Visual Communication: Crossing International Boundaries  

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.

Bosley, Deborah S. STC Proceedings (1996). Articles>Language>Localization>Visual Rhetoric

Walking Backwards: Supporting Non-Western Languages on the Web

IBM apparently be building Hebrew support in the Mozilla project, but AOL/Netscape has of yet not said a word about their plans, if any, for including the BiDi support code in the upcoming Netscape 6.

Forbes, Shoshannah L. List Apart, A (2000). Design>Web Design>Localization>Unicode

Web Design and Localization

Localization is the process of creating or adapting a product to a specific locale, i.e. to the language, cultural context, conventions and market requirements of a specific target market. In this chapter, we are assuming the English design will be the original design on the basis of which all pages will be localized. The Internet has eliminated distance as a barrier to sharing information at a worldwide level. Now the biggest barrier to communication is language. 2,113,000,000 Internet users speak languages other than English. They make up 70.2% of the world economy. Increasingly multinational companies have their websites localized into multiple languages to take advantage of the promotional and commercial values of the Internet. As they have found, the localization process can be very time-consuming, costly and frustrating if the English web pages were not designed for this purpose.

Sun, Lily. Elements of Information Design (2001). Design>Language>Localization

Web Globalization Strategies: Building the Global Gateway  

A 'Global Gateway' ensures that Web users from around the world quickly and easily find their localized Web sites. Too often, companies overlook the global gateway, resulting in lost users and decreased traffic to the localized sites. A global gateway is more than just a pull-down “select country” menu on the home page, it is a multi-layered strategy that relies on visuals, text, and technology. The best global gateways “degrade gracefully” to accommodate any user, regardless of browser, language or locale.

Yunker, John E. STC Proceedings (2003). Design>Web Design>Localization

Web Site Localization  

The use of Web sites continues to grow in leaps and bounds. In business, these sites typically address marketing, sales, and information management for shared data across corporate Intranets and Extranets. Companies today realize that the Internet provides a window through which customers around the world can view products and services. For example, China’s Internet surfers increased to 20 million by the end of 2000, and could reach 30 million by the end of 2002. In fact, the entire Internet community is increasing so fast that accurate numbers change daily. Most recent figures estimate that there are 498 million users now, and future numbers are incalculable. Until recently, most Web pages were presented in English. As use of the Internet increases internationally, though, more and more companies are considering localization of their Web sites.

Watkins, John. Lingo Systems (2002). Design>Web Design>Localization

Web-Based Translators in the Technical Communication Classroom: What Use Are They?

The author discusses the usefulness of web-based translators in the technical communication classroom. He reports on the pedagogical application of web-based translators in a technical communication course. The author concludes that while web-based translators do not offer accurate translations, they do offer possibilities to the instructor who wants the students to learn about the benefits and hazards of using web-based translators to localize technical documents.

Tesdell, Lee S. ATTW Bulletin (2005). Articles>Education>Localization>Machine Translation

What a Technical Translator Can Do For You

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.

Zimmermann, Annegret. TC-FORUM (1999). Articles>Language>Localization

What to Expect from a Translation Agency

Leverage, CAT, translation memory, and aligning are quite interrelated and build on each other in the process.

Musgray, Uta. Boston Broadside (1997). Articles>Language>Translation>Localization

When You Need to Localize and Categorize

Internationalization -- or 'I18N', a very geeky abbreviation referring to the number of letters left out -- is commonly defined as a set of practices intended to make software more 'localizable' by introducing layers of abstraction in the code and the data of an application. That way, it is easier to later modify the language, currency, date, and number format according to the requirements of a specific locale.

Donner, Christian. CMSwatch (2006). Articles>Content Management>Localization

Whoops: Translation Trouble

Quotations of translated material from all over the world.

ISTC. Humor>Language>Translation>Localization

Why Web 2.0 Matters: Preparing for Glocalization

Technologists and designers have differing views focused on either the technology and standards or the experience. Even Wikipedia seems confused and cumulative definitions are not inclusive. Buzzwords associated with Web 2.0 include: remix, tagging, hackability, social networks, open APIs, microcontent, personalization. People discuss how the web is moving from a read-only system to a read/write system and they focus on technologies like GreaseMonkey, Ajax, RSS/Atom, Ruby on Rails. Of course, others talk about the paradoxical relationship between openness and control. The reality is that when people talk about Web2.0, they're talking about a political affiliation with The Next Cool Thing, even if no one has a clue what it is yet. Personally, i don't find comfort in any of the business, technological or experiential explanations. Yet, i do believe that a shift is occurring and i find myself emotionally invested in it. So then i had to ask myself: what is Web2.0 and why does it matter? The answer is glocalization.

