Stc 2014 unraveling the mysteries of localization kits

© 2010 Net-Translators, LLC. All rights reserved© 2014 Net-Translators. All rights reserved www.net-translators.com
Unraveling the Mysteries of Localization
Kits for Translation Projects
Gina Wadley-BMC Software
David Sommer-Net-Translators

© 2014 Net-Translators. All rights reserved
Introductions-Co-Presenters
Gina Wadley
Staff Information Developer /
Localization Coordinator
BMC Software
David Sommer
Dir. of Strategic Operations
Net-Translators

Agenda
• Objectives
• Localization workflow
• Reasons for localization kit / translation kit
• Localization kit components
• Component examples and real-world samples
• Hands-on workshop:
– Start a glossary/termsbase
– Assemble a sample localization kit using handouts
– Identify and resolve issues with content
– Feedback / Q&A
• Summary

Objectives
• Understand the importance of creating and maintaining
a localization kit
• Acquire basic knowledge of concepts, tasks, and tools
to create a localization kit
• Communicate and work more effectively and efficiently
with your localization providers for high-quality results
• Become empowered and more valuable as a technical
communicator by showing ways to improve quality,
meet deadlines, and save on cost

Localization workflow

Why do you need a Translation Kit?
• To communicate with the language provider
• To accurately budget the project
• To provide critical information about the project
– Scope
– Schedule
– Timelines
– Deadlines
– Expectations
– Deliverables
– Project limitations
– Reference materials
– Training

Localization kit components
• Instructions
– What to translate / not translate, e.g.
– Do not translate product names.
– If UI is not localized, how to handle the UI references?
– How do you handle proper names if used as example
(John Smith>Johannes Schmidt)
– Deliverables
– Format
– UI (UTF8, ANSI, Compiled, etc.)
– Doc (Compiled help, PDF, Word, INDD, etc.)
– Naming convention, e.g.
– Name_of_file.prop > Name_of_file_Fr.prop
– Directory structure
– Text limitations

Sample Instructions
• Simple translation and DTP

• Reference material
– User documentation
– Quick start guides, user manuals, etc.
– Online help (WebHelp, etc.)
– Software application/build/instance
– License, credentials, URL for Web applications, installation files,
etc.
– Demo data

• Training material
– Product management WebEx demos / product walk-throughs
– Employee product training presentations
– Video tutorials / screencasts
– Web-based training
– Support material
– Marketing material
• How much training to provide
– Scope
– Timeframe
– 1 hour to 2 weeks…
– Support

Content example: Before context

Reference example: Training video
• EDCO

After context

• Terminology/TermBase/Glossary
– Monolingual
– Glossary of terms
– UI elements
– Multilingual
– Filters
– By Product
– What to include
– Proprietary terms
– Specific industry terms
– Jargon

• Translation Memory (TM)
– Preferred native format
– TMX if porting to another tool
– Filter
– Project TM
• Caveats for TM vs. ad hoc or external translations
– Ad hoc translations by bilingual colleagues
– Translation websites (e.g., Google Translate, Reverso,
Microsoft Language Portal, etc.)
– Multilingual web sites and glossaries, e.g. Wikipedia and ITIL
– Competitors’ websites

• Style guides
– Corporate
– Language
• https://www.microsoft.com/Language/en-
US/StyleGuides.aspx

• Communication Protocol
– Skype
– Email
– Phone
– Issue tracker
– Portal (Web site, wiki, etc.)
– FTP site

• All Source files
– RESX, XML, PO, Properties, etc.
– Multilingual
– Filters
• Tips
– Make sure that your files are localizable
– E.g., FrameMaker does not support RTL
– Don’t embed text in graphics – use Photoshop or Visio with layers
– …and so much more

• Payment information
• Deadlines
• File transfer

Terminology
• Definition from Wikipedia
– Terminology is the study of terms and their use. Terms are
words and compound words that in specific contexts are given
specific meanings, meanings that may deviate from the
meaning the same words have in other contexts and in
everyday language.

Terminology
• Terminology Management
– Combined semantic & conceptual approach to terminology
– Mine for term candidates
– Populate with relevant metadata, e.g.
– Terms
– Definitions
– Context
– Source
– Gender
– Part of speech
– Approval
– Translation
– Approval of target terms

Why is context important?
EN FR
Far Adj.
Normal Adj.
Close Adj.
Close Verb

Sample TermBase

Comments in UI string table

TermBase in Passolo

TermBase in Studio

Sample Translation Request
Submission

Sample submission - email

Email

Sample kit
• What's missing from this submission?
• OPEN

Let’s Build a TransKit
1. Source files
2. Instructions
3. Training and resources
4. Reference material
5. Glossary or TermBase
6. Translation memory
7. Style guide
8. Contacts and preferred communication channels
9. Deadlines/schedule
10. Payment/budget information

Handouts
Document Description #
Pages
1. My TransKit Checklist High-level list of localization kit items 1
2. Getting Started Glossary Excel spreadsheet with 3 example terms 1
3. Sample of Instructions (from customer) Sample email to LSP with instructions for
translation job
2
4. Sample UI string queries Sample questions from translators and
answers by localization coordinator /
developer
1

Hands-on Assignment
1. Add 2 new English terms to the Getting Started
Glossary.xlsx which might be candidates for a
Termbase.
2. Read the sample submission email on slides 30
and 31.
3. Use the My Transkit checklist to determine if
high-level localization kit components are
present
a. Note any missing components
4. Use the Sample of Instructions.docx as a guide
to create your own set of instructions.

Summary
• A Transkit is not that difficult to create and
maintain
• The Transkit is helpful in managing the translations
• Transkits are doable irrespective of the technology
• Transkits reduce project delays

Stc 2014 unraveling the mysteries of localization kits

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