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A frequently asked question about translation is whether it should be free or
literal. The answer, of course, is that it depends on the
purpose of the text.
The translation of a legal contract should be a faithful reflection of the original, both in letter and in spirit. A sworn translation is the prototype of a literal translation. It has the same legal value as the original.
At the other end of the spectrum, there is a growing demand for localization, in which the translation is adapted as closely as possible to the linguistic and cultural requirements of the country where it will be used.
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Growing Demand
The software sector is growing at a faster rate than any other industry. And the demand for translations is growing even faster. Traditionally, these translations have included marketing texts, package information, and manuals. But increasingly, the products themselves are being offered in different languages as well. People prefer software in their own language. This is not an issue of national pride, but of increased productivity. Users who understand the features of a product will quickly catch on and avoid many errors.
Localized software refers to translated programs that have been adapted to the user's operating system. When a French company sells a program in Germany that runs under Windows, it had better not assume that German users work with the French version of Windows. Accounting software must be tuned in to each country's national legislation to be of any use at all. And even for a less specialized software package, translation remains a particularly technical process.
E-globalcom.net has always been active in software translation, and we have become specialists in the field. In addition to their primary languages, many of our translators also specialize in the use of various programming languages.
Components
A software localization project includes a number of components:
In translation, each component corresponds to a different type of file:
- the interface or the actual software: menus, dialog boxes, error messages, etc. (plus any demos and CBT (computer-based training))
- online Help (RTF or HTML)
- printed documentation (Word, FrameMaker, PageMaker, QuarkXpress, etc.) and its online PDF versions
+ collaterals or peripheral documents: the box, brochures, and website, the
license agreement, ReadMe,
etc.
Internal Consistency
One of the most important aspects of documentation and Help files is consistent
terminology between the text and the actual software. The most frequent error in documentation is the use of different translations for the same software term. That's why it is so important for the proofreader to compare the documentation terminology with the software package. Careful editing will also ensure a
consistent style throughout the localized product.
External Consistency
How Is It Done?
Through many years of experience, we've developed the best — and most efficient
— procedure for managing software translations:
1. translate the interface and recompile the program
2. translate the documentation on the basis of the localized software and adjust the translated software where necessary
3. translate online documentation on the basis of the localized software and adjust the translated software and Help where necessary
4. translate the collaterals
The interface comes first so the translated software will be available during the subsequent translation stages. The printed information is translated before the Help files, because the formatting and printing of the manuals takes longer than compiling the Help files. It's important to schedule extra time between stages 3 and 4, though, to solve any problems that only become apparent when the Help files are completely translated. Otherwise, there would be far too many appendixes and errata in the form of ReadMe files.
For each component, we use a translation memory
and terminological databases.
Unfortunately, a client's time or budget problems sometimes cause deviations from this procedure. When this happens, consistency suffers. Some clients will even attempt to cut time and costs by dividing software translation projects between two agencies; again, this results in sub-par quality and consistency.
Guaranteeing consistency is our hallmark. The larger the project, the greater the difficulty, and in the short run this may result in a higher cost. But the glut of sloppy software translations on the market is stark proof that it's worthwhile to trust your job to an experienced partner.
Quality Assurance in Conformity with LISA
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For a number of years, e-globalcom.net has also been offering an all-in service for interpreting assignments. We take care of the complete set-up, including any equipment such as microphones, booths, and headsets.
We use the same stringent criteria for hiring our world-class interpreters that we require of our translators — many years of experience in all kinds of subject areas.
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| Our track record includes
European enterprise councils, congresses, and international negotiations. Most of our interpreting assignments are for simultaneous interpreting, but we also offer other forms of interpreting depending on our clients' needs. |
Simultaneous Interpreting
| In the most common form of simultaneous interpreting, interpreters work from a booth where they listen to a speech or debates through a headset and transmit their oral translation to the headsets of certain members of the audience. Because simultaneous interpreting requires intensive and sustained
effort and concentration, interpreters always work in pairs.
Simultaneous interpreting allows immediate translation of any number of different speakers, making it very suitable for debates. |
| Reliable technical skills and installation are essential for success, and our experienced technicians can set up and disassemble advanced mobile booths in no time. |
Consecutive Interpreting
This form of interpreting has the fewest technical requirements. The speaker talks for four or five minutes while the interpreter takes notes. Then the speaker pauses and the interpreter reproduces the speaker's message, summarizing to some extent. On average, 80% of the original message is reproduced. Consecutive interpreters must have
public speaking skills and a good understanding of the structure of the speech. The advantage of this technique is that it does not require any technical installation. On the down side, the speaker is interrupted every few minutes, making this a rather time-consuming method. Consecutive interpreting is recommended for speeches given in front of an audience rather than debates.
Whispered Interpreting
Whispered interpreting is the non-technical form of simultaneous interpreting. It should only be used in places where it is technically impossible or undesirable to place a booth, and only to interpret for a small group of people in a larger audience. In whispered interpreting, the interpreter sits in the audience surrounded by her clients. She listens to what is being said and simultaneously translates it, speaking directly to her clients in a low voice. It is clearly a tricky job, and the slightest background noise is enough to disturb the communication.
Liaison Interpreting
This form of consecutive interpreting is also the oldest form of interpreting, where the interpreter is the liaison or link between the different parties. In liaison interpreting, one person speaks and then the interpreter translates his words into his business partner's language. When the partner talks, his answer is translated into the first person's language. This method is less suitable for long speeches, but it is helpful for short business meetings.
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