For associations, language isn’t just a tool. It’s essential for effective communication with your members.

At the 2024 ASAE Annual Meeting in Cleveland, Interpro Translation Solutions hosted a happy hour designed to spark meaningful conversations about global communication. More than just a social gathering, the event brought together association professionals committed to making their member experiences more inclusive, accessible, and culturally relevant.

In this article, we’ll share everything that we discussed at the event so you can be empowered to host events, meetings, and conferences in any language.

Why Translation & Interpreting Matters to Associations

Member-driven organizations face a unique challenge: they must communicate complex information clearly across diverse communities. Whether they’re publishing technical documentation, hosting training programs, or producing events, associations rely on language services to connect with multilingual audiences.

Interpro specializes in helping these organizations thrive by providing:

• Certified document translation for bylaws, policies, and educational content.
• Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI) for annual meetings, panels, and webinars.
• eLearning localization to support professional development in multiple languages.
• Multilingual desktop publishing to maintain visual consistency across cultures.

Creating Community Around Communication

Co-hosted with BackPocket Agency, the happy hour was a chance to unwind, laugh, and reflect on the partnerships that make these language solutions possible. Since 2018, Interpro’s annual happy hours at ASAE have become a space to connect beyond the trade show floor and reinforce the human side of our work.

The relaxed atmosphere fostered open conversations about interpreting needs, translation best practices, and the growing demand for inclusive content. Attendees shared their organization’s challenges and goals, and the Interpro team offered insights on how strategic localization could support them.

10 Takeaways to Help You Build Stronger Member Experiences with Translated Materials

Every interaction we had at ASAE reinforced a core belief at Interpro: that language access strengthens communities.

Here are 10 proven ways to enhance member engagement with professional translation and interpreting solutions:

1. Prioritize ISO-certified quality assurance to ensure accuracy and consistency.
2. Choose culturally-nuanced translations to build trust and relevance.
3. Leverage Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI) for real-time multilingual accessibility.
4. Localize your eLearning content to support diverse member development.
5. Translate bylaws, policies, and governance materials to promote transparency.
6. Use multilingual desktop publishing to maintain polished, on-brand visuals.
7. Incorporate language services into your annual event planning.
8. Invest in ongoing translation support to keep communications up to date.
9. Partner with a vendor who understands the needs of member-driven organizations.
10. Always approach translation as a strategic extension of your mission.

Building Stronger Member Experiences at ASAE, One Translation at a Time

From multilingual policy guides to real-time interpretation during national conferences, effective language solutions help associations better serve their members. Our happy hour at ASAE was a reminder that behind every successful project is a meaningful partnership.

Whether you’re just beginning to explore translation services or looking to optimize your current strategy, Interpro is here to help.

Need expert translation support? Our team specializes in high-quality localization for member-driven organizations. Contact us today for a consultation.

The post 10 Takeaways for Associations from ASAE appeared first on Interpro Translation Solutions.

In today’s increasingly diverse and inclusive world, ensuring that materials are accessible to everyone has never been more important. That’s where Section 508 steps in, providing guidelines to promote equal access for individuals with disabilities. So, grab your cup of coffee, settle in, and let’s dive into the intricate world of translation compliance. We’ll provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to ensure accessibility in translated content.

Key topics covered in this article:

• Translation Language Requirements for Section 508 vs ADA Compliance
• Section 508 Compliance for Translation and Localization Services
• Reduce Language Barriers with POUR (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust)
• Translation Compliance Best Practices for Common Accessibility Challenges
• Tools and Resources for Ensuring Section 508 Accessibility

Translation Language Requirements for Section 508 vs ADA Compliance

The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and Section 508 compliance both aim to ensure accessibility and non-discrimination, but neither have specific requirements for providing translated materials for non-English-speaking individuals.

However, the ADA and Section 508 are like our accessibility superheroes, with the goal of ensuring everyone can access information regardless of ability. It’s not just about websites and docs meeting a few requirements; it’s about the bigger goal of ensuring equal opportunity access to important information. Depending on your organization’s industry and audience, there can be other governing bodies or regulations for your organization that require your translated materials to meet ADA or Section 508 requirements.

According to this article on Section 508 vs ADA compliance:

The ADA is a civil rights law ensuring equal access for people with disabilities across various public and private sectors. An ADA compliant translation is used specifically to ensure that an individual can still access information despite a communication disability that affects their ability to comprehend, detect, or apply language and speech. This includes vision, hearing, or speech disabilities.

Section 508 mandates that federal agencies make their web-based and digital information accessible to individuals with disabilities. It also applies to organizations that receive federal funding or are involved in federal contracts.

