For manufacturers seeking a translation services provider to help them scale like Armstrong International, global expansion is a strategic necessity. With operations in over 100 countries, Armstrong’s leadership team knew that choosing a translation company that would help them streamline translation processes was critical to growth, maintaining global compliance, and strengthening brand trust worldwide.

The Challenge of Global Expansion for Manufacturing Leaders

Company expansion isn’t just about selling products in new markets. It’s about building relationships and consistent, reliable communications.

Armstrong’s Chief Marketing Officer, Jeff Nowicki, faced a significant challenge:

“We didn’t have a global process to support multiple languages. We were looking to consolidate with a single source, and to implement systematic localization of content on a more routine basis.”, states Nowicki.

How could he ensure that every piece of Armstrong’s marketing, technical documentation, and eLearning content was accurate, culturally relevant, and brand-consistent in multiple languages?

He needed a translation partner who understood Armstrong’s business inside and out, and not just another vendor.

15 years ago, he found the answer – Interpro Translation Solutions.

Over the past 15 years, Interpro has become more than a language service provider; they have become an extension of Armstrong’s marketing and technical teams. This article explores why that partnership works, the unique challenges of technical translation in manufacturing, and how Interpro helps Armstrong maintain brand consistency across global markets.

Why a Manufacturing CMO Needs a True Translation Partner, Not Just a Vendor

At Armstrong, the company doesn’t just sell thermal utility solutions – it sells reliability. Customers trust Armstrong to provide precise, technically sound, and highly specialized solutions for their steam, air, and hot water systems. Any miscommunication in technical materials – for employees or customers – could lead to inefficiencies, safety hazards, or compliance issues. And of course, there’s the challenge of maintaining a consistent and culturally relevant brand in 100 countries.

This is where many translation services fall short. A generic translation provider may be able to convert words from one language to another, but without deep industry knowledge and workflows to keep terminology consistent across all materials, the results can be disastrous.

What Armstrong needed was a translation partner that could:

• Understand the industry’s technical language and translate complex engineering terms with absolute accuracy.
• Ensure brand consistency across marketing, technical documentation, and training materials.
• Scale with Armstrong as it expanded its presence in multiple international markets.
• Integrate seamlessly into Armstrong’s workflow, working alongside the marketing and engineering teams.

Interpro checked every box.

A Strategic and Consultative Partnership with Interpro

The journey with Interpro began in 2010, when it recognized that a fragmented translation approach wasn’t sustainable. The company was working with different language service providers in various regions, leading to inconsistent terminology, formatting issues, and translation inefficiencies.

From the very first project together, Interpro’s commitment to accuracy and efficiency was clear. Interpro doesn’t just translate materials. The Interpro team did extensive scope discovery, understanding Armstrong’s unique problems. Interpro then developed a systematic localization strategy and streamlined workflow to support Armstrong’s global communication needs.

Key early initiatives included:

• Building a comprehensive Translation Memory (TM) to ensure consistent use of technical terms across all languages.
• Glossary development for French, German, Simplified Chinese, and Spanish: This eliminated inconsistencies across materials.
• Migrating marketing materials from QuarkXPress to Adobe InDesign and ensuring multilingual content was production-ready across all markets.

Since then, Interpro has translated and localized nearly 800 projects for Armstrong, including:

• Armstrong University eLearning course library
• Installation guide and technical manual translation
• Global marketing and sales materials
• Multilingual website localization
• Video translation with voiceover and captions

Each project has reinforced Armstrong’s trust in Interpro’s ability to handle technical complexity while maintaining brand consistency.

“The relationship between Interpro and Armstrong is likely unlike other client relationships, from the standpoint of Interpro becoming fully integrated with our global marketing team, including attending the in-person summit, and quarterly team meetings,” says Nowicki.

The Unique Challenges of Technical Translation in Manufacturing (And How Interpro Solves Them)

Ensuring Absolute Accuracy in Technical Documentation

In manufacturing, the slightest mistranslation in a technical manual or product specification can lead to critical errors. Customers rely on these materials to properly install, operate, and maintain complex equipment.

How Interpro Helps:

• Industry-Specific Linguists: Interpro assigns translators with manufacturing and engineering backgrounds to ensure precise terminology usage.
• Multi-Step Quality Assurance (QA): Armstrong’s process includes multiple review stages, including in-country review (ICR) by native-speaking subject matter experts.
• Glossary and Style Guide Maintenance: Ensures consistency across all documents, regardless of the language.

Result: Armstrong’s technical manuals are accurate, reliable, and compliant in every market.

Maintaining Brand Consistency Across Global Markets

Brand voice and messaging should be consistent, no matter the language. Many manufacturers struggle with maintaining the same level of clarity, authority, and professionalism across translated materials.

How Interpro Helps:

• Centralized Translation Memory & Glossaries: Ensures key brand messages and technical terms are consistently translated.
• Cultural Adaptation (Not Just Translation): Their linguists localize content for different regions, adapting phrasing while keeping the brand’s tone intact.
• Integration with Marketing Teams: Interpro regularly attends Armstrong’s global marketing meetings and summits, ensuring alignment with brand goals.

Result: Armstrong’s messaging is unified and effective across all global campaigns.

Scaling Translation for Growth While Maintaining Quality

Armstrong International operates in over 100 countries and serves clients in industries such as food & beverage, healthcare, automotive, and education. As the company grows, the demand for translated content continues to expand.

