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Ensuring Quality through In-Country
Validation
By Liesl Leary, Sr. Localization Strategist, ENLASO Corporation
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In-country
validation allows clients to provide input on company-specific
terminology, target audience, technical specifications
of products on the target market (e.g. compliance
with local regulations) as well as to share their
profound product knowledge.
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Sound quality localization processes
should always incorporate a validation step by an in-country
representative of the client. In-country review validation
allows clients to provide input on company-specific terminology,
target audience, technical specifications of products on
the target market (e.g. compliance with local regulations)
as well as to share their profound product knowledge. In
other words, client validation means to provide translators
with information from 'behind the scenes', which helps them
to produce a tailor-made translation.
Qualified reviewers can be an experienced
distributor, product manager, customer service representative,
marketing professional or any representative with local
product buy-in. These review candidates have practical knowledge
of the product from a technical perspective and are usually
the most qualified to provide valuable localization information
and feedback. Being part of the validation process also
generates a greater understanding of the product, yielding
an even deeper form of product quality through knowledge.
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Being part
of the validation process generates a greater understanding
of the product, yielding deeper product quality through
knowledge.
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Ideally, the in-country reviewer
should be involved early in the project, especially at the
glossary development stage, so their technical lexicon is
incorporated in the product's message. Bringing an in-country
reviewer on board at the project's start avoids costly reworking
due to mere stylistic differences in the translation later
in the game and also generates buy-in. It is imperative
that the assigned reviewers understand that linguists are
required to remain faithful to the meaning of the source
document and do not re-write. Although the translation is
not word-for-word, linguists do convey the intended meaning
of the source material.
Localization Manager Tip:
Assigning Validators
- The objectives of in-country
validation can be compromised or even negated if expectations
are not clearly conveyed.
- Multiple reviewers per language
may expedite the process; however, too many cooks in the
kitchen may create differences of professional opinions
in respects to technical terminology and use of local
language nuances.
- Changing reviewers in mid-project
compromises consistency and overlooks the original quality
objectives of the review process.
- Unclear expectations regarding
the target locale can be a problem. Example, the differences
between Latin American Spanish and European Spanish are
substantial and can negate the verification process.
- Reviewers can develop resentment
to the work of the localization service provider as they
were not provided the opportunity to localize the product
themselves. Such a behavior is human; however, such a
biased review can substantially hinder the cost and turnaround.
For these professionals, it is imperative to earn their
buy-in early in the process.
- If reviewers are unsatisfied
with the quality of the source document (writing style)
the localized version will only compound such a perception.
Preparing source material for localization with quality
in mind requires that the reviewers be involved in the
review of the source document.
- As reviewers are most likely
responsible for more than localization verification duties,
establish expectations of clear turnaround time to avoid,
rushed or overlooked localization costs.
For more information on how ENLASO can assist you with all of your localization needs, please contact Chris Raulf at craulf@translate.com, call 303 516 0857 x103, or complete the quote request form.
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