by Andres Heuberger, ForeignExchange Translations, Inc.

Why do technical writers need translators and translation companies? With all of the advances in computer technology, can't I just use a software application or online translation tool instead?

The past decade has seen significant advances in machine-translation (MT) technology. While MT is still a ways off its goal of replacing human translators, today it is used successfully in several industry sectors (incl. automotive, aerospace, defense) with lots of documentation to be translated.

The OASIS DITA (Darwin Information Typing Architecture) standard promotes semantically tagged XML topics that are combined using DITA map functionality to produce integrated deliverables of technical content to end users. Individual XML topics can be translated once and used in multiple deliverables. Individual XML topics can be translated early in the product-development life cycle to facilitate simultaneous shipping of product in multiple languages.

Bring together two powerful OASIS XML standards (DITA and XLIFF), and you get a process that reduces the costs and risks associated with translating topic-oriented, XML-based content. In this business-focused Web session, a panel of XLIFF/DITA/Translation experts attempt to answer key questions:

* What is the Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA) standard and what does it have to do with the localization and translation of content?

Translation Management Systems (TMS) are making inroads to enhance localization processes, collaboration and meeting requirements. A must attend session if you're involved in localization and don't know what TMS is.

For more information, please visit www.globalvis.com/news/webinarsignup.shtml.

To register, please contact GlobalVision International, Inc.

If you are interested in learning about the latest technologies, processes, methods, techniques, collaborative environments and workflows used in the locailzation and translation industry, read the following blog: http://globalvis.blogspot.com.

It is a bi-weekly blog and highly frequented by technical communicators and localization experts.

You can also get free information, articles, webinars and white papers from the following site: www.TranslationInsight.com.