a n e w s l e t t e r p u b l i s h e d b y i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o m m u n i c a t i o n b y d e s i g n , i n c .

Esprit d'ICD

SPRING 2012v o l . 11 n o . 2

Translation & eLearning- Issues and Challenges .................}

Make Translation Reviews Easier ..................................}

Speak Hmong? Which Color? ......................................2

International Culinary Adventures .........................................2

Tallest, Fastest .................................2

Useful Tips When Exhibiting Internationally ....3

Have Your Bread and Eat It Too! ...................................3

Country Profile: South Africa ......................................3

Suggested International Films ........................................................3

ICD On the Road ..............................4

In This Issue

Features

ICD Travel Tip

computer-based training is a growing trend and likely here to stay. Aside from the flexibility, ease of use and efficiency of using eLearning to carry out training, there’s also the factor of extreme portability. That is, eLearning can happen virtually anywhere! For this reason, many organizations endeavor to roll out eLearning programs to their international locations and subsidiaries. This can be a great way to extend and standardize training across multinational companies. If you think that you’re up to the challenges of localizing (that is, adapting the training content for local use), here are some things to keep in mind:

The platform your eLearning modules are based on will largely determine your process. Is there a localization module that is compatible with the translation process or must text be manually extracted?

Translation & eLearning-Issues and Challenges

Less Lag

Get as much sleep during your flight as possible. Use sleep aids like blindfolds, ear plugs, neck rests and pillows to help you get some zzz’s while flying. Also, try taking off your shoes to get more comfortable in flight. It may just help you get more sleep!

translation is a process that requires several steps of writing, reviewing and even customization for a particular use. Often, the “customization” element comes into play when organizations need translations to be reviewed for use in local markets. This process of reviewing translations after the professional translation step is complete is often known as in-country review (ICR) or peer reviews. In this stage, a local associate (such as an employee, distributor or agent) will usually review a translated document to provide suggestions that will improve the use and readability of a document for their purpose. For example, an employee reviewing translations for use in an instruction manual may have different suggestions than an employee using translations for sales & marketing purposes. While mostly helpful, peer reviews can often present additional challenges in the translation process. Without a transparent system to track versions,

Make Translation Reviews Easier

Picture of a small remote controlled helicopter reads:

If blade damage. don’t be fly. otherwise it will create the

human body or blame damage.Source: www.engrish.com

Humor in Translation

See REVIEW on page 2

The languages you choose to translate into could introduce challenges like text expansion or require the accommodation of character-based languages.

Don’t forget to calculate the cost of multi-lingual voice talent. The audio cues must

also be dubbed over into the target language.

Remember that the source files for graphics must be readily available or else you could run into additional charges for recreating those same images.

The review process should include grammar and punctuation, cultural appropriateness and

finally testing of the modules so that they behave as expected after the

localization has been performed.

The best localization process starts with a plan. Sit down with your language service provider to go over expectations and concerns. This way, you can come up with a localization strategy that is suitable for your needs.

if you are travelling to peru anytime soon, don’t forget to try a dish that’s sure to please: Cuy. Cuy is the local name for a dish that serves up whole cooked guinea pig. Cuy can be oven- roasted, stuffed or fried and is usually served with side dishes like potato fries or corn. ¡Buen provecho! (Spanish for “Bon Appetit”)

Source: NPR

did you know the “&” or the ampersand was once the 27th letter of the alphabet? The sign itself was used to represent the Latin phrase “per se” meaning “by itself.” In English speaking schools, it was common to add the “&” sign as the 27th letter at the end of the alphabet. It was pronounced and. So, the recitation of the alphabet would end in: “X, Y, Z and per se and”. This last phrase was eventually slurred to “ampersand” and became a common term

in English by the 1830s.

Source: Wikipedia

u.s. architectural firm gensler is building what will be the world’s tallest skyscraper: the 2,073-foot shanghai tower, located in shanghai’s pudong district. The tower, which will be the world’s tallest after the Burj Khalifa, will be unique in another way: lightning fast “bullet elevators.” These elevators, developed by Mitsubishi Electric, will be capable of speeds of about 40 miles per hour, or about 1,080 meters (3,543 feet) per minute. The aerodynamically designed elevators have several convenient features that not only help them transport passengers very quickly, but also conserve energy.

Source: International Business Times

Tallest, Fastest

2

the hmong language has two dialects: white hmong and blue (or green) hmong. The colors represent the colors used in the traditional women’s costumes of the different groups, reflecting somewhat different cultural heritages and residential distributions in distinct regions of China. However, the differences between White and Green Hmong are probably not much greater than those differences between British and American English. Neither White nor Green Hmong has ever had any official status in Laos, Thailand, or China. Thus, there are no grounds for

preferring one of the dialects over the other. In spite of this, White Hmong has been favored in many ways. The Hmong writing system most commonly used, the Romanized Practical Alphabet, generally is closest to the White Hmong pronunciation. Most dictionaries of Hmong only present the White Hmong dialect. In Laos, the majority of the well-educated Hmong population probably spoke the White Hmong dialect. The English name “Hmong” as opposed to “Mong” represents the White Hmong pronunciation. Source: Wikipedia

International Culinary Adventures

Speak hmong? Which Color?

changes, authors, and updated file names, a collaborative translation approach can quickly become a confusing headache. Collaborators or reviewers that submit their contributions in handwritten form can bring even more inefficiency to the peer review stage.

