RE: Software Translation Headaches

[Beth Agnew <Beth -dot- Agnew -at- senecac -dot- on -dot- ca>]

I hope you take a two-pronged approach on this one. One effort being to move
the problem upstream to the development stage and remind the developers that
the software is to be internationalized (or localized) therefore they need
to take this into consideration when creating buttons and other aspects of
the interface that will be translated. Depending on the language, you may
need 10%-20% more space. It is easier to design for translation than to
squeeze text into a small space.

Second, your idea to make use of icons is a good one. Don't forget to use
tooltips where possible as well. Find out if there are standard icons for
the culture you're translating for. What products currently use such
graphics and what do they look like? Be sure to test your chosen icons on a
represenatative user group.
--Beth

-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+beth -dot- agnew=senecac -dot- on -dot- ca -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+beth -dot- agnew=senecac -dot- on -dot- ca -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com]On
Behalf Of Shenton, David (DTRN)
Sent: Monday, April 10, 2006 8:07 AM

Hi all, I'm dealing with a large amount of translation on software screens
and one issue that gives me a headache is trying to squeeze translated text
into a specific size on a button field. One solution would be the use of
graphics so with that in mind I'm trying to create a more graphical button
list. Has anybody been in the same situation and how did they overcome it.

-----------------

Presenting "Podcasting & Vidcasting: The Future of TechComm"
at the STC Conference, Las Vegas, NV, 2 p.m. Wednesday May 10, 2006

Beth Agnew
Professor, Technical Communication
Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology
Toronto, ON 416-491-5050 x3133
http://www.tinyurl.com/83u5u

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