For a growing industry expected to be worth over 300 billion by 2025, eLearning translation has become a burning need for academic institutions. eLearning has also become important for organizations as they create digital training programs for their employees, and as they’re translating employee handbooks and providing LEP employees with technical manual translation services. Translation alone isn’t always enough, though. Companies, organization, schools, and more will benefit from hiring professional language service companies that provide localized academic translations to deliver clear insights for their target audience.
Why eLearning translation requires localization services
1. Language structures flow differently | eLearning translation
There are 12 languages written form right to left such as: Urdu, Hebrew, Arabic and Persian. Currently, the most used is Arabic, spoken by 1.7 billion people. Naturally, this has an effect on the way our brains scan content and break up the page which is why it is crucial to adapt the flow of any e-Learning course before translation. Considering and re-directing for a right-to-left language is an important adaptation since it affects the content beyond the technical setup of the language; it includes moving transitions, graphics and page layout.
2. A picture is worth a thousand words – but they aren’t always the same ones
Tailoring images to provide relevant eLearning translation to audiences in different countries is important when it comes to the effect of specific colors and symbolisms. In Western culture, white stands for marriage, angels, hospitals and doctors. In Japan and India, it symbolizes death. As another example, there are hand symbols that differ greatly from country to country. The ‘OK sign’ in the English-speaking world indicates everything is great or perfect. However, in Brazil, this is a very rude gesture. Cultural sensitivity is key for great professional business translation services.
3. Same words, different language | eLearning translation
The same words in one language can have different meanings depending on the region. Professional localization services can help avoid these pitfalls when translating content. Even when using material for two different regions that speak the same language, localizing the content gracefully considers cultural nuances that still affect the meaning of specific words and phrases. For example, in Spanish, the word ‘guagua’ means ‘baby’ or it means ‘small child’ in Chile. In Puerto Rico, it stands for ‘bus’ or a ‘Sports Utility Vehicle’. Localizing content for eLearning translation can be imperative for a useful product.
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.
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