Online training (or eLearning) has become the preferred way for global companies to reach learners around the world in an efficient and effective way. As a learning and development professional, you are tasked with creating engaging training content. In some cases, you might be tasked withlocalizing that same content for different language markets. It may sound complicated, but it doesn’t have to be!
IN THIS POST, WE’RE GOING TO EXAMINE WHAT TRAINING LOCALIZATION MEANS FOR YOUR COURSE CONTENT AND ENGINEERING OF YOUR FILES!
In it’s simplest form, eLearning localization content means taking a course from it’s source language and translating it into one or more target languages. Localization takes many different components into account including (but not limited to) acronyms, cultural norms, currency, color, graphics, slang and symbols. If your training has audio or video components, localization will mean voiceover narration, dubbing, or subtitling solutions.
Our team at LinguaLinx provides training localization solutions for you. Our goal is to make sure that your content reads as though it was made for learners in your target language market. Our other goal is to be your partner and make sure the localization process runs as smoothly as possible. This involves planning before and during course creation and before and during the training localization process.
NOW, LET’S FOCUS ON TRAINING LOCALIZATION ENGINEERING AND HOW THIS CAN HELP YOU!
First, what is localization engineering? Let’s try and relate it in context fou you. Most learning and development professionals use authoring tools to help create course content. Your language services partner should know how to work in any file type, especially ones specific to your needs. Localization engineering involves full quality assurance (QA) for both language and also functionality (font compatibility, adequate space for text expansion, bi-directional script (RTL and LTR languages), character languages, etc).
Let’s present an example for you!
You have a training course created in Program X. You need this course localized into Spanish and Arabic. The onscreen text and audio recording both need to be localized.
Your language service provider is your partner and should work in whatever way is easiest and best for you. This means the ability to work with exports from Program X. You don’t have to paste content into a translatable word file for us. Why create extra work if you do not have to? (Of course, if this is what you prefer, we can do this!) Working with an export allows for easier import back into the file.
Next, let’s take a look at the audio component. The audio script is translated, reviewed, and approved. Audio is recorded based on chosen talent samples. Now, these audio files need to be synced with the translations. Text expands when translated from English. This means longer run time for the audio files. If you cannot understand the language, this makes syncing a bit more difficult, even if we provide a time-stamped script! This is where localization engineering can help! Let’s not forget that course needs to be converted to right to left for Arabic!
In short, know that we have you covered in terms of complete training localization. We make sure your content reads accurately and also works properly. Your final deliverable can be a published course that is compliant for your requirements and specifications.
