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Outline

Translation QA Nadia Ballard Nadia Ballard Consulting

Translation QA— Why and Why Not Advantages: Verify the accurate and effective translation of the intended message Prevent company clients from losing time/money Prevent legal consequences due to bad translation Disadvantages: Expensive May cause delays in product delivery

Topics of Discussion: What levels are involved in QA of product documentation translation?  What factors are involved in QA of product documentation translation? What options can be taken when implementing QA for product documentation?

Levels of Translation Basic Language Standards Internationalization Standards Localization Standards Functional Accuracy Product Functionality Corporate Image Standards

Basic Language Standards QA check points: Grammar Spelling Consistent tense use Consistent use of modifiers, adjectives, prepositions Proper sentence structure Proper vocabulary

Internationalization Standards QA checkpoints: Consistent writing style Simple, standardized vocabulary No cultural references Short, flexible paragraphs Basic (core) information

Examples of Internationalized Symbols...

Localization Standards QA checkpoints: Look for appropriate use of: graphics, symbols, icons, colors writing style (formal/informal, passive/active voice, present/future tense) text format and page layout date/time/currency/number/decimal pt. formats Underlying cultural context Local Legal Requirements

Example of Localization... Original Business Letter Dear Sir: Your name and address were referred to me by the Illinois Department of Agriculture--Far East Office. They stated that you had expressed an interest in our products and requested further information. I am therefore enclosing a brochure which itemizes our products and services. Please let me know your exact requirements. I will be happy to provide you with further details. Thank you for your participation at the Illinois Slide and Catalog Show. I look forward to your reply. Sincerely, Pete Jones Director of Sales

Example of Localization... Localized Business Letter Dear Mr. Yen Zen-jiu: I hope you have  had a safe journey home and that you found your family in good health. The Midwestern part of our country where you graciously visited continues to have wet weather, but I am thankful for the rain after our two years of drought. Ag-World wishes to thank you for your participation at the state Agricultural Convention and for stopping by our booth. Our firm is situated in Bloomington, Illinois, the heart of grain and cattle country. It has a history of 10 years’ experience in selling livestock and livestock equipment. It has trade relations with more than 45 countries in the world. Our firm is well known for its excellent service and good quality products. In 1987 we sold 168 hogs to China. We wish to establish relations with China on a regular basis. We would like to know whether our breeding livestock and livestock equipment, such as Pork-Preg, Pork-alert, and Beef-o-meter, could benefit you in any way. I will be very happy to provide you with further information. May your seasons be fruitful and plentiful. Sincerely, Pete Jones

Functional Accuracy Product functionality Checkpoints: product functionality industry terminology product feel and purpose Corporate Competitive-Edge Checkpoints: company image corporate vision company position within the industry

Ensuring Functional Accuracy... (example) Cardholder--Titular de la tarjeta, tarjetahabiente, miembro de la tarjeta, afiliado de la tarjeta Management--Administracion, gestion, gerencia, control Open-to-buy--Listo para comparar, cuenta abierta para comprar, disponible para comprar Merchant--Comerciante, comercio, establecimiento comercial Co-branding--Coparticipacion de marcas, programa de tarjetas con dos marcas, marcas compartidas

Factors Involved in Translation QA Time Money Expertise Resources

Required Skills/Expertise Level 1: Basic language standards -- in-depth knowledge of the language, editorial skills, red pen, Post-it flags Level 2: Internationalization standards -- all of the above + professional awareness of intercultural communications, and writing and editing for international audiences

Required Skills for Translation QA Level 3: Localization standards -- all of the above + familiarity with cultural nuances, industry, corporate mission, product functionality Level 4: Functional Accuracy -- all of the above + business acumen,  feel for marketing, and strategic thinking

Quality Assurance Resources Staff Local Company Branch Outside Consultant Client Translation Agency

Evaluation of Resources In-house Staff Advantages: available familiar with the product familiar with the industry familiar with the corporate mission Disadvantages: heavy staff expense down-time prior commitments can interfere with timely/optimum staffing

Evaluation of Resources Company Branch Advantages: familiar with product/industry/ corporate mission easily available Disadvantages: heavy staff expense down-time prior commitments may favor specific dialect

Evaluation of Resources Outside Consultant Advantages: professional, skilled, experienced familiar with cultural nuances quick turnaround Disadvantages: expensive not familiar with product /company/ industry may raise issues of confidentiality

Evaluation of Resources Client Company Advantages: cost-effective product familiarity (with established client) familiarity with industry Disadvantages: no control over resources/schedule no familiarity with corporate mission possible use of localisms

Evaluation of Resources Translation Agency Advantages: professional staff familiarity with cultural nuances (usually) familiarity with industry Disadvantages: expensive (initial draft) no familiarity with product/company

The Translation QA Checklist Establish processes for translation reviews Establish quality standards Establish deadlines/cost estimates Establish alternative methods

Do It Yourself Translation QA Check the accuracy of the translation against the source language. Review for match in cross-references, table and figure numbers, index entries, etc. Compare the “look and feel” of the documents to a similar document from the target country.

Know When to Stop

Questions?