How Interpro Helps:

• Scalable Team of Experts: They quickly ramp up resources for large-scale projects.
• Technology-Driven Workflow: Their translation management system (TMS) streamlines projects, reducing turnaround times without sacrificing quality.
• Ongoing Collaboration & Consultation: Regular check-ins ensure that Armstrong’s evolving business needs are met.

Result: Armstrong can confidently expand into new markets with a trusted translation partner by its side.

The Impact: How Interpro Has Transformed Armstrong’s Global Communications

Armstrong’s CMO, Nowicki, says it best:

“We’ve seen increased engagement, increase in form submissions, improved search engine optimization, and brand positioning because we serve comprehensive content in multiple languages. And there has been increased engagement with the team at Armstrong China because the content has been localized.”

The numbers speak for themselves:

• 6,000,000 words translated
• 800+ translation projects completed
• 74 eLearning courses localized
• 8+ languages supported across Armstrong’s global website

Resulting in:

• Increased engagement in international markets (especially in China)
• Higher SEO performance due to localized web content.
• Seamless integration with Armstrong’s global marketing team.
• A fully accessible website for global customers, improving engagement and trust.
• The marketing and sales teams can confidently communicate in local languages, enhancing relationships with international clients.
• Employees worldwide benefit from translated eLearning courses, ensuring consistency in training and operational knowledge.

Why Every Manufacturing CMO Needs a Translation Strategy

Leadership has learned that global success requires more than just great products. It requires clear, consistent, and culturally relevant communication.

Choosing a translation partner isn’t just about cost. It’s about choosing a translation team that prioritizes quality, reliability, and strategic alignment – and engineers your translation workflow to make it work for you. Armstrong’s partnership with Interpro has been a game-changer because they provide:

Technical translation expertise
A commitment to brand consistency
Scalable solutions for global growth
True integration with Armstrong’s team

For manufacturing leaders looking to streamline translation, ensure compliance, and strengthen global brand presence, Interpro Translation Solutions is the gold standard.

Ready to elevate your global strategy?

Contact Interpro today to discuss how expert translation can drive your international success.

The post Global Growth for Manufacturers: Marketing & Technical Translation appeared first on Interpro Translation Solutions.

Since Interpro’s founding, we have incorporated state-of-the-art translation technology and localization engineers to provide our clients with the most effective all-around solutions that fit their budget and delivery times, without compromising the quality of the final deliverables. Whether it involves updating Translation Memory, utilizing the latest Neural Machine Translation (NMT) engine, or deploying a Large Language Model (LLM) generative AI, this means we help you solve your technical issues in your translation, localization, and interpreting projects.

Our Commitment to Continuous Technology Improvement: When you choose to partner with Interpro, we always stay on the cutting edge of the newest translation technology – so you don’t have to.

Advanced Translation Technology

Interpro’s specialists, methodology, and technology are built to support translating from any application, file type, or platform.

Interpro’s track record working with many different authoring programs, development tools, Learning Management Systems (LMS), Content Management Systems (CMS), programming languages, and other platforms for word processing, graphic design, audio and video production ensures consistently successful outcomes for our clients.

In addition to our team’s experience, Interpro’s processes and people create optimal language solutions you need with every project.

Supporting Any File Type, Platform, Application, or Format

From commercial platforms to proprietary tools you’ve created, our turnkey methodology allows the Interpro team to work with any file type you provide on any operating system like Windows, Mac OS, Linux, iOS, Android and IBM i OS.

Don’t see your File Type, Platform, Application, or Format listed?

Connect with an expert at Interpro! Chance are our team can help create you a solution.

The post Interpro’s Supported Applications and File Types appeared first on Interpro Translation Solutions.

Whatever your target languages or regional dialects, Interpro’s professional linguists can provide accurate, consistent translation, localization and interpreting for your audiences. Our expert foreign language translation services are available for virtually every modern language, with localization for specific vernaculars. We also provide translation services from any of these languages into English.

Subject Matter Experts In Every Language

We hand select our linguists from around the world based on our high standards for subject matter experts. Translators are always native speakers of the target language, residing in the culture where the language is spoken.

Translation and Localization for Your Language and Dialect

Some of the languages we work with are shown below, but we can provide expert services in many more. If you need translation or interpreting for a language that isn’t listed, just give us a call.

The post Interpro’s Supported Languages appeared first on Interpro Translation Solutions.

Serving multilingual audiences with accurate and culturally appropriate translation is not only the right thing to do, it’s also good for business. At Interpro, we want to provide you with answers about high-quality translation services because we pride ourselves on quality and professionalism. That includes providing translations that are certified in adherence to International Standards Organization (ISO) standards for Quality Management and Translation Services. As an ISO-certified translation company and an accredited member of The Association of Translation Companies (ATC), our teams follow rigorous steps to guarantee the accuracy and quality of our translations, and the attentiveness of our customer service.

Topics covered in this article:

• What is a certified translation?
• What is considered a certified translation?
• Why would I need a certified translation?
• What are more specific use cases for certified translations?
• What does a certified translator do?
• What is the difference between certified translation and official translation?
• What is the difference between a certified translation and a notarized translation?
• How do I know if my translation service is certified?
• What are the rules for certified translation?
• What are the most important considerations when hiring a certified translation company?
• What other attributes do certified translation companies possess?
• What are some of the risks of using a non-certified translation service?

What is a certified translation?

