Hello! Today we will learn about how we can use Lectora translation tool for rapid development of translations. In this blog, I will show you one page translation procedure demo using Lectora 2008.

Let’s translate one page of English course into Simplified Chinese.

First, we need to export all the content into the translation text file. This can be done easily using the inbuilt tool available in Lectora.

Click on the Tools menu item from the Menu bar, and then click on the Translation Tool menu item.

The Translation Tool dialog opens. In the dialog box, choose the ‘Export text to a translation file’ option. Next check ‘The current page only’ option; since this is a demo, we are translating only one (current page) only.

Click on the ‘Browse’ button for the location to save the exported text file. Enter the file name and click on ‘Open’ and then click the ‘OK’ button.

At the end of the procedure, you will be able to see the exported file. Let’s view the text file.

In the document, you will come across instructions like ‘Do not edit this line’ in red. The translators need to be informed about not to delete or translate these instructions. They need to translate only the text below the instruction line.

Let’s have a look at the document translated by the translator. Here is the translated file, Click to view the document. Except for the instructions line, the text is translated into Simplified Chinese language.

After we receive the translated document, we need to import it into the Lectora to replace the English content with Simplified Chinese. Let’s see how to do it.

Again click on the ‘Tools’ menu item from the ‘Menu’ options and then click on the ‘Translation Tool’ menu item.

Next, check the radio button next to ‘Import text from a translation file’. Check the ‘Increase text box size if needed’ option to adjust the text size of the translated content automatically by Lectora.

Click on the ‘The current page only’ option to import as this is a demo.

Click on ‘Browse’ button to locate the translated file and then click on ‘OK’ ‘button. The translated content will replace the text content in the original language on the page.

Check for any formatting / alignment issues. Similarly you can do it for the entire course.

If you need to localize the course you can replace the images and other objects like Flash, manually. Once you are finished with editing the text and localizing the content, the course is ready to publish.

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“The effectiveness of training is multiplied when the content is translated into region-specific languages and localized harmoniously to fit into the culture of the target audience.”

There are various elements in an elearning course that need to be considered while translating the course into multiple languages. Here is the 5 step process for translating the course into multiple languages:

1. Client Inputs Phase: In this step, the content is extracted from the course and a detailed storyboard is developed. The effectiveness of the translation depends mainly on the quality of the storyboard. This storyboard contains all elements that need to be translated – content, images, objects etc.
2. Translation Phase: In this phase the translation is actually done based on the storyboard. The translation is done by native professionals and then proof read by another native professional. Before scaling up, a sample translation is send to the client for approval. The final output of translation process is the translated storyboards in various languages.
3. Integration Phase: Based on the translated storyboards, the course is build, using the source files. Effort must be taken to localize the content and image placement.
4. Quality Phase: In this phase linguistic and technical quality check is done for the course.
5. Final Submission: Deliver the translated course to the client. Final client edits and feedbacks are incorporated and project is signed off.

Have a look at our multi language course on electrical safety done in 8 languages.

Get more information about translation and localization

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CommLab India, a veteran in developing custom eLearning courses has recently tied up with eLearning for kids, the global non-profit foundation to develop eLearning courses on various subjects for kids across the world. It will also translate and localize existing courses into a host of other languages to reach more kids. All these services will, of course, be offered free of cost.

RK Prasad and Ayesha, the top team at CommLab India met Dr. Nick van Dam, Founder and Chairman of eLearning for kids in Hyderabad to discuss various ways how CommLab can support and contribute to the wonderful work that Dr. van Dam has started. It was a very fruitful meeting of like-minded professionals who want to contribute to one of the most disadvantaged sections of our society – kids.

Left to right: Ayesha (COO, CommLab India), Dr. Nick van Dam (Founder and Chairman, eLearning for kids) and RK Prasad (CEO, CommLab India).

Some areas for immediate collaboration were, of course, eLearning courseware development, translation & localization of courses in English and re-branding CommLab’s existing courses for eLearning for kids. CommLab also volunteered to promote the foundation among the schools and teachers, especially in Hyderabad.

Work has already started in right earnest in re-branding existing courses.

About e-Learning for kids

Established in 2004, e-Learning for kids is a global nonprofit foundation dedicated to fun and free learning on the Internet for children between the ages 5 – 12, with courses in math, science, reading, health and computers. A volunteer staff consists of education and e-learning experts and business professionals from around the world committed to making a difference.

For more information, please send a mail to info@e-learningforkids.org or visit http://www.e-learningforkids.org

About CommLab India

CommLab India (www.commlabindia.com) is an end-to-end eLearning solutions company based in India. Since 2000, it has been providing state-of-the-art eLearning services to organizations across the world in the areas of Custom Courseware, Catalog Courses and Learning Technology. Some of its reputed clients are BC Hydro, George Washington University, Kawasaki and Deloitte. They are preferred vendors to more than 15 Fortune 500 companies such as Alcoa, Unilever and Pepco Holding Inc.

For more information, contact info@commlabindia.com

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