Category Archives: Translation

The Translation Process

Document translation may seem to be a one step process: you pass along a file to convert into another language. However, a successful end result is dependent upon a thoroughly thought out protocol.The first step that should be considered when having your documents translated is the careful selection of the translator. A translation company is usually selected with future volume considerations and multiple language requirements as the main determining factors.

When selecting a translation partner, a reputation for quality is crucial. A standard for quality assurance is the ISO 9001 certification. ISO certification is based on eight quality management principles which include customer focus, continual improvement and mutually beneficial supplier relationships. Companies must pass a rigorous evaluation and audit every year to maintain their certification.

Many translation companies also utilize LISA-based standards (Localization Industry Standards Association) to evaluate translators and ensure quality. LISA standards use a scorecard system to check for crucial elements such accuracy, consistency and style, and errors are marked as minor, major or critical. This is part of the QA process which is completed before a translated document is sent to a client. Beyond assuring final quality, this system provides continual evaluative feedback for the linguists involved.

Once you have selected a partner, ensure you follow these steps before starting a project.

Gather Source Files

Before you send out a file to the translation company, ensure that you have the source editable file as well as all of the related documents. This should include any images and fonts.

Give Thought to Cultural Considerations

It is important to look carefully at your material, especially photos, to ensure they will be relevant and not offensive or confusing to the target audience. This part of the process is considered the localization of content.

Ensure Adequate Space

Many languages have an expansion rate, meaning it requires more words to express the same idea. Brazilian Portuguese is one language to consider with an expansion rate. Therefore it is important to leave enough layout space in your brochure, manual, booklet or web page. Your translation agency can advise on the approximate amount of language expansion space required.

Have Clear Content

Make sure that content is free of ambiguities. Do not use idioms, as they do not always translate well. Make sure the writing is as simple as it can possibly be, without compromising your professionalism. Also avoid using references to places or people in the source language, as they may not be well-known or even not known at all in the target language.

Be aware translation providers will not translate slogans or tag lines unless you provide a localized version. Improperly localized tag lines and slogans can be a public relations nightmare. Large global companies here like Schweppes, Pepsi and Kentucky Fried Chicken, amongst others have made missteps regarding their localized tag lines.

Provide Reference Material and Assist with Glossary Creation

Before starting work a translation partner will appreciate any approved previously translated material for reference and consistency sake. If you have a translation memory, please provide it. Your translation partner will create a glossary of terms for a trusted reviewer to confirm. This will ensure your translation partner uses the same terminology those in the field such as sales people and distributors are using. It is important to have a consistent message.

Give the Go Ahead

Once you have given the go ahead, your translation partner will assign your work to the best qualified team. Your provider should use a team who has the proper qualifications such as education, training or professional background as well as is a native speaker of the target language. The team will have expertise in the field, so they know all of the technical jargon and nuances of the language.

We hope these guidelines will help direct your translation procedures to produce relevant, effective material in any language.

As a global translation company, Terralingua has worked for some of the world’s top brands. We provide translation and localization services in all languages. If your company would like more information on how we can be of assistance, please visit our website for contact information and to request a quote.

Why Should My Company Care About Translation Memory?

Though you may not even be aware, if your company’s material is translated, odds are a translation memory has been used to create the localized material. An essential question you should ask anyone or any agency who is working on your translation is if a translation memory tool is being used. If a translation memory is being used, it is important to ensure an updated copy is kept for your company’s records, even if you do not own the software. Having ownership of a quality translation memory ensures term consistency and time savings even if you have to change providers.

This article will provide more insight as what translation memory is and how it will benefit your company.

What Exactly Is Translation Memory?

Translation memory is an essential tool used by professional translators. Many confuse machine translation or MT with translation memory or TM. Translation memory is not machine translation but a time saving utility through which the translator accepts or rejects database suggestions much like spell check or grammar checks are used in Word.