We cover the basics of “What is a Certified Translation?” but to summarize:

A certified translation is one that has been done by a professional translator who is certified by a recognized translation organization or agency, and is accompanied by a signed statement from the translation agency affirming that the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original source language content.

According to the American Translators Association, anyone in the United States can produce a translation. The individual translator can certify their translations, as can an employee of a translation company if they seek certification from a regulating governing body like the ATC. A translator may also certify someone else’s translation as long as they have reviewed it for accuracy and completeness, and it will not be changed after being certified.

What is considered a certified translation?

A certified translation is a translation of a document that is accompanied by a signed statement attesting to the accuracy and completeness of the translation. This statement is typically provided by a professional translator or a translation agency. The statement affirms that the translation is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge and ability.

Why would I need a certified translation?

Certified translations are often required for official purposes, including legal documents, academic transcripts, immigration forms, and business contracts. In these instances, accuracy and authenticity are paramount. The certification provides assurance that the translation accurately represents the original document.

What are more specific use cases for certified translations?

Certified translations help to avoid misunderstandings or legal complications. A few specific examples follow.

• Legal Documents. Contracts, court orders, affidavits, and patents may need to be translated for legal proceedings or submission to government agencies, or documents that ensure that all parties involved can rely on the accuracy of the translated documents.
• Immigration Purposes. When applying for visas, residency, or citizenship in a country where the official language is different from your native language, you may need to provide proof of accuracy for any translated personal documents, such as birth certificates and marriage certificates.
• Academic Transcripts. If you are applying to educational institutions abroad or seeking recognition of your academic qualifications in another country, you may need certified translations of academic transcripts, diplomas, and other educational documents.
• Business Documents. Companies often require proof of accuracy of business contracts, financial statements, patents, and other corporate documents for international transactions, partnerships, or regulatory compliance.
• Medical Records. In situations where you are seeking medical treatment or insurance coverage in another country, medical records may be necessary.
• Official Government Forms. When filling out official government forms in a language other than your own, you may need proof that translated supporting documents are accurate such as identification cards, tax records, and employment letters may be required.

What does a certified translator do?

A certified translator has been authorized or recognized by a relevant institution or organization to provide translations that are certified. A certified translator translates written content from one language to another while maintaining the accuracy, clarity, and integrity of the original text. They accomplish this by adhering to translation and other industry standards. Another responsibility may be reviewing translated documents to certify them. The certified translator may be a specialist in a certain field, such as law, medicine, finance, or technology. They are responsible for engaging in continuing education to maintain relevant skills. Overall, certified translators play a crucial role in facilitating communication across language barriers.

What is the difference between a certified translation and an official translation?

Official translation usually means the translation needs to be completed by a registered professional translator or professional translation company. When an official translation is required, the translator will write their credentials on the translation and stamp it. A translation that is certified is a step up from official translation. It is also carried out by professional translators, but the translation is then certified. This means the translations are bound together in a pack and stamped just like an official translation but with the addition of a certification letter. This letter contains the details of the translator or translation company, their professional credentials, and a statement of certification.

What is the difference between a certified translation and a notarized translation?

Some end users of certified translations may request or require that “the translation be notarized.” This is actually a misnomer as the translation cannot be notarized. A notary public only legally acknowledges the identity of the individual signing the certification statement. While the terminology is inaccurate, it is helpful to know that this is commonly used by end users and clients.

How do I know if my translation service is certified?

To determine if a translation service is certified, you can consider the following steps.

• Check their credentials and accreditation;
• Read customer reviews and testimonials; and
• Evaluate industry experience by vetting their reputation and specialization.

By following these steps and conducting due diligence, you can determine whether a translation service is certified and capable of providing high-quality, accurate translations.

What are the rules for certified translation?

The rules can vary depending on the country, industry, and specific requirements of the document being translated. However, some general principles and guidelines apply to ensure that translations meet established standards of accuracy, authenticity, and reliability.

• Accuracy. Certified translators must ensure that the translated text accurately reflects the content of the original document. This includes conveying the meaning, tone, and intent of the original text while adhering to the grammatical rules and conventions of the target language.
• Completeness. Documents should include all the information contained in the original document without omitting or altering any content. Translators must translate all text, including headings, footnotes, signatures, and any other relevant information.
• Authentication. In some cases, the translation may require additional authentication to validate the certification statement. This can involve having the translator’s signature notarized by a licensed notary public.
• Quality Assurance. A translation service often has processes in place to review and verify the accuracy and quality of the translations before certification. This may include proofreading, editing, and review by a second translator to ensure consistency and accuracy.

What are the most important considerations when hiring a certified translation company?

Several important considerations can help you choose the right service provider for your needs. Some of the most critical factors to consider include certification and accreditation, expertise and specialization, best-in-class quality assurance processes, turnaround time and flexibility, customer reviews and testimonials, transparent pricing and fees, and customer support and communication skills.

What other attributes do certified translation companies possess?

Certified translation company requirements vary by country, industry, and certification body. Some of the considerations may involve:

• a specified number of years of experience
• an audit on financial stability
• quality management processes
• client references
• supplier references
• appropriate professional indemnity insurance

What are some of the risks of using a non-certified translation service?

Not all translations are created equal, and not every Language Service Provider is a certified translation company.

Using a non-certified service can pose several business risks. These include inaccuracy, legal validity implications, loss of credibility, confidentiality breaches, missed deadlines, lack of accountability or recourse, limited expertise, and poor communication or responsiveness.

