The main features of XML include:

• Ideal for handling data with a complex structure or atypical data
• Allows for the description of data using mark up language
• Allows for the interchange of data between systems by using a text-based format
• Human-friendly and computer-friendly format
• Handles data in a tree structure having one-and only one-root element
• Excellent for long-term data storage and data reusability

XML’s roots actually go all the way back to the 1970s, as it was developed to be a lighter version of the Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML).  Now, many years later, XML has itself spawned associated technologies such as Extensible Stylesheet Language (XSL), Document Type Definition (DTD), XML Schema Definition (XSD), XPath, and XQuery, to name a few.  Today, XML is commonly used to exchange data over the Internet.

As a markup language, novices may at first confuse XML with HTML, but the resemblance ends at the markup syntax.  HTML has strictly defined tags, whereas XML is extensible, and the tags are user-defined.  This extensibility is the source of XML’s power: the familiar syntax allows the files to be read by virtually any computer system, while the definition of the tags conveys the needed data to the program which requires it. Since it is plain text, XML can be read by humans, although it is not typically intended to be without its Stylesheet.

XML files are natively encoded as UTF-8, so they support any character set that can be entered electronically. This makes the XML format ideal for natural language translation, as many non Latin-based characters are not supported in traditional ASCII encoding. In fact, XML is often used in software localization by placing User Interface (UI) strings in a resx file, or in a “strings.xml” file.  These techniques allow a program to support multilingual UI without having to recompile the source code, and additional languages can be added at any time by simply adding a new string file in another language.

Although XML is an ideal file format for translation, not all translators can work with XML files.  Structural data inside the tags must remain untouched, as must some elements and attributes.  When translating XML files, it is imperative that translators process only translatable content. Some translation tools come with ready-made filters which define what needs to be translated and what needs to remain intact. Additionally, tools will allow for customization of filters as needed.

The following is a brief example of English (source) extracted from an XML file, followed by the same content having been translated into Russian, German, and Simplified Chinese:

English

Russian

German

Simplified Chinese

Using XML to exchange information has become universally popular, and XML translation is the process by which the information contained within XML files is converted into any world language, regardless of character set. Interpro is experienced and knowledgeable with XML formats, and provides turnkey XML translation services that ensure XML content will be correctly localized and fully functional.

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With the popularity of online surveys, it is easier than ever to reach your audience and collect more information. However, just because you can distribute your survey as-is across the globe, doesn’t mean that you should. Translation is an important, but often forgotten step in the global survey process that gives you the ability to harvest the most accurate and authentic data.

Let’s take a look at what makes surveys such a powerful tool, and what survey translation can mean for your organization.

The Power of Surveys

We’ve all been asked to take a survey at one point or another in our lives, but what exactly is their role in the business world and how do they help companies grow?

Customer Surveys

You may think that the age of high-tech analytics has decreased the need for customer surveys, but in reality, surveying is just as beneficial as it ever has been. Customer questionnaires can reveal:

• Performance of customer-facing units: Measure customer satisfaction in settings such as retail locations and with customer service teams.
• Inefficiencies and issues in processes and delivery: Customer input on delivery experience can be used to improve the shipping process, packaging, and more.
• Potential product improvements: Product surveys show what customers like and don’t like about the products or services they purchased.
• Consumer demographics: Surveys aren’t developed solely to learn about the customer experience post-purchase. They can actually be utilized to gather important consumer data that will inform your marketing team so that they can formulate a strategy prior to selling a product.
• Demand for products that haven’t gone to market yet: Have a product idea? Get a pulse on the demand before manufacturing even begins.

Surveys reveal how consumers think, rather than simply how they act. These insights on behavior, values, and satisfaction give companies the ability to improve and fine-tune products, services, and marketing tactics.

Workplace Surveys

According to the National Business Research Institute (NBRI), “the importance of the annual employee survey cannot be overstated.” Surveys issued internally can be used to gauge feedback on a number of things such as:

• Employee engagement: These surveys reveal the level of employee dedication – both to their job and to the company – and focus on elements like accountability, communication, and workplace relationships.
• Employee satisfaction: Satisfaction surveys tell employers how happy their workforce is, what sorts of issues they face, and what opinions about the company they hold.
• Culture and climate: These help companies understand the feelings, perceptions, and opinions regarding the culture and work environment.
• Exit surveys: When employees leave, exit surveys give Human Resource departments an idea of why that person is leaving, and how they can prevent future turnover.

All of these types of workplace surveys are usually conducted with one goal in mind: collect data so that weak points can be identified. The data allows company leadership to improve policies and practices in order to create a better work environment yielding greater employee satisfaction, higher retention rates, and boosted productivity.

The NBRI summed up the need for surveys across the board with the following statement: “No executive wants to run an organization without a firm grasp on the two most important human factors controlling their destiny: the thinking of their employees, and the thinking of their customers.”

Survey Translation

It’s easy to see why surveys are an indispensable tool enabling businesses to thrive, but there’s another element that will boost the impact of your polls and questionnaires: survey translation.

