How to plan a large multilingual website translation project (whitepaper)

How to plan a large multilingual website translation project (whitepaper)

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The complexity of a multilingual website translation project depends on the level of engagement required between the website and the visitor. Broadly, in order of engagement, there are six types of websites:

  • Informational
  • Educational
  • Inspirational
  • Promotional
  • Entertainment
  • Ecommerce

This article is a preview a new whitepaper. To download the whitepaper, click here.

The GILT (Globalization, Internationalization, Localization, Translation) framework is the industry standard for outlining the process of producing a global product – in this case, a corporate website.  Testing and Support stages are appended to ensure that maintenance of the new multilingual site is given the proper importance in the process, establishing the following new acronym:

 

GILTTS

Globalization

Globalization (G11n) is the planning stage during which all business decisions necessary to establish an international presence are considered.

Internationalization

Internationalization (i18n) is the stage dedicated to cleaning the product of any unique characteristics (such as cultural or regional references) to the home country in which the product was originally developed.

Localization

Localization (l10n) is the stage in which any relevant assets are adjusted for the local markets.  In this stage, focus on the following:

  1. Set up servers and hosting;
  2. Develop localized versions of the website.

Translation

Translation is the final stage in establishing an international presence.  In this stage, all content is translated into the specified languages – including the language gateway.

The LSP’s primary purpose is to translate all content.

The LSP will avoid local dialects in favor of a universal dialect (i.e. universal Spanish).  Explaining this in advance informs visitors that a different term than what they are accustomed to may be used.

Testing

Finalize and test the site just before publication. Finalization is the process of reviewing the translation online, in its final layout, to ensure the copy is aesthetically pleasing and culturally appropriate.

Support

International customers may require additional support in their native language before or after making a purchase, and during their local business hours.  Realistically, when the site goes live, not all forms of support will be available for all languages.  Below are different methods of handling support services:

  • Interactive (Customer Support Center)
    • Emails
    • Phone calls
  • Static (Help – Knowledge Base)
    • Knowledge center
    • White papers
    • FAQ pages

Issues are typically reported via email or phone calls.  Every time a customer has a problem, the solution can be turned into a document for the knowledge base, white paper or FAQ. Each localized site should properly manage clients’ expectations by including clear instructions, as well as likely and realistic resolution turnaround times.

Summary

Recognize the level of involvement, and proceed in the following order:
SummaryKey