If your goal is to receive high-quality translations, we recommend these steps:

1. Understand the basics of choosing a translation company with ISO certifications for translation and quality management. A translation certification demonstrates the company has a reliable translation process. But the quality management certification ensures the company is aiming to continually improve and exceed your expectations every time.
2. Know the difference between localization vs. translation. It makes a difference, and not every translation company is localizing your content for your specific audience’s needs.
3. If you’re ready to start translating, schedule a complimentary localization consultation with our team. When it comes to translation services, each project is a little different. To create the best possible experience, Interpro provides certified translations for a range of services available in any modern language and customizes the translation process to be efficient for you.

Be confident in your translations and contact us with any additional questions about professional, accurate translation services.

Other blogs about translation and localization:

The post The Ultimate Guide to Certified Translation FAQs appeared first on Interpro Translation Solutions.

More and more companies are expanding their global reach and their workforces are becoming more diverse. The need for authentic cultural competency is now a highly coveted organizational value. And this means that the translation of materials in multiple languages is often a business necessity. But not just any translation will do. You need a high-quality, certified translation to ensure professionalism and accuracy.

Topics covered in this article:

• What is a certified translation?
• What counts as a certified translation?
• What are the benefits of certification?
• What are the types of certified translations?
  • Individual Certified Translators
  • Certified Translation Companies
  • Industry-Specific Certified Translations
• Ensuring Quality Translations

What is a Certified Translation?

A certified translation is one that has been done by a professional translator who is certified by a recognized translation organization or agency. This type of translation is accompanied by a signed statement from the translation agency, affirming that the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original source language content.

Certified translations are often required for official or legal purposes. Translated immigration applications, academic transcripts, and legal contracts may need to be certified. The certification signifies that the translation is reliable and accurate. Different countries and institutions may have specific requirements for certified translations. It’s important to check with the relevant authorities to ensure compliance.

What Counts as a Certified Translation?

To be considered a certified translation, the document must include the signed statement. Additionally, the translated document may include a stamp or seal from the translator or the translation agency.

What Are the Benefits of Certification?

Bad translations are bad for business. Many of us have been there: one missing accent mark or incorrect word can make the difference between clarity and a cultural misstep. It could be an irreparable mistake in terms of reputation and trust — or even the law.

Certified translations ensure accuracy, reliability, and integrity. They are completed by experienced translators who have a deep understanding of both the source and target languages. Additional benefits include acceptance by regulatory bodies, legal compliance, as well as continual professionalism.

What are the Types of Certified Translations?

Certified translations can come from a certified translator or a certified translation company.

Individual Certified Translators

In this instance, the translator is certified. This typically involves certification from a recognized translation association, such as the American Translators Association.

Certified Translation Companies

A translation company can also be certified. For example, as an Accredited Member of ATC, Interpro provides translations that are certified with ATC’s Certification Stamp. Being an Accredited ATC Member demonstrates that Interpro has passed the ATC’s strict membership vetting process, including audits on financial stability, quality management processes, client and supplier references, and also carries appropriate professional indemnity insurance.

Industry-Specific Certified Translations

In many cases, specific compliance requirements for translations are mandated by industries themselves. Such industries may include educational institutions, governmental bodies, manufacturing, health and medical fields, or legal agencies, for example. Professionals in these industries should work with compliance experts to establish and promote translation standards. They can then work with a certified translation agency employing subject-matter experts in their particular industry.

Ensuring  Quality Translations

If you need certified translations, you probably want the peace of mind that comes with a certified translation stamp. But the ultimate goal is a high-quality translation that your audience will understand and connect with.

Interpro offers world-class translation and interpreting services in any modern language that helps organizations with multilingual audiences. We ensure your business is well-positioned to handle a range of crucial and sensitive translation needs. We are a certified translation company through the Association of Translation Companies (ATC).

To ensure quality translations, we recommend these steps:

1. Learn more about common certified translation FAQs.
2. Understand localization vs. translation. It makes a difference, and not every translation company is localizing your content for your specific audience’s needs.
3. Find a translation company with ISO certifications for translation and quality management. A translation certification demonstrates the company has a reliable translation process. But the quality management certification ensures the company is aiming to continually improve and exceed your expectations every time.
4. If you’re ready to start translating, schedule a complimentary localization consultation with our team. We’ll create a game plan with you to ensure you receive high-quality, localized, certified translations.

As you research different translation options, consider the peace of mind that comes with working with an established, quality-oriented company like Interpro. A company with a quality focus and partnership-oriented approach will benefit your business through improved client relationships and translation success.

The post What is a Certified Translation? Everything You Need to Know appeared first on Interpro Translation Solutions.

Here’s how voice over translation compares to other video translation options and how to choose the best translation technique for your video. At the end, you’ll find a checklist for choosing a translation services provider to help you bring your video to a wider audience.

Pros and Cons of Voice Over Translation

Advantages of Multilingual Voice Over

• Voice over translation is cost-effective. You’ve already invested in creating your video’s visual experience. Recording a voice over translation makes that experience available to a wider audience without the time and expense of creating a brand-new video from scratch.
• There’s more to connecting with a multicultural audience than getting the language right. A reputable translation service provider like Interpro will localize and adapt the script to meet cultural expectations. When the script hits the studio, it’s recorded by native speakers. This way the audience won’t be surprised by an accent or dialect they weren’t expecting.
• It’s not just words that convey a message; it’s how the speaker says them. The talented speakers who record voice over translations match the original speaker’s tone, style, and energy to keep listeners engaged.
• Voice overs let viewers concentrate on the action on screen. This is especially important in training videos and product demos, where viewers might miss important action while reading a subtitle.

