Designed by vectorjuice / FreepikAre you an eLearning provider and about to start getting your content localized or planning for that in the future? Here are some essential steps to consider to be ready for your elearning localization journey:
Choosing The Right Elearning localization provider
E-Learning localization is a very important service not just swapping text for another language.
It is a series of language and technology challenges to adapt the eLearning material tone, imagery, and colors to keep your audience engaged, inspired, and included.
So, it is very important to pick an authentic and quality translation partner to maintain the efficiency of your eLearning content.
- Make sure that your language services provider (LSP) has a professional DTP service so they can handle the layout of your content in case your source languages or target language are right-to-left languages (RTL) like Arabic.
- Don’t rely only on professional linguists, they must be native-speaking linguists with extensive subject matter expertise.
- Defining the size of the project, services needed, and budget will help you to choose.
- Read the reviews and testimonials.
Prepare Your Text and Written Content
- Think about localization from the beginning of creating the content and try to create a course not for only a specific group by avoiding using jargon, slang words, idioms, and pop-culture references as much as possible.
- Always try to be direct and use an active voice to make it easier to translate correctly.
- There is always some information that you will need to give to your language service providers (LSP), as your industry, or even company-specific terms they should use. How will the acronyms be treated? Will units of measurements need
edto be converted? Your LSP will always follow those guides to avoid any confusion and mistranslation. - Let native-speaking linguists review your final draft of translation to avoid any problems because of cultural differences.
Prepare Your Visuals For Elearning localization
- Make sure that all of visuals are neutral or make sure that the translation partner work on the images, signs, charts, graphics, and even colors to align with the intended message as it can take on a very different meaning in different parts of the world and it can drive a different message or offensive meaning.
- Avoid adding texts to images, it is essential to translate and localize the texts contained inside any image, which will add extra work to your project so extra cost, time, and energy.
- Be aware of how the language changes will affect the layout of the course, text can expand 20-30% for many translated languages so allow more space in your design to keep your localized content like the original one.
Technical Considerations
- Keep the editable source files of images, audio, videos, and presentations. It is better to provide your language service provider (LSP) with the full set of the source files, this reduces the time of the design process, minimizes issues, and saves cost.
For example, instead of sending PNG or JPG files that may be challenging to edit. You should provide your LSP with source files like Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign. - Instead of sending PDFs, provide your LSP with Word files. Source files for Adobe Captivate or Articulate Storyline.
Keep your brand identity
- Provide your language services provider (LSP) with details about your brand, your company, your product line, and your target audience. You need to maintain your brand identity and tone of voice, and this will help them to understand and give the same look and feel of your brand.
Take Advantage of MedadTrans E-Learning Localization Services
This is the easiest tip you will face, by choosing MedadTrans you can translate and localize your elearning content material to any Middle East and African language needed to reach out to the global market.
MedadTrans applies the translation industry’s best practices to ensure the best quality across all language services for all types of elearning materials, all the translations are tested by quality tools to ensure error-free translations after all processes are done by only native-speaking, culturally aware, and subject matter professional linguists.
MedadTrans not only use top-notch CAT tools but also has a translation memory customized to you to save your time and money.
Feel free to ask for a FREE QUOTE to start your elearning translation and localization.
