Let’s start with an example which is not uncommon for large companies: the employee responsible for translations often does not fully understand the concept of working with specific content, such as graphics and drawings, for instance. Usually, he or she has to send the documents to a translation agency either as a PDF file or scanned. Most probably the person contacting the translation agency doesn’t know whether to send the translation in a specific format, e.g. INND or QX. It’s quite possible that he or she hasn’t even heard of them.
Here’s what you have to provide to your translation agency, so that it could present you with a complete and professionally done end product for the minimum amount of time:
- The full source file documentation, with all the necessary guidelines and details, especially when it comes down to specific texts and formats. You will also have to specify the final translation format.
- Don’t forget to provide all corporate fonts/templates to your translation agency.
- Send all drawings, graphics and images in the required format. If you need translation of the illustrations, you will have to provide us with the original drawing.
- File processing is also needed if you want to change the software version it will be created in. If the company and the translation agency work with different versions of the programs, then the client won’t be able to locate the translated files, as they wouldn’t be saved in the right version. This is why you will have to agree on the version of the programs with your translation agency in advance.
5. You should bear in mind that many languages do have a different word order. English, for instance, is more of a compact language. This means that some English words will not be placed in the translation field provided. That’s a common issue for programs such as Microsoft Publisher where users cannot change interval sizes or reduce spaces between words. That’s why an expert has to decide which part is more important and which is to be ignored without interfering with quality.
6. Technical issues: You should send your translator the graphic designer’s email address. He would help in solving all design- or format-related issues that have arisen in the course of work. This will save you time and prevent you from any troubles in the future.