Translation memory tools create a database to store aligned source and translated text in segments. These segments contain sentences, lists and titles that have been used in your previous translation work. For example if you translate instruction manuals, you probably use some of the same words and phrases every time you write a new manual. Each language will have its own database aligning the source and target language.

When a translator uses a memory tool it matches any new text to existing translations in the database. Suggestions are then provided as to how these segments were translated in past material. The translator can then choose to accept and insert the matching segment in the current work or modify the segment to create a new entry.

How Do We Know If We Have a Quality Existing Translation Memory?
The translation memory is a reflection of the finished translation. Even if you do not speak the language, a trusted reviewer can provide insight as to the quality and acceptability of the localized version.

If the completed translated material contains the proper terminology and reflects approved content, it is essential to ensure that TM database is maintained and used for future translations. This ensures term consistency and captures repetitive text for discounted per word pricing.

However, if the translated material contains incorrect terminology and is overall of poor quality, you will want to ensure either that database is corrected or destroyed to ensure future translations will not contain the same issues.

Using a translation tool means that words and phrases you have used in the past will be recorded in the database as segments. Every time a new translation is started, the software will search its memory for an exact or similar translation which is called a match.

There are four matching types:

• New words – As the title suggests, these are segments that are not currently in the database. It is recorded as the first occurrence of this segment.
• Exact or Perfect Matches – These matches are 100% identical segments that have been previously used.
• Repetitions – When a document contains several words or phrases that are identical, but not already in the Translation Memory.
• Fuzzy Matches – These are segments that contain similar words and phrases, but are not exact matches. These matches are measured in percentages.

During the quoting process the document will be evaluated for any matching segments within the file or stored in the given translation memory and the discounted pricing per word should be provided accordingly. Most translators and agencies provide pricing with new, perfect and fuzzy match rates.

The technical, business, legal and medical fields substantially benefit from a translation memory tool because a majority of their documentation contains very similar wording. Not having to translate documents from scratch increases speed, consistency and quality.

Does It Matter What Version of Translation Memory Software Is Used?

There are various translation memory tools available. The best known and most widely used product on the market is Trados. Companies usually do not purchase translation memory software unless they have in-house translators who will use the tool.

An agency or professional translator will also not require your company to purchase translation memory software for their use and should provide a copy of the translation memory database upon request. Your company does not need to own translation memory software to benefit from translation memory or to store databases. Companies often archive a copy of the most recent database(s) to pass along should they use different providers or translators. This ensures consistency and repetitive discounts as other providers will use the database if it is vetted.

Request a .tmx file from your provider, which is usually universally compatible regardless of the software. Usually your agency or translator will update and maintain this memory at no cost as well so it is essential to pass along any preferential changes that are made after delivery so the memory may be updated as well.

The top three translation memory brands are Trados, Déjà vu, and Wordfast. The important differences are the ease of use, the file formats that can be processed and of course the cost. All tools usually come with a free 30 day trial. No matter what brand of translation memory is used; it is an essential tool that should not be overlooked. Using TM will ensure consistency, as well as provide time and cost savings which are vital to any organization’s international communication.

Terralingua is an ISO certified translation company that partners with global businesses to provide translation and localization services. We work with many of the world’s top brands to provide documentation, software and websites in all major languages. Visit our website for more information and to submit pricing requests.

What Is Desktop Publishing and Why Do You Need It?

Desktop publishing is often something you will see offered by translation companies, but what is it? Why do you need this service added to your translation project?

Making Translation Perfect

Desktop publishing utilizes layout software to format text and images. A professional translation provider will offer this service to return a translated document in the same format as the original file. This is often referred to as multilingual desktop publishing, as the correct version of desktop publishing software is required for certain languages. Therefore when the Portuguese version of your brochure is returned, it will be print ready and formatted for this language. Translators who do not offer desktop publishing can only return translated copy in a text based format which will require manipulation on your end when the work is completed.

