Multilingual Localization – A Project Management Perspective

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Multilingual Localization A Project Management
Perspective
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A Herculean Task Each localization project has
several stages, interspersed by checks and
reviews and innumerable micro-processes in the
workflow. Multiplying each of these over several
languages is a herculean task. It calls for
challenging skills on the part of the project
manager, in terms of understanding of language,
people as well as workflow management. As a
leading e-learning localization provider in
Europe and India, we were approached by a client
and commissioned a task of translating their
e-learning tutorials. The company has operations
in several countries of Europe, Asia and India.
The project involved the conversion from English
into 15 world languages. The tutorials served as
training modules for new recruits. They were
being developed to reduce the dependency on
trainers and substitute them with a repository of
graded tutorials.
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• Task Requirement 
• Our project management team analyzed the
  requirement in direct consultation with the
  client. They identified the following aspects
  that required localization.
• Text Translation
• central display text, coupled with diagrams and
  animations
• text for reference (for reading in the sidebar)
• text for narration
• Subtitles The tutorials also comprised video
  documentaries. While some had to be subtitled,
  others had to be dubbed with voiceover in the
  respective language.
• Narration The translated narration scripts were
  to be rendered to a narrators voice in each
  language. The narration was to be synchronized
  with the accompanying on-screen displays.
• Integration Testing

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• Process 
• First, the content was to be translated . Next
  the subtitles for the video documentaries were to
  be created, timed and integrated. Simultaneously,
  the narration script would be recorded to create
  audio files. Subsequently, the content created in
  every target language would undergo a client
  review before integration.
• The process is summarized in sequential
  representation below.
• Translation
• Queries
• Glossary
• Resolutions
• Revision
• 2. Subtitling 
• 3. Client Validation
• Feedback
• Revision
• 4. Voiceover
• Audio Script
• Recording

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• Checking and Revision
• Handover to Localization Team
• 5. Integration Synchronization
• On-Screen Text
• On-Screen Animation
• Integration of Audio Files
• 6. Testing
• Checking, Feedback and Corrections

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