1. Blocks of Text That Won’t Fit

It may be tempting to present your instructional materials in big blocks of text—after all, this is how most of us feel comfortable writing. There are a few reasons that you should avoid this:

• Large blocks of text may not fit in the translated version, since many languages have up to 30% more words than English.
• Blocks of text are more difficult to skim through and comprehend.
• Visually breaking up text makes concepts stand out more.

Solution:

Consider language expansion and comprehension as you write the course. Make use of space and don’t cram too much information into a paragraph. Use bullet points, bolding, and short sentences to convey the information.

By saving space, translated text will fit better. Your material will also be more concise and easy to use. A win-win!

If your English version is too long to translate within the space, don’t panic. Trim down nonessential information and you may be surprised at how much you can condense for the finished product!

2. Culturally Offensive Images

Images and videos aid visual learners in any e-learning course. When writing for multiple audiences, be sure to choose general and appropriate images that will not offend anyone.

The last thing you want to do is offend your international audience!

Solution:

Keep it neutral. Stick with basic images and include diversity when using images of people. Of course, be culturally considerate.

3. Idioms, Sayings, and Jargon

We speak in idioms and sayings all the time, often assuming that everyone else understands them.

It’s very easy to include idioms, sayings, and unexplained jargon in your eLearning course unintentionally. The problem is that many of these words and phrases do not have direct translations, making translation challenging for the user.

Solution:

Review the material as you write your course. Are there alternative words or phrases you can use? There’s always another way to get your point across; you don’t have to be dependent on idioms and slang!

4. Video and Audio Timing

The English language has fewer words per sentence than many languages. Translations can sometimes cause audio and video timing to be off sync. Subtitles can also correspond to the wrong frames or supplemental text. This can be very confusing and annoying for students using the course as well as impede their learning.

Solution:

Leave extra space and time in video and audio files when creating your courses. Consider the length of the translated course—it is better to leave more room than too little to allow for timing variations.

5. Incompatible Fonts

It may not seem important, but your choice of font could impact your translation project. Not all fonts have the equivalent accents for some languages. This can cause a problem in translation, particularly if you want the course to look the same across languages.

Solution:

Use a neutral font that is available in the languages that you need. A neutral font will make the course easier to read and use.

6. Multiple Mediums

When you’re incorporating audio, video, text, and interactive content, translation becomes extremely complex. You need something that will able to effectively and efficiently translate your message.

Solution:

Choose a turnkey solution, instead of hiring an independent translator. A language service will have the experience in e-learning translations to ensure that all mediums are consistent, high-quality, and completed on deadline.

Is your e-learning course ready for translation? Get a Quote.

The post 6 Potential Challenges of eLearning Translations and How to Avoid Them appeared first on SpokenHere Language Services.

Being aware of these potential pitfalls can help make your next foreign language project a success

Worried about creating a version of your video production in another language? It’s a common concern—most people walk into their first foreign language voiceover feeling pretty clueless. While foreign languages can be daunting and, well, downright foreign, you don’t have to come into the project feeling like you just stepped off a spaceship and onto the surface of Mars. With a little insight and preparation, you can be a pro! Here are five best practices to follow when starting your foreign language recording project, so you can ensure that the finished product lives up to your company’s expectations.

1. Understand Language Text Expansion

Slapping together a video and just hoping that it works for both English and other languages is a recipe for frustration. It’s one thing if you’re preparing to translate your video well after it has been made, but if you know you’ll be going into one (or several!) languages at the outset, write your script and shoot your video with that in mind.

The amount of text expands when translating from English into many languages, and chances are very good that a straight translation of your script will be too long to fit in your video comfortably. Some languages, such as Spanish, have as much as 30% more words in everyday conversation than English! Avoid the awkwardness of your script running into the next frame in your translated versions by writing in some extra time to allow for the extra words you’ll likely gain. Professional translation firms are adept at translating for a timed production, and can help overcome this challenge.

2. Choose the Right Voices for Your Video

Think about your listeners when you’re choosing the recording talent, and choose someone whose voice matches up with the message you’re trying to get across. A 2015 political voiceover study provides some insights on trends in this area—and public perception. For example, male voices were used in 62.7% of ads, and listeners tended to find them more credible than female voices. However, advertisers had success using female voices to discuss women’s issues, showing that it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. Only you can judge what is best for your brand and your translation.

3. Try to Minimize the Number of Speakers

Are you juggling multiple speakers in your project? Why? Think about how many voices you actually need to get your message across. Having consistency helps keep viewers engaged, and more voices can add to the confusion. Consider minimizing the number of speakers whenever possible, for simplicity’s sake.

4. Provide Pronunciation Guide

Acronyms, proper nouns, slang…there are so many words and phrases that we English speakers take for granted, and they can present challenges for your recording talent. Speakers of other languages may not know what a particular word or abbreviation is or your talent may not know how you want something pronounced. Offering guidance on vague terms can save the talent time in the studio and reduce the risk of needing to do costly re-takes.

5. Choose a Translation Service Over a Recording Studio

Recording studios are focused on the quality of the recording, not on the quality of the translation. While the recording should sound good, the bigger focus should be on getting your message across. Choosing a translation service to provide your foreign language voiceover keeps the final product consistent and minimizes confusion. Be sure to choose a service with access to high-quality recording equipment to make sure your script sounds as good as it possibly can.

High Quality Voiceovers Matter

At the end of the day, preparation is what will help your foreign language voiceover project run smoothly. Choosing the right language service provider will help ease the process considerably. Before you get started, consult with the experts on how to optimize your video—and set yourself up for success!

Have a voiceover project that you want to get started?  Schedule a free consultation to get expert translators.

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The post 5 Best Practices for Foreign Language Voiceover Projects appeared first on SpokenHere Language Services.