We would like to explain important factors regarding manual
translation.
Readers of user s manuals could be categorized into two types.
Which type readers do you think is larger than the other?
Type 1 Read only the parts where urgently necessary information is
included
Type 2 Read carefully the entire book from the first page
Every reader has his/her own reading style. However, translated
user s manuals should be prepared to make the both types of readers
satisfied.
Type 1 Read only the parts where urgently necessary information is
included
There are table of contents and index in a user s manual. Readers
try to find where the information he really needs according to
certain keywords or items.
Needless to say, it is important to synchronize the items on the
table of contents and the body text. If the data are organized
properly in this regard, there would be no problems.
The same thing is applied to index-based reading style. Readers
will easily find the applicable information regarding the index
word.
Type 2 Read carefully the entire book from the first page
This type of readers will read from the cover, "precautions ,
copyrights and move onto table of contents , the body text, index ,
and references . He will read the headers or footers, turning his
eyes from the top to the bottom, right to left. He may check if the
pages are printed in correct numeric sequence or if titles and
headers and footers are properly linked.
However, this needles to say or common-sense consistency or
uniformity is quite important in creating user s manuals.
Controlling the consistency and uniformity carefully, we have to do
text creation and DTP layouts.
Translating user s manuals
Factors above-mentioned are applied to translation of user s
manuals.
It is inevitable to ensure the consistency of expressions of title,
heads, copyright and PL law notices, table of contents, body text,
index, and headers and footers.
Furthermore, in translating user s manuals, we can use Trados and
other translation support tool. That enables to translate the text,
adhering fundamentally to original text s layout architecture (tag
information) and do page layouts efficiently.
In addition, if your client wants a manual to be printed and
distributed, we should prepare the translated data optimized for
printing. If the basic printing requirements are not achieved, even
if you obtain a high standard of translation, it would be difficult
for readers to find the sentences he needs.
These are minimum requisites for user s manual translation.
Our company is concerned about not only meeting these minimum
requisites, but how we can satisfy the readers' requirements.
First of all, we should understand why is this document necessary
to be translated? or how is this document used in the client s
business? The concept understanding has a great influence on
translation quality.
How can we be successful in translating a large volume of user s
manual with good quality, keeping costs low?
How can we manage handling several books of manuals at the same
time?
To translate user s manuals efficiently and systematically, if we
have expertise regarding computer applications or file formats
concerned with translation such as TRADOS, InDesign, FrameMaker,
MS-Word, HTML, online help, etc is quite important.
Because, in recent years, data of user s manuals are created in
concept of one source multiuse . That means the translated data can
be used being converted into a wide range of file formats.
As well as the user s manuals of your company s products, any
documents a large indefinite number of people can easily take a
look at have a vital roll in building your brand name.
This user s manual is quite understandable
This is easy to read and search for the necessary information
If users or readers have a good impression on your user s manuals
and products depends on how precisely you understand the key points
for creating user-friendly user s manuals. |
