Presented at DocTrain East 2007 by Maxwell Hoffmann, ENLASLO -- This session will interest any technical communicator or content creator in the 21st Century workplace. In our post Cold-War economy, dynamics have changed that influence how we must all think through and deliver content. The “English only” market is shrinking on a daily basis. With our global economy, there are few enterprises that can afford to keep content in English only. World markets and off-shore partners are moving all of us into an international, multilingual marketplace. The majority of internet users no longer have English as a primary language. Beyond product documentation and marketing materials, subcontracting and off-shoring of resources may involve patents and critical business information that is not yet available in English. In the USA, local Spanish is one of the fastest growing market segments. This workshop will explore all critical aspects of localization and how you can get started in a sensible fashion to avoid mistakes up front that can multiply as a project goes into multiple languages. Topics include: * The role of Internationalization * Localization vs. Translation * Best practices for managing translation/localization projects * Common Translation methods * Common Translation tools * Benefits of a CMS solution for localization * What is Translation “Memory”? * Managing Translation Memory * The importance of a terminology glossary * Customer and vendor roles in managing a glossary * The Locale Concept * Formatting requirements; Writing System and Language * Major Localization Activities: o Translation o Addition of locale specific features o Object adjustment for expansion o Change Management o Testing o Involvement of key groups (linguistic team, engineering, desktop publishing and project management) * Criteria for selecting a Localization Vendor o Selection criteria, requirements and research o Managing communications with localization vendors

1. Localization 101: How to Avoid Being Left Behind in a Global Economy and Job Market Maxwell Hoffmann Manager Consulting & Training

7. Globalization and You You are Here

26. INTRO: How You influence L10N costs

28. Overview of the L10N process

35. Typical Project Timeline

36. Project Life Cycle

37. Understanding the L10N Process 0.1K to 100K 10K to 500K 10K to 500K Typical sizes Compiled application (online) Compiled files (online) On PDF Proofreading Engineering, QA, linguists Engineering, Graphic design, QA, linguists Engineering, DTP, QA, linguists Team Resource files, string tables Source Web or Help, graphics Layout files, graphics Source Software Online Doc Doc

40. Documentation L10N Process Desktop Publishing Translation Pre-Process Translate Post-Process Import Screens Localize Graphics Grab Screens Engineering Translation Format 1 and Print Edit Format 2 and Format Proof Final Proof Final QA and Review

41. Software L10N Process Set up Replicate Server Train Analyze Build Glossary Pre- Process Translate Edit Post-Process Build Site Format QA Verify Final QA Review Engineering Translation

42. Web Site L10N Process Set up Replicate Server Train Analyze Build Glossary Pre- Process Translate Edit Post-Process Build Site Format QA Verify Final QA Review Engineering Translation

43. Online Help L10N Process Pre- Process Engineering Translation Translate Edit Post- Process Compile Format QA Proof Final QA and Review Verify

44. A Visual Representation Documentation Software Online Help Install,Setup,Analyze,Prep Setup,Analyze,Pre-Process Setup,Analyze,Pre-Process Glossary Glossary Glossary Translate Edit Translate Translate Merge, Build Resize Verify Edit Edit QA Screengrabs Format Post-process, Compile,Format Ship Proof QA Print/Ship Proof Verify QA Ship

45. Creating and Reusing Content

48. Linguist typed in this text

52. One word difference is highlighted here

54. Glossaries and Terminology

56. Sample Glossary

57. Challenges to Localization A sign in a Swiss hotel: Because of the impropriety of entertaining guests of the opposite sex in the bedroom, it is suggested that the lobby be used for this purpose.

59. Foreign Text Issues Text expands when localized

60. Cultural Issues Lotus 1-2-3 was released in Japan without the ability to create radar charts—a common way to represent data graphically in Japan.

62. Linguistic Issues Word order changes in localized files.

63. Graphics Issues Marijuana Death Scary Alien Bird Sanctuary or Slippery Road Xmas Tree or Candle Better Fiber Visual Plant of Some sort

64. This Couldn’t Possibly Have a Negative Meaning Issues Perceived Existing Interpretation Unexpected Answer None Cyclone, hypnotism, voodoo, mental problems, dizziness, danger None Danger, cyclones, Bad storms / omens None Planned Use Calories Calories Sugar Female genitalia / fertility symbol, gambling, road hazard

65. Graphics So Obvious There Couldn’t Possibly Be an Issue Intended Interpretation Unexpected Answer Iron Heavy Calcium Dog Food

66. Doc structure affects L10N costs

68. Challenges with Graphics: Embedded graphics cost more in disc space and upload/download time Graphics that are “stapled” to page (float), not anchored, will disappear

69. Embedded captions, more $$$

70. Keyed captions, less $$$

73. English version lacks “expansion” depth 33% No expansion room No expansion room

74. Revised template = expansion space during authoring

76. About ENLASO

77. ENLASO’s 30 Year History 1968 1998 2001 2002 2004 2005 RWS Group, PLC Founded RWS Group acquires Polyglot International RWS Group launches major software localization center in Boulder, Colorado RWS Group acquires Maryland life sciences language specialist, Translingua, Inc. US-based management led buyout of the localization division of RWS Group from Watertone Limited, a UK Company Expansion of production facilities in Boulder

82. Websites www.secondlife.com

83. GUI

84. Documentation