Disadvantages of Multilingual Voice Over

• It’s an extra step, but a good multilingual voice over needs script adaptation. In every language, there are multiple ways of expressing an idea. A technically correct translation of what a speaker said might not be the best way to convey what they mean. Script adaptation makes sure the target audience gets not only the ideas, but the emotion and context behind what’s being said.
• In the fight between voice over translation and subtitling, voice over translation is more engaging but also more expensive. A compromise might be Video Overlay, a voice over that doesn’t follow a script. Instead, native speakers describe the action on screen as though they were covering a live event. Interpro offers this service and has localization consultants to talk about whether this is an option for you.
• Some viewers find voice over translations distracting because they can still hear the original audio in the background and because the translation doesn’t align with speakers’ lip movements. This complaint is most common in countries where dubbing, instead of voice over translation, is the norm.
• Voice overs aren’t accessible to the hearing impaired. To make your video accessible to everyone in your audience, we recommend closed captioning along with your voice over recording. Captions can be added with the ability for viewers to turn them on and off or can be embedded so they are always on.

The Multilingual Voice Over Process

This is how we translate the audio voices in your video to make your message accessible to a multilingual audience.

1. Transcription. The first step in voice over translation is transcribing the speech from the original video. Now we have a script to work from.
2. Translation and localization. A native speaker translates the script into the target language. Accuracy is paramount; the translation should go through multiple levels of proofreading and review before the script is approved.
3. Translation and localization of onscreen text. If your video includes onscreen text, your translation service provider will need to translate that as well. Depending on the context, you might cover the text with subtitles or you might have it added to the script for the voice over talent to read.
4. Voice over recording. The voice over translation is recorded by professional voice actors who are also native speakers of the target language. Make sure your service provider is equipped to provide professional-level studio recordings for optimal sound quality.
   *At Interpro, we always use human voice over talent unless a client specifically requests an AI voice. If AI is used, we add a step to the quality assurance process to check for pronunciation, punctuation, and pacing. We also focus on making sure the voice sounds as human as possible.
5. Audio track replacement. The volume is turned down on the original audio and the translated audio is laid over it.
6. Sync audio with video. The audio track is edited and adjusted to sync it as closely as possible with the images on screen.
7. Quality assurance. Before your translated video is delivered, it must go through a rigorous quality assurance process. This ensures quality of the translation, the audio recording, and the syncing of audio and video. This is a critical step to make your final voice over translation as seamless as it can be.

Note that not every company providing voice over translation services takes all these steps. Before beginning a project, make sure you know the extent and limits of your translation partner’s capabilities.

Using AI for Multilingual Voice Over Recording

Rapidly-evolving artificial intelligence tools are playing a growing role in the translation space. They’re not ideal for every use case, but there are definitely jobs AI can handle.

The biggest drawback to AI-generated audio is that it’s difficult for audiences to connect to it on an emotional level. When you’re looking to make a genuine connection to a viewer, a human speaker is still the way to go.

Machines have a hard time picking up context like sarcasm, humor, or emotion that could color the meaning of what’s being said. A human voice over translator, on the other hand, will understand that nuance and be able to express it appropriately.

Using AI to translate your message is its own minefield. Languages are filled with idioms and expressions machines simply can’t grasp as quickly as a human can. But the technology learns at an incredible rate, so as humans continue to train AI models, it’s likely translations will start becoming more accurate.

So when can you use AI? At the moment, its best use cases are for simple translations that don’t require an emotional connection – like answering frequently asked questions or explaining an easy step-by-step process.

Examples of Multilingual Voice Over Recording

Here are some examples of a human voiceover compared to an AI voiceover.

Human Voiceover in English

AI Voiceover in English

AI Voiceover in Spanish

Voice Over Translation Vs. Dubbing

There’s sometimes confusion between voice overs and dubbing. In practice, you’re more likely to have seen voice over translation in documentaries or educational programs, and dubbing in movies and other entertainment.

In voice over translation, the original audio can be heard at a low level in the background. If the speaker laughs or sighs, the audience can hear it.

A voice over focuses on conveying the message over faithfully reproducing every sound. Rambling sentences might be reined in to make them more concise, and filler words like “um” and “ah” are usually omitted.

Dubbing, on the other hand, completely replaces the original audio track. If you ever sat up late as a kid to watch kung fu movies, you’ve seen dubbing.

Dubbed audio is synced as closely as possible with the speaker’s lip movements. The voice over actor reproduces every sound the original actor made – including filler words, sneezes, and yawns.

Other Types of Voice Over Translation

Instructional Style

Instructional voice over translations replace the original audio entirely. It’s often used in courses and eLearning materials, describing on-screen action so it can be understood by viewers in the target culture. The translation is focused on conveying the meaning of the narrative rather than the exact words of the original speaker.

Dialogue Replacement

When your video has multiple speakers, it can be helpful to employ a different voice over translator for each person. This is different from dubbing because it doesn’t require syncing the translated audio with on-screen mouth movements or reproducing noises irrelevant to the message. It’s a popular choice for corporate videos.

