categoryallspace2-Articles Language Localization http://tc.eserver.org/dir/Articles/Language/Localization A directory of resources about articles and language and localization in the field of technical communication. en-us Copyright (c) 2005-08 by the EServer. All rights reserved. tclib-editorial@eserver.org (TC Library Editorial Board) webmaster@eserver.org (Geoffrey Sauer) http://tc.eserver.org/images/newlogo.gif http://tc.eserver.org/dir/Articles/Language/Localization http://tc.eserver.org/31355.html http://tc.eserver.org/31355.html Are you looking for ways to maximize your company's global Web presence? Look no further, as the authors have laid out a step-by-step plan for creating and designing a multilingual site. http://tc.eserver.org/31368.html http://tc.eserver.org/31368.html Open source content management systems can be installed free of charge on an entity's servers or web hosting account, and provide a way for organizations to develop multilingual web sites. There are some challenges in finding a good open source content management system, but there are several that can fit a variety of needs. An example CMS is Plone, which has strong support for different languages, and which also integrates tools for managing the translation of content. http://tc.eserver.org/31175.html http://tc.eserver.org/31175.html Der Unterschied zwischen dem richtigen Wort und dem beinahe richtigen ist derselbe Unterschied wie der zwischen dem Blitz und einem Glühwürmchen. http://tc.eserver.org/30733.html http://tc.eserver.org/30733.html Personal experience shows that all localization clients are interested in terminology--without exception. Only very large organizations, however, actually seem to maintain terminology databases. http://tc.eserver.org/30530.html http://tc.eserver.org/30530.html Worldwide communication, international markets and growing needs of local customers today demand globally competitive software products that are able to satisfy multiple user requirements. This paper looks at the problems arising when software supporting local languages, conventions and cultures is designed. It then describes a new programming concept called 'internationalization' and finally leads into a discussion of possible influences on the documentation process. http://tc.eserver.org/30536.html http://tc.eserver.org/30536.html For software products to succeed in the international marketplace, the documentation team needs to plan for translation from the beginning of product development. Experience shows that the following factors can contribute to the elusive goal of simultaneous release of software domestically and internationally: early freeze of the product interface, a well-thought-out translation plan, agreed-upon procedures and goals, standard tools for creating art and text files, and early editing. This paper gives practical tips for avoiding problems in translation. http://tc.eserver.org/30492.html http://tc.eserver.org/30492.html Conservative estimates suggest that the translation market is currently over $1 billion and growing at a rate of 15% annually. The impact of an increasingly global economy continues to be felt by many business people, not the least of whom are the technical communicators who are charged with the mission of writing with international audiences in mind. Producing culturally appropriate, quality translations requires an awareness of how documents intended for foreign markets should be written. The purpose of the proposed Technical Translation and Software Localization PIC is to increase awareness of localization issues and to provide a forum for discussion, information exchange and education for those technical communicators who are involved in international communication. http://tc.eserver.org/30515.html http://tc.eserver.org/30515.html 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. http://tc.eserver.org/30348.html http://tc.eserver.org/30348.html Use active voice, because it is easier to understand. If the material is being translated into a language which frequently uses passive voice, such as German, the translator will make the accommodation for that language. http://tc.eserver.org/30346.html http://tc.eserver.org/30346.html 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. http://tc.eserver.org/30349.html http://tc.eserver.org/30349.html Leverage, CAT, translation memory, and aligning are quite interrelated and build on each other in the process. http://tc.eserver.org/30278.html http://tc.eserver.org/30278.html 'Syntactic cues' are function words and punctuation marks that indicate syntactic relationships. Research in psycholinguistics, reading, and reading in a foreign language has shown that readers rely heavily on these cues to help them analyze and predict sentence structure. Yet technical writers and editors routinely eliminate many of these cues from their writing in the mistaken belief that they are improving readability. This workshop will show you how to use syntactic cues not only to improve readability, but also to eliminate ambiguities that cause problems for translators. This approach does not require knowledge of grammatical terminology, and it will increase your sensitivity to many subtleties of the English language. http://tc.eserver.org/30154.html http://tc.eserver.org/30154.html 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. http://tc.eserver.org/29878.html http://tc.eserver.org/29878.html The percentage of revenue that companies are generating from global markets is increasing rapidly. Not only does the global nature of sales help to increase overall corporate revenue, it also aids in building global brand equity, maintaining competitiveness against global competition and reducing geographical market reliance. In today's challenging economic environment, though, international efforts are often given low priority within the corporation. With this backdrop, localization teams are forced to do more with less in order to meet global market needs. Consequently, achieving a high Return On Investment (ROI) from localization initiatives is more important than ever. http://tc.eserver.org/29692.html http://tc.eserver.org/29692.html When budget constraints prevent bringing overseas testers to the development lab to verify product translation, Web conferencing sessions allow the testers to work in their own countries but still communicate directly with the lab. http://tc.eserver.org/29157.html http://tc.eserver.org/29157.html Localization includes translating, explaining, and adapting a document for use in a specific culture. This article presents the case of a form for reporting the findings and decisions of pre-production meetings held during development of electronic products. The need to localize such a document may seem less obvious or critical than the need for sales documents like manuals, but this case demonstrates the same cultural requirements and, furthermore, the requirements of corporate differences. To meet local needs, the comprehensive preparation that localization requires should follow specific methods in each step of a process corresponding to the general writing process, like the stages defined in common technical writing texts. The deliberate