TECHNOLOGY
CARPENTERS ABIDE BY the guiding principle “ measure twice , cut once ” to limit construction mistakes and wasted material . Accuracy is equally important in manufacturing , as any errors in measurements , figures , and descriptions can result in ineffective product and even consumer danger .
Consider the safety risk posed by a medical device manufacturer that uses inconsistent units of measure , or the potential impact that misunderstood instructions on the assembly line could pose for an automaker .
The potential for error rises when manufacturers translate content into new languages for international markets . Some businesses struggle to find a balance between their aggressive , high-volume production schedule , and the exacting , deliberate pace often required of an effective localization project .
That can result in a Catch-22 : do you take time to translate content and risk delaying your international rollout , or do you rush the localization project and hope that inaccurate measurements or unclear instructions don ’ t slip through the edit process ?
Ultimately , manufacturers don ’ t have to sacrifice content accuracy to meet aggressive deadlines . In fact , by following several localization best practices , manufacturers can implement a well-paced translation project that ensures important engineering , product or instructional content is accurately localized for international markets . Here ’ s how .
Build solid international partnerships by ensuring your communication strategy is on point
Seek a specialized translation team Manufacturers need confidence in their translator of choice . General linguists may know how to perform word-for-word translations , but the absence of technical context or familiarity can result in imprecise measurements or awkward instructions .
18 April 2015