Why Survey Translation Is Important

If your company operates on an international scale, making your surveys available in multiple languages provides you with even more data. Survey translation is a critical tool that allows your marketing researchers and managers to effectively include non-English speakers in the coverage and data provided by your survey.

Translation also demonstrates an appreciation and respect for the needs and opinions of a diverse group, which goes a long way with customers and employees.

From a customer survey standpoint, this data can be segmented to pinpoint unique product development and marketing opportunities based on location demographics. With internal surveys, you may discover specific issues or roadblocks that non-native speakers may face in the workplace that aren’t apparent with native speakers of a single language.

How It Works

When initially created, the wording and syntax of survey questions are carefully crafted. The same care must be taken when translating. Failure to properly translate surveys can result in the respondents not understanding the questions, causing skewed and inaccurate results.

With surveys, simple word for word translations oftentimes aren’t sufficient to accurately convey the meaning and intent behind the questions. Cultural differences must also be considered when localizing survey content to meet audience needs.

Once the original source-language survey has been developed and finalized, a translator translates and reviews the document to identify any difficult words, phrases, and concepts in the target language. Because they are translated by native-speakers and subject-matter experts, new surveys will flawlessly read as if they were originally written in the target languages. Cultural nuances, specific audience demographics, and ease-of-use for the target audience will all be taken into consideration.

After painstaking translation, editing, and proofreading, the last step in the survey translation process is Quality Assurance. Here, the translation team compares the target-language survey to the original to ensure that each question’s intent has remained the same. When the final product is delivered to the client, it is ready to be immediately shared with audiences.

The Results

Now that you’ve successfully distributed your survey in multiple languages to employees and customers, it’s time to get some results. If your survey included open-ended questions, it may be difficult to understand the responses. A survey, no matter the language, doesn’t do your company much good if you can’t properly analyze the data you receive.

A professional translation company will help make sure that you can clearly interpret the results and responses of surveys. This is just one of the ways that translation services can be catered to your project’s exact needs.

In Conclusion

Surveys are extremely useful tools that can reveal even more information if translated into the languages of your intended audiences. Whether you’re a company selling globally and searching for customer insights, or a business surveying your international workforce, accurate translation is critical in order to obtain reliable results. With the help of a professional translation agency, your surveys will have a global reach, and be able to effectively take the pulse of your intended audiences.

The post Multilingual Surveys: How to Increase Effective Feedback on a Global Scale appeared first on Interpro Translation Solutions.

Why Use Survey Tools?

Surveys offer important information. When used in-house, surveys can help management understand employee satisfaction and keep a pulse on morale in the workplace. In fact, research finds that employee engagement surveys are still one of the most effective high-performance HR practices.

Externally, surveys are also used to gather feedback regarding customer service. They offer insight into new products, brand loyalty, and market research. Survey data can also help you better understand your customer demographics. Once you understand someone’s lifestyle, preferences, concerns, and interests, you can work to develop better partner relationships.

Surveys were once incredibly time consuming and expensive. As a result, many businesses and organizations used them infrequently, if at all, due to the inefficiency or cost-prohibitive nature. Now, online survey tools let businesses create visually appealing surveys quickly for little to no cost while still providing accurate results. Most of the leading tools will also provide multilingual survey support.

Who Needs Survey Translation?

Surveys are powerful. Any business, organization, or associate can benefit from online survey data. As teams and audiences grow, translating those surveys into their multiple languages can ensure that viewpoints and feedback are captures accurately. Because surveys are so valuable for every content type in any industry, professional translation teams are equipped to translate surveys for every topic into any language.

The Professional Survey Translation Process

For surveys to be valid and reliable, they have to be carefully crafted. Part of that process includes enlisting the expertise of professional survey translation teams to ensure that the content is translated accurately while still preserving the layout and intent of the survey.

Since this translation process can be a monumental undertaking, Interpro offers a turnkey solution. Consequently, there are no additional steps required from our clients once the Interpro team has access to the survey.

To start the turnkey survey translation process, clients will share access to the original survey instrument with our translators and describe their translation language needs. The source survey may be translated from English into dozens of target languages. Additionally, our translation experts can also translate a source survey that was originally written in a foreign language and then translate it into English.

The original survey instrument will be reviewed, and then words, phrases, or concepts that may be difficult to understand in the target language are carefully reviewed. Since each translator is a native speaker, they are familiar with not only the language, but the culture and demographics of the target survey audience. That means that the terms will be translated in ways that are culturally nuanced and appropriate for the target audience.

The quality assurance steps take place in the live environment. There, our team compares the original language type with the translated version. This step ensures that no matter which language the survey is completed in, the intent behind the questions is preserved and the data will still allow for intense analytic action. After the turnkey product is created, the survey is ready to be shared and data collection can begin right away.

Final Thoughts on Survey Translation

Online surveys are an efficient and cost-effective way to better understand both employees and audiences. With a multilingual employee base or a global audience, the reality is that survey translation is a must. Professional translation teams use their linguistic skills to develop a turnkey product that preserves the aesthetic that online survey tools offer while helping you collect valid and reliable data.

The post Using Survey Translation to Reach Audiences Across the Globe appeared first on Interpro Translation Solutions.