use of an effective writing process to localize documents will improve results. http://tc.eserver.org/28874.html http://tc.eserver.org/28874.html Writing is a culturally situated activity. When writing is outsourced to other cultures, because of a lack of knowledge of the users' culture and also because of influences from the writer's local culture, those doing the writing and designing, despite various strategies adopted for overcoming the disadvantage of not knowing the users' culture, may not know how to culturally situate writing. It is, therefore, important that bicultural people, who know the users' culture, as well as the culture of those doing the outsourced work, give writing teams feedback about the users' culture. Doing so can make outsourced writing more culturally situated. http://tc.eserver.org/28803.html http://tc.eserver.org/28803.html Too often, in-country translation reviews are overlooked, even though they can document valuable feedback and save customers time and money on translation projects. The author provides several criteria for deciding whether such a review is right for your project. http://tc.eserver.org/28082.html http://tc.eserver.org/28082.html What are the secrets of a stress-free and productive translation experience? Davis's article highlights some important tips to keep in mind as you work on your next translation project. http://tc.eserver.org/27003.html http://tc.eserver.org/27003.html These days, staff in localisation departments spend their time essentially on project management, translation and quality assurance. However, by using one of the emerging systems that integrate content creation, localisation and content management into an efficient system, many of these activities can be automated or avoided all together. We are now seeing the emergence of technical content control systems that can be used to improve the turn-around time, translation costs and the quality of the translations themselves. In recent projects, where these systems have been implemented, organisations have seen substantial savings in localisation costs, with word count reductions and translation costs of around 30%. http://tc.eserver.org/26888.html http://tc.eserver.org/26888.html The Unicode consortium is dedicated to maintaining a character set that allows computers to deal with the vast array of human writing systems. When you think of computers that manage such a large and complex data set, you think databases, and this is precisely what the consortium provides for computer access to versions of the Unicode standard. The Unicode Character Database comprises files that present detailed information for each character and class of character. The strong tie between XML and Unicode means this database is very valuable to XML developers and authors. In this article Uche Ogbuji introduces the Unicode Character Database and shows how XML developers can put it to use. http://tc.eserver.org/26357.html http://tc.eserver.org/26357.html Firms that export to the USA are faced with the challenge of having to deliver accompanying TD that meets the requirements of that country. This is true not only in legal or safety-relevant terms, but also in terms of the language used. Production and translation of multi-lingual documentation are part of an overall process. Even while creating the source text, the technical writer must keep in mind the translation into the target language. Unambiguous rendering, consistency in the terminology, wording that is appropriate for the target group and reader-friendliness are some of the highest criteria which would justify the use of a controlled language. http://tc.eserver.org/26358.html http://tc.eserver.org/26358.html Without a doubt, delivering translation and localization services for the game and toy industries is more than child’s play. These days, with billions of dollars in revenue from international sales at stake, companies are becoming more and more aware of the importance of delivering quality localized products to specific markets. With incredible growth rates in segments such as computer and video games (which make more money than the US film industry these days), but also with learning toys, board games and many other products trying to find their ways into playrooms worldwide, the industry is a strong player that demands to receive quality services from translation and localization vendors. While many of the same questions that affect any translation and localization project are also valid for these markets, there are a variety of issues unique to the game and toy industry that need to be addressed. http://tc.eserver.org/26300.html http://tc.eserver.org/26300.html 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. http://tc.eserver.org/26297.html http://tc.eserver.org/26297.html The example-based approach to MT is becoming increasingly popular. However, such is the variety of techniques and methods used that it is difficult to discern the overall conception of what example- based machine translation (EBMT) is and/or what its practitioners conceive it to be. Although definitions of MT systems are notoriously complex, an attempt is made to define EBMT in contrast to other MT architectures (RBMT and SMT). http://tc.eserver.org/26280.html http://tc.eserver.org/26280.html One of the main concerns of internationalization consists of separating the main source code from the texts, the labels, the messages and all the other objects related to the specific language in use. This article briefly explain the TMX standard and a simple TMX Java bridge. http://tc.eserver.org/26176.html http://tc.eserver.org/26176.html Machine Translation, though useful in certain cases, is still not, and may never be the one-size-fits-all solution for translation needs. Any translation used for commercial or professional purposes must be at the very least checked and double-checked by human translators. http://tc.eserver.org/26189.html http://tc.eserver.org/26189.html Dos and don'ts from pros! This article advises on technical, cultural and political issues of software localization. http://tc.eserver.org/26186.html http://tc.eserver.org/26186.html This article addresses all formatting concerns related to software localization. It discusses country and regional differences in addresses, currency, dates, numerals, paper sizes, telephone numbers, time and units of measure. Very thorough! http://tc.eserver.org/26185.html http://tc.eserver.org/26185.html This article is a very good primer on the language issues involved in localization software. It touches upon topics such as language direction, capitalization, code pages, fonts and input methods, to name just a few. It gives a reader a solid understanding of the complexity and factors involved in localizing software into different languages. http://tc.eserver.org/26184.html http://tc.eserver.org/26184.html 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. http://tc.eserver.org/26178.html http://tc.eserver.org/26178.html When you need a quote for your translation, you simply call or email the agency and ask for one. What you don't expect, is the array of questions about your translation from the agency quoting your request. From