Many companies have an in-house graphic artist or a team to turn over the desktop publishing duties to at this point. However, especially if there is not a native speaker of the target language in the team, errors and omissions can occur when the text is placed into layout unless they are very careful. Many companies want their professional translation partner to provide this service so they have the peace of mind that the text is properly placed with the correct accent marks and fonts. A translation provider’s desktop publishing charge often includes a service called a post-layout proof, which means that the translator will review the text again in the formatted version to look for any improvements.

Desktop publishing is not a simple matter of replacing text with text. There are many special considerations such as an expansion rate with some languages (meaning it takes more words in a certain language to express the same idea). Unless space has been planned in advance for the expansion, extra time formatting is required to ensure the translated version has the same look. Some languages require less text, so the copy area becomes condensed unless a graphic artist is skilled in desktop publishing software.

It is important to ensure your localized document does not look as if it is a translated version. You want your audience to know that the same care that was taken to craft the original document was also given to their material.

Languages such as Arabic are written from right to left, which means that the original document needs to be modified and any graphics edited to fit the layout. Your clients will appreciate receiving documents that they can read comfortably and quickly in their own language, set out exactly how they should be read.

While it is true that translation does its job in communicating your message from the source language into the target language, it is desktop publishing that delivers the cultural or technical nuances in a layout that suits the target language. This is what makes your document not only readable in a foreign language, but embraces the cultural and technical differences in such a way as the document appears to have been originally written rather than translated into the target language.

Use a Professional Translation Company

Multilingual desktop publishing requires working with the correct software that provides multi-platform documents as well as being able to work in languages based on characters such as Chinese or Japanese. Though someone may be an excellent graphic artist in their native tongue, certain languages have complex rules and requirements to ensure the text will read properly. Your company may have desktop publishing software; however your software may not be the needed version to handle the fonts or layout of another language. A professional translation partner is your best bet to ensure the correct format will be returned, especially if you are unsure of your in-house abilities to handle a language.

If you work with a variety of languages in a number of formats and need to re-use your content, then a desktop publishing solution will increase productivity and reduce costs.

Productivity increases because with a desktop publishing service, such as DITA, you can maintain your content and re-use it efficiently. This reduces the time spent copying and pasting from one document to another. For example, you may have several instruction manuals with similar content.

A system like DITA also makes use of Adobe InDesign, which is still the definitive desktop publishing design system according to Forbes writer Tony Bradley. If you are dealing with customers abroad, presenting your documents in a professional format will only enhance your company’s reputation and ensure brand loyalty.

In summary, desktop publishing is a vital part of your company’s professional image in any language. When you market a product or service abroad, you will earn more confidence and trust in your brand if you provide material that effectively represents your message to your target reader. By utilizing a professional multilingual desktop publishing service, you can be assured your company’s image will be properly represented, and it also provides your staff time to concentrate on other tasks and projects.

Terralingua

Terralingua is a translation company who has assisted some of the world’s top brands with the power of multilingual desktop publishing. If you would like us to help your company properly translate, format and localize your documents for the global stage, please visit our website for further information.

Creating Universally Clear Instructions

Often when creating content many do not think beyond the source language. Though your instructions may be clear to you, will they be clear to a reader in another country or culture? Any language needs context to make the meaning clear. This is especially important in technical and instructional texts, where a small error could lead to an expensive court case or a life changing injury.

The use of Simplified Technical English (STE) is one solution to apply to the problem of contextual errors. It is a method that has been used for almost 30 years in the aviation industry. It is a standardized language that ensures all technical documentation with the aviation field is understood on a global level by using rule-based writing.

Use Words and Phrases That Are Easy to Understand

Make your text as simple as possible for the subject matter. This ensures even non-advanced users of a language like English, for example, can understand the written text.

Imagine you are reading a paragraph in a technical manual which says: “This machine uses inflammable liquids; it is not advisable to fill the receptacle while the engine is in motion.”
You might understand the instruction if you were not a native English speaker, but the sentence would be clearer and safer if the paragraph read: “This machine uses gasoline/petrol; turn off the motor before you fill the tank.” Although this text might not appear to be as sophisticated as the first, it is more likely to be correctly understood.

