#31368
Multilingual Websites with Open Source Content Management Systems 
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.
Kelsey, Todd. Association for Business Communication (2006). Articles>Content Management>Localization>Language
#24744
My Changing Approach to Localization
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.
Cornette, Patricia K. STC Proceedings (1999). Articles>Language>Localization>Eastern Europe
#19580
My Computer Doesn't Understand Me: Automated Translation Tools
Can a machine that automatically renders true translations from one language to another become a reality?
Liddiard, S.D. Writer's Block (1998). Design>Language>Web Design>Localization
#26178
Need a Quote? What You Should Have Ready
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.
Bologna, Sandra. WTB Language Group (2005). Articles>Language>Localization
#20008
Neologisms, Part 1: Fun with Words
In our professional lives, business and technology are the main sources for many new words. In our personal lives, blame (I mean credit) goes to popular culture for new words. New words, or 'neologisms,' are defined in Merriam Webster as 'a new word, usage, or expression' and (and next is my preferred definition) as 'a meaningless word coined by a psychotic.'
Caldanaro, Regina M. Carolina Communique (1997). Articles>Language>Technology
#28285
The New European Standard for Translation Services
The new European standard DIN EN 15038 on translation services will become effective on August 1, 2006.
TC World (2006). Articles>Language>Standards>Technical Translation
#28082
Nine Things Your Translators Wish You Knew
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.
Davis, Rachel A. Intercom (2006). Articles>Language>Localization
#24341
Observations on the Function of Document Styles in Cross-Cultural Communication
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.
Otsuka, Yoshihiro. STC Proceedings (1998). Articles>Language>Localization
#13605
Official Bilingualism Has Its Costs--and Opportunities
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.
Zvalo, Peter. Writer's Block (2002). Articles>Language>Localization>Canada
#28537
This site contains details of most alphabets and other writing systems currently in use, as well as quite a few ancient and invented ones. It also includes information about some of the languages written with those writing systems, multilingual texts, tips on learning languages, a book store, some useful phrases in many different languages, and a ever-growing collection of links to language-related resources.
Agger, Simon. Omniglot (1998). Resources>Language
#25823
On Dictionaries: A Conversation with Ilan Stavans
An interview with the Lewis-Sebring Professor of Latin American and Latino Culture at Amherst College.
Albin, Verónica. Translation Journal (2005). Articles>Language>Translation
#25819
On Idioms, Intertextuality, Puddings, and Quantum Physics (all of them in simultaneous, please) 
These notes were triggered by an anecdote recently reported by trainee interpreters at the European Court of Justice (ECJ). The anecdote has to do with the way interpreters handle idiomatic expressions and more generally what is known as "culture-bound" items, or realia.
Marzocchi, Carlo. Translation Journal (2005). Articles>Language>Translation
#21546
Online Translation: The Future? 
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.
Forsyth, Steven. stevenforsyth.com (2004). Articles>Language>Localization>Online
#22046
The following was not intended to be funny, but it is nevertheless. These are some examples where text was incorrectly translated or was not localized, which resulted in misrepresentation of the company and the product. Let's laugh and learn from these examples.
#29055
An Outline of Technicisation Theory 
Teachers and researchers in the field of Technical English have always been concerned with the nature of this subject, its major characteristics, and its chief uses in Science and Technology. Obviously, less time and efforts have been spent on how technical English is learned, particularly in situations where foreign students have to relate their limited linguistic knowledge to meaningful realizations of the language system in technical texts of immediate concern to their specialist studies. This research is an early effort to show how technical English is learned and, more specifically, what relevant factors are involved in the overall learning process.
Soheili, A., D. Barjasteh, and Laila Al Qadhi. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication (2001). Articles>Scientific Communication>Education>Language
#25121
Outsourced Technical Translations: Assuring Quality
Technical communicators who serve international audiences must prepare for and manage translations, yet they cannot read the outsourced translation, may have no knowledge of the target culture, and rarely have access to resident linguists who can verify the quality of the work. As well, the time frame in which material is translated is usually short and associated funding is vulnerable. Still, practitioners are expected to maintain corporate standards of language style, grammar, and accuracy. This paper examines the fundamental challenges of outsourcing technical translation, and offers tools and techniques that can be used to assure quality, at arms’ length, in the absence of access to a native speaker of the target language.
Douglas, Gordon J. and Sarah E. Eaton. STC Region 7 Proceedings (2002). Presentations>Language>Localization>Technical Translation
#26183
Overview of Globalization and Localization
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.
Microsoft (2004). Articles>Language>Localization
#28019
A Pattern Language Approach to Usability Knowledge Management
Knowledge gained from usability testing is often applied merely to the immediate product under test and then forgotten--at least at an organizational level. This article describes a usability knowledge management system (KMS) based on principles of pattern language and use-case writing that offers a way to turn lessons learned from usability testing into organizational knowledge that can be leveraged across different projects and different design teams.
Hughes, Michael A. Journal of Usability Studies (2006). Articles>Usability>Knowledge Management>Language
#25845
Plain English Campaign is an independent pressure group fighting for public information to be written in plain English.
Plain English Campaign. Organizations>Language>Writing>Minimalism
#14450
The Plain Language Association International
Plain language is language that everyone in your audience can easily understand. It saves time, money, and lives. Whether you are preparing a brief, writing a procedure, running a business, publishing a newsletter, managing a department, or training workers, you need plain language. We have plain-language links, papers and tutorials, consultants, a list service, and conferences.
#30536
Planning for Translation: What We've Learned the Hard Way
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.
Russell, Anne and Monet Thomson. STC Proceedings (1993). Articles>Language>Translation>Localization
#25816
The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the great power of film translation. This aim is accomplished by presenting the major modes of film translation, their world distribution and history, which are then followed by an analysis of dubbing and subtitling from the perspective of domestication and foreignisation.
Szarkowska, Agnieszka. Translation Journal (2005). Articles>Language>Translation>Video
#27830
Practical Tips for Language: The Ladder to the Top
We the Technical Editors are spared of one worry which our colleagues from journalism generally have: In our work we need not pay 'so much' attention to 'as much as possible' large number of editions. But the situation is different, if we--as is always the case--are to also look after the company's web presence. What is an edition in the context of printing is here the so-called 'page ranking' among the major search engines like Google and Yahoo. Many imagine that a listing in the hits lists depends on chance or, that it is mainly due to some technical means. That is all wrong: by employing some clever textual work the chances of web pages being found can be significantly increased. In reality, even elaborate techniques can lower the chances of hits: Frames, JavaScript and Flash Intros often derail the search engines. And the results may look all right, but regrettably the page will no longer be found.
Nickl, Markus. tekom (2006). Articles>Language>Editing>Business Communication
#31355
Prepare Your Site for the Global Market
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.
Deschamps-Potter, Catherine M. and Amy Plant. Intercom (2008). Articles>Web Design>Localization>Language
#24334
Preparing World-Ready Information Products
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.
Hoft, Nancy L. STC Proceedings (1998). Articles>Language>Localization
