Posts Tagged ‘Localization’
On the Idea of “Product Evangelist” in Technical Communications
I love product evangelists for two good reasons: (1) I love software products. I have no idea how we lived back in the 60s and 70s without any software doing all these wonderful things on our desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. (2) I like and admire the product evangelists that I’ve met both in person…
Read MoreThe True Scope of a Localization Project
What is Localization? Some technical communicators think that “localization” is one and the same thing as “document translation.” Localization certainly encompasses translation but that’s not all. A localization project can include a lot more than just translating a user manual or two. Just consider the following list of BOM (Bill of Materials) introduced at a…
Read MoreSTC India Article: "7 Ways to Avoid Misunderstandings When Writing for an International Audience"
© 2010 Ugur Akinci Just published my first article in INDUS, STC (Society for Technical Communication) India Newsletter, October 2010 issue. 7 Ways to Avoid Misunderstandings When Writing for an International Audience Please let me know what you think. Welcome all comments…
Read MoreLocalization – Problem with Translating Phrasal Verbs – English-French Examples
Introduction There are many problems faced by translators when they try to translate from English to French. Language is not the only thing that affects the quality of translation; cultural context also plays a role in how texts work in one language and not in another. This is because languages do not work in isolation…
Read MoreEliminate Nominalization from your Technical Writing
© Ugur Akinci Eliminate nominalization (i.e., turning verbs and adjectives into nouns) not only from your technical documents but from all your writing. Nominalization is the name grammarians have given to the process by which direct verbs are turned into convoluted phrases by adding suffixes like –tion, –ment, etc. There are other ways (fertile…
Read MoreThe Difference Between Globalization vs. Localization in Technical Writing
Technical communicators are faced with localization versus “globalization” choices when generating documents for an international audience: 1) They need to do something and change the document before the product or service can be offered to the international audience. 2) They either need to GLOBALIZE the product or LOCALIZE it. 3) The choice made in the…
Read MoreLocalization — Don’t Use Phrasal Verbs in Your Technical Documents
Introduction to Localization Localization of technical documents requires the translation of the technical text into local languages. Some English components do not have corresponding equivalents in other languages and thus are almost impossible to translate correctly. Globalization versus Localization Localization is the process of adapting a product to suit different regional or international markets. It…
Read MoreFree Articles on Localization and Translating Technical Documents
Here are some free articles about various aspects of technical document translation and localization, courtesy of Global Vision International, Inc. Thou Shall Have Free and Transparent TMS: Client Side News Article Does Your Product “Speak” Your Client’s Language? Is the World Wide Web Really Worldwide? Localize Your Product To Globalize Your Business To Localize Or…
Read MoreTechnical Book Review – "Enabling Globalization" by Nabil Freij
© 2010 Ugur Akinci “Enabling Globalization: A Guide to Using Localization to Penetrate International Markets” by Nabil Freij, the President of the localization company GlobalVision International Inc. is a must reference for everyone thinking to market products and services globally. It’s kind of ironic but true – globalization requires localization, and this book has plenty…
Read MoreHow to Prepare an Ideal Localization Kit
Introduction to Localization Kit Whenever undertaking a new project, and regardless of who will be performing your localization, the first thing to do is to create a complete localization kit and a localization project Bill Of Material (BOM). What is a BOM? A BOM is a localization kit containing all the files that need to…
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