Boyd, Danah. Zephoria (2005). Articles>Web Design>Localization>Social Networking

Word Games  

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.

Niedermair, Christoph. tekom (2005). Articles>Language>Localization

Working with a Professional Translation Supplier  

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.

Smith, Jackie. STC Proceedings (2002). Articles>Language>Localization

Writer's View of Using a Controlled Language

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.

Muldoon, Donna. TC-FORUM (1999). Articles>Language>Localization>Controlled Vocabulary

Writing Translatable Texts Saves Time

'The 'part', could be called a 'piece', a 'section' or also a 'product' for a change', thinks the technical editor to himself, while writing the documentation for a new semi-automatic stamping and book binding machine. After all, everyone learns in school that you should write using a great variety of words. But how is the poor translator who gets to translate this documentation supposed to know that it always refers to one and the same item?

Vollmar, Gabriele. TC-FORUM (2001). Articles>Documentation>Localization

XML Internationalization and Localization FAQ

You will find here answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about XML internationalization and localization (including XSL, CSS, and other XML-related technologies).

OpenTag. Resources>Language>Localization>XML

Yahoo.es y la Publicidad: Aprendiendo de los Errores

Hoy hemos podido contemplar atónitos cómo uno de los más importantes portales de Internet, en su versión española, cometía un error de usabilidad de libro de bolsillo.

Nosolousabilidad.com (2003). (Spanish) Design>Web Design>Usability>Localization

You Talking to Me?: Usability for Global Audiences on a Shoestring Budget  

For inexpensive usability, plan for content adaptation, presentation, access and feedback.

Bailie, Rahel Anne. STC Region 7 Proceedings (2003). Articles>Usability>Technical Writing>Localization

Перево XML- окументовс помощью xml:tm

Рано или поздно созданный вами XML-документ кто-то захочет перевести на другой язык. В действительности XML-документы переводить гораздо легче нежели другие электронные документы, т. к. они разделяют форму и содержание и соответствуют строгому стандарту и установленному синтаксису.

Zydron, Andrzej. XMLhack.ru (2004). (Russian) Design>Web Design>Localization>XML

Think Globally, Write Locally

Using a process called localization, language professionals translate the source document’s words and adapt its content to the needs and norms of the target country or market. Because language professionals can work only with what they are given, the document’s creator is partly responsible for ensuring the localization process is effective. After all, poorly written English cannot be turned into good Japanese.

Giovanis, Kristen. TechCom Manager (2006). Articles>Language>Localization>Translation

Translation and Localization Options

How do you identify the many options available for localizing your products or materials, and how do you select the right ones for your company?

Johnson, Dan. TechCom Manager (2005). Articles>Language>Localization>Translation

Localizing the Internet Beyond Communities and Networks    

As the numbers of internet users worldwide continue to grow, the internet is becoming `more local'. This article addresses the epistemological challenge posed by this global process of internet localization by examining some of the conceptual tools at the disposal of internet researchers. It argues that progress has been hampered by an overdependence on the problematic notions of community and network whose paradigmatic status has yet to be questioned by internet scholars. The article seeks to broaden the conceptual space of internet localization studies through a ground-up conceptualization exercise that draws inspiration from the field theories of both Pierre Bourdieu and the Manchester School of Anthropology, and is based on recent fieldwork in suburban Malaysia. This exploration demonstrates that a more nuanced understanding of the plural forms that residential sociality can take is needed in order to move beyond existing binaries such as `network sociality' versus `community sociality'.

Postill, John. New Media and Society (2008). Articles>Web Design>Localization>International

Globalizing Garmin: Finding the Way and Other Points

Stay flexible. Maintain vendor relationships. Avoid proprietary lock-ins. Maintain ratio of writers/engineers. Stay focused on deliverables. Shift job descriptions and work responsibilities.

Arnold, Larry W. STC Proceedings (2008). Presentations>Language>Localization>Case Studies

Yours Truly International  

An overview of barriers to global communication and how to address them.

Bailie, Rahel Anne. Intentional Design Inc. (2005). Resources>Writing>Localization>Technical Writing