Choosing the Right Voice Over Translation Provider

If voice over translation seems like a good fit for your project, make sure the service provider you choose checks all these boxes:

• Documented quality assurance process at both the script translation stage and at the voice over recording stage
• Translation and voice over provided by native speakers who understand the cultural context of the content and the audience
• Professional quality audio recorded in a studio, mixed with background audio, and incorporating music or other non-speech audio elements of the original video
• Ability to work with the file type of your source video and to provide your translated video in the right file type for your needs
• Experienced provider able to troubleshoot unexpected issues as they crop up

Schedule Your Free Video Translation Consultation

Translating the audio expands the reach of your video content across the globe. To make sure your message resonates with every audience, choose a reliable translation services partner with extensive experience, technical capabilities, and strict quality guidelines.

Interpro takes a personalized approach to video localization, creating unique solutions for each customer. We offer the translation and localization services, recording capabilities, and full-service technical support to complete your project exactly the way you want it.

Schedule a free Video Translation Consultation today to talk about your project with an Interpro localization specialist and start on your way to reaching a global audience

The post The Ultimate Guide on Voiceover Translation: The Pros, Cons, and Process appeared first on Interpro Translation Solutions.

Plus, how will your employees uphold the company’s expectations if they can’t understand these documents? Translating your human resources documents can also protect the company from claims that the employee did not understand their rights and responsibilities.

But how do you find credible human resource translation services that you know will translate your HR materials accurately with a reasonable turnaround time?

Don’t worry! This is your Ultimate Guide on how to find a Professional Human Resource Translation Service to translate anything – from employee manuals and handbooks to codes of conduct and company policies.

Step 1: Determine what human resource documents you want to translate.

A professional translation agency can complete the translation process with any file type, format, software or platform available. Whether you’re translating PowerPoints or Word Documents, PDFs, video files, captions, training courses, or employee surveys, the format you work with shouldn’t be a problem for your translation agency.

If you find yourself getting stuck, a great translation service will also provide advice and be a resource you can consult with on the best way possible to tackle your translation projects. They will be able to answer any questions you have during the translation process.

When quoting your project, a translation agency will need your source documents and materials that you want to be translated.

Types of Human Resource Documents that Can be Translated:

Human Resource’s Mandatory Paperwork at the Start of Employment

• Employment contracts. If your industry uses contracts for employment, translating these documents may be a legal requirement.
• Employee manuals and handbooks. Many company policies and codes of conduct are included in the manual. Translating employee manuals can critically help a company’s multilingual employees.
• Insurance documents. Make benefits accessible for all employees by translating employee benefit policies.

Human Resource Training and Safety Materials

• Compliance documents. Certain industries might have compliance documents that employees must be able to read and understand (this includes other languages).
• Workplace safety documents. Material safety data sheets, evacuation routes, and other safety documents should be translated to ensure safety is thoroughly understood.
• Training programs and videos. Translation is not just for paperwork! Don’t forget to provide access to any multimedia like videos, slide decks, and audio recordings.
• Performance review materials. Help them get the maximum understanding of feedback from their performance review and translate their copy.

Day-to-Day Tools for Human Resources

• Tip sheets and planning tools. Any resources that make it easier for employees to perform their job duties should be available to everyone.
• Guides for managers and employees. Employee development materials and guides should be translated for both parties.

Corporate Communications (Sometimes for Human Resources or Internal Marketing Department)

• Corporate websites. From the website content to the user interface, websites should be translated for all employees (as well as any markets you do business in!).
• Company-wide emails or memos. Anytime communications are sent to employees, these should be translated for all to understand.

Again, your translation agency should be able to handle any file type or format that you work in.

Step 2: Five questions to ask a potential translation agency.

When selecting a translation agency service to translate your human resources documents, there are a few crucial questions you should understand and ask your potential translation agency. You should feel more confident in moving forward if your translation agency can answer these questions.  Plus, you can always ask for a sample translation!

Do you have ISO Certifications?

You’re looking for a company that will deliver services in accordance with ISO Certifications 9001 (Quality) and 17100 (Translation). Learn more about why you want an ISO-Certified Company here.

Do you use machine translation?

Ideally, your translations will be completed by human translators, but some companies use machine translation, which is notorious for making errors and bad translations. You’ll want to do the following:

• Ask more questions to ensure they have proofreading and revision processes to catch any errors.
• Ensure that pricing reflects that Machine Translation is being used, and not a human translator.

Do you include proofreading and revision in your translation process? What is your translation, revision, and proofreading process?

Not only should your translation agency include proofreading and revision as part of their translation workflow, but they should also:

• Ensure that the translator and revisor are two separate people. Just as you shouldn’t proofread your own work in English, your translator and proofreader should be two separate people.
• Look for how they will resolve any errors you find in the final translation. The translation agency should have a policy to resolve any errors that occurred during the translation process quickly.

Are your translators Subject Matter Experts in human resources, and are they located in the country where the target language is spoken?

Your translation agency should try to pair your translation project with:

• the language and
• the topic being translated. If you’re translating complicated medical instructions or a binding legal contract, you want to ensure that the crucial message is translated, not just word-for-word. And by ensuring the translator is located in the target country where the language is spoken, you’ll get a Subject Matter Expert in the language (resulting in the most accurate translations).

What is the turnaround time for the average translation project?

Project turnaround times depend on the number of words you’re translating, the number of languages, if it’s simple document translation or if you need voice-over for videos. But your translation agency should be able to let you know if your project will take days or weeks.

Step 3: The translation agency should provide a project quote and Project Manager.

