Got global learners? If so, you’re probably offering training content in multiple languages to ensure everyone fully understands it. But unless you speak all the other languages yourself—which would be cool, but also pretty unlikely—it’s important to build partnerships with trusted language validators to ensure course translations are accurate.
In this article, we’ll walk through what language validation is, why it’s important, and how to find someone to help you with this process.
What is language validation and why is it important?
Language validation is the process of reviewing translated content to ensure that no meaning has been lost or changed during translation. With e-learning, translation accuracy is extra important because if something is mistranslated, learners won’t understand it. And if they don’t understand it, the training won’t be effective.
That’s why language validation is key, regardless of whether you’re translating or localizing content.
What do language validators look for?
Depending on whether you’re translating or localizing your course, language validators will have their eye on different things.
For course translations, language validators will make sure that:
- The translations are accurate.
- No meaning has been changed or lost.
- The style and tone are the same as the original.
- There are no spelling or grammatical errors.
For course localizations, they’ll also make sure that:
- The content, style, and tone have been adapted to fit cultural norms.
- Dates, currencies, and units of measure match regional norms.
- The navigation and layout have been adapted to accommodate text flow and direction, especially when localizing from a left-to-right language to a right-to-left language.
- Imagery is culturally relevant and appropriate.
What makes an ideal language validator?
Language validators could be people on the project team, other co-workers, or maybe even professional translators. Ideally, you should find a person for each language version who is:
- A first-language speaker of the language you’re translating into. If that’s not possible, choose someone with a high level of fluency who can pick up on things like register (aka the level of formality), tone, style, and nuances.
- A good writer and speller in the language you’re translating into. That way, they’ll be attuned to spelling mistakes, typos, and grammatical errors. Remember: just because someone speaks a language, it doesn’t mean they’re an ideal validator.
- Fluent in the original course language so they can compare the localized course to the original.
- They are from or have lived in the target region for an extended period, so they understand the ins and outs of the culture.
- Detail-oriented, so they’ll catch any mistakes.
- Committed to your project, so they’ll make time to review your translated course when you need them to.
And remember, if you can’t find someone who checks all these boxes, find the person who checks the majority of them and go from there.
When and how to request language validation?
While it is important to have your language validators lined up beforehand to save time, validation comes after your course is translated.
With Articulate 360
If you’re using Articulate 360, this process is super easy! In just a few clicks, you can publish your course to Review, and send it to language validators directly from our authoring apps, whether they’re on your subscription or not. All you need is their email address to let them view and edit translations in real time—while you stay in control of final approvals by reviewing and importing their changes in just a few clicks. It’s so easy!
Already an Articulate 360 subscriber? Contact your admin about starting a free trial of Articulate Localization.
New to Articulate 360? Contact us to learn more.
With another authoring tool
Not using Articulate 360? Email sales@articulate.com to learn more or follow these steps with your current authoring tool:
- Publish your translated course.
- Upload it to a web server or LMS.
- Email your validator(s) with links to the course and a review spreadsheet or tool and ask them to leave comments about needed changes.
- Follow up with validator(s) as needed about the status of their review.
- Copy and paste changes manually.
- Send an updated version to the language validator for confirmation.
- Apply any further changes manually.
In summary
Language validation is the key to delivering high-quality localized courses. And with the right people and tools in place, you can set up an easy language validation process.
Already an Articulate 360 subscriber? Contact your admin about starting a free trial of Articulate Localization. And if you’re not, contact us to learn more.
Want to learn more about localization? Check out this helpful article series: All About E-Learning Localization. Join the discussion in our Localization group, and subscribe to our newsletter for more expert advice sent directly to your inbox.
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