Globalization and Localization of your Websites
- More than just Language Translation
By Thomas Parackal, CEO
Language Translation and Cultural Adaptation for Websites
"Since 50% of all online sales will be sold outside the US
by 2004, building a multilingual site has become critical -- particularly
to those companies serious about winning in the Internet economy,"
said Eric Schmitt, analyst at Forrester Research. "When offered
in multiple languages, customer service features like product data
sheets and technical FAQs provide differentiation, build brand loyalty,
and cut support costs."
Have you considered making a multi lingual website to market your
product or service to regional markets? There is more to it than
just translation. Here are the areas that you need to consider.
Global Site Architecture. Your site needs to be globalized with
respect to the following:
o Applications that can be customized for any language or country
o A process for updating local language content, after translation
and editing
Web Localization. The scope of web localization includes everything
that has to do with addressing a regional audience. Translating
the content into the regional language is only one part of it.
It has to take into account cultural differences and cultural
preferences. A common mistake found in multi lingual websites
is the use of national flags for the selection of languages. This
does not address the sensitivities of people who share the native
language, but have a different national identity. In terms of
application development, you have to think in terms of localized
application modules that can be managed by local webmasters
The translation process: The translation process needs to be
versatile enough to take care of phrases colloquialisms and slangs
peculiar to the native language. For example, a phrase in English
like "besides the point" when translated to Japanese,
must communicate accurately. A literal translation of the phrase
can ring out of context. Terms and phrases that are peculiar to
a specific industry is another sensitive issue in translation.
A good translation process must address these concerns.
The services you require for building a multi lingual website.
In addition to translation services, you require the following.
A Globalisation and Localization specialist, who will advise
you on how to sensitize your content to a target regional audience.
A content specialist who will advise the translators on phrases,
slangs, colloquialisms and industry specific terms and phrases.
If you have a requirement for a multi lingual website, or would
like to translate your website or intranet portal to a specific
language, please do contact us.
Having core skills in website and portal development compliments
the translation services that we offer.
TRANSLATION RATES (in US Dollars Per 100 English words)
Sl.No.
Translation from English into the following
languages