To Summarize: Accessibility after translation for Section 508 or ADA compliance might not be required directly by these bodies, but may be required for your organization or if your goal is to ensure information access without language barriers for people with disabilities.

We always recommend working with your legal counsel and your compliance team to set a standard for your organization’s language requirements. While the ADA and Section 508 are the cornerstones for accessibility in the United States, there are many more diverse laws and guidelines globally. Language requirements for multilingual content can vary based on your industry, global audience’s location, government requirements, and more.

We also believe that as digital tools such as websites, digital documents, and AI translation technologies continue to develop, these compliance requirements will grow and become more strict to include requirements for organizations with multilingual audiences.

The rest of this article will mostly focus on Section 508 compliance because it has direct requirements for information to be accessible to people with disabilities specifically for websites, online content, and digital documents. Whereas the ADA ensures broader everyday business practices are accessible to the general public, including those with disabilities.

As language professionals, we ensure your materials are accessible even after translation. This guarantees that your translated content meets Section 508 requirements as determined by your organization and legal counsel, ensuring compliance in every language.

Section 508 Compliance for Translation and Localization Services

So, why does Section 508 compliance matter for translated content? Imagine trying to access crucial information in a language you don’t understand and then throwing in a disability on top of that—talk about a tough situation, right?

Did you know that on average, 13.2 million people in the US have at least one disability that Section 508 is meant to assist? When thinking about localizing your digital content, factoring Section 508 compliance into the equation means you could be reaching 20% more of your target audience than you might have missed otherwise.

Therefore, we recommend your localized digital content, website, or mobile applications in other languages meet Section 508 compliance by being accessible to users of all levels of ability.

Reduce Language Barriers with POUR (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust)

Now, let’s talk about the four principles of accessibility, also known as POUR: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. Think of it like building a sturdy bridge that connects people with disabilities to vital information.

Here’s what each principle means:

• Perceivable: Make sure all users can perceive the information, regardless of their senses. For example, providing alt text for images ensures that screen readers can convey the information to users who are visually impaired.
• Operable: Ensure that the content is easy to navigate and interact with, especially for those with motor disabilities. This might involve providing keyboard shortcuts or making interactive elements accessible.
• Understandable: Keep the content clear and easy to understand, especially for users with cognitive limitations. This could mean using plain language, avoiding jargon, and providing explanations for complex concepts.
• Robust: Ensure the content remains accessible as technology advances, working well with assistive technologies. Regular testing and updates can help ensure that translated materials remain accessible over time.

Translation Compliance Best Practices for Common Accessibility Challenges

Translating content while keeping it accessible can sometimes feel like solving a Rubik’s Cube – challenging, but totally doable if you know the right moves to make!

An example of a common challenge is providing text alternatives for images and multimedia content. This is super important for individuals who rely on screen readers to access information.

Another common challenge is language and cultural differences, which can make translating content challenging. Recognizing these cultural differences during translation is crucial for creating accessible translations.

Let’s cover some top-notch best practices for ensuring Section 508 compliance in translated materials.

Best Practices for Accessible Translations

1. Clearly define accessibility requirements: Accessibility covers a broad range of topics. It is not enough to say “I need the PDF to be accessible”. Sharing detailed requirements such as “ensure schematic markup is applied after translation” allows a language provider to ensure the requirement is understood, translated, and included in linguistic QA review cycles.
2. Collaborate with accessibility experts: Your compliance and legal counsel should be involved early in the translation process to identify and tackle potential accessibility issues. For example, involve them in the design phase to ensure that content structure and layout are conducive to accessibility.
3. Use accessible file formats: Think-tagged PDFs or HTML formats that support assistive technologies. Ensure that documents are properly structured and include metadata for improved navigation.
4. Keep language clear and simple: Say goodbye to jargon and complicated sentences. Keep it plain and straightforward to make sure everyone can understand. Providing explanations or definitions for specialized terminology can also help improve clarity.
5. Ensure translated web content is screen reader-friendly: Test, test, and test some more to ensure compatibility and proper reading order. Oh, and don’t forget to use descriptive alt text for images! Providing skip navigation links and landmarks can also facilitate navigation for screen reader users.
6. Include subtitles or transcripts: Make sure to include subtitles or transcripts for all those videos you’re translating. It’s like adding subtitles to a foreign movie – essential for those who need it! Be sure to synchronize subtitles properly and format them for easy readability.
7. Choose plain language and localize as necessary: Tailor your content to fit cultural and linguistic preferences while keeping it crystal clear. Consider individuals with cognitive disabilities or different language backgrounds and be mindful of cultural sensitivities and regional language differences. Providing accurate and culturally appropriate translations can improve accessibility for diverse audiences.
8. Verify compatibility with assistive technologies: Make sure your translated content plays nicely with assistive technologies used by individuals with motor impairments. Test, tweak, and test again until everything works like a charm. Providing keyboard shortcuts and ensuring interactive elements are accessible via keyboard navigation can enhance accessibility for users with motor disabilities.