what format the documents are in, to how you would like the files delivered to you and everything in between--when requesting a quote for translation, or typesetting services, there is certain information that you will be required to provide to the translation agency. If you have this information readily available, you will save a great deal of time. http://tc.eserver.org/26183.html http://tc.eserver.org/26183.html In the past, the term localization often referred to a process that began after an application developer compiled the source files in the original language. Another team then began the process of reworking the source files for use in another language. The original language, for example, might be English, and the second language might be German. That approach, however, is prohibitively expensive and results in inconsistencies among versions. It has even caused some customers to purchase the original-language version instead of waiting months for the localized version. A more cost effective and functional model divides the process of developing world-ready applications into three distinct parts, globalization, localizability, and localization. http://tc.eserver.org/26187.html http://tc.eserver.org/26187.html This article discusses common occurring problems related to string resources include the text that appears in an application's user interface and tips on how to avoid them. http://tc.eserver.org/26190.html http://tc.eserver.org/26190.html This article discusses key testing phrases needed for a successful world ready software application: globalization testing, localizability testing and localization testing. http://tc.eserver.org/26182.html http://tc.eserver.org/26182.html From generating a word count using the Word Count tool in MS Word, or using a counting tool such as PractiCount and Invoice, to using translation tools such as Trados or Wordfast, it's hard to produce similar results when each of these tools have their own way of counting. http://tc.eserver.org/26172.html http://tc.eserver.org/26172.html By managing large projects involving Chinese translation into English in the past two years, it has taught me that in handling this language pair, the ideal candidate is not native English-speakers, but native Chinese-speakers living abroad. http://tc.eserver.org/26173.html http://tc.eserver.org/26173.html Not too long ago, I was managing a translation project in Access (English to Greek) when I discovered that the translator hadn't used question marks similar to those used in the English source. Instead of question marks, he was using semicolons. I was sure that this was a mistake and that the computer was acting strange again. But it wasn't a mistake. In the Greek language, the question mark is like a semicolon, and the semicolon is instead a raised period. I've started to check on other projects as well, and I've learned quite a few interesting things about punctuation and their separators. http://tc.eserver.org/26164.html http://tc.eserver.org/26164.html I've discovered that foreign language typesetting can be very challenging - even when using the right software and platform, or having the help of a very experienced foreign typesetter. Through solving the problems encountered in the process, I also developed a new appreciation for simple, 'internationalized' designs that are much easier to 'localize' than others. Many problems can be avoided if the graphic designer keeps in mind that the document may be later translated into other languages. Sometimes, an attractive and very professional design in English can be a nightmare for other languages. http://tc.eserver.org/25813.html http://tc.eserver.org/25813.html Representing a growing segment of the translation industry, software globalization (G11N) remains shrouded in mystery to many. What is Globalization? G11N ensures availability of a software product in languages besides the language of origin, traditionally US English. It is driven by huge revenue opportunities outside the Anglophone world for software companies and translators alike. This presentation will introduce both the basic concept of globalization and how it involves the translator, in particular. In this paper we will describe the process from early design and coding to release in the global marketplace. http://tc.eserver.org/25788.html http://tc.eserver.org/25788.html Machine translation is a sophisticated technology. However, it is not as sophisticated as human language. Understanding how MT works on the Web helps designers and developers prepare Web pages for MT. Preparatory tactics improve the usability of MT output. http://tc.eserver.org/25388.html http://tc.eserver.org/25388.html Do you believe that localization of a product is essential to ensure usability and customer satisfaction? http://tc.eserver.org/24953.html http://tc.eserver.org/24953.html 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. http://tc.eserver.org/24951.html http://tc.eserver.org/24951.html In 2002, LISA examined Translation Memory (TM) usage and trends. In 2004, LISA returned to the subject with an expanded survey that revisited the questions of 2002 and added questions on specific tool use and interest in new developments of TM. The report, The LISA 2004 Translation Memory Survey, is available free of charge from the LISA website. In this interview, we asked Arle Lommel, LISA’s Publications Manager and author of the survey report, about the significance of the findings and what they mean for the industry. http://tc.eserver.org/24949.html http://tc.eserver.org/24949.html Outlines pitfalls that are often encountered by authors, programmers and localizers when first using XML, as well as ways to avoid these problems. Following Zydron’s advice can save developers time, money and headaches, and can help them reach out effectively to the world. http://tc.eserver.org/24916.html http://tc.eserver.org/24916.html LISA is in the process of updating its Localization Primer, a publication read by people around the world interested in learning about localization. As part of this process LISA decided to update some figures about how companies spend their localization budget, so Mike Anobile called up Bill Sullivan of IBM to ask him how IBM spends its localization budget. Bill replied that he couldn't say, that he had no idea how much money IBM spends on globalization or what areas the money is spent in. What's more, he said that he was "delighted and indeed proud that [IBM does] not have that data". http://tc.eserver.org/24807.html http://tc.eserver.org/24807.html Technical communicators often produce documents that are then translated into another language. Much has been written about creating a text that is “translatable” by eliminating analogies and metaphors; using short, clear sentences; organizing information according to the cultural preference for order; and eliminating jargon. whenever possible. Because technical communicators often provide both text and graphics, such attention to the translatability of graphics is essential to producing documents that fit the cultural conventions of the country in which the document is to be used. http://tc.eserver.org/24744.html http://tc.eserver.org/24744.html