Clear writing involves implementing a terminology system with a set of writing rules combined with a dictionary of controlled or allowed vocabulary. Each sentence should have only one meaning, as well as each word in the sentence. For example, a writer should not use the same word as a vowel and a noun. Rules such as limiting the sentence structure to 25 words make the text easier to read.

Terminology

Every company has its own terminology or vocabulary in its native tongue as well as that used by its field representatives or in-country contacts. A glossary of these preferred words and phrases should be compiled before a standardized system is used.

This requires a centralized compilation and revision process and should involve a select team composed of those creating content as well as the end users. This ensures the terminology is vetted, wide reaching and quality controlled.

Translation and Terminology Tools

When creating content in other languages, tools such as translation memory software are required to manage consistency. This allows all content providers to search for controlled vocabulary and adapt their text accordingly as well as ensure repetitive text is consistent for current and past works.

Translation memory software also has the capability to find and align words and phrases from previous documents to address the challenge of compiling a multi-language glossary.

In summary, clear text is desirable in any language to ensure understanding and avoid expensive mistakes. Centralized writing guidelines combined with an approved glossary are required to achieve efficient and consistent content.

Terralingua is a professional translation and localization agency, who has been working with some of the world’s top brands. Terralingua can provide your company insight on effective and clear global communications. Please visit our website for further information.

Geo-Targeting and Localization: Engage Your Global Website Users

Your company website may be well designed, easy to navigate, attractive and engaging. It will most likely be aimed at consumers who use your products and services and, if your company is in the United States, it will be targeted to an English speaking audience.

Optimizing your business website in your own country is one thing, but if you do business globally? How do make your website attractive to buyers in other countries, where English is not their first language and the customs are very different?

Ensuring your audience receives the website experience matching their language and culture by delivering relevant content is called Geo-Targeting. This is achieved by obtaining the viewer’s geographic location through your website configuration.

Geo-Targeting is critical as studies have proven consumers are more likely to buy products or services from businesses that speak their language. An article on the Common Sense Advisory website outlines a study about purchasing decisions performed by the research company. The report found that in some countries people are prepared to pay more for products because the information is in their own language. The study also discovered that 60% of consumers buy from websites in their own language, despite the fact that they can read English.

Targeting your international buyers is not just a case of providing language changes to your American based website. It is also about considering colors, images and the design of your global landing pages.

Imagine you sell head scarves, and your website uses a photo of an attractive woman driving along a breezy road in an open top Mercedes. That image could be used on websites in France, Spain, South America and China. However, if you want to do business in Saudi Arabia that image would be inappropriate because women are not allowed to drive in this country. Therefore it is best to ensure that landing pages do not have generic images, but are targeted to suit local audiences.

Colors have cultural implications as well. The color white in China and Japan symbolizes death, whereas in Europe and America it is seen as a pure, clean hue. Offers and reductions should also be taken in consideration. What will sell well in America or Europe may not do so well in places like India or China.

Geo-targeting a country’s currency should also be taken into account. Displaying product prices in their own currency will build trust and comfort. Many consumers find currency conversion confusing and may shop elsewhere if they are unable to understand the pricing on your website.

A website that is professionally translated, localized and optimized by Geo-Targeting will have higher sales conversion rates than those businesses that ignore the importance of consumer relevance to engage with their global market.

Terralingua is a translation company that can help your business reach consumers on a global platform. We provide translation and localization services to some of the world’s top brands. Visit our website and contact us today to discuss your requirements.

Going Global – Taking Your Business to New Horizons

Going global was once only for large businesses with a well-known product or service and enough money to solve international business complexities, which include jumping through many legal hoops.

Luckily, the costs and the complications have lessened, and businesses now have an opportunity to spread their wings beyond their home base.

However, before you decide to expand your business opportunities, you will need to do some market research. One of the first things to consider is if the product or service you are offering will be relevant in that country and whether or not modifications are required.