Tools and Resources for Ensuring Section 508 Accessibility

Alright, let’s talk about tools and resources.

Explore a variety of accessibility testing tools and guidelines to identify and tackle accessibility issues like a pro. Follow government checklists as part of the localization process to ensure your digital content ticks all the Section 508 boxes. You can learn more about Section 508 and digital accessibility from the Environmental Protection Agency’s resources at this link.

And don’t forget to brush up on key accessibility guidelines and standards, like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), to ensure your translated materials are top-notch.

In summary, prioritizing Section 508 compliance in translations isn’t just about breaking language barriers—it’s about breaking down barriers to information for everyone. By understanding the importance of Section 508 accessibility, embracing best practices, and staying up to date with emerging technologies, we can ensure everyone has a seat at the table.

Ready to make your translated materials accessible?

At Interpro, we’re here to help translate your materials to meet Section 508 standards. We understand the importance of accessibility and believe in the power of language to connect people.

Next Steps:

1. It’s essential that you work closely with your internal teams to determine what Section 508 standards your translated content needs to meet.
2. Schedule a complimentary localization consultation with our team. We’ll create a game plan with you to ensure that our translation process matches your accessibility requirements in the target language(s).

Together, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of language or ability, can access important information without barriers.

The post Section 508 and ADA Translation Compliance: A Guide to Accessibility appeared first on Interpro Translation Solutions.

Discover how to use translation as a tool to increase information access for your company and the first steps to begin your language journey.

Our team is invested in providing access to information. Our recently rebranded mission is:

We create stronger relationships through language, and relationships create a better world. Interpro connects people of different cultures worldwide through language while creating long-term partnerships that bridge cultures and remove language barriers.

Language equity and improving information access for individuals who don’t speak English or who speak English as a second language are priorities at Interpro.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has been at the forefront of many discussions. Inclusive language is a priority – but is multilingual language a topic in this journey?

If it isn’t, we feel it should be. When done accurately, translation, interpreting, and localization can be a powerful language inclusion tool. Language inclusion is not limited to any single industry. Associations, banking, finance, healthcare, gaming, technology, legal, automotive, manufacturing, travel, tourism, hospitality, retail, and eCommerce (to name a few) can all grow by offering accurate multilingual content.

So, we’re opening the Multilingual Inclusion for Language Access conversation in this blog. We hope that this will spark ideas on how your organization can play a role in helping promote language equity.

Getting Started: What is Multilingual Language Access (regarding building a multilingual-inclusive organization)?

Language inclusion is the active decision to choose words that avoid discrimination, exclusion, or alienation of a group of people.

When this concept is applied to an organization with either internal or external multilingual audiences, it takes on an even deeper meaning.

In other words, people who grew up with a different culture or speak a different language will have different cultural references and dialects. This can make it challenging to navigate and comprehend materials written solely in English.

If your goal is to create an inclusive culture for people who speak languages other than English, one simple yet highly effective step is to localize your materials.

This will overcome language barriers in the most efficient way possible. Localization helps ensure you and your organization are not widening the communication gap between English speakers and those who speak other languages. It often demonstrates that your organization is dedicated to building an inclusive multilingual culture.

Examples of Multilingual Cultural References: An American-to-Spanish Cultural Difference

Cultural references go beyond a shared place of birth or common background. They include experiences that might have a deep impact on message reception.

One Spanish cultural reference Americans may not be familiar with is the “siesta.” Siesta refers to a short nap or rest taken in the early afternoon, typically after lunch.

In many Spanish-speaking countries, particularly in Spain and Latin America, having a siesta is a cultural tradition, especially in warmer regions where the midday heat can be intense. The concept of siesta is deeply ingrained in the Spanish culture and reflects a more relaxed approach to daily life, prioritizing leisure and well-being. This could be a drastic change for a Spanish native in American culture.

Compare this to the American-hustle-get-it-done attitude, in which a workplace nap will likely get a worker disciplined. Many have heard the expression that in the USA, “we live to work,” and in other countries, “they work to live.” Understanding these cultural differences can help ensure that your Spanish-speaking target audience understands and resonates with your message.

Is Multilingual Content Right for Your Organization?

Translations can be used to spearhead diversity and inclusion efforts for internal company training materials, eLearning courses, and communication. Or they can be used externally with clients and end users in marketing, packaging, and other communications.