As members of the Technical Communication Delegation to Russia and the Czech Republic, we had the unusual opportunity of discussing our communication concerns with Russian and Czech technical professionals who use many of our products and do or teach technical writing. http://tc.eserver.org/24447.html http://tc.eserver.org/24447.html Internationalization prepares products and documentation for translation. It accompanies the production process, helping to ensure that all internationalization factors are considered. It prevents costly and time-consuming retrofitting and increases the chance of a successful product introduction into foreign markets. http://tc.eserver.org/24441.html http://tc.eserver.org/24441.html 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. http://tc.eserver.org/24368.html http://tc.eserver.org/24368.html 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. http://tc.eserver.org/24341.html http://tc.eserver.org/24341.html This presentation will give a functional account of style in English technical communication and point out the differences in style shown by native speakers and non-native speakers of English. http://tc.eserver.org/24334.html http://tc.eserver.org/24334.html Learn the skills, processes, and international attitude you need to create information products that effectively address multilingual and multicultural audiences. This seminar covers the basics of working with translators; accommodating cultural differences; designing documents, graphics, and multimedia for global appeal; writing for international audiences; and project management issues that arise as you prepare your information products for the world. http://tc.eserver.org/24284.html http://tc.eserver.org/24284.html The process of translating a technical document from English to another language is challenging. Problems in the source language can create numerous difficulties for the translator. Other problems center on localization, language, and production. Localization issues arise in selecting an international team and translators and in considering cultural differences and foreign audiences. Language issues involve grammar, sentence structure, terminology, and text used in headings and in graphics. Production issues include fonts, layout and design, and production media. The translation process can be greatly facilitated if you analyze all of these issues before beginning your project. http://tc.eserver.org/24176.html http://tc.eserver.org/24176.html When I first got into the business twenty years ago, most translation work was limited to the FIGS languages: French, Italian, German, and Spanish. But today, to reach markets opened by the collapse of the Soviet Union and the opening of the Chinese economy beginning in 2001, competitive businesses must tap into 'minor' languages. http://tc.eserver.org/24168.html http://tc.eserver.org/24168.html Machine translation has improved greatly over the years, but one type of human communication, figurative language, remains difficult for computers to tackle. When we hear 'You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink,' we know that the speaker is probably commenting on human, not equine, nature. http://tc.eserver.org/23740.html http://tc.eserver.org/23740.html Authoring for international communication has become a common requirement for the technical communicator. Few writers, illustrators or editors have any concept of the translator's on-screen view of the creator’s work. Multilingual software and technology are a complex array of systems, programs and appliances. Engineering resources provide the many thousands of beautiful language characters from far-off lands and ancient times. Translation tools make it possible to compare, store, edit and translate work into those languages. Workflow systems allow the authoring team to co-manage the distribution of its work from end-to-end of the document, software and Web translation supply chains. http://tc.eserver.org/23690.html http://tc.eserver.org/23690.html In the global marketplace today, wise companies are learning an important fact about translation. Survival in today’s international environment means not making translation an afterthought. You gain precious competitive advantage if, as you develop your product and its accompanying documentation for simultaneous release in international markets, you plan for translation from the outset. http://tc.eserver.org/23488.html http://tc.eserver.org/23488.html Although research has been conducted by several institutes on how to process written text for minority and vernacular languages, no academic research project thus far seems to have produced a usable, functional, authoring or translation tool for end-user native speakers of these types of languages. On the other hand, a set of software programs has been in the making for twenty years outside of academia. http://tc.eserver.org/23475.html http://tc.eserver.org/23475.html On December 9, 1997, Digital Equipment Corporation and SYSTRAN A.G. launched AltaVista Translation Service, the first European language translation service for Web content. For the first time, non-English speaking users can translate information on the predominantly English speaking Web in real time. http://tc.eserver.org/23486.html http://tc.eserver.org/23486.html A good understanding of the subject matter or the access to a specialist is an important element in technical writing and translation. It is a quality issue that I don’t believe too many people in the business would dispute. In Brazil, however, the creation and translation of technical material has increasingly become a problem exactly because this factor is being overlooked. http://tc.eserver.org/23476.html http://tc.eserver.org/23476.html It goes without saying that controlled language makes it easier not only to understand a text, but also to translate it into another language, thereby reducing translation cost. This positive effect can be even more increased by the use of professional translation tools. By "translation tools", I do not mean machine translation systems such as Logos or Systran, but rather terminology database and translation memory applications. Typical examples of such tools are MultiTerm '95 Plus and Translator's Workbench. http://tc.eserver.org/23496.html http://tc.eserver.org/23496.html Controlled Language (CL) is a controversial issue for linguists, editors, readers, but also for firms. Costs, marketing and sales figures are at stake. Why did I select 'risks and side effects', from the numerous problems involved, for my contribution? I am convinced that CL will be successful because positive / financial arguments prevail. Consequently, we will have to avail ourselves of CL, and identify and realize the risks involved and potential vicious side effects. http://tc.eserver.org/23479.html http://tc.eserver.org/23479.html The following paper is a machine-translated text from German into English. And at the same time it explains the technology applied. http://tc.eserver.org/23497.html http://tc.eserver.org/23497.html There has been much discussion on the topic of Controlled Language (CL) in the past issues of TC-Forum. With several years of experience