A perfect example of failure to do proper market research comes from the global giant Coca-Cola. They began to bottle their European product in various sizes, including 2 litres. However, unlike the large refrigerators in many American homes, in Spain they are much smaller; therefore a 2 litre bottle would not fit into a standard Spanish fridge and did not sell.

Important considerations to research include your product’s style, colour, packaging and size before launching into a new market. Ensure too that your colours, logo and slogans are not offensive or odd in the target country. The now famous case of the “come alive with Pepsi” slogan is said to have been translated in Chinese as “we will bring your ancestors back from the grave”. Obviously it was a slogan that would not have been well received by the Chinese public.

Ensure planning includes translation of your website into the target language, or have one designed to fit in with the culture and style of the target country. A proper online presence communicates professionalism between your potential customers and your company, and builds confidence and trust in your product. Use a professional translation service, so there are no costly or embarrassing mistakes. Machine translation has its uses, but not when your company’s reputation is at stake.

Use research tools such as Google Analytics to learn who is visiting your site and other valuable data. Once you find your international market, consider using social media as a marketing tool, although make sure the content is localized and relevant to your target audience.

A professional translation company can also be a valuable resource. When you select the right localization partner, you can rely on their experience to help guide your decisions.

There has never been a better time to go global no matter how large or small your business may be. As long as you do your homework, your business should see increased sales and a larger customer base.

Terralingua is an ISO certified translation and localization agency that can help you connect with your international clients. Terralingua has localized content for the world’s leading brands. Please visit our website for a budget quote.

DITA Exchange with Microsoft Word

A Content Management System will help your business get the job done in an efficient, cost effective and timely manner, but in order to achieve this goal your staff will have to know how to use it.

You may have been pondering a content management system, but your staff already has enough to do. If your team does not have time to learn about a new system, understand XML and get to grips with new software tools, then look no further than to DITA Exchange.

DITA Exchange uses Microsoft Word to enable your content Management team to create DITA Topics in Microsoft Word.

About DITA

If you have read our previous blog on DITA you will know that it is a structured authoring system that uses XML with the ability to adapt to other formats. It uses a building block format whereby writers can keep their content divided into topics, eventually building a complete piece of copy. When the time comes to update a piece of information, DITA enables the content writer to only re-use the chunks of information that need to be changed, rather than the whole document – saving time and money. If you want to read a blog written by someone who truly appreciates its benefits, have a look at Karen Lowe’s blog about DITA on her DITA Chicks Blog.

DITA Exchange

The DITA Exchange software tools can be used by your content creators, without them having to learn about DITA or XML. They can carry on using Microsoft Word, but the content is converted to DITA topics thanks to the installed software. So, whilst your team appears to be creating content in Word, they are in fact using DITA and creating topics in XML, which can be accessed by experienced XML users if necessary. Completed content is saved into Microsoft SharePoint, which creates a topic library for the content team.

Staff Training

Like any new system, employees will need a certain amount of training. They will need to learn how to use the topics and adapt to the DITA software, but these are skills that can be easily acquired, unlike training to use XML.

This means that staff training costs are lower and less work time is lost, whilst employees take part in training schemes. It is less disruption and faster to implement.

The Benefits

Obviously any company large or small that produces and re-produces content will benefit from DITA Exchange. It means that your content is managed, maintained and re-used efficiently, without having to spend a great amount of cash on staff training. Its use of topics and the building block formula makes re-using content for translation or updating documents easier to achieve and cost effective.

DITA is used by a wide range of brands throughout the world, including USA, Canada, France and Japan. If you are curious to see who some of these companies are, then have a look at the list of DITA users compiled by Keith Schengilli-Roberts at DITA Writer.

Terralingua is a professional ISO certified translation company specializing in localization and desktop publishing who implements DITA. We have worked with many of the world’s industry leaders and if you would like to talk to us about your company’s global communications, please visit our website for further information.

The Benefits of Structured Authoring

If your company generates a lot of content spread around different departments, or you outsource to a team of writers, how can you ensure that each piece of copy has the same format, style and consistency?