Translating your content has the potential to increase the visibility of your organization. This has to be done accurately, ideally with human linguists paired with subject matter expertise. Inaccurate translations may look like you’re offering something inclusive, but poor translation or interpretation increases the risk of mistakes and offending a culture. The results could be detrimental.

But the question remains: is the investment in translating materials right for you?

At Interpro, we understand the importance and advantages of accurate multilingual content. But we also know translating all your materials is not the right solution for every organization.

Answer these questions to help determine if using a language service provider for translation or interpretation is right for your organization:

• Does your company want to increase its market reach?
• Does your company want to be part of a global community?
• Does your company want to increase understanding with your current multilingual employees, customers, or members for whom English might be a second language?
• Does your company want to reach more customers in underrepresented markets?
• Is your company in an industry with language inclusion requirements?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, having multilingual content could be right for your business.

The Real Benefits of Translation for a Business

Now imagine that a misunderstanding or offense occurs in the context of a more serious subject matter, such as:

• how to operate heavy machinery safely
• setting up your insurance benefits
• providing medical care
• an important legal contract
• a critical marketing campaign

Injuries, disastrous life-changing misunderstandings, or tanked sales can be serious results.

Translating your materials isn’t just a nice-to-have benefit in these critical situations. Potential misunderstandings due to a language barrier or incorrect translation could cause safety, legal, or financial issues for both your audience and your business.

Translating your organization’s materials is a great way to increase access, improve understanding, remove language barriers, and reduce risk. We like to think that when you translate the content, you reach your audience where they feel most comfortable.

Learning in one’s own native language has been shown to increase retention and reduce misunderstanding and situational disability. Situational Disability can occur often when visiting or residing in a foreign country without knowing the language.

Now that we’ve defined language inclusion and understand the benefits of translation for an organization, what can you do about it?

How to Start Your Organization’s Multilingual Language Access Journey

Organizations prioritizing quality know that you must bridge the gap between your experience and your reader’s experience. That’s where localization is a tool to promote language inclusion.

Although it’s unrealistic to offer all your content in every single language (there are over 200 modern languages still in use today), it is possible to take the first step: assessing and asking your audience about their language needs.

Once a single need is established, you can begin your journey by acting on that information and providing just one piece of material in one language.

We’ve seen organizations do the following for multilingual language access:

• Localize manuals, eLearning courses, videos, or safety instructions.
• Translate legal agreements, insurance benefits, or medical information.
• Localize website content and online educational information.
• Offer interpreting for meetings, conferences, and events.

These are only a few ways to begin your multilingual language access journey. After establishing a single need, involve a localization strategist for a more custom approach for your business. Accurately localizing your materials will only help your organization communicate more effectively with your audience.

Interpro’s Experience with the Multilingual Language Access Landscape

Multilingual is Inclusive

We believe that translation and localization are critical to an organization’s DEI efforts. We see more and more companies discovering translation as a tool for inclusivity.

A good translation can demonstrate the organization’s dedication to accessible information in many ways, such as:

• Encouraging diversity by engaging and representing different cultures in written materials and spoken events.
• Increasing equity through comprehension and removing language barriers.
• Allowing inclusive access to information for people of different cultures and languages.

Global is Local

Interpro originally began by working with organizations that required localizing materials for international audiences (i.e., organizations selling products to customers globally) – but over the years, our team has helped more and more organizations translate exclusively for multilingual audiences based in the United States.

Representing multiple languages in your content can have an immense competitive advantage. Sixty-eight million people in the U.S. speak a language other than English at home. Depending on the industry, a higher percentage of the audience may use a language other than English at home.

The shift from translating for only international audiences to domestic audiences is why Interpro wants to join your writing process long before the translation stage begins. We want your message to translate well because accurate information access is critical.

Building an inclusive and multilingual company culture begins with a multilingual audience that is already local and listening.

Multilingual Help is Here

We take pride in assisting our clients with their English materials, even before completion. That includes helping them write content that will be considered localization-friendly.

Each target language can be different, and languages evolve on an organic basis. We’ve found the best approach for sensitive subjects is consulting with our in-country teams of linguists. Translation teams that are focused on the end user and dedicated to professional localization can often solve these potential translation issues, including:

• Content that might be considered taboo.
• Emotionally-charged content.
• Offensive cultural differences (meaning of colors, attire, symbols, phrase structure, etc.)

Because Interpro delivers all of its work in accordance with ISO 9001:2015 and ISO:17100 certifications, we implement several quality assurance steps and a highly detailed localization process. This can include adapting names, foods, ingredients, dates, formatting, money, slang, and more to the target language. Long story short, we take all measures possible to avoid publishing subpar translations.