as a translator, as a trainer of Controlled English writing and translation post-editing, and as a developer of Machine Translation (MT) and Translation Memory (TM) systems, I would like to clarify some points that do not seem to have been presented in other articles. These points do not indicate all of the details of possible CL systems, but I hope that they open up the discussion to cover both past and recent developments in CL system and application research and development. http://tc.eserver.org/23483.html http://tc.eserver.org/23483.html Even if the attainable quality of automatic translation systems is insufficient under certain conditions, and despite careful preparation of the original text, nevertheless the translation provides a useful basis for a technical translator. The automatic translation greatly simplifies the production of a foreign language text and leads, all in all, to an efficient translation process. For example, the translation of a customer Website with the help of an automatic translation system (i.e. post-edited machine translation) cost us only a third of the time, which we had previously calculated as pure 'manual work'. http://tc.eserver.org/23484.html http://tc.eserver.org/23484.html I work as a freelance translator, mostly with Word and html files. I also regularly organize localization projects involving translations into the main European languages. When I looked around at the translation memory systems on the market today, I found them not only seriously overpriced but also laden down with so many features that I'd never expect to use in a month of Sundays. http://tc.eserver.org/23478.html http://tc.eserver.org/23478.html 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'? http://tc.eserver.org/23490.html http://tc.eserver.org/23490.html 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. http://tc.eserver.org/23477.html http://tc.eserver.org/23477.html 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. http://tc.eserver.org/23473.html http://tc.eserver.org/23473.html 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. http://tc.eserver.org/23472.html http://tc.eserver.org/23472.html 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? http://tc.eserver.org/23498.html http://tc.eserver.org/23498.html In the field of technical writing the use of Controlled Language (CL) attracts more and more public interest. However, the merits of controlling language in the context of technical documentation are not uncontroversial. http://tc.eserver.org/23480.html http://tc.eserver.org/23480.html Looking at escalating costs and short deadlines for foreign-language documentation, we decided over two years ago that the time had come for a hands-on study of translation tools and their practical benefits. Machine-translation systems such as Systran and Logos were not an option; instead, we directed our attention toward Translation Memory tools. http://tc.eserver.org/23499.html http://tc.eserver.org/23499.html While the benefits of using a controlled language are clear from a business perspective (reduced translation costs, standardized phrases, reduced potential for misinterpretation), applying it can be a challenge when writing even simple service procedures. http://tc.eserver.org/23461.html http://tc.eserver.org/23461.html The language industries are rapidly embracing the use of translation tools such as automatic terminology lookup, terminology mining, terminology consistency checkers, and machine translation. Authoring tools that involve access to a termbase are also appearing, at least in the context of controlled language, but will over time no doubt also be used in the authoring processes where the syntax is less controlled. http://tc.eserver.org/23470.html http://tc.eserver.org/23470.html I work with a small team of scientists, specializing in technical documentation and translation. In the following text I will look from a different angle on the work of a technical translator. http://tc.eserver.org/23030.html http://tc.eserver.org/23030.html Translation management is becoming a common task for the technical writer as companies enter the global marketplace. It is challenging and interesting, but at the same time it is generally a complex project management task and is not to be taken lightly. This paper discusses a real-life translation project and points out some of the problems that you may encounter. http://tc.eserver.org/22794.html http://tc.eserver.org/22794.html Suggests ways that technical communicators can implement cost-effective localization. http://tc.eserver.org/22642.html http://tc.eserver.org/22642.html Rapid global acceptance of ISO 9000 ensures that quality must be defined in each customer's terms. http://tc.eserver.org/22387.html http://tc.eserver.org/22387.html ISO 10646 ist ein Zeichensatz, der Schriftzeichen binären Codenummern zuordnet. Unicode hingegen ordnet den 2- bzw. 4-Byte-Code denselben Schriftzeichen zu, ergänzt die Definition aber um Zeicheneigenschaften, Implementationsregeln und Hinweise. Unicode ist eine private Organisation verschiedener kommerzieller Unternehmen, akademischer Einrichtungen und Anwendergruppen. ISO (International Standards Organisation, eine Unterorganisation der UNO) und Unicode arbeiten seit 1991 zusammen, um Diskrepanzen zwischen ISO 10646 und Unicode zu vermeiden. http://tc.eserver.org/21546.html http://tc.eserver.org/21546.html The future -- agencies with a website offering an automated online translation service where the user supplies all project criteria such as materials (which are uploaded), personal details, project details, expectations etc. online. It's already started. http://tc.eserver.org/20720.html http://tc.eserver.org/20720.html With ever-rising demands for translation finding ways to improve the entire process of multilingual publication becomes essential. One way for such improvement is the use of computer tools in the process. Translation is central to the multilingual publication process, but must be seen in the entire context. This panel provides a forum for the exploration of the issues involved in the multilingual publication process with particular emphasis on translation and the technology that enables the process from authoring to publication. http://tc.eserver.org/20072.html http://tc.eserver.org/20072.html This paper summarizes some basic problems associated with designing, producing, and delivering multiple languages within one document, and our approach to resolving those problems, 'Multilingual in this context is defined as containing one or more languages within a page design, as opposed to 'internationalized' (containing universal symbolic or pictorial text) or 'serially translated' (repeated translated content) documents. http://tc.eserver.org/19993.html http://tc.eserver.org/19993.html 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. http://tc.eserver.org/19991.html http://tc.eserver.org/19991.html In today’s world of fast-paced production and even faster communication, the demand for translation is growing at a phenomenal rate. As a result of the big Silicon bang, multilingual reproduction of software, web sites, robotics manuals, and a multitude of other technical linguistic materials, is in high demand. This demand translates into dollars, marks, and yen for translation companies around the world: more words equal more money. The role of computer-aided translation (CAT) tools is increasing due to an ever-growing demand from international clients, coupled with an insufficient number of human translators. To handle the complex technical issues surrounding translation, multi-skilled project managers are becoming increasingly important to the success of projects. http://tc.eserver.org/19881.html http://tc.eserver.org/19881.html During a very brief 6-month period of 1993, a small group of highly focused individuals undertook a major redesign of a critical piece of the Sun Microsystems Computer Company hardware documentation. We took the hardware installation document from a single language. 