29084
Leadership, Rhetoric, and the Polis 
This article argues that leadership and rhetoric are intimately connected; therefore, rhetoric should include the explicit examination of all aspects of leadership (that is, including but not limited to rhetorical criticism of the speeches and writings of leaders), both as an area of research and an area of pedagogy. This is particularly important when helping students become active members of the citizenry is seen a central goal of what teachers are doing in the English or Communication class. The interconnections between leadership and the concept of the polis, the active assembly of citizens empowered to discuss and make public policy, is useful here, even though the polis may no longer exist in its original form. In particular, leadership through identification with the polis appears to be an approach with great potential.
Gellis, Mark. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication (2002). Articles>Language>Management
#22732
Learning Languages with Instant Messaging
While e-mail and discussion groups are other popular communication genres on the Internet, instant messaging is the most conducive to learning languages because of its synchronous nature. There are many ways to communicate over the Internet, but instant messaging is unique, because it almost simulates a face-to-face conversation. Unlike e-mail and discussion groups, users are not simply leaving messages to be read later. Users are both present, holding a live conversation. Although some of the subtle features of conversation are lost (such as facial expressions or tone of voice), instant messaging makes up for these disadvantages by being so widely accessible to so many people across the world.
Dean, Heather. Techniques (2003). Articles>Language>Collaboration>Instant Messaging
#21630
El lenguaje escrito no es más que un caso particular del lenguaje visual. En realidad hay muchos lenguajes visuales que parecen tener reglas en común. Pensar en el lenguaje visual nos puede ayudar a transmitir nuestros mensajes de forma más efectiva.
Dursteler, Juan Carlos. InfoVis (2003). (Spanish) Articles>Language>Visual Rhetoric>Technical Illustration
#29198
This is a list of limitations of the types of automated audio translation offered by such services as Talkr.com. Since we do not see a list in their help center, we thought we would compile our own list and offer it as a wiki page for any customers to keep a list of limitations.
KeyContent.org (2007). Articles>Language>Translation>Audio
#22669
The Linguistic Foundation of Labeling
A discussion of why to employ principle-based information architecture.
Warner, Amy J. ASIST (2004). Articles>Language>Information Design
#19993
Linguistic Issues in Authoring for Technology-Enabled Translation
For many corporations, growing international is almost a must. Obviously, human translators play a key role in this difficult venture. A range of computer tools aimed at expediting the translation process are now being used by translators. However, whether or not translation tools are used, translators feel frustrated and blame technical writers for their flaws. Authoring does not seem to be done with translation in mind, and the linguistic issues to be solved up front are sometimes countless. An efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality translation requires the right combination of ingredients, and proper authoring will have a major impact on the entire process.
Rivas, Juan-Carlos. STC Proceedings (1999). Articles>Language>Localization>Machine Translation
#30155
Linguistic Politeness in Professional Prose
Consonant with a trend toward investigating professional writing in naturalistic settings, this discourse-analytical study of a corpus of 'suggestion letters' written in a Big Eight accounting firm demonstrates how auditors use negative politeness strategies to meet the complex demands of potentially threatening interactional situations. The study substantiates Brown and Levinson's claim that politeness is a linguistic universal by showing that the same politeness strategies found in speech also occur in written communication. Analysis of negative message strategies in ten leading textbooks shows that business communication pedagogy needs to modify strictures on the use of passives, nominalizations, expletive constructions, and hedging particles in light of research on the exigencies of real-world linguistic interaction.
Hagge, John and Charles Kostelnick. Written Communication (1989). Articles>Language>Business Communication
#23478
Localisation: Trendy Term or Legitimate Need?
Again and again we have seen how modern language use suddenly gives rise to new concepts or terms behind which, as closer observation shows, are simply the same old meanings. Whether it's the 'administrative assistant' who used to be the 'secretary', or the 'human resources manager' who has replaced the 'personnel manager' (or even ridiculous examples like 'domestic engineer' for 'housewife'!), such neologisms often generate little more than a smirk. Is there a similar situation when it comes to 'localization'?
Sturz, Wolfgang. TC-FORUM (1998). Articles>Language>Localization
#30346
In addition to creating product specifications in support of locale-specific conventions, savvy localization managers will ensure that developers have coding practices to enable localization and adaptation. Double-byte enabling, for example, must be part of the code base.
Swain, Cindy. Boston Broadside (1997). Articles>Language>Localization
#22794
Localization in a Time of Shrinking Budgets
Suggests ways that technical communicators can implement cost-effective localization.
Butland, Philip. Intercom (2004). Articles>Language>Localization
#30515
Localization Management of a Horizontal Software Product
Successful localization of software and documentation for foreign-language markets requires thorough planning, effective systems, skillful project management and excellent communication. Working as a team, Rocky Mountain Translators, a 17-year old translation company based in Boulder, Colorado, and a Hewlett-Packard Division in California, describe a successful association localizing a horizontal software product. The unique perspectives of each company provide the backdrop to an in-depth discussion of the steps involved in this partnership process.