We care deeply about each client’s language needs, and that makes accurate translations for information access simple. We aim to keep growing our resources on the subject as it evolves. If you have any questions, please ask them here.

Thank you for joining Interpro on our language access journey. We are here to help you with any questions about beginning your multilingual inclusion journey.

The post Language Access: Understanding Multilingual Language Inclusion 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.

Rise does, nevertheless, support eLearning translation. You can export all the written content of your course into an XLIFF file, translate it, and import it back into the course with all formatting intact.

How you translate your Rise 360 course is an important consideration. While automated translation tools have come a long way, the nuances of language make using them for something as complex as an online course a roll of the dice. Idioms like “take a rain check” or “leave on a cliffhanger” confound them, and a phrase that makes perfect sense in one part of the world can be downright offensive in another.

Why is Rise translation so important?

One of the biggest benefits of eLearning is how easy lessons are to remember. But that diminishes when online learners are presented with material in a foreign language. Having to mentally translate the information as it’s presented reduces their ability to absorb and fully comprehend it.

Providing eLearning courses in multiple languages also allows you to reach more people. If you distribute online courses to a diverse group of learners with varying native languages, take a look at your LMS (Learning Management System) analytics. It should come as no surprise to see greater engagement among learners whose primary language matches the language of the eLearning course.

Ninety percent of people prefer learning in their native language. Think of the millions of opportunities you could be missing by not offering courses in the languages learners want.

What does the Rise translation workflow look like?

Many course developers choose Rise because it is easy to use. Fortunately, Rise translation is also a pretty straightforward process.

1. It all starts with your course. Create your complete course, including visuals and multimedia elements, in your primary language.
2. Next, duplicate your course and export the duplicate’s content to an XLIFF file. XLIFF is an XML-based file format that standardizes the exchange of information between tools.
3. A professional translator will translate the content of the XLIFF, save it in the same format, and send it back to you. You import the translated XLIFF into your duplicate course, and Rise does the rest.
4. To protect the quality of your eLearning course, it’s important to use a Rise translation partner that specializes in localization and to provide your translator with the original course as well as the XLIFF file.

A partner who specializes in localization will know when a phrase should be adjusted into a regional dialect to make it understandable to the intended audience. A good translation provider will also review the visuals in your course to make sure they are culturally appropriate.

How do you engage learners?

The best eLearning courses keep learners engaged with interactive elements. These complex, layered elements are far easier to translate if the translator is able to see them in action. That provides context for each layer and how they fit together to move the course along.

After translation comes validation – making sure the translation is accurate once the course is published. Again, this goes beyond just the words. You’ll want to choose a translation partner experienced in working with Rise to make sure the details you carefully planned in English still work. Publishing settings will match the English (i.e., SCORM).

For example, many languages cause translations to expand or contract. Let’s say a text box on one slide of your course is sized just right to house the word “science.” But in German, “science” is “Naturwissenschaft” – more than twice as many letters need to fit into the same text box.

Designers involved in your Rise translation project will be able to catch such issues and address them, so your course is accurate no matter the language.

Localized text changes impact timing. Slides with more text need more reading time, videos might require subtitles, and audio needs re-recording. All visuals must be timed accordingly.

A Rise translation partner who offers voiceover services will ensure spoken material, even if it uses technical language, is clear and unambiguous. Voiceovers are best recorded in a studio environment by native speakers who understand how tone, pace, and inflection can affect the meaning of content. An engineer will then adjust the timings in the course to ensure the audio and visuals are in sync.

Quality courses aren’t just about the content. The details of how the content is presented make a tremendous impact on the user’s experience and what that experience leads them to think about your company.

The future of learning is now

In 2019, Research and Markets predicted the eLearning industry would be worth about $325 billion by 2025 – almost three times what it was worth in 2015. And that was before COVID-19 sent our lives online. The pandemic condensed a decade of digital transformation into a matter of two years.

Online learning is no longer the future of training and education, it is the present. Savvy businesses are making the most of it by creating digital courses to train their workforce and educate their clients.

Rise 360 is a great tool for creating these courses. It’s easy to use, even for people with little to no course-building experience. The ready-made templates pull courses together fast, and its media optimization and fully responsive design keep your assets functional and high quality.

To fully maximize your investment in eLearning, don’t limit your Rise course to a single language. As of January 2020, only about a quarter of online content was in English. There are 854 million Internet users in China, 149 million users in Brazil, and 118 million users in Japan. Rise translation unlocks millions of opportunities for your course to reach people in the language they know – and learn in – best.

The post Rise Translation: Easier and More Important Than You Think appeared first on Interpro Translation Solutions.