100 page book, written in a very 'chatty' style, to a terse, modular, highly graphical, and most importantly, multilingual document of 33 pages. Managing that effort was an exciting challenge, filled with many lessons that are described in this paper. http://tc.eserver.org/19697.html http://tc.eserver.org/19697.html Localizing a large online help system often represents the most expensive part of a localization project. However, when international customers or markets are a product’s lifelines, eliminating the online help translation is not an option, especially when customers have come to expect it. Managers of online help localization are left with a paradoxical mandate: Keep localizing, but quit spending (so much). http://tc.eserver.org/19695.html http://tc.eserver.org/19695.html Some grammatical structures in English can pose problems for translators, particularly if those structures can be interpreted in more than one way. Murphy’s Law says that your reader will often use the wrong interpretation, resulting in mangled translations. Spoken language allows supplemental methods—like voice intonation, facial expressions, and physical movements— to convey meaning. However, print communication lacks the support of those nonverbal clues. To ensure clear meaning, writers must avoid expressions that require supplemental, nonverbal clues. They must depend on good structure and correct grammar to communicate their meaning. http://tc.eserver.org/18990.html http://tc.eserver.org/18990.html Today, companies need to localize their products in order to compete effectively in the global markets. Preparation of a complete localization kit is the first step in a successful localization project. A localization kit serves both client and localizer to streamline the process from the onset and allow for optimum allocation of resource, time and budget management. http://tc.eserver.org/18953.html http://tc.eserver.org/18953.html The trend toward globalisation of products and services has brought a strong economic imperative to the development of general methods for the localisation of software to different cultural environments. While ad hoc, bolt-on localisation may satisfy immediate commercial objectives, its extension to multiple locales is not cost-effective and an integrated strategy is needed. In this more sustainable approach, known as software internationalisation, the requirements of disparate markets are addressed during analysis and system design, with the architecture developed so that localisation to a particular environment is straightforward, and involves minimal re-engineering. Given the limited size of the Australasian market, detailed attention to the technical issues of internationalisation is of critical importance to the future of software development in the region, as is the availability of graduates adequately prepared for this environment. Thus motivated, this paper examines the state of play in a number of aspects of application level software internationalisation, with our focus the core research challenges of the next few years, and the consequences of these trends for the software engineering curriculum. http://tc.eserver.org/18954.html http://tc.eserver.org/18954.html Translation memory systems and software localization tools are designed to increase translation productivity by automating the linguistic transfer from source to target text. Unlike machine translation systems (see chapter 10), they do not process a source text as a whole but work instead on segments. This chapter will explain the basic concepts behind these language technologies. We will show the operating procedures of two of the market-leading products, the translation memory system Translator’s Workbench by Trados, and the localization tool Catalyst by Corel. http://tc.eserver.org/18787.html http://tc.eserver.org/18787.html Working with a professional translation company is one way to obtain accurate translations. Make sure that you choose a qualified supplier that you trust. It is a plus if your chosen supplier utilizes translation memory. After choosing the company you want to work with, collaborate to iron out details and develop a smooth process. Prepare your documents carefully to keep translation costs down. Establish a viable procedure for in-country reviews. Create a win-win situation by making your translator a business partner. http://tc.eserver.org/18695.html http://tc.eserver.org/18695.html The past decade has seen significant advances in machine-translation (MT) technology. While MT is still a ways off its goal of replacing human translators, today it is used successfully in several industry sectors (incl. automotive, aerospace, defense) with lots of documentation to be translated. http://tc.eserver.org/18521.html http://tc.eserver.org/18521.html In this paper an attempt is made to find a unifying approach to the study of the translator’s praxis, assuming that translation is guided by certain, recognizable, semiotic processes. Computational, corpus-based methods intended to aid in the research of large text bases are introduced. Alignment of text segments from files in different languages contained in a corpus, where these text files are known to be mutual translations is described. Text encoding in order to allow comparison of the results of translation studies performed by different scholars is also demonstrated. One goal is to establish qualitative and quantitative variables, on the sentential as well as the textual level, which would permit generalizations about the concrete procedures performed by professional translators in authentic work situations, e.g. in multi-lingual corporate environments. http://tc.eserver.org/18495.html http://tc.eserver.org/18495.html The process of localizing C/C++ Windows applications has evolved considerably over its relatively short life span. Due to the demands of fierce global markets, the localization industry has progressed from rather painful methods of localizing bulky and inconvenient source files to using highly sophisticated tools that allow for a quicker and considerably more efficient process of directly localizing binary files. Taking advantage of these localization tools and switching to a binary strategy has proven to provide many benefits that streamline and expedite the process of localization. The classic approach to localization involved translating