Writing for translation

[geoff-h -at- MTL -dot- FERIC -dot- CA]

 Jeannette Lubitz asked for advice on "writing for
 translation". We've already talked about editing
 translations (use a native speaker!), but here are some
 tips for the other end of the process (off the top of my
 head... so there will be gaps):

 - Start with a well-edited English version: remember,
 garbage in, garbage out. If the text says Figure 1, and it
 should say Figure 11, don't expect the translator to catch
 this.
 - Implement some process for alerting the translator to
 last-minute changes in the English version. We all know how
 annoying it is when engineers forget to keep us up to date,
 so we can empathize with the translator, right?
 - Implement some form of controlled vocabulary: either
 create a list of standard terminology, and stick to it, or
 edit ruthlessly to eliminate synonyms. One word = one
 meaning, and no synonyms for single concepts.
 - Avoid qualifying phrases, particularly adjectives: how
 "very" is "very" to someone who speaks another language
 with different attitudes towards adjectives?
 - Use punctuation correctly, but don't rely on fine
 distinctions in punctuation to communicate specific
 meanings. Information can be complex, but the manner in
 which you express it should never be.
 - Ruthlessly eliminate culturally specific phrases (e.g.,
 most similes or metaphors, idiom, sports or military
 analogies, religious references, literary allusions). These
 can be offensive, misleading, or simply incomprehensible.
 - Create a list of changes that must occur as a result of
 localisation issues. For example, if the Middle East
 version writes text from right to left, warn the translator
 that "text wraps at the right margin" and its kin are no
 longer valid. This is particularly important if it's a
 blind translation, in which the translator doesn't have
 your product to work with during the translation. Actually,
 why tolerate blind translations in the first place?
 - Understand enough about your new audience and perhaps its
 language that you can watch for some of these "gotchas".
 You don't have to be bilingual, but it helps. (In French,
 there are plenty of words known as "faux amis" that exist
 identically in English and French, yet have different
 meanings in each language. Knowing this, you can avoid some
 of these terms or warn the translator.

 Interestingly enough, most of these suggestions apply
 equally well to writing good English. Quel concept!

 --Geoff Hart     @8^{)}     geoff-h -at- mtl -dot- feric -dot- ca
 Disclaimer: Speaking for myself, not FERIC.