The precursor of localization quality
Today, I’m going to share a fundamental truth about quality in translation and localization. It doesn’t start with the handpicked translators or the latest translation tool with fancy QA features. Localization quality starts with the quality of the source text.
The source text is the original content created before being translated into other languages. In the U.S. context, this would be the English text.
Picture this: one flaw in the source text multiplies across all its translations. Typos, convoluted sentences, and inconsistent terms add up to subpar input for the translation process, leading to poor translation output and higher costs. But, does an error-free source text automatically guarantee it’s translation-ready? Not exactly.
If you know your content will be localized, content creators must take extra care in proofreading the final copy and making it genuinely final. They should also adapt their writing with a global audience in mind.
The role of source text in translation process
Translation is the initial bridge to the global audience you’re addressing. In translation, a translator first reads a source sentence and interprets its meaning. If the sentence is unclear, comprehension becomes a challenge, which may lead to misinterpretations. It may even require the translator to reread it multiple times, extending processing time. This underscores the vital role of the source text quality in ensuring translation and localization quality.
Strategies for creating global-ready content
Now, I’m going to share some strategies to optimize your content for translation and significantly enhance the quality of translations, even before it lands on a translator’s desk. These strategies apply to content going through machine translation as well:
- Clarity: Use clear and straightforward language (though easier said than done!). For instance, favor active voice over passive voice.
- Simplicity: Break long sentences into shorter ones. Resist the urge to use more than two modifiers, and stick to a standard sentence structure.
- Consistency: Maintain consistency in terminology; avoid using different words for the same concept. For example, using “document” and “report” interchangeably can confuse the reader.
- Inclusivity: This might be the trickiest. Steer clear of references to sports, religion, pop culture, seasons, or other U.S. realia. Just imagine you’re an alien who just landed in the U.S., completely unaware of national holidays, sports, or pop culture.
- Proofread. Proofread. Proofread. This is self-evident, yet not always done.
Copy management and translation savings
Here are some bonus tips for achieving extra cost savings in translation:
- Finalize Your Content: Avoid making changes after sending your text for translation. Post-translation alterations will lead to additional expenses.
- Make Your Content Evergreen: Aim to create content that remains relevant over time. This may mean different meanings depending on the context but maintaining consistency in your content is vital. Even seemingly minor changes, like replacing periods with semicolons in bulleted lists, can add to translation costs.
It’s not surprising that many of these strategies align with best practices for creating content not intended for translation. A uniform, clear, and consistent source language will lead to superior results in both human and machine translation, and will significantly improve the overall translation and localization quality.