hundreds of resource (RC) files and resizing dialogs using tools such as Microsoft Developer Studio. As newer builds of the same products started being released more frequently and translators' work became more repetitive, localizers started to take advantage of various translation database tools to help save translation time. While database tools with RC filters streamlined part of the translation process and allowed translators to begin their efforts sooner, it was still fairly tedious, time consuming, and error prone to resize graphical user interface elements separately for each build. Localizers therefore started to combine aspects of translation database technology and visual editing into tools focused exclusively on software localization. Currently, the localization industry is taking its next evolutionary step; leaving behind a tiresome and time consuming RC-based process for the quicker and cleaner process of directly localizing precompiled binary modules. Today's advanced localization tools promise to provide integrated localization solutions that allow translators and engineers to work directly with binaries saving enormous amounts of time and effort. http://tc.eserver.org/18491.html http://tc.eserver.org/18491.html We've all heard a lot about Computer Aided Translation (CAT) tools over the last few years. We've also heard some of the war stories as well. But let's take a look from a different angle ' from the perspective of today's middle-market translation and localization service companies (TCs for short). We CAT tool providers spend a lot of time talking about the benefits to the translator, perhaps at the risk of missing some of those that are particularly important to a TC. Re-using previously translated materials (or leveraging as we like to call it) can be a very important factor in reducing the cost and increasing the consistency of translation. But it turns out that there are a number of other features in today's tools that are particularly helpful for TCs. I'm going to describe them in terms of two of the tools we are involved with, although others have some of these features as well. http://tc.eserver.org/18499.html http://tc.eserver.org/18499.html The concept of the Unicode character set began in 1987, thanks to Joe Becker from Xerox and Mark Davis from Apple. The following year, Becker, Davis, and Lee Collins (currently of Xerox; formerly of Apple) began investigating the design and soon made the case for Han unification to ANSI, ISO. Unicode is, indeed, based on the historic evolution of the Chinese character set (Han). Several people from various high tech companies began holding bimonthly meetings in 1989. By the end of 1990 , an initial, full-review draft was created. In 1991, the group became the Unicode Consortium, a non-profit organization incorporated as Unicode, Inc. Version 1.0 became available to the public for the first time in 1992. http://tc.eserver.org/18497.html http://tc.eserver.org/18497.html That information technology has revolutionized the translator's working environment is a fact so obvious that it no longer even bears mentioning. For the vast majority of translators and their clients, computers have long since replaced typewriters and reams of paper. Modems and e-mail have replaced manila envelopes, mass storage devices have replaced drawers full of folders, CD-ROMs supplement dictionaries and encyclopedias, and more recently the Internet and its resources more and more often save us a trip to the library, while various online communities have brought many translators out of their isolation. But information technology not only offers us tools. It is itself a field in which more and more translation work is actually executed. As in other fields, this is certainly true of marketing materials, packaging materials, advertising copy, and manuals. But in the case of information technology products, it is frequently the products themselves that need to be translated. Whenever a program or process displays a word or a phrase on the screen, this means potential work for one or many translators. http://tc.eserver.org/18492.html http://tc.eserver.org/18492.html This article lays out a framework for selecting the right Computer Aided Translation (CAT) tool solution based on a number of characteristics of the translation environment. http://tc.eserver.org/18496.html http://tc.eserver.org/18496.html In June of 1997, a small group of individuals representing the major buyers and providers of translation tools and services began a process that will have dramatic benefits for the users of translation tools. With the momentum of Microsoft behind it, that group began defining a standard for exchanging translation memory data between translation tools. This definition has been recently published by the Localization Industry Standards Association (LISA) as the Translation Memory eXchange (TMX) standard. Defined as a Document Type Definition (DTD) in SGML, this standard defines vendor-neutral conventions for storing translation memories in a manner that allows them to be uniformly exchanged between any tool of any vendor adhering to the standard. So how will TMX affect the translation tool market and what does it mean to current and future users of translation tools? http://tc.eserver.org/18502.html http://tc.eserver.org/18502.html The formatting work that's done after translation typically represents 30-40% of the overall cost of a localization project. Some ways to reduce that cost involve choosing an appropriate page layout application. One application can require as much as five times the labor required to do the same type of formatting as in another application. By choosing the right application, you can conceivably save hundreds of hours and costs over your set of target languages. http://tc.eserver.org/18490.html http://tc.eserver.org/18490.html Computer Aided Translation (CAT) is the broadest term used to describe an area of computer technology applications that automates or assists the act of translating text from one spoken language to another. Today CAT tool technology is being used by both business users and professional translators. Business users conducting business internationally are now finding benefit in tools when communicating across languages when a translator is not available and the user has limited multilingual skills. Professional translators are finding CAT tools highly effective in improving their translation productivity and quality for work that lends itself to the use of the different technologies. http://tc.eserver.org/18487.html http://tc.eserver.org/18487.html MLang implements a set of services that is designed to help make software that interacts with Internet data more international. More specifically, MLang helps solve problems presented by the multilingual environment that exists for software today. This article describes the services that are provided by the MLang Component Object Model (COM) object. http://tc.eserver.org/18498.html http://tc.eserver.org/18498.html Atsushi's presentation focused on two areas of Windows software localization: the internationalization of source code, and the actual localization of the user