Your content is more than just words on a page; they are part of a bigger meaning and message. Once your materials have been translated into your target language(s) by your language services provider, the next step is to ensure your content looks professional and complete in every language.
Language Intelligence provides comprehensive multilingual DTP services to make your content ready for global distribution. Here’s an intro guide to everything you need to know.
What is Multilingual DTP?
Multilingual desktop publishing is the process of converting and adapting content from one language to another. But not every culture expresses the same idea in the same way - there are multiple characters, words, and idioms used throughout the globe to consider. Our DTP team does exactly that - with our help, you can localize your content no matter the locale.
Why Do You Need Multilingual DTP Services?
Multilingual DTP is a crucial step in the entire translation and localization process because without it, your content won’t always make sense! Where translation is the word-for-word rendering of your text, localization adapts your content to be culturally relevant to the region you’re targeting.
Accurate text translations will only go so far with your international audience. Instead, you’ll need to professionally format your content to meet different cultural standards for the best user experience possible. If you choose to translate your content without properly localizing it with multilingual DTP services, chances are your readers will be confused and won’t be able to properly grasp the material.
What Are Some Common Examples of Multilingual DTP Formatting and Graphic Changes?
While every language is different, here are some common formatting and graphic changes our DTP team works with:
Modifying layout designs to accommodate longer languages such as German or Russian. Typically, the German language is about 30% longer than English, so necessary formatting changes need to be made. The same goes for languages like Finish, which tend to be much shorter in length than English.
Adapting left-to-right texts into right-to-left languages such as Arabic, Farsi, and Hebrew. Generally speaking, this means flipping your entire material to look and read properly.
Adjusting images for alignment with character-based languages including Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. This also includes editing the image itself if it includes text.
Ensuring images, colors, and other graphic elements are appropriately localized and are not offensive to the target locale. Our two-step translation and editing process provides an extra quality assurance step as two linguists will take a thorough look at all the graphics for cultural relevance.
Can You Use DTP Services Within Multiple Platforms?
As your trusted language services provider, we’re able to work within a variety of operating systems, e-learning, and publishing software, including:
Adobe Creative Suite
Articulate Storyline
Audacity
AutoCAD LT
CorelDraw
Interleaf
Microsoft Visio
FrameMaker
Photoshop
PowerPoint
Captivate
Illustrator
InDesign
Lectora
And more!
Don’t see your preferred software on this list? We pride ourselves on meeting every one of our customer’s needs, so get in touch and we’ll create a custom solution for you.
At What Step Does DTP Happen in the Localization Process?
At a very basic level, our translation and localization process can be divided into five steps.
1. Requesting a Quote
Our in-house, USA-based project managers will gather your project’s information, complete a source review of your material, and determine an appropriate workflow and timeline to meet your goals.
2. Two-Step Translation and Edit
Our ISO certification requires each project to go through a two-step translation and editing process by two separate linguists, each with specific experience in your industry. We work with an international team of over 400 linguistic professionals who are native speakers of over 150 languages.
3. Multilingual DTP
Once your material has been translated, localized, and then edited, it will go through the DTP step. Our goal is to provide you with content that is ready for global distribution right away.
4. In-Country Review
In-country review is great for businesses that have a native-speaking member on their team who can offer suggestions in regard to company-specific messaging, tone of voice, and/or branding.
5. Delivery
After your project manager performs a final quality assurance step, we will send you back your completed files!
Multilingual DTP Services Helps to Ensure Your Message Resonates Across Languages and Locales
Our in-house multilingual DTP team will work to find a solution for all of your translation needs. Interested in learning more? Get in touch with us and we’ll happily go over some options with you.