If you do not use a content management system then no doubt you will have an editor whose job it is to check every single piece of content for style, format, consistency and any errors.

So, if you have a large brochure to put into print for example, you must wait until the editor has checked every page and made the appropriate changes where necessary.

Your company is paying the editor for his or her time, and you have to wait until he or she has completed the work before you can get your brochure to print. A costly and time consuming process.

If you produce books, manuals or brochures which are published more than once, you will need to update them and re-use the content that does not need to be changed. If you do not use a content management system, the re-usable content will have to be copied and pasted into the document. Another time consuming task that could produce errors. How many times have you read a page of copy and found a paragraph that has been repeated?

What is structured authoring?

Structured authoring is a system that enables content from any source to keep the same structure so each piece of writing will have exactly the same format, style and consistency. Editing time is reduced by increasing the task’s ease.

Machine Structured Authoring

At the forefront of machine structured authoring is DITA. DITA is an XML-based open standard for structuring, developing, managing, and publishing content. Using DITA you can create structures for any number of documents in the form of templates, which enforce consistency. DITA splits up content into topics, like building blocks. Content and format are kept separate, which allows you to create various templates, with each separate piece of copy stored in its appropriate topic group.

This means if you are publishing an instruction manual using a team of authors, every piece of copy that they send back to you will look the same. Whether it has come from the marketing or sales department, or from writers you use remotely.

When it comes to updating and re-using content, you can use DITA’s building blocks to create an entirely new document, without copying and pasting, in your chosen format. Your editor has more time to concentrate on the actual content, so that it is published faster. It is a cost effective and more efficient way of working.

The other great advantage with DITA is that you can allow your department teams to keep the software tools they are accustomed to using, even if they are not compatible with each other. This is because DITA, which uses the XML standard, is able to adapt the formats of other software tools into XML, ensuring that all your business documents are consistent.

Translation and localization are also easier using DITA because you can create a set of global templates, tailoring each set according to the location.

In a survey carried out by The Content Wrangler in 2012, they found that 44% of the companies surveyed were using a structured XML authoring system and that 81% of them were using DITA.

Companies in the survey were asked their biggest documentation challenge, and the majority of replies were about the lack of a formal content strategy and the inability to re-use content effectively.

What is your biggest documentation challenge? Chances are your documentation challenge will be solved through the use of structured authoring with a content management system. The implementation of structured authoring will produce cost savings, increased efficiency and consistent content.

Terralingua is a professional translation and localization agency who can help your company create a plan to maximize your localized content. We have worked with some of the world’s top brands and we can assist your company to communicate effectively in a global environment. Please visit our website for further information.

Why it Makes Sense to Use a Content Management System

A Content Management System (CMS) is an application that manages the creation, distribution and publishing of corporate material. It ensures all of your information is up to date, secure and efficiently managed from the content’s creation, through to publishing and filing.

Do I need it?

If your company regularly produces newsletters, press releases, instructional information and product updates and does so in more than one language, then a CMS will provide updates of previous information and create new content faster than a manual system.

What are the other benefits?

Ease of Use

First, it can be used by people who do not have any technical knowledge. You do not need to use a programmer or an HTML expert to assist with your content management strategies.

The CMS provides content developers with templates in order to create tailor made designs, formats and structures. Once the templates have been created, they are stored for use again and again. A CMS system separates content from design, meaning that the design of a website can be changed completely but the content remains untouched.

Flexibility

Users can access the system from multiple locations simultaneously, meaning that the marketing department and the sales department can use the system independently at the same time. This increases efficiency and makes content creation faster.

Functionality

Using a CMS is as easy as using Word. Type in new content and press save. You can add or delete content at the click of a mouse. There are automatic updates for some tasks and reminders for others.

The database archive allows for the re-use of previous content without copying and pasting. If you need to produce content in a different language, you only have to translate the new content, which will mean a significant saving on translation costs.

Efficiency

A CMS allows you to make changes to the system at any time and from anywhere, which ensures that you get your content where it needs to be, quickly.