Associations are designed to bring people together to work towards a common goal. Unfortunately, language barriers can make this task difficult. Not providing your association members and staff with materials and resources in their preferred or native language opens the door to miscommunication, and can be interpreted as a message of exclusion.

The services that a translation agency can provide are key factors in helping associations build a welcoming environment that promotes diversity, inclusion, and effective communication.

Importance of Inclusion for Associations

Associations are dedicated to promoting inclusion which, in turn, drives engagement and participation. It shows members that they matter, regardless of factors such as nationality, gender, socioeconomic status, or language spoken. Opening doors to all walks of life benefits each member, and the organization as a whole.

Association Forum, whose mission is to advance the professional practice of association management, states that “when an association values differences and creates a welcoming environment – one that is comfortable, inclusive, and empowering – it opens the door for innovation, increased participation and an elevated sense of community and belonging for all.” As your organization grows, it is up to the association leadership to adopt practices that foster inclusion.

Combating Linguistic Oppression

One of the principal ways in which associations can promote inclusivity is by breaking down linguistic oppression. Simply put, linguistic oppression is a form of exclusion that occurs when a group faces systematic disadvantages due to the language that they speak.

In terms of associations, providing members with resources that aren’t in the language that they are most familiar with (or best understand) puts them at a disadvantage compared to native speakers. Associations across all trades and missions offer a plethora of member benefits from networking opportunities to tools to important industry knowledge and news. Offering your association’s information, services and tools in multiple languages ensures that everyone is able to take full advantage of these benefits.

By providing your members with content in their own language, you are taking steps to become an active ally for traditionally marginalized groups, such as non-native English speakers. It shows that you, as an association, care about the needs of all members and celebrate the things that make your organization wonderfully diverse.

How Translation Agencies like Interpro Can Help

Taking the leap toward global expansion typically requires a good deal of planning. Reaching international audiences doesn’t happen overnight, but a translation agency can make the process as seamless as possible.

As your association expands, there will be more to translate than just membership information. To be inclusive towards all of your audiences, think of everything that you offer your current members. Some of the most common content that translation companies work with includes:

• Documents and resources: Whether it’s training materials or important industry announcements, translation of association documents ensures that all members can take advantage of all available resources.
• Websites: Not only do the documents that your association provides need translation, but so does the place that members come to in order to find them, which is often your website. Everything from headings and text, to action buttons can be translated for optimal member experience.
• Member communication: Do you provide your members with organization updates through mailers or email newsletters? These, too, can be translated so that your international audiences are up to date on the latest association news.
• Videos: Audio and video translations allow members and staff to take advantage of engaging visual resources, as well as text-based documents.
• Live events, workshops, and conferences: Translation companies that also offer interpretation services allow members to come together for live association-sponsored events. Interpretation can also be streamed digitally to audiences, allowing those located across the globe to participate.

To fully capitalize on the benefits of association membership, members should be engaged and involved, and language barriers sometimes prohibit this. By offering translations of this type of content, your association is providing an equal opportunity for education and networking, regardless of language spoken. This strengthens the entirety of the organization, and works to advance the overall mission of the association.

What to Look for in a Translation Agency

It’s important to remember that not all translation agencies offer the full spectrum of linguistic services that your association might need in order to create a welcoming environment. A few associations may be able to get by with limited services, but most will need the help of an agency that offers professional, turn-key solutions. A few important factors to look for in a translation company is the ability to localize content, handle projects from start to finish, and scale with your association as it grows.

Localization

When it comes to getting your message across, word for word translations don’t always get the job done. According to the American Society of Association Executives, “associations just starting to grow globally often create a single messaging strategy for all markets rather than customize strategies for each market.”

This approach, however, can prevent the associations from effectively reaching multiple audiences. Even small missteps in communication can lead organizations to alienate potential members. Associations who already have an established and successful global presence often work with local leaders and translation companies who have the knowledge and ability to localize communications to each market.

Localization goes beyond simple translation and takes several factors into account –  including vocabulary, style, tone, and cultural nuances. Along with written text, localization takes graphics, video, layout, and designs into account to ensure linguistic accuracy and cultural appropriateness. With a basic level of translation, the effort taken may seem like a hasty afterthought. Localization, on the other hand, is an end-product that is tailor-made for each target audience.

Handling Growth and Scalability

It is also important that translation agencies be able to effectively scale with the associations they serve as they continue to expand. A versatile agency will be able to handle projects involving multiple languages, cultures, and content mediums. This will ensure that all members receive the same great service that the association intends to deliver.

Conclusion

Whether your association is in the early stages of global expansion, or is already well-established across international borders, translation services are essential. When you provide your members and staff with the content they need in their own language, you let them know that you care. It’s a small gesture that goes a long way in prioritizing your member’s experiences and in building a truly inclusive association.

