Blog Elements - Affinity Translation

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Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Working With Meaning Not Words

April 23, 2019

Translators work with meaning. Their job is to use language to express meaning in a specified target language to match the original source language text. There are almost always multiple approaches to expressing meaning. Translation is therefore not a mechanical replacement of words in one language with equivalent words in another language (such as a […]

Translating Elearning Material

April 14, 2019

We typically receive elearning material for translation from one of two sources: a) Specialist elearning course development companies and consultants, and b) In-house developers of elearning material working with off-the-shelf elearning course authoring tools. The requirements for either in terms of language support are largely similar. Sometimes specialist elearning course development companies work with proprietary […]

Working With Meaning Not Words

April 23, 2019

Translating Elearning Material

April 14, 2019

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Working With Meaning Not Words

April 23, 2019

Translators work with meaning. Their job is to use language to express meaning in a specified target language to match the original source language text.

There are almost always multiple approaches to expressing meaning. Translation is therefore not a mechanical replacement of words in one language with equivalent words in another language (such as a machine might attempt).

Sometimes translation clients try to match up source and target language words in a translation in order to evaluate a completed project. It’s not an effective evaluation approach.

Consider the following sentence which appears on our website describing our company:

Founded in 2007, we work with a select group of commercial and individual clients to support them with high quality translation and other language services.

Two alternative ways of expressing equivalent meaning in English are:

We work with professional and individual customers to deliver high quality translation and language services since our beginning in 2007.
We provide high quality translation and language services to professional and individual clients ever since the company began in 2007.

Different words. Equivalent (or near-equivalent) meaning.

If each of the above three sentences were translated into Spanish we would see three different looking Spanish sentences. Each would be different but still express equivalent meaning.

Sometimes translation clients try to match up source and target language words in a translation in order to evaluate a completed project. It’s not an effective evaluation approach. The above example sentences help explain why.

Translating Elearning Material

April 14, 2019

We typically receive elearning material for translation from one of two sources:

a) Specialist elearning course development companies and consultants, and

b) In-house developers of elearning material working with off-the-shelf elearning course authoring tools.

The requirements for either in terms of language support are largely similar. Sometimes specialist elearning course development companies work with proprietary software and processes in implementing courses. In those cases we generally receive text for translation in a standard file format (e.g., MS Word). After translation the client performs the integration into the elearning environement.

Clients have the option of requesting any final adjustments before the project is considered complete.

In-house elearning course developers working with off-the-shelf authoring tools (e.g., Articulate Storyline) may request both translation services and integration within the authoring tool environment.

For new elearning translation clients the interaction progression generally goes something like the following:

1) We receive a telephone call or email message from the prospective new client requesting basic information about services. Clients generally ask about things such as translator qualifications in the subject matter of their material, the translation and quality control process, schedule and time requirements for completing projects, to mention a few common questions.

2) If the client continues the process we then typically receive project material for the prospective project in order to prepare a quote for services. Translation fees depend on the number of words and the language. Languages have standard per word rates. A quote for services is emailed to the client.

3) If the client approves the quoted services then the project begins. After completion of translation, proofreading, and any other associated services (e.g., integration, voiceovers, attention to videos, et. al.) the project is delivered to the client. Clients have the option of requesting any final adjustments before the project is considered complete.

4) We’re then available for post-delivery support if needed.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Working With Meaning Not Words

Translating Elearning Material

Working With Meaning Not Words

Translating Elearning Material

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Working With Meaning Not Words

Translating Elearning Material

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