We have substantial expertise in the translation of website content. However, our website translation service goes well beyond the translated word. We approach website translation assignments with localization considerations in mind: cultural adaptation (appropriateness); target audience(s); search engine optimization (SEO).
Our objective is to ensure that your translated website is effective in reaching its intended audience, delivers your business message strongly and succinctly, projecting a credible corporate image while protecting its reputation.
For example, are you aware that the Chinese market functions in both Simplified Chinese (China and Singapore) and Traditional Chinese (Taiwan and Hong Kong)? (Refer to our note on: Spoken versus Written Chinese.)
Do you know how people search for products and services in their native language?
Are you aware that some navigational constructs (such as using national flags) are viewed as offensive by some cultures?
See also:
Translation Considerations – Website Localization
Translation Humour – Mangled Localization
Additional Information Content in Translation Resources
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Typical Website Translation Process
Content in MSWord files is translated and reviewed (proofreading);
MSWord documents are returned to the client;
Client uploads text to its website(s);
Client notifies CILFO that content is uploaded to website – web page proofreading proceeds;
A screen capture of each page requiring changes is rendered in Adobe Acrobat (pdf format) and comments inserted to identify required corrections.
Website Translation Estimates
Our estimates are based on word counts. We charge on the greater number of words between the source and target language.
As an example, an English to French translation will result in an approximate 20% increase in the number of words. Therefore, for an English to French estimate, we take the number of English words, multiply it by 1.2 and then multiply that result by the applicable per word rate.
We use a specialized website analysis software package to perform a word count on each page of the website requiring translation.
What we need to provide a website translation and review estimate:
the website content: a copy of the document(s), ideally in MSWord format;
the website root URL(s); and,
a list of your specific requirements.
With that information in hand, we then analyze the content of your website to identify the number of pages, attachments, links to other sites, internal links to applications, etc.
The file format in which the website content is being submitted to us for translation will have an impact on the type of service required to undertake the assignment and the timelines we can respect.
MSWord files are the most efficient format from which to translate and proofread website content. (The number of translators using MSWord outnumbers the number of translators with access to website editing tools.)
Each web page should be rendered in its own MSWord file and contain the URL of that page to easily identify the content for post-upload proofreading purposes.
Proofreading prior to uploading the content to the website – for content that has been translated by CILFO Translations, and rendered in MSWord, proofreading at this stage is included in the translation service.
After the content has been uploaded to your website, proofreading of the material is performed on final web pages or web layout rendered in pdf file format. This latter service is billed at an hourly rate.
For website content drafted or translated by another party requiring proofreading, the client must provide the URL(s) for each page requiring review for the purpose of preparing an Editing and Revision estimate.
Website Content Review/Revision Ensuring that your Translated Website Properly Reflects the Source Language and Works the Same as the Source Language Version
We perform the proofreading of all the website material in final layout mode (web pages) or web pages rendered in pdf file format.
The content review includes anything containing text (navigation items; link text; footers; headers; online forms) and any functional items (navigation accuracy; link accuracy; etc.); and comparison of translated content to source language pages, looking for omitted text, contextual accuracy, page and section titles, formatting issues (consistent use of italics, bolding, bullets, numbering), layout consistency in general (images, drop-down menu accuracy).
And, of course, the revision work includes spelling and grammar checks.
Typical Quotation: Our Website Review/Revision Quotations lists the specific tasks that will be perform. See a Typical Website Review Quotation to get a sense of what the review/revision process usually entails. For specific website review/revision rates, refer to our rate page for details.
How HTML Source Code Files Are Handled
The content text is extracted from the source code and provided to our translators in MSWord format when the translator(s) are unable to translate directly from the original source code file. The extracted translated text is then proofread by a second resource.
Once the translation and proofreading tasks are completed, a webmaster or graphic designer then copies the text to the HTML file. Some languages may take up more space within the web page, therefore adjustments may be required once the text has been loaded into the target language HTML source code.
Any work performed on the target language HTML is billed at an hourly rate.
See also:
• Basic Proofreading Guidelines