The post Fostering Global Inclusion: The Role of International Associations appeared first on Interpro Translation Solutions.

Best Fit for International Members

Word-for-word translation is not enough in this global age. Instead, associations looking to provide international members with experiences that feel fully native and customized, need to take advantage of localization. It is no secret that each profession and each market niche has its own vocabulary, style, and tone. To truly tap into global markets, it is essential to preserve those elements while reaching larger audiences.

Through localization, associations can share documents, journals, websites, training materials, videos, and more with their members across the globe. A localization agency will ensure that the member experience is culturally and linguistically appropriate by considering not just the word choice, but also layout, design, graphics, cultural references, figures of speech, and local formats; including currencies, time, date, and units of measure. By carefully considering the target locale along with its preferences and consumption habits, and preserving the spirit of the original content, members are left feeling that the content has been specifically designed for them and their needs. No matter which language is used to access the content, the message will be preserved consistently while feeling fully personalized to each international member.

A Scalable Model

Membership societies and trade associations offer countless benefits to their members. Since associations represent members from virtually every industry, they provide comprehensive knowledge, networking, research, and advocacy. In fact, the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) recently estimated that the United States was home to over 92,000 trade and professional associations, including the National Safety Council, AARP, and the National Education Association.

Members are privy to problem-solving, strategizing, and business planning on a much larger scale due to workshops, newsletters, and online forums sponsored by the association. Additionally, members also benefit from sharing contacts, protecting common interests, and lobbying for government support. Given the global reach of many associations, a partnership with a localization agency is an important step to ensure that all members reap these benefits.

While associations have multiple options when it comes to translations, a localization agency can offer key benefits that surpass in-house translations. A major benefit is the use of translation memory during the localization process. Translators work in professional translation tools to conduct the translation, enabling them to build a Translation Memory. It is not machine translation; however by translating within a translation memory tool, it enables the translator to create language pairs known as translation units that allow the source text and the corresponding translation to be stored. This linguistic database is then used by skilled translators to produce quality content while maximizing efficiency, which yields a faster turnaround time and a competitive edge. Translation memory can also prove to be cost effective for associations whose content includes documents and manuals with phrases or messages that need to be translated once and then can be repeated multiple times.

In addition to translation memory, localization agencies can take content from any sector and adapt it to new language markets. An experienced and robust team can handle multiple languages with translation and localization expertise spanning most modern languages. Associations looking to grow their communications effort by providing web localization, documentation translation, and multilingual desktop publishing, will find partnering with localization companies to be deeply advantageous.

Ongoing Success by Partnering with a Localization Agency

A localization company like Interpro is adept at handling projects of all sizes. As a scalable business, the team can help associations in all stages—from those that are just venturing out into the global market to others who are looking to grow their presence across multiple continents and in dozens of languages and cultures.

Whatever the content, market analysis, and company growth model, accurate localization will convey an association’s message more clearly to global audiences throughout the implementation of strategies like simultaneous translations, experienced localization professionals, and in-country partnerships. These efforts ensure that the message and information from each association is preserved and conveyed accurately during every step of the expansion process.

Final Thoughts

Working with a professional localization company provides associations with incredible benefits. Not only does it provide a more scalable business model, it also allows associations to enhance their audience’s experiences from a linguistic and functional standpoint. Partnering with a localization agency is a strategic way for any global association to make a lasting impression on members in new language markets as they look to share content accurately and authentically.

The post Why Associations Need a Professional Localization Agency: Benefits and Best Practices appeared first on Interpro Translation Solutions.

Multilingual Website for a Global Audience

Any single language can address no more than 30 percent of the global population. For example, English is commonly regarded as one of the world’s most used languages. However, 70 percent of web surfers don’t speak English as their first language. In recent years it has been researched that only 21 percent of the traffic from the world’s top ten international websites originated in the United States. Large markets exist beyond the English-speaking world and savvy companies are trying to include these markets in their daily commerce. In order to expand their audience base, enterprises are investing in the localization and translation of their websites. A multilingual website, when done professionally, can only help your organization achieve this goal.

Localized Campaigns Outperform English Only, Counterparts

Localization is the process of catering to a specific region. It doesn’t stop at the language translation itself, colors and numbers can also have an impact. For instance, white in one country may indicate weddings and celebrations, while it signifies death in another. As a result, a company might have different color themes for its ad campaigns depending on the region. A multilingual website must also be adapted and localized in terms of layout, color and culture. In mobile advertising, 86 percent of region-specific campaigns outperformed their English only, single market counter parts in terms of conversions and click-throughs. Localized sites and campaigns often utilize professional website translation services to target specific geographic regions, because geo-targeted posts have been found to be six times more successful than broad international posts.

