Translating the Ideas, Not the Words

Subject: Translating the Ideas, Not the Words
From: Susan Fowler <sfowler -at- EJV -dot- COM>
Date: Mon, 21 Aug 1995 09:12:35 EDT

Here are a few other suggestions:

Develop a dictionary of technical terms for the writers, programmers, and
translators--if everybody uses the same words to describe the same thing, this
reduces confusion. (The translator doesn't have to wonder if two words are
supposed to be synonyms or if they mean two different things.) For example, if
the person doing the interface puts "Process" on a button, the writers must
talk about processes and processing, not "application" or "applying," for
example, in the documentation, and define it as it is used for the translators.

Organizations that do controlled English have very specific rules for these
dictionaries. For example, it helps to pick terms that are unambiguous--for
example, the words "Switch" and "Default" have at least two meanings; if you
use these types of words, you must say which meaning you have in mind.

Technical Communication and the Proceedings have articles about controlled
English if you need more information (keep in mind that highly controlled
English is not always good thing; semi-controlled English seems better).

Contact the American Translators Association or pick up their membership
directory for translators who are familiar with the context as well as the
language. (Walter Bacak is now the head of ATA, for those of you who used to
talk to him at the STC office.) Call 703/412-1500 (Arlington VA).

Also, when looking for a translator, be as specific as possible re. the target
country. For example, it seems that some computer terms vary in gender and
other important characteristics from one South American country to the next.

--Susan Fowler
The GUI Style Guide co-author


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