Glocalization is a new word, formed by combining the terms globalization and localization. Glocalization means thinking globally and acting locally. In relation to documentation, internationally active companies must think globally and act locally. As a result, the localization of documentation products has gradually become established as an independent industry. Also, an increasing number of companies are now offering localization services.

In contrast to conventional translation, localization is not just about language. Localization is about adapting to the unique requirements of different countries. For example, typography and cultural conventions are integral parts of localization. The documentation, whether it is for a manual, online Help, or Web site, remains as close to the original text as possible, while also being adapted to the target market.

 

Localization is not accomplished by simply taking an existing text and translating it into another language. Proper localization begins much earlier, with the creation of the original documentation.

 

Global Language

 

Global English makes documentation more user-friendly and more accessible to users around the world. Global English does not refer to the distinction between British or American English, but rather it is characterized by a standardization of grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and punctuation across language variants. It also involves a generalization of language without culture-specific references. Global English establishes a universal language system with the following characteristics:

• Defined and clear terminology
• Simple vocabulary
• An active writing style
• Short sentences
• Clear word order

Just how useful global English can be for an international readership, becomes clear when we consider the multitude of English language variants. Microsoft® Word distinguishes between over a dozen English language variants, including Australia, Belize, Ireland, Jamaica, Canada, Caribbean, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad, UK, US, and Zimbabwe.

 

Global Style

 

The simpler the source text is, the easier the localization process can be. Because it is more easily understood, global English facilitates fast, consistent, and accurate translation. Such a language system also makes it easier to use translation software (translation memories) and minimizes the number of errors in both manual and automated translations.

 

By strictly following defined rules and standards, you can reduce both translation costs and translation time. “Writing for translation” is the guiding principle of global style. The goal is to write source texts in such a way that they can be translated as easily as possible into any language. In addition to the benefits of global English, the following measures also help to write a translation-friendly source document:

 

• Complying with structural and formal guidelines

• Using standard fonts that also support international symbols

• Avoiding use of jargon and slang

• Using international date and time standards, units of measurement, and address formats

• Using pictures in editable formats

• Avoiding culture-specific references wherever possible

• Leaving extra space in case the translated text is longer than the original

• Not inserting tables with narrow columns and a lot of text

• Not inserting manual breaks (for example, word division by hyphenation or soft line breaks)

• Using full sentences

• Clarifying abbreviations with their full form

In order to achieve the best possible localization, it is helpful if the writer of the source text is already familiar with different country-specific conventions, for example, units of measurement, reading and writing direction of the target language, and distinctive geographical or cultural characteristics.

 

Document Proofreading

 

As good as the source text may be, no localization is complete without a final proofread. Ideally, the writer of the source text should also be proficient in the target language, in order to compare the translation with the source text. However, a limited proofread is possible even if the writer is not familiar with the target language. In this case, the following can be checked:

 

• Have all chapters and paragraphs been translated?

• Are all lists complete?

• Have the headers and footers been included?

• Have product and company names been written correctly (provided no country-specific translation is required)?

• Have the correct screenshots been used (for example, are they in the correct language)?

• Have the pictures and diagrams been translated?

• Does the formatting correctly and consistently follow the guidelines?

• Are capitalization and punctuation consistent?

• Are the cross-references and links correct?

• Are the conditional texts and markers correct (for example, in Adobe® FrameMaker®)?

• Have the line and page breaks been correctly formatted after translation?

Summary

 

Glocalization of language has become necessary with the growing need to cover all aspects of global and local business. By thinking globally and acting locally, you can make an important contribution to successful localization – on a glocal level.

 

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13.08.10
Helen Fawcett - Technical Communications Manager bei Comet Computer
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