Multilingual Websites and Multilingual Apps

Before you make a plan to localize your website, you should do your research in the prospective regions you are targeting. For example, 92 percent of China’s 25 best-selling iPhone applications use Chinese names over English names and 80 percent of Japan’s top 25 Android apps follow the same localized model. In the Google Play store, 4 out of its top 5 grossing countries are non-English speaking, while the iOS App Store has equal parts English and non-English speaking countries in its top ten profit regions. From 2012 to 2013, Asia’s annual app revenue increased by 162 percent. International markets hold plenty of promise for companies that can connect with diverse audiences. A professionally localized website or mobile app can assist you in reaching out to these customers.

People Want to Shop in Their Native Language

How do you connect with consumers? Connecting with consumers means speaking their language. A multilingual website allows you to do that. While people abroad may speak English, it is typically easier to speak and understand information in their mother tongue. In fact, 72.4 percent of international consumers prefer online shopping sites in their native language and 55 percent only do business with sites offered in their native language. Clearly, having access to a site in a consumer’s native language is important. When people shop, they want to feel comfortable and connected with the brands they do business with. Translating your website will make your web presence more welcoming to the target region.

The Challenges in Creating a Multilingual Website

Translation involves much more than swapping one word for another. Translators must account for idioms and standards that apply to other cultures. An automated translation service will not do this for you. For a true multilingual website to be effective, it needs to be done correctly by a professional human translation team. If you want to ensure effective implementation of localization practices, utilize professional multilingual website translation services.

The post Why Go Multilingual? The Top Benefits of a Multilingual Website appeared first on Interpro Translation Solutions.

While many will see this as an opportunity to learn more about the world we live in, it is a far greater opportunity for those looking to expand awareness of their cause. Many assume this is the globalization of businesses, and non-profits should also take advantage of the new technology and opportunities to support their efforts.

How is global reach an opportunity for non-profits?

Locally and nationally, there is a limited pool of potential investors and sponsors that non-profits can target to request support for their community projects. This limited pool often results in lower funds; therefore, non-profits have to make tough decisions on who can or cannot receive their support.

By having an international audience on the global stage, non-profits can discover more sponsors and donors who can help non-profits help more people. An international presence also helps non-profits achieve their goals and secure their futures since many non-profits are currently experiencing some threats to their continuation. These threats include:

• loss of legitimacy
• fiscal stresses
• increased demand
• increased competition
• pressure to perform
• human resources

Has non-profit globalization worked before?

The global response to requests for support from international non-profits has always been positive, and there have been several successful campaigns. For instance, in 2014/2015 there was the Ashley King episode where his brain tumor was treated in a hospital in Prague when the UK healthcare system refused to offer him a specific treatment. To get that treatment, King’s parents stole their son from the hospital and took him to Spain for care. After the news broke, offers for support for the family came flooding in. The boy’s parents also had the kidnapping charges against them dropped.

On a smaller scale, Wounded Warriors in the US helps veterans who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan to achieve a semi-normal life. To support veterans, Wounded Warriors seek support from volunteers throughout the United States and internationally.

Finally, globalization can help charities even if they have limited contact with potential sponsors. Colchester Zoo in the UK was the surprise recipient of numerous animals to add to their collection, and funds for their charity from a Japanese collector who passed away in his native land. The biggest impact of this donation was the creation of a new Koi Garden.

Translation and localization for non-profits

There are numerous opportunities for non-profits to go global; however, with opportunity comes obstacles. A language barrier is one of the obstacles that a non-profit may encounter when spreading their message and raising awareness. Some common areas that non-profits use translation and localization services for include:

• website localization
• brochure translation
• social media localization
• eLearning localization

In order to ensure that its message reaches as many people as possible, the resources a non-profit uses should be translated into the language of the target country.

Another obstacle that non-profits often deal with when targeting a global audience is the possibility of a culture clash. It is important that local values and customs are taken into account when non-profits are sending their message to audiences across the globe. If non-profits fail to research the markets they wish to target, a mismatch of cultural expectations may occur. This can devalue the opportunity, and turn it into a lost cause. To avoid a cultural mismatch, translation and localization services are frequently used to support globalization efforts.

Conclusion

Non-profits are being asked to do more with less which is draining the financial resources that they need to fund their community projects. To combat this, non-profits need to take advantage of the many opportunities presented by modern technology. This will only be successful if non-profit organizations use translation and localization to match the cultural values of their new audiences with their message.

The post Unlocking Global Opportunities: Translation and Localization for Non-Profits appeared first on Interpro Translation Solutions.