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Six easy ways to control your localization costs
The document outlines six strategies for controlling localization costs in content development, emphasizing proactive planning and consistent communication with translation vendors. Key methods include developing a global content strategy, utilizing localization-friendly technologies, and designing adaptable templates to accommodate diverse needs. The document underscores the importance of understanding cultural nuances and maintaining clear, concise content to ensure effective translations.
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Six easy ways to control your localization costs
- 1. Six Easy Waysto Control Your Localization Costs
- 2. Bill Swallow Content SolutionsManager, LinguaLinx 17 years’ experience in technical communication
- 3. About LinguaLinx Headquartered inCohoes, NY 50 employees country-wide Founded in 2002 Technologically advanced LSP leveraging a variety of prevalent language industry tools such as translation memory and workflow efficiency Currently provides service to a worldwide base of over 1,000 diverse clients
- 4. About GlobalScript Content Solutionsdivision of LinguaLinx Content development consulting and services Global readiness assessment Workflow improvement Authoring technology optimization
- 5. Definitions Globalization (G11N) all company-widepreparations that must be made in order to enter the international marketplace Internationalization (I18N) creating source material that is locale-independent Localization (L10N) adapting content and presentation for a particular country or region Translation (T9N) adapting meaning from one language into another in a written format
- 6. Poll: Are youcurrently translating/localizing your content?
- 7. Six easy waysto control your localization costs Plan for all of your localized needs up front Consult with your translation vendor throughout Use consistent, controlled content Design templates and layouts that fit every need Use localization friendly technologies Ensure the easiest path for round-tripping content
- 8. 1. Plan forall of your localized needs up front It’s not just about translating what you have. It’s about making sure that your audience has what they need, in the form that they need it in.
- 9. 1. Plan forall of your localized needs up front Localization is not a project-end activity Start planning for it from the very beginning Every aspect of your content strategy impacts and is impacted by localization
- 10. 1. Plan forall of your localized needs up front Why is this important? Translating content is only one piece of the complete picture. Technology considerations can impact translation quality, time, and cost. Not every experience is the same. Needs and expectations will continue to shift. Be prepared to quickly shift with them.
- 11. 1. Plan forall of your localized needs up front The 1:10:100 rule Fixing a problem at the planning stage is cheap Fixing a problem mid-project can come with a significant cost Fixing a problem at the delivery stage can cost a tremendous amount
- 12. 1. Plan forall of your localized needs up front Keep a diverse audience in mind Strengthen adherence to style Identify potential issues for target markets Keep technology decisions in check Plan for exceptions Keep costs down Ensure translators are prepared with the correct approach
- 13. 1. Plan forall of your localized needs up front Develop a global content strategy Many content types Diverse audience Diverse authors Aligns with corporate goals Strengthens corporate brand
- 14. 1. Plan forall of your localized needs up front A global content strategy is NOT… A single actionable plan A technology implementation A siloed activity A translation workflow
- 15. 2. Consult withyour translation vendor throughout Your translation vendor is your local market SME.
- 16. 2. Consult withyour translation vendor throughout Who should be involved? Writers Product development Product management Marketing & Sales Support Localization Any group involved or impacted
- 17. 2. Consult withyour translation vendor throughout Involve everyone from beginning to end Every group brings unique and critical insights to the table Needs vary and may conflict; plan for it Meet regularly Keep market needs and expectations in mind
- 18. 2. Consult withyour translation vendor throughout How to involve your translation vendor Contact them at the beginning Include them in strategic planning If you can’t, at minimum supply them with updates Include them in tactical planning Include when making decisions on style, technology, and delivery
- 19. 2. Consult withyour translation vendor throughout Translation options: Human translation Machine translation Crowdsourced translation
- 20. 2. Consult withyour translation vendor throughout Human Translation Performed by professional translators fluent in both language and subject matter Highest accuracy and quality in translation Able to transcreate content where appropriate Translators can be engaged in strategy development Higher cost and longer duration
- 21. 2. Consult withyour translation vendor throughout Machine translation Performed by software Questionable accuracy and quality in translation Unable to transcreate content Post-translation editing required Low cost and shorter duration
- 22. 2. Consult withyour translation vendor throughout Crowdsourced translation Performed by a mix of people Variable accuracy and quality in translation Able to transcreate content where appropriate Post-translation editing may be needed Lower direct cost and shorter duration Best suited for “living” content (blogs, social content, wikis)
- 23. 2. Consult withyour translation vendor throughout Cultural Differences are Small but Noticeable
- 24. Poll: How doyou create your content?
- 25. 3. Use consistent,controlled content “Translation shouldn’t be a problem so long as my content’s good, right?” What is good content?
- 26. 3. Use consistent,controlled content Consistency is key Structured authoring can ensure consistency Unstructured authoring can as well, though requires additional effort Reuse/repurpose content All hail the Editor! Linguistic analysis/QA tools (Acrolinx)
- 27. 3. Use consistent,controlled content Consistency in unique content is also important Targeted messaging Time-sensitive information must still conform Supporting information for transcreation (document your content) Keep your brand intact
- 28. 3. Use consistent,controlled content Translations should read as if it were originally crafted in the target language. Understanding the cultural and linguistic dynamics of the localization process will help create better multilingual content. Lay it out for all the world Anticipate language expansion Use consistent terminology Write clearly and concisely
- 29. 3. Use consistent,controlled content Avoid: Complex or lengthy sentences Abbreviations, slang, jargon, or undefined acronyms Invented words (unless they are well defined) or words with multiple meanings Anything portraying a way of life or a culture specific to a particular people, country or region
- 30. 3. Use consistent,controlled content Audience Analysis Cultural understanding is critical People consume information and react differently Easier to plan up front than backpedal later Linguistic and localization analysis and testing Develop appropriate information for the appropriate audience, in the appropriate manner, for the greatest value
- 31. Poll: What typeof information do you primarily create?
- 32. 4. Design templatesand layouts that fit every need Think about text expansion Think about text reduction Got graphics? Keep text separate! Do your needs vary? So should your templates!
- 33. 4. Design templatesand layouts that fit every need
- 34. 5. Use localizationfriendly technologies Tools should not dictate your localization plan. They should support it.
- 35. 5. Use localizationfriendly technologies Use a Content Management System Stores content in purposeful chunks Each chunk can be used and reused as needed Write once, translate once, use anywhere A CMS can export content free of layout and images, expediting translation turnaround Most evolve with the times Most facilitate publishing for multiple outputs
- 36. 5. Use localizationfriendly technologies If you can’t use a CMS Use XML if possible If you can’t use XML, use tools supporting reuse Use tools that import/export in non-proprietary formats Global control over formatting is critical
- 37. 5. Use localizationfriendly technologies Soft tools for solid gains Style guides Glossaries and terminology lists Workflows and processes Clear, open, direct communication
- 38. 6. Ensure theeasiest path for round-tripping content Most translation happens outside of source content tools Content must be easily exported for translation Content must be easily imported after translation
- 39. Case Study North American(US & Canada) vendor Consolidation of 26 European markets Introducing XML-based structured authoring process Established centralized workflows Centralize translation memories, glossaries and TermBases Revamp entire desktop publishing process
- 40. Case Study -Results Shorter time to market for frequently changing and updated data Increased enterprise and branding consistency Significant savings through global costing alignment Economies of scale gained in project management
- 41. Six easy waysto control your localization costs Plan for all of your localized needs up front Consult with your translation vendor throughout Use consistent, controlled content Design templates and layouts that fit every need Use localization friendly technologies Ensure the easiest path for round-tripping content
- 42.