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> -----Original Message-----
> From: Yvonne DeGraw [SMTP:yvonne -at- SILCOM -dot- COM]
> Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 1998 6:54 PM
> Subject: Re: Question about localization
>
> What is the preferred source if you are doing a localized version
> (say
> French Canadian) and you already have English source and a "standard"
> French
> translation? Is it better and/or cheaper to work from the English
> source or
> from the French translation?
>
> We'll also have the same issue with Portuguese and Brazilian
> Portuguese.
>
My own experience is that if the "standard" French version is an
excellent translation (granted, this can be a big "if", at times), then
it makes sense to use the "standard" French as the starting point for
localization into other French dialects. You'll save yourself a lot of
time and trouble. Nevertheless, there's always the risk of losing
something in the crossover, and I would keep a sharp eye on the English
original, especially when proofreading.
===================================
Richard Guziewicz
Corporate Communications Consultant
Quality Consultant for the Service Sector
Technical Writing
Member of ITG Consulting, Paris
Richard Guziewicz Consulting / ITG
Villa Cabaneres - Montplaisir
F-82370 Corbarieu, France
Tel. & Fax/modem: +33 (05) 63 67 82 40
Email: rgconsul -at- worldnet -dot- fr
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