Mirela
To prepare content for translation and localization, you need to ensure the material is structured, clear, and adaptable for other languages and cultures. Sometimes it takes minimal effort, while other times you will have to identify quite a number of translation challenges and make several adjustments to optimize your content before sending it to the translators. These are the main steps you need to go through in the process:
Assess the content for localization challenges
The first step is to review the content to identify potential obstacles that could get in the way of effective translation. Check for things like cultural references, idiomatic expressions, slang, or phrases that might not translate directly or may be unfamiliar to foreign audiences. For example, phrases like “hit the ground running” might be harder to translate or have no equivalent in another language. It’s best to identify these instances early on to simplifying the translator’s job and improve the quality of the localized version.
Remove or adapt region-specific references
Since you’re localizing for different regions, it’s preferable to remove or adapt references to elements specific to a particular country, region, or cultural context. Avoid local jokes, pop culture references, colloquial terms, or region-specific holidays and historical events. In some cases, region-specific references are necessary, but even then you could choose universal references or generalize them to make the content relatable across different cultures.
Standardize terminology and tone
Consistency, in any shape or form, is key for brands. Same goes for consistency in terminology and tone; it helps translations be accurate and cohesive across different languages. A glossary of key terms, product names, technical vocabulary, and specific phrases that are critical to your brand or product is a very useful tool for your translators. Using a glossary ensures that these terms remain consistent throughout all translated versions of your content. When it comes to the tone—whether it’s formal or informal, friendly or professional—it should be applied uniformly across the content too.
Simplify sentence structure and language
Another thing you can do to prepare content for translation is to simplify sentences by breaking down long, complex sentences into shorter, more manageable ones. If you have a lot of jargon, excessive adjectives, and overly technical language in your texts, you may want to remove it (unless they are necessary), as these can be misinterpreted or lack an equivalent in other languages. Stick to clear, straightforward sentences not only make translation easier but also improve comprehension for end-users.
Check for text expansion and contraction compatibility
Languages vary in length, which impacts the layout and readability of translated content. German or Russian translations tend to expand, while Chinese or Japanese translations may contract. With this in mind, assess if there’s adequate space within your layout to accommodate these sort of changes. If content is highly condensed, look into ways to make the layout more flexible. Where possible, avoid embedding text in images, as it will require reworking by the design team to update translations in graphic elements. Using plain text layers separate from images allows for easier translation adjustments.
Free the content from embedded text in graphics
If your content includes visuals with embedded text (e.g.,infographics, diagrams, or banner), you may have to prepare alternative versions without text or ensure the text is accessible as separate layers in a design file. Embedded text just adds complexity to localization because it requires a designer to recreate visuals for each language. If you want to streamline the process, better use text layers or captions that are easy to extract, edit, and reinsert.
Create a localization style guide
A localization style guide helps maintain the voice, style, and presentation standards of your brand across all languages. This guide should include the tone of voice, grammar preferences, format for dates and times, units of measurement, and preferred spelling for certain words (e.g., British vs. American English). The guide should also cover formatting conventions, including preferred punctuation, list styles, and any other formatting elements that will ensure a cohesive look and feel. By creating a style guide, translators have a clear point of reference, reducing guesswork and improving consistency.
Provide context
Context is so important, especially in documents where sections are highly modular or contain numerous phrases out of context. Guide your translators by providing notes for sections or add brief explanations where meaning may be ambiguous. Adding this context not only prevents misunderstandings but also leads to more accurate translations.
Flag sensitive or regionally specific content
For markets with distinct cultural or political sensitivities, make sure to flag content for careful handling during translation. Sensitive topics are those that include political statements, religious references, or gender-related language, for example. Flagging areas like these ensures translators and localizers are aware of potential sensitivities and can make adjustments to avoid unintended offense. For complex cases, there are regional experts who can provide insights on how to approach specific sections.
Review for multilingual SEO compatibility
If you plan on using the content online, check that it’s optimized for multilingual SEO. Don’t just translate keywords, work with SEO experts to localize keywords based on regional search trends and language-specific search behaviors. Also review your headers, meta descriptions, and image alt text so that they’re suitable for local search engines and align with commonly used keywords in the target language. This will enhance the visibility of your website(s) and drive relevant traffic from various regions.
Summing up
To prepare content for translation, you need to take the time to review and adapt your files with these steps in mind. Only through careful planning you get accurate and culturally relevant translations. This preparation phase minimizes misunderstandings, reduces the need for significant post-translation revisions, and guarantees a smoother and faster localization process.