You can write and prepare content for an upcoming event in advance, set the release date and the system will publish your content automatically on the date you have specified.

Search Engine optimization is completed for you. A CMS will ensure that the technical work required to keep your web site noticed by search engines is carried out, so that your business will be found on a search browser.

In a nutshell, a CMS will help your company to efficiently manage your corporation’s content by:
• Enabling non-technical employees to use the system
• Allowing individual departments to work at the same time
• Updating remotely
• Re-using old content
• Allowing faster publishing time

The cost of implementing a CMS varies according to the size of your organization and the tools you want to use. Seek professional advice before the investment to ensure you find the right match to your needs, and not more or less.

Terralingua is a professional localization agency with extensive experience utilizing CMS and can assist your company with effective global communication. We have worked with many of the world’s top brands. Please visit our website for further information.

Do You Know DITA?

Do you know nothing about DITA? There are many technology acronyms out there, but is DITA one worth knowing about? It is if you are interested in content management.

What Is It?

DITA — or Darwin Information Typing Architecture — is a cost-effective and efficient way of managing business content.

It was originally developed by IBM, who then passed it on to OASIS (Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards). OASIS developed the system further and released it in 2005 to the general public.

Who Uses It and Why?

DITA has been heartily embraced by software companies like Adobe, Quark and Codex, who produce technical writers’ content editing tools. However it has also been adopted by many companies who produce instructional content and training material, as well as by translation companies who have been using DITA to reduce costs, increase productivity and make localization more efficient.

There are of course other systems in the marketplace that manage business content, but DITA provides something the others do not — the use of XML and its ability to adapt to other formats.

XML is the primary language used to create what we see on the web. Using DITA means that content can be created and then converted to other platforms if necessary, including Open Office, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF, which saves time and money.

DITA uses topics to manage your content. These topics are like individual content building blocks, so when you put the blocks together you have a whole piece with sections that can be easily manipulated. The blocks can then be separated, the individual pieces of content can be adapted and new blocks can be added in order to make another topic.

Content can be efficiently reused by selecting previously written sections in order to create brand new content, without having to copy and paste or rewrite.

DITA and Localization

Content is not the only thing that these building blocks keep. All the information including colors, font sizes, graphs and charts are all stored separately from the content. Using DITA as part of the translation process ensures that all of the localization considerations for your documentation are already in place.

Once the translator has completed his or her work, the content can be localized by DITA. Color, format and style are all very important cultural considerations. Different countries use different styles, and colors may have negative or positive connotations depending on the target region. Ensuring your content is tailored to appeal to local audiences is vital. Once the format has been set for each intended audience, it can be reused in future campaigns to save time and ensure consistency.

When the time comes to update your content for a new campaign or product, you will only need to translate the new content blocks, which can provide significant savings in both time and money. Translation providers can repurpose the translated content in the translation memory.

Getting to Grips with DITA in the Workplace

Interested in learning more about DITA? Many training courses are available on how to use DITA and they can provide a roadmap from the content writing stage to publishing. It is essential that your entire team knows how DITA maps, topics and formats are used and stored before implementing the system.

Topics are the instructions, the steps needed to carry out the instructions and the conclusion. They are the building blocks that make up the body of the document.

Formats are the layout colors, fonts, and styles according to the platform used to publish the content. DITA adapts the format to suit web content, mobile devices or print copy.

Maps are used to develop content and contain various topics which may or may not be used in the same document. Maps cross reference and play an important part in the reuse of content.

Along with these essentials, an understanding of the translation tools used in the process and in the content reuse is also helpful. Know how and where DITA will be stored and accessed when making your translation and publishing choices.

Ease of use comes once the principles of DITA have been mastered. The investment in training is offset by the long term time and cost savings that will result by implementing DITA for your content management.

We hope this article has provided helpful information regarding DITA and how it may assist in advancing your company’s content management standards.

Terralíngua is a professional localization agency who implements DITA and can assist in your company’s global communication. We have worked with many of the world’s industry leaders. Please visit our website for further information.