Despite the challenges, ICD sees the value in peer reviews. GroupShare, a tool available through our strategic technology partner SDL, makes this process simpler, more effective, and easier to track. With SDL’s GroupShare: Project managers, translators and peer reviewers can share resources on a single collaborative platform. Client-side reviewers can work in the same, easy-to-use, resource-rich interface as our professional linguists. There’s no file trafficking or need for updates on the project status. Important details are visible to all stakeholders in the translation process, even your reviewers. If you’d like to find out more about how ICD and GroupShare can make your Peer Review process more effective, contact ICD today for a demo. Source: www.tcworld.info

REVIEW from page 1

Language Lesson

after years of experimenting, Jean-louis hetch, a baker from northeast France, has finally deployed two 24 hour automated baguette dispensing machines. These vending machine-like dispensers bake baguettes on the spot for less than 2 Euros. The dispensers are designed to accommodate people who can’t get to their bakery during business hours, but still need access to the quintessential freshly-baked baguette. Hecht told the Associated Press, “This is the bakery of tomorrow. It is answering a real need. People who work at night or early in the morning can get their fresh bread. To me it’s a public utility.” Source: NPR

3

SuggeSted InternatIonal FIlmS

Gomorrah (Italy 2008) The intertwining tales of a delivery boy, a tailor, a businessman and two cocky teenagers form the fabric of this gritty and lyrical examination of the influential Neapolitan mob known as the Camorra. Gomorrah was nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Golden Globe and a Best Documentary Independent Spirit Award. Available on Netflix.

I do (France 2006) At 41, Luis is a successful, content bachelor. He has one problem: His mother and five sisters, who form an intimidating family council, want him married. Luis contrives to hire a woman to pose as a fiancée who will jilt him at the altar, leaving him disconsolate, with an excuse not to marry. He hires Emma, the sister of a colleague to help execute his plan. Things go too well: when Emma doesn’t show up at the wedding, Luis’s mother requires hospitalization. It’s time for a new plan that involves more tangled webs. Available on Netflix.

Kurbaan (India 2009) When a young Indian couple moves to the suburbs to claim their stake in the American dream, they are shocked to learn they’ve become enmeshed in a secret terrorist plot. As tensions escalate, the bride begins to wonder if her husband is being honest. Available on Netflix.

Proverbs from Around the World

have Your Bread and Eat It Too!

export/Import partnersJapan, United States, Germany, United Kingdom, China, Netherlands

country proFile

Land area: 463,323 sq. milesPoPuLation: 48.8 millionLanguages (2001 census):

Major industries: Agriculture, industry, service Source: The CIA World Factbook; Wikipedia

South Africa Recently inducted into the BRIC, a group of fast growing economies comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China and now South Africa, this country is expected to gain increasing prominence in global realms of economics and politics.

Useful Tips When Exhibiting InternationallyIf you are going to be on the international tradeshow circuit this year, check out these useful tips for various regions:

São Paulo, Brazil – Have interpreters who speak English, Spanish and Portuguese available at your booth.

Moscow – It may be considered rude to stand with your hands in your pockets and use the American hand signal for “OK.” Also note

that shaken-fist gestures are vulgarities in Russian culture.

Beijing – When shipping, be mindful of China’s three national holidays, the Lunar New Year (which varies, but is usually in February), May Day (May 1), and National Day (Oct. 1). During these holidays, the entire country

— including customs — completely closes down.

Abu Dhabi, U.A.E – Abu Dhabi is extremely hot in the summer (May through September) and sandstorms are common. Bring lightweight clothing and sunglasses.

South Africa

Pretoria

Cape Town

boTSwana

ziMbabwe

naMibia

Swaziland

Indian Ocean

af

ri c a

Johannesburg

Moz

aMiq

ue

“Govern a family as you would cook a small

fish - very gently.”- Chinese Proverb

Source: Exhibitor Magazine

IsiZulu ......... 23.8%IsiXhosa ......17.6Afrikaans .. 13.4Sepedi ..............9.4English ............8.2Setswana ......8.2

Sesotho ..........8.0%Xitsonga ........4.4siSwati.............2.7Tshivenda .....2.3isiNdebele....1.6Other .................0.5

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ICD ON ThE ROAD

Translate to EvolveSM

March 21-23

Learning Solutions 2012Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort - Orland, Fla.www.elearningguild.com�

april 2-5

NPE- International Plastics ShowcaseOrange County Convention Center - Orlando, Fla.www.npe.org

april 23-25

AEM-Product Safety & Compliance SeminarPheasant Run ResortSt. Charles, Ill.www.aem�.org

april 30 - May 3

OTC-Offshore Technology ConferenceReliant Park - Houston, Tex.www.otcnet.org

May 1-3

AMI International-Meat, Seafood, & Poultry IndustryDallas Convention CenterDallas, Tex.www.am�iexpo.com�

May 1-3

Waste ExpoLas Vegas Convention Center - Las Vegas, Nev.www.wasteexpo.com�

May 1-3

National hardware ShowLas Vegas Convention Center - Las Vegas, Nev.www.nationalhardwareshow.com�

May 8

MMAC’s Wisconsin International Trade ConferenceItalian Community CenterMilwaukee, Wis.www. m�m�ac.org

May 15-17

GSA Training Conference & ExpoHenry B. Gonzalez Convention CenterSan Antonio, Tex.www.expo.gsa.gov

May 15-17

Electric Power ExpoBaltimore Convention Center - Baltimore, Md.www.electricpower expo.com�

May 21-23

AEM Marketing ConferenceChattanoogan HotelChattanooga, Tenn. www.aem�.org

June 3-5

ASSE-Safety ExpoColorado Convention Center - Denver, Co.www.safety2012.org

June 3-6

WindpowerGeorgia World Congress Center - Atlanta, Ga.www.windpowerexpo.org