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So you want to translate a Martial Arts Book: Part 3

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  • So you want to translate a Martial Arts Book: Part 3

    The Translation Kit
    A Translation kit is a comprehensive set of data that is needed to localize a product into a number of specified languages. In a typical book translation project, the Kit is likely to contain:

    A complete copy of the book to be translated for each translator participating. Although translators sometimes only translate for example a chapter, text within the chapter could contain references to other chapters.

    A set of translation guidelines.

    General project information and requirements, such as quality expectations, detailed schedule, product technical specifications, project history, etc.
    The main purpose of a Translatiion Kit is to supply the translator with all the information they need to successfully translate the material. If this knowledge is not adequately collected and transferred to the translator, this could heavily impact the final quality of the localized product, reduce project management efficiency, and disrupt the schedule. A well organized translation Kit can minimize these risks upfront and lay the basis for effective project communication protocols.


    Project Information Sheet

    One of the first items to be included in a localization Kit is an introductory file, whose aim is to provide an overview of the project, describe the contents of the kit itself, and incorporate essential localization instructions.
    Glossary

    To guarantee an accurate translation of the product terminology and to ensure a consistent use of such terminology throughout the various project components, it is crucial to provide translators with a glossary. It should be provided at the kick-off stage of the project or, in any case, BEFORE translation starts.

    The next necessary step is the glossary review. It is important that all the parties involved in the Language Quality Check process review and agree on the glossary. Implementing important terminology changes in a late stage of the project is not recommended, both because there is a risk of introducing terminological inconsistency, and because this is certain to generate additional project costs, especially if the changes are extensive.

    Questions & Answers
    A good Translation Kit is about effective communication between the client and the localization partner. To make sure that all the essential product information is effectively managed and conveyed to the right people, it is a good idea to set up a form for the exchange of questions and answers. This form will mostly contain the questions coming from translators, concerning terms or passages that are difficult to translate because of their highly technical nature or lack of context information. At project start, it is important to determine who will be the point of contact for each category of queries coming from translators, and how the queries will be categorized, processed, and shared effectively.

    Tools
    A Translation Kit should also mention which software tools (Word, FrameMaker, OpenOffice, etc.) will be required for the project, and, if needed, provide tutorials or relevant instructions for the use.

    Sample Guidelines for translators

    1 Check through the entire document before starting the translation. Look for any mention of other documents which may have been translated previously. (This might help with terminology.) Look for inconsistencies or phrases which do not make clear sense. Ask the person who commissioned the translation about these as soon as possible.

    2 Check layout instructions.

    3 Translators are NOT AUTHORISED TO EDIT TEXT. If the source language is not clear, ask the person who commissioned the translation from you to respond to your concerns.

    4 Make sure that you know the intended readership of the text. If the words and style used in the source text do not seem appropriate for the readers, ask the person who commissioned the translation.

    5 As you work, make a record of specialist words and phrases and transliterated names or titles to ensure consistency within the translation (and in future translations for the same client).

    6 Leave the translation of headings or subheadings until the main text has been translated. It may be easier to find an appropriate translation afterwards.

    7 Personal names and names of organizations, products or places should not be translated. If possible, transliterate the name and follow this with the name in the source language in brackets. If transliteration is not possible, simply write the name in the source language. If in doubt, check this with the person who commissioned the translation.

    8 Some words or phrases do not have easily understood equivalent meanings in the target language. These may be new terms or terms with a specialized use. It may be best to transliterate and then give an explanation in brackets. If it is not possible to transliterate, simply write the word in the source language and translate an explanation in brackets. Agree this with the person who commissioned the translation if necessary.

    9 Do not transliterate or translate addresses. Check carefully that words which are left in the source language are spelled correctly. Use standard western numbers for dates and telephone numbers and measurements.
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