Once you receive and approve a quote, it’s time to start the project! Good translation agencies will provide a dedicated Project Manager.

Ultimately, you’ll save time and money using a good translation company that provides a dedicated Project Manager for your translation projects. Your Project Manager takes on all aspects of translating a document once you provide them the finalized version in English.

Your Project Manager will be your single contact for all your language needs. They will organize your language team, communicate project updates, and ensure your project is delivered on time. Here is an example of what a translation team could look like for a simple document that needs translated into two languages:

As you can see a Project Manager is critical to keeping your work load at a minimum and getting the most for your investment when working with a translation agency.

The translation agency will then match your translation project with a subject matter expert (SME) who understands the content in your target language.

An SME will examine the content in English and localize the content to the target language. This is an example of an English to French document translation for a company that repeatedly used the phrase “as easy as pie” in their English onboarding materials.

Or another example of an SME…

• You’re translating human resource benefits plans, employee manuals, and employee contracts from English into Spanish
• A good translation agency will then provide you with a translation team that will include a professional translator who is a Subject Matter Expert (SME) of translation documents from English to Spanish.
• Depending on the complexity of the material being translated, your Spanish translator may also be an SME in legal jargon. This helps ensure any legally binding agreements are localized to the target language and fully understood.

Step 4: Human Resources receives the final translated documents.

The translation agency will deliver the final translation, exactly as you sent it, just in a new language! The goal is for the person reading the translated material to never know that the content was translated – just that it was written for them, in their native language.

English to Spanish Document Translation Example

It’s crucial to ensure that all of your human resources documents, materials, and communications are translated accurately and with a reasonable turnaround time.

A Warning about Machine Translation

Companies that use Machine Translation (also known as MT) can be more affordable but are often more inaccurate. They are incapable of taking tone and circumstance into consideration, which can lead to potentially damaging miscommunications. Protect both employees and your company by partnering with an expert human resources translation services firm.

Have more questions about translating for human resources that we didn’t cover? Let us know! Contact us today!

Get a Professional Translation Service for Your Human Resource Translation Materials

HR professionals can find a partner in Interpro Translation Solutions. No matter the number of items that need to be translated, the number of languages, or the timeline, Interpro has an expert team to meet your translation needs. Our proven expertise in human resources translation services quickly delivers accurate information to support your employees.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Translation for Human Resources: Tips and Best Practices appeared first on Interpro Translation Solutions.

Unless, of course, organizations release uncaptioned videos (aka, videos without subtitles). Then that valuable content is inaccessible to millions.

In fact, a study by the World Health Organization found that by 2050, nearly 2.5 billion people worldwide will have some form of hearing loss* and subtitles will be the only way to reach them with video content.

Subtitles & Accessibility (They May Be Required for Your Industry)

In the US, the Americans with Disabilities Act requires public entities and places of public accommodation to make all materials accessible to people with disabilities. Organizations funded by tax dollars are in violation of the law if their videos do not include subtitles or captions.

Adding subtitles to videos is just the beginning of making them accessible. Subtitles translation is crucial to making sure those people can access your video content.

For example, if you’re creating materials in English and Spanish, but your videos are only captioned in English, you’re cutting off hard-of-hearing Spanish speakers from the value of what you have to say.

Captioning benefits people outside the deaf community as well. Some learners better understand and recall information if they both read it and hear it. Captions allow people to watch videos in noisy places where it’s hard to hear and in quiet places where it’s inappropriate to turn on the sound. And if your videos are available online, attaching text like a caption file makes it indexable by search engines.

Types of Subtitles

Subtitles fall into two categories: open (or burn-in) captions and closed captions like SRT (used in most movies and television programs) or VTT (used by online applications like YouTube and Vimeo). Open captions are a part of the onscreen video. They cannot be turned on or off.

Closed captions are generated by a separate text file, and viewers can choose to watch the video with or without subtitles. For the most part, however, closed captions are considered more accessible than burned-in captions.

Burned-in captions have their champions, particularly for social media videos. When a person who is hard-of-hearing or just prefers to browse without sound comes across a video while scrolling their feed, burned-in captions allow them to see what it’s about without having to click on it.

Assistive tools like screen readers can’t recognize text when it is part of an image. That means people with visual disabilities will not be able to access the captions. Viewers also cannot change the size of burned-in text to make it more legible or turn off the captions if they find them distracting.

When targeting a multi-lingual audience, closed captions offer the ability to translate a single video into multiple languages. Save a copy of the video file, attach a caption file in the desired language, and you’re done. Since burned-in captions are part of the image, you would need to create a new video file for each translation.

Syncing Subtitle Translations

Oftentimes, subtitle translations aren’t enough. The next step is to sync your subtitle translation so the captions line up with the video.

Have you ever turned on automatic closed captioning of a live television program like the nightly news? You probably noticed that it took a lot of work to follow the show using only the captions. AI-generated captions are out of sync with the video, which is confusing when the image changes before the text has caught up. And even when the audio and text are in the same language, misunderstood words and phrases can completely change the meaning of what’s being said.

When a video is not being broadcast live, you can avoid an out-of-sync subtitle translation by creating a transcript and attaching it as a time-coded caption file. The transcript accounts for all the spoken words in their proper context, and time coding makes sure the captions appear on the screen at the appropriate time.

Subtitle translation aims to give multilingual audiences the same high-quality experience as audiences reading captions in the source language. You can prepare your video for translation by creating and time coding the transcript in advance.