interface. http://tc.eserver.org/18493.html http://tc.eserver.org/18493.html If your company is new to the process of translating their documentation, chances are little groundwork was laid for the process. One thing you can do to improve the quality of the translation in this situation is to create a good translation glossary. A translation glossary ensures consistent terminology in the translation; that a term in English always becomes the same term in the translated text. It eliminates the problem of referring to the same concept or same component by different names in different places in the documentation. Technical writers are in a good position to create the glossary. They constantly deal with questions of terminology. They probably wrote the manual being translated and already had to make decisions about terminology for the English version. http://tc.eserver.org/18494.html http://tc.eserver.org/18494.html The function of OCR Software is to improve the scanning process with the transfer of hard copy documents into workable electronic text. Despite some high quality OCR software packages now available, the scanning process is still not perfect. This imperfection can greatly diminish from the performance of your CAT tool if it is not properly addressed. When combining these two processes (scanning and translation via CAT tools), it is important that you know which OCR software package to use and exactly how to use it most effectively. In fact, if you do not have the proper OCR software, or if you are using your OCR software incorrectly, you may actually negate the potential benefits that your translation software can offer. http://tc.eserver.org/15149.html http://tc.eserver.org/15149.html Describes several ways technical communicators can prepare their documentation for translation. http://tc.eserver.org/14108.html http://tc.eserver.org/14108.html There are many ways you can help your translation projects go more smoothly. It's important to trust the translation provider you've chosen, and to communicate your needs clearly. With an attitude of cooperation and partnership, you can iron out details and come up with a system that works for both of you. Here's a list of ten fundamentals that will contribute to the process. http://tc.eserver.org/14086.html http://tc.eserver.org/14086.html 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. http://tc.eserver.org/13605.html http://tc.eserver.org/13605.html Since the inception of Canada's Official Languages Act in 1968, official bilingualism is estimated to have cost Canadians approximately $60 billion. Today, the cost of translating federal government documents and operating various programs, such as French language training for federal public servants, is estimated to be some $4 billion annually. And these figures do not take into account the cost of publishing bilingual documents and providing bilingual services at the provincial and municipal levels, or similar costs incurred by private enterprises. While these statistics periodically provoke intense debate in Canada on whether this is money well spent, the fact is that this country's bilingualism requirements have been a boon to at least one group of people employed in the communications field: French-language translators. http://tc.eserver.org/12964.html http://tc.eserver.org/12964.html For technical communicators exploring translation services, a relatively new technology can help provide consistency among translated documents, make the translation process more efficient, and make translation projects cost effective. Translation memory systems assist human translators by following along as a document is translated, creating a database of translated material and terminology, and allowing translators to access previously translated material easily. Using this technology, translators can translate, save, and reuse material, making the resulting translations highly consistent and the overall process more efficient and cost effective than working without this technology. In this exploratory article, we explain the evolution toward translation memory systems, discuss why and when they're particularly useful for helping translate technical documentation, and offer guidelines for determining whether translation memory systems are appropriate for your translation needs. http://tc.eserver.org/10724.html http://tc.eserver.org/10724.html For many people, setting up a Web site is their first experience with publishing documents for an international audience. It's true (for now) that most of the computers on the Internet are in the United States, but the Net includes computers in more than a hundred countries. If you put information on the Web, people from all over the world can read it. At least 15 percent of the visitors to the EEI Web pages are from outside the United States. In the first few days of the new year, pages were viewed by people from two dozen countries, including Croatia, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela. It's not called the World Wide Web for nothing. http://tc.eserver.org/10377.html http://tc.eserver.org/10377.html What can technical communicators do to design documents that are easier, and therefore less costly, to translate without sacrificing quality? Nearly all writers/designers concern themselves primarily with the users of the document, the primary audience, when considering translation while overlooking the secondary audience-the translators. If the source document is not written with translation in mind, translation costs can escalate. Writers/designers can, though, help reduce the translators' cognitive load by supporting them in solving language and cultural problems. In this article, we will explain why technical communicators should help translators, and we will offer some tips to creating 'translation friendly' documentation. We will also describe the research and design process involved in creating an online tutorial on writing and designing for translation which was developed for a local Twin Cities company. Although we discovered during the course of our research that there is not one generic approach http://tc.eserver.org/10373.html http://tc.eserver.org/10373.html More and more technical writing is being translated from English into dozens of languages for use worldwide by readers who have varying degrees of fluency in English. More and more technical documents are translated using computer-assisted or machine translation and are then post-edited by human translators whose first language usually is not English. As a result, more than ever before, technical writers need to be aware of syntactic ambiguity in order to ensure the most accurate, timely, and cost-effective translation. This manuscript explores an approach to writing unambiguously that is based on research from several disciplines. In addition to facilitating translation, the syntactic cues approach improves the readability of technical documents for both native and nonnative readers of English. The manuscript discusses considerations for integrating the syntactic cues approach into established documentation processes and also provides a procedure that helps technical writers learn to use syntactic cues effe