Skill #32: Understanding Translation and Localization

📣 Special announcement: The Not-Boring Tech Writer team (Kate and Chad) will be at Write the Docs Portland in May. Thanks to KnowledgeOwl's sponsorship, they’ll be wearing KnowledgeOwl and The Not-Boring Tech Writer t-shirts and giving out The Not-Boring Tech Writer stickers. If you're attending WTD Portland this year, please say hi to Kate and Chad, let them know what you think of the show, and swing by the conference swag table to grab some free stickers so you can flaunt your not-boring tech writer status with the world!
_____________________________________________

As products and services reach markets outside of their geographic origins, organizations must consider how to translate and localize their existing documentation. It’s a must, as these new users will need to refer to a knowledge base. 

But how exactly do organizations translate their documentation? Do they copy and paste all of their content into Google Translate? Do they hire technical writers who speak and write the language of the new market? 

As you’ll learn in this episode, successful organizations partner with translation and localization vendors, who ensure users in new markets understand the content. 

To help us dig deep into this skill, we have Mike McDermott on the podcast: Director of Language Translations at MadTranslations, a translation service created by MadCap software. For nearly eight years, Mike has helped clients translate their content into several different languages.  

In this episode, Mike share insights he’s learned along the way to ensure any organization has a seamless, successful translation process, including how to research the right translation service, who to get involved in the research process, and how to create content optimized for translation.

Show notes: 

• Skill #28: Researching as a Tech Writer
• MadCap Software
• MadTranslations
• Mike McDermott on LinkedIn