Ten tips on Web content translation for international audiences

 A crucial component of localizing a global Web presence is translation. Avoiding common missteps can make those efforts easier and more effective.

Web content translation is essential for enterprises seeking inroads with global audiences, but it also imposes some unique challenges that should be recognized before launching any Web globalization project.

The goal of Web content translation is effective communication in multiple languages, but missteps in writing style can create inefficiencies for Web localization or hamper its effectiveness.

In this excerpt from The Definitive Guide to Website Translation, localization professional Stefanie Frischknecht points out some common pitfalls of Web content translation and offers suggestions on the best ways to communicate with global audiences.

I recently came across an article that listed the "25 most annoying business phrases." I forwarded it to my Global Solutions team for a Friday afternoon laugh, asking, "How annoying are you?"

One of my colleagues in Europe responded, "This is excellent! Especially when you are not a native English speaker and your colleagues use these phrases all the time."

Being bilingual -- having grown up in both Switzerland and the United States -- I could really relate to this reaction. It made me think about global audiences and how certain expressions don't always translate the way we intend. These ambiguous phrases lose theirmeaning and can cause confusion. So, in today's global world, the way we speak and write affects others on a wide scale.

As a solution architect, part of my job includes consulting with clients and setting up theirlocalization programs for success. These client discussions often focus on scope, languages, technology, success criteria, goals and other expected topics. But a critical element of successful localization is often overlooked: source-text quality. How well-written is your content?

Your source text serves as a base for translated content in all other languages. And as your number of target languages for translation increases, the impact of your source content does, too. So, when writing for successful translation, it's critical that you plan ahead. It's all about writing it right -- the first time.

To avoid common pitfalls, there are some general guidelines you should keep in mind when writing for translation. Keep your sentences simple and direct to increase understanding -- and use a style guide for consistency, because clear, concise, well-constructed sentences improve translation quality, reduce turnaround time, and cut costs -- which speeds time-to-market and accelerates revenue streams.

Here are 10 tips to remember when writing for Web content translation:

1. Keep sentences brief. For increased comprehension and simpler translations, aim for about 20 words or less. I often ask myself, what's truly important? How can I simplify what I want to say? Reading sentences aloud helps to keep them short and sweet.

2. Use Standard English word order whenever possible. This generally means a subject, verb, and object with associated modifiers. Ensure correct grammatical structure and proper punctuation.

This includes checking the basics, because mistakes can travel across source and target languages. Translators often find and flag source errors, but that shouldn't replace proofreading your source text.

3. Avoid long noun strings. When connecting elements are omitted from noun strings, readers must infer the relationship between the words. If you have to read a sentence several times to understand it, chances are that there will be further complications when it's translated into a different language. When this happens, we tend to see misinterpretations of the original meaning -- or a translation that appears too literal.

4. Use just one term to identify a single concept. Synonyms get in the way of clarity.

Write the same thing, the same way, every time you write it. Finding different ways to write a single concept will not only affect the overall consistency of translation, but it will also reduce the related translation memory leverage. This can lead to decreased quality, increased cost and increased turnaround. Translation memories leverage words in segments, so changing even a minor word has an impact. Always consider reusing existing content that has already been translated -- don't write from scratch if you don't need to.

5. Avoid humor. It rarely translates with equivalency. The same goes for jargon, regional phrases or metaphors. True story: I didn't know what "knocking it out of the park" or a "grand slam" was until I moved to Boston in 2004 and got pulled into watching the Red Sox World Series. Now I get it, but chances are that many translators are as clueless as I am when it comes to American sports. Expressions are not always universally understood or appreciated -- they just don't translate.

6. Be clear with international dates. Style guides should document the handling of large numerals, measurements of weight, height, width, temperature, time, phone numbers, currency and so on for each language pair. For example: 09/07/2015. Is that September or July? It depends where I am. In Switzerland, it reads as July, but in the U.S., it's September. The safest choice is to spell out the name of the month. Using an abbreviation for the month is fine if space is tight.

7. Use relative pronouns like "that" and "which." Even if you don't need them, they may improve understanding. "The software that he licensed expires tomorrow" is clearer than, "The software he licensed expires tomorrow." It's good to check that pronouns have been included rather than assumed.

8. Use the active voice. It's more direct, better understood and easier to translate.

Words like "was" and "by" may indicate that a passive voice is used. For example:

"The software was upgraded by the user" is passive. "The user upgraded the software" is active.

9. Avoid phrasal verbs (containing a verb form with one or more articles). They tend to complicate translations. For example, use "met" rather than "ran into."

Phrasal verbs often have multiple meanings and are less formal. Be on the lookout for two- or three-word verbs. I was trying to think of this in relation to German, but guess what: a "phrasal verb" as such doesn't exist in German.

10. Make sure it fits. English text is often shorter than other languages, which means sufficient space is needed for expansion (up to 35%). This is particularly important for software interfaces and graphics.

Differences exist not only in sentence length, but also in individual word length -- as some languages use large compound words. For example, The Guinness Book of World Records recognizes rechtsschutzversicherungsgesellschaften, which means "insurance companies providing legal protection" as the longest German word in everyday use. What happens when a German translation won't fit into an allotted space? What about white space when text contracts? Planning ahead will save you money and a lot of headaches.

Communication and preparation are key

Cross-cultural communication requires some study and practice to master. But it all begins with preparingcontent for international readers and making sure that source text is easy to translate. Once the stage is set for Web content translation, you can focus on the translation process itself and further refine content to suit different audiences. Writing translation-ready materials will save you time as well as money -- and it'll increase the quality and readability of your target translations.

Source: TechTarget  

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