Skill #32: Understanding Translation and Localization

As products and services reach markets outside of their geographic origins, organizations must consider how to translate and localize their existing documentation. It’s a must, as these new users will need to refer to a knowledge base. 

But how exactly do organizations translate their documentation? Do they copy and paste all of their content into Google Translate? Do they hire technical writers who speak and write the language of the new market? 

As you’ll learn in this episode, successful organizations partner with translation and localization vendors, who ensure users in new markets understand the content. 

To help us dig deep into this skill, we have Mike McDermott on the podcast: Director of Language Translations at MadTranslations, a translation service created by MadCap software. For nearly eight years, Mike has helped clients translate their content into several different languages.  

In this episode, Mike share insights he’s learned along the way to ensure any organization has a seamless, successful translation process, including how to research the right translation service, who to get involved in the research process, and how to create content optimized for translation.

Show notes: 

Creators and Guests

Jacob Moses
Host
Jacob Moses
Jacob Moses is the founder and original host of The Not-Boring Tech Writer podcast, which he launched in 2016 to celebrate tech writers and push back against the stereotype that technical writing is boring. He studied technical communication at the University of North Texas, and his first gig out of college was as a tech writer at Rainmaker Digital (formerly Copyblogger Media). Since then, he's carried the skills and values he cultivated as a tech writer into community development and real estate. Today, Jacob is owner of Care Block Development, a real estate development company that acquires, rehabs, and manages historic buildings in Denton, Texas. Pairing historic preservation with thoughtful improvements, Care Block honors the culture of the neighborhoods in which it works to create lovable places for the people it serves. He's also the owner of Sardinha, a premium tinned seafood pop-up pushing premium tins in Denton. If you need a tinfish plug in Denton, Jacob is your guy.
Skill #32: Understanding Translation and Localization
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