| Why translation and localization? | | | | Read the text in total, not in isolation from the |
| Translation is as basic a human activity as creating | | | | whole. This is a thumb rule. This would give you a |
| originals. It’s a natural trait of mind to express | | | | feel of the content in its totality. At times, you |
| anything noticed new in the language one follows | | | | get the actual message conveyed only at the |
| naturally. This has inspired the human beings to | | | | end. Also read some existing domain translation to |
| translate almost ever since the beginning of | | | | know what not to do. We should learn from |
| human civilization. Before the advent of modern | | | | others’ mistakes. It would be better if you |
| technology, translated word was the only way to | | | | just read the translation, not the source. This is |
| know that, in fact, there exists such a vast and | | | | very important. A reading would give you a feel |
| diverse world beyond what we could see. | | | | whether this is an original text or a translation. |
| The world is as much indebted to the amateur | | | | General reading is immensely helpful. The more |
| translators as to the great scientists and | | | | you read and know the better for you. |
| inventors, revolutionary thinkers, prophets and | | | | Post translation reading is equally important. Again |
| social reformers. But for the translators’ | | | | read it in total, feel the flow and consistency of |
| efforts, the inventions, the thoughts, literature and | | | | tone, style and narration. If you feel that it sounds |
| mythology, and the revolutionary ideas that | | | | like a translation and not an original, then the |
| changed the world could not have traveled so far | | | | translation has failed the purpose and you have |
| and wide. | | | | learned an important lesson: a translation has to |
| The Challenge | | | | sound like an original. This is fundamental 3. |
| In contrast to translation of literature and | | | | Be close to original |
| mythology, translation in technical domain has its | | | | The success of a translation is measured on how |
| own typical challenges and methodologies. It has | | | | the audience accepts it in the target language. It |
| developed a specialized process of migrating to | | | | must sound as if it is written in the target |
| other languages that we call localization. | | | | language itself. It must be as close to the original |
| Localization is a broad sphere of activities of which | | | | as possible in size, flow, and narration. An |
| translation is a major component. Technical | | | | oversized translation with an entirely different |
| adaptation with due respect to cultural sensitivities | | | | narration is not a faithful translation. This underlines |
| are the basic tenets of localization. This calls for a | | | | the need to be simple and precise, which is |
| perfect blend of technical and linguistics skills. | | | | fundamental 4. |
| Web and telecommunications are new and | | | | Be simple and precise |
| evolving domains. They are spreading at a speed | | | | There is always a need and scope in translation to |
| that no other domains have achieved so far. Their | | | | be simple and precise. The very purpose of |
| user base is growing by leaps and bounds. Unlike | | | | translation is defeated if the message is not |
| other technologies, the web and | | | | conveyed to the reader in the target language. |
| telecommunications did not have time to mature | | | | You would never remember or fall back upon a |
| first in the native land and language and then | | | | complex document for guidance. We tend to use |
| migrate to other lands and languages. Their | | | | heavy terms while translating. We have to resist |
| technical maturity and widening of base have | | | | this and opt for the simpler terms wherever |
| been simultaneous. This is the challenge for the | | | | possible. |
| translators: to be faithful to the domain and yet | | | | Golden Rules of Translation |
| be welcome to the common user. | | | | Follow the source: A major challenge in translation |
| Almost every other day some new features are | | | | is to reflect the tone, style, and structure of the |
| added to enhance mobile experience. Engineers | | | | source. This is simply addressed by respecting the |
| and enthusiasts are working round the clock. | | | | source. It’s always safe and wise to follow |
| Mobile manufacturers are in a cut throat | | | | the source. |
| competition to score over one another. The | | | | Follow the rules: You are always correct if you |
| convergence of different technologies and | | | | follow the rules of language and grammar. A |
| domains has blurred the divide among them. So | | | | grammatically correct sentence is rarely a wrong |
| the translators now have to translate keeping this | | | | translation. Being grammatically and linguistically |
| convergence in mind. This calls for a cross domain | | | | correct is like speaking the truth. You don’t |
| consistency. | | | | need to remember what you said the last time. |
| With the evolution of localization as a specialized | | | | This curtails half of the efforts at the review |
| offshoot of translation, highly technical domains | | | | level. This ensure consistency of language and |
| such web and telecommunications have developed | | | | style. |
| industry specific standard terminology. This is a | | | | Maintain Consistency: Consistency is the basic |
| great help as well as a challenge for the | | | | requirement of localization tasks. To a certain |
| translators. It’s a challenge because at times | | | | extent, it is more important than good quality. So |
| you have to accept a terminology which you do | | | | much so that it can be acceptable if a translation |
| not find welcome from the language point of | | | | is wrong but consistent but it is never acceptable |
| view. This underlines a fundamental rule of | | | | if a translation is correct but inconsistent. And |
| translation: consistency. | | | | consistency is not restricted just to language, but |
| Translation always requires an active human | | | | it is also required in style, terminology, and |
| involvement to come out in a welcome shape. | | | | narration. Beyond that, it extends to cross domain |
| Machines would always have a limited and | | | | consistency. Ever growing convergence of |
| supporting role in translation because they can | | | | technologies requires consistency in localization. |
| only perform in a defined way. They cannot think. | | | | Similar functionalities and concepts in telecom and |
| And here in comes fundamental 1. | | | | software should be translated consistently. |
| Think | | | | Linguistically, consistency makes things easier for |
| Think before you start. And think what? What is | | | | translators and reviewers. This saves efforts |
| the domain? What is the text? What is the | | | | while making changes after the review. It helps in |
| context? Who are the audience? To think clearly | | | | saving costs as we do not need to pay for |
| towards coming out with a good piece of | | | | anything that is already translated. It helps in |
| translation, you need to read. This is fundamental | | | | developing logics and base doe machine |
| 2. | | | | translations. |
| Read | | | | |