Subtitle Localization

Just like AI has a difficult time turning spoken words into relevant captions in the same language, it can’t be relied upon for accurate translations. Even uploading a transcript into translation software won’t give you a high-quality translation. The meaning of words and phrases can change dramatically depending on the cultural context.

When looking for a subtitle translation service, look for a translation agency that offers localization.

A Korean speaker may not know what it means to “take a rain check,” for example. And literally translating a phrase like “it costs an arm and a leg” could horrify non-English speakers. This goes for video and other types of content. Avoiding phrases like this and keeping translation in mind when creating English content can be very helpful in your localization strategy.

When subtitling videos for foreign language speakers, this is often understood. Subtitled foreign films, for example, rarely put literal translations of what is being said on the screen. It’s more important that the subtitles convey the idea of what is being said and are timed to allow the audience to follow the action.

Subtitle translations for the hard-of-hearing should follow the same protocol. An experienced, quality-certified translation partner will not translate your transcript word-for-word into a caption file. They will instead localize it – using the words, phrases, and idioms that make it culturally relevant to the target audience.

A high-quality, localized translation means a hearing person who views the original video with no captions, a hard-of-hearing person who views the video captioned in the source language, and a non-English speaker who views the video with translated captions will all walk away with the same understanding of what was said. And that is the definition of accessibility.

*Reference: https://digital-nirvana.com/blogs/closed-captioning-guidelines/

The post Subtitle Translation: Making Your Videos More Accessible and Engaging appeared first on Interpro Translation Solutions.

Yet, in order to reach the largest possible audience, you’ll need to translate your video content into multiple languages.

What Is Video Translation?

Simply put, video translation is the process of rendering the content of a video into another language. In some instances, this means translating the audio to closely match the original.

In other instances, the audio (and sometimes visual) elements undergo a process known as localization. This process is key to video translation. It involves adapting the content to a specific locale or market. Examples of video localization include altering cultural references in the dialog and modifying images to make them more relevant and culturally appropriate.

While you can translate any type of video, the most common video translation projects include:

• eLearning courses
• Marketing and advertising, and
• Entertainment

What is Involved in Video Translation?

Regardless of the type of video, translation involves the same series of steps. To make the process easier to visualize, we’ll use an eLearning course as an example. In this scenario, let’s say you created the video with Vyond and hired a language service provider (LSP) to translate the content.

1. Download the video(s): The video translation begins with downloading the video(s) from Vyond Studio and export the MP4 file(s) to your language service provider (LSP).
2. Script transcription: If a transcription of the audio script is not available, the LSP will start by transcribing all of the spoken dialog and saving it in a document.
3. Translation, revision, and proofreading: subject-matter experts then translate the transcribed script, revise it, and proofread it.
4. Translated script approval: If you request it, your translation agency will send you a translated script for review, allowing you to make any changes to the translation before proceeding with the next step in the process.
5. Script recording/subtitling: Once you approve the script, voiceover recording talent will record the translated script and/or subtitlers will prepare the subtitles. Voiceover is narration that plays over the video, while subtitles are written translations of the dialog. The method(s) you choose will depend on the content, audience, budget, and timeline.
6. Sync audio and text with video: Next, the LSP will import the audio files and/or add subtitles in a separate layer through the video hosting platform. The team will then sync up the audio and/or subtitles to the images within the video.
7. Translated video validation: Linguists will translate other aspects of the video such as on-screen graphics and text. Then the quality assurance (QA) team will review the entire video for translation accuracy, clarity, timing, and format alignment.
8. Delivery of the video: The LSP will send you the final translated and validated video.

The time it takes to complete the process depends on several factors, including the size and complexity of the project and the target language(s) needed. Given that it can take weeks or longer, we recommend contacting an LSP as soon as you know that video translation is something you are going to need. This will help you to minimize any delays in making your multilingual videos available to your target audiences.

The Benefits of Video Translation

However costly and time-consuming the process may be, you may be asking yourself whether or not translating your video is something you actually need to undertake. Well, if your objective is to connect with global audiences, the answer is a resounding yes! That’s because over 70% of people prefer to have content available in their native language.

By translating video content, you will:

• Make it accessible to a wider audience.
• Ensure your message is communicated accurately
• Increase ROI in international markets.
• Increase your organic reach, improve SEO, and increase engagement.

These are just some of the external business benefits of video translation. When used internally, video translation can help you train multilingual workforces, which improves efficiency, promotes inclusion, and helps with employee retention.

Should you Use a Language Service Provider for Video Translation?

Now, you may have looked into free or inexpensive options such as Google Translate or YouTube translation apps. However, if you wish to display your content in a professional way, we strongly recommend doing the proper research to find a reputable LSP with experience in video translation. Tools that say they can do video translation may not give your project the professional look and feel that you require. LSPs, on the other hand, can provide guidance on:

• Translation and localization
• Cultural awareness
• Methods of video translation (subtitling or voiceover)
• Images, graphics, and other non-audio content

Additionally, LSPs possess the technology and have developed workflow and quality control measures to ensure the final product meets industry standards. By working with professionals, you’ll produce videos that captivate your target audience—no matter their language or location.

Ready to start your next video translation project? Let us know how we can help!

Other Related Articles

Interpro’s Video Translation Services
Ultimate Guide to Video Translation
How To Make Your Videos More Accessible with Subtitle Translation

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