Burns, Ann Lyn and Kristy Roesner. STC Proceedings (1993). Articles>Language>Localization
#26184
Localization is the process of customizing your application for a given culture/locale. Localization consists primarily of translating the user interface. Proper planning will help ensure your application is localized in a timely and cost effective manner.
Microsoft (2004). Articles>Language>Localization
#24953
Localization Takes Hold in Turkey
Describes the current state of the localization market in Turkey, how EU membership will impact the industry and the importance of standards. In a sidebar, Rebecca Ray, Global Business Editor, explains how the Turks’ longstanding custom of linguistic and cultural assimilation makes doing business in the country a refreshing and enjoyable challenge for global business people.
Oygur, Vedat. LISA (2004). Articles>Language>Localization
#14086
Localizing for Mobile Devices: A Primer
The mobile world and localization: designing for mobile communications; small screens; screens of various types; keyboards versus styluses; operating systems for mobile devices; proper internationalization is necessary.
LISA (2001). Articles>Language>Localization>Web Design
#30154
The task of communicating in a global environment requires planning, sensitivity and expert help. The authors have developed a series of check lists and tips to guide writers, editors, and other members of the localization team through the process.
Sellin, Robert and Elaine Winters. STC Proceedings (1997). Articles>Language>Translation>Localization
#24368
The first two hours are spent in the simulation Elaine’s Game - which gives participants the experience of temporarily belonging to another culture and interacting across cultures with other members of the workshop. It is a proven way to expand awareness of other points of view. The first two handouts explore culturally biased material in a concrete way; participants are expected to collaborate and rewrite a portion of an article. The third handout is an example of how meaning changes through translation into two languages (Japanese and French) from American English.
Sellin, Rob and Elaine Winters. STC Proceedings (1998). Articles>Language>Localization
#23490
Machine Translation - 2001 Has Already Arrived
The easiest way to cope with existing language barriers undoubtedly is the use of translation programs, electronic helpers that translate texts automatically. However, with high expectations meeting poor quality translation results in the past, press media regularly concluded that users had better learn the language themselves or employ at least a human translator. Yet a closer look at modern machine translation (MT) programs allows a more subtle view.
Bauer, Elisabeth. TC-FORUM (2000). Articles>Language>Localization>Machine Translation
#23477
Machine Translation - A New Dimension and What You Can Expect
Instead of 'translation', AltaVista offered me unbelievable junk, evidently, an unedited MT version of American promotional material. The text was unreal, the result of a myth: You click a button and the translation is staring at you. You are in the middle of a jungle.
Klein, Fred. TC-FORUM (1998). Articles>Language>Localization>Machine Translation
#23473
Machine Translation - Mystery, Misery or Miracle 
As one of the first users of commercial MT in the United States, and as a senior professional translator, I see MT as one of many 'tools.' As an independent expert without connections to the industry I can be objective. Since 1980 I have used one system for years and have worked on and tested others. Few translators have years of experience in both the conventional and the MT fields.
Klein, Fred. TC-FORUM (1997). Articles>Language>Localization>Machine Translation
#24441
Machine Translation and Multilingual Technical Communication
The demand by the global market for products which have been localized has brought a whole set of issues and concerns to international technical communication. Of particulur interest is the need to translate technical documentation into a number of languages without sacrificing the necessary timeto-market. Old solutions and processes are insufficient. This paper explores some of the computational tools now offered by the machine translation industry for the facilitation of multilingual document translation as modern corporations need it.
Bennett, Winfield Scott. STC Proceedings (1995). Articles>Language>Localization>Machine Translation
#30516
Machine Translation and Technical Communcation
Machine translation, the use of computers for translating between languages, is only now coming of age, just at a time when there is increasing need for such technology. Views of machine translation range from realistic assessments to extravagant statements for and against the technology. The reality is that machine translation can provide high-speed automated quality translation depending on a variety of factors; it is not a panacea for all translation problems. Successful machine translation requires human-computer interaction which promotes the strengths of each. Machine translation has reached a stage at which it can contribute to multilingual technical communication.
Bennett, Winfield Scott. STC Proceedings (1993). Articles>Language>Translation>Machine Translation
#26298
Machine Translation Today and Tomorrow
The field of machine translation (MT) was the pioneer research area in computational linguistics during the 1950s and 1960s. When it began, the assumed goal was the automatic translation of all kinds of documents at a quality equalling that of the best human translators. It became apparent very soon that this goal was impossible in the foreseeable future.
Hutchins, W. John. Gardez Vlg (2002). Articles>Language>History>Machine Translation
#26300
Machine Translation: General Overview
This chapter introduces the main concepts and methods used for machine translation systems from the beginnings of research in the 1950s until about 1990; it covers the main approaches of rule-based systems (direct, interlingua, transfer, knowledge based), and the principal translation tools; and it concludes with a brief historical sketch.
Hutchins, W. John. Oxford Univ Press (2003). Articles>Language>Localization>Machine Translation
#23472
The Making of Technical Translations - The Personal Angle
My English at its best is only average. In fact: my English was much better when I was a student of chemistry. Since the time I have started working as a technical translator I have forgotten a lot of it. Nevertheless, my clients like my manuals very much. How does this happen?
Fuckner, Ingrid. TC-FORUM (1997). Articles>Language>Localization
