When planning translation for your content the most frequently underestimated item is the source text.
However, this is critical, especially if considering translating into multiple languages as it forms the basis for your coming plans.
There are common pitfalls to avoid when writing for translation so it is important to plan ahead by using the following guidelines:
1. Be brief
Long, drawn out sentences can increase reader confusion so keep things brief and to the point. Choose only essential information, disregard what isn’t important.
2. Use standard English
Correct sentence structure; subject, verb, object will give proper grammatical structure. Check all the basics (punctuation, grammar, spellings) before translation as this saves reworks later.
3. Don’t be ambiguous
If readers have to infer what you are trying to communicate there is room for error. If it takes two or three readings to grasp the message, then chances are that after translation it will only become more difficult to understand.
4. Linguistic continuity
Writing the same thing in the same way reinforces your message and gives clarity to readers. Don’t get carried away with using synonyms as this may affect translation memory leverage leading to increased costs, decreased quality and delayed turnaround times.
5. Don’t try to be funny
It rarely translates with parallels in another language. Regional phrases, metaphors, colloquialisms, idioms and allegories are generally relevant to one language only, and are likely to be misunderstood after translation.
6. International dates
Style guides should dictate the management of numerals, weights, measures, height, width, currency and so on for each translation.
In some countries the way a date is displayed can vary from the source text. For example, in the UK 10/05/2017 is actually the 10th of May, but in America it would become the 5th October.
It is usually safer to spell out the month rather than use numerical alternatives. Abbreviations can be used if space is limited.
7. Use relative nouns
Relative nouns such as “that” and “which” can help reader comprehension. Also, remember to check pronoun usage as this shouldn’t be assumed.
8. Active voice
The active voice is more direct than a passive one, and is easier to translate and understand. Words such as, “was” and “by” indicate a passive voice. For example, “the software was upgraded by the user” is a passive voice, whereas, “the user upgraded the software” is an active one.
9. Avoid phrasal verbs
Phrasal verbs can often have a multitude of meanings and can be ambiguous. For instance, use “met” as opposed to “ran into” as the first is less likely to be misinterpreted and is more formal.
10. Sufficient space
The English language is often shorter than other languages meaning sufficient space should be allowed for translated texts. Some languages can be a much as 35% longer than the English source document. Be aware of this when planning translation as graphics, software interfaces etc can be distorted and will be visually unappealing.
Top translated content isn’t rocket science but it does take planning, forethought and patience to get it right. Ensuring your source content is translation ready by following the above tips will save you time and money later, and give an effective end product.
By communicating with your Language Service Provider (LSP) you can ensure that your translated text is not only understandable and clear, but also expresses your unique brand voice giving you the best chance of a successful, quality translation.
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