Re: Multilingual Documenation

Subject: Re: Multilingual Documenation
From: David Neeley <dbneeley -at- oddpost -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 12:39:58 -0800 (PST)


Robert,

I believe it is *always* the best practice for any writing which must be highly accurate to be translated by someone who has native fluency in the target language and culture. Usually, that means that English is a second tongue although there are cases where someone has been reared speaking more than one language and has truly native fluency.

For example, I am considered fluent in Spanish--but I would not pretend to be able to be competent at translation issues regarding documentation.

Unless you have such a person inhouse, IMHO you should employ a professional who is native in both the language *and the country/region* you are targeting. That would usually obviate selecting specialized software for the purpose, since professional translators and translation firms generally have what they prefer to use.

The use of XML mainly means that a good CMS can be used to manage *all* language variants. Then, as the docs are updated, the translators only have to deal with that information which has actually changed.

As far as I can tell, your questions about "DTP and formatting" are meaningless unless you specify *what* problems you're having.

David

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References:
Multilingual Documenation: From: bob jenkins

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