Getting Ready for Translation

Often times companies take the single most important question for granted: into which language(s) do we need to translate? Perhaps the answer is not as obvious as one may think, and it influences many aspects of each project.

Some people may not realize that some languages differ in use from one country to another. For example, European  French, Spanish and Portuguese all vary significantly from their North & South American counterparts . And there are two kinds of written Chinese, Simplified and Traditional, both independent of spoken Chinese. See our list of the world’s official languages to help you decide which languages you need and call us to help you get your project started in the right direction.

Another important thing to consider is that English language materials written for an English-speaking audience frequently have “hot spots” (seemingly innocuous, easily-overlooked language) which can cause delays in the translation process. See if you can find any of the following in your source document(s):

Consider the following before getting started with the translation of your documentation, collateral or online content:

Once you know your target markets and languages, it may be helpful to communicate with your in-country representatives, distributors or subsidiaries. Get ideas and input from them about their customer’s specific needs or “hot buttons” that drive their purchasing decisions. Try to compose and tailor the style, layout, language and approach of your English source documentation to meet the cultural standards and expectations of your target audiences. Review existing source documents and decide what changes could be made. Whenever possible, it may be a good idea for your foreign sales office or subsidiaries to approve your final source documentation before the translation process actually gets started. Just some food for thought.

By Jason Wood
CEO & Managing Director

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