More and more businesses are turning to e-learning for training and development. First, with multicultural and multilingual workforces, e-learning localization gives businesses the ability to provide the same content and experience in different languages. Second, in-person training is more limited since the start of the pandemic, and e-learning has given companies the ability to continue to train employees in a safe environment.
At True Language, we don’t just translate e-learning courses, we localize them, meaning we translate all the content to be appropriate for people in specific countries/locales. (For example, the Spanish spoken in Spain is very different from the Spanish spoken in the Caribbean, as well as the customs.) Before you localize your e-learning course, there are some things you should keep in mind. Here are 10 things you should know before translating your e-learning course.
1. Know what needs to be localized.
From traditional video to interactive quizzes and navigation, e-learning comes in a variety of forms. All of the content should be localized, including:
- Written content
- Graphics and visual examples
- User-experience elements (navigation buttons, quizzes, etc.)
- Audio and video elements
- Formatting (dates, calendars, etc.)
2. Plan for translation from the start.
There are so many things to consider when localizing that it’s best to plan for it if you think there’s any chance you’ll branch out into other countries. When creating the content, doing this will allow you to consider things such as leaving room on screen for extra text, making it easy to exchange appropriate examples or graphics, and designing navigation in a way that makes sense to people no matter what language they speak.
3. Leave room for text expansion.
Most text doesn’t translate directly, meaning we don’t just use different words, we also describe things in different ways. When translating from English into German, text will expand in voice-over and written form by 10% to 30%. Whereas, translating from English to Mandarin will cause text to shrink 20% to 50%. With video that will have a voice-over, your localizer may need extra footage for longer explanations. For text on screen, you may need to make it easy to add additional slides to accommodate the extra text.
4. Keep content “neutral.”
When writing your content, avoid the use of regional terms or examples and references to pop culture or religion that may not translate well. A common saying such as “a piece of cake” might be easy to translate word-for-word, but to people in another culture, it wouldn’t make sense. Additionally, some sayings might even be inappropriate or offensive when translated.
5. Write the final version of the course in English first.
If you begin localization before you finish your editing process, you may put yourself in the position of having to re-translate sections of your content. Make sure you finish editing and finalize your text in English, then begin the work to localize with your translation partner.
6. Use a translation memory tool.
A training or development course can contain many repeated terms throughout the course, especially when you’re referring to things like software or processes they’ll be using. Translating the same terms over and over can increase your translation cost. A translation memory tool saves words and phrases in its memory, so when a term repeats, it’s automatically translated. Then, all the translator has to do is make sure the term still fits within its new context.
7. Use a rapid authoring tool that facilitates translation.
The software you choose to author your course is important as some will more easily allow you to complete steps needed for translation and localization. Lectora Inspire, Adobe Captivate, and Articulate Storyline are software tools known for their translation and localization abilities. For example, Lectora allows users to publish a single course in multiple languages, which means users may select the language of their choice when beginning the course. Captivate adjusts the language and settings based on the user’s location. And, Articulate Storyline makes it easy for users to export text files for translation and then import the translated text into the course.
8. Your graphics and navigation need localization.
Graphics need to be localized as well as the text. Some symbols and images are universally understood, but interpretation of colors and images can also differ from one culture to another. For example, the color white can stand for cleanliness or elegance in the U.S. and U.K., but it can represent death or bad luck in Asian countries. You need to note all the visual elements that need to be evaluated by your localization partner, such as navigation buttons, progress bars, speech bubbles, and signs. Your localization partner should also evaluate animations, video clips, and any symbols to make sure none would be offensive or inappropriate to another culture.
9. Choose the right localization partner.
Look for a localization partner who can take on your whole project from start to finish. Having to transition to another partner for specific parts of the project will add frustration and time to your timeline. Choose a partner that makes use of the latest translation technology like translation memory tools in order to work efficiently. Make sure to ask potential partners if they’re familiar with translating e-learning courses, and look for client reviews and testimonials. True Language is very experienced with localizing e-learning courses, and has a number of business partners who are willing to share about their experience working with us.
10. Test the final version on a native speaker.
Hopefully, your localization partner will have this part covered, and you can ask them how they will “test” your course with native speakers. The ultimate test of whether your course is localized is if a native speaker can learn the information and navigate through it with no issues or confusion. Having a native speaker go through the course will help you catch any pieces that may have been missed and adds a quality control measure to your process.
Knowing these ten things will put you in a good place going into your e-learning localization project. If you’re looking for a localization partner experienced with e-learning, contact us at True Language for a project quote, and we’ll get you on your way to accomplishing your global learning goals.
