Globalizing your product/software? What about translating the user guide? User manuals are an essential part of building a product. They hold the key to that informational door that explains — how to install, operate, maintain, repair and use a product effectively with utmost safety. This ensures maximum satisfaction and enhances overall user experience.
Technical guides are made with the purpose of providing assistance or solutions to the end user of any product. They come in printed format or digital softcopies.
From product developers to technicians user manuals are used in industries of all sorts but mostly in manufacturing and engineering.
What is user manual translation?
In this globalized world where businesses are going borderless, product accessibility is of utmost importance. That’s when one thinks of translating a user manual. User manual translation is the accurate translation of a user guide that contains information on how to install, operate, maintain, repair and use a product effectively.
Translating user guides is a very good move if you’re in a new marketplace, it not only enhances user experience but also builds your brand reputation. It is also an effective tool to collaborate with international partners, and unlock new marketing opportunities.
In this blog, we will be talking about the best and effective ways for user manual translation along with the challenges that one might encounter during the process. We will try to convey the best information regarding the topic so that your product is successful in reaching a foreign market. Follow along.
8 Easy practices for user manual translation
1. Understand your target audience
Determining your target audience is very important because that will ensure that your message remains effective and culturally relevant. For instance, technical manual translation calls for the translation language to be precise and technical. It should be such that the recipient understands what’s written in there. Always make sure that your translation agency knows the target audience and their phrases and avoid all the jargons.
2. Use subject matter experts
User manuals are typically industry specific, they contain information that is not understandable to everyone. Technical terms and jargon are only familiar to translators with comparable training. Experts in the relevant fields ensure that everything is precise and pertinent.
Ask your translation agency whether they have subject matter specialists on staff rather than if the translator speaks your target language well.
At linguidoor we take a great deal in providing high quality manual translations with experts of different industries who are committed to providing the best quality of work. All our translators are experts at their specific fields.
3. Use translation tools
Using translation tools such as machine translation, computer assisted translation tools enhance the process of translation. Combining AI & human expertise, can be a great way to effectively translate large volumes of content.
If your goal is to translate on a budget then using AI translation and taking the help of human translators for better quality can be an effective choice.
4. Find a professional translation agency
Translating those manuals can be a disaster, if your translation agency isn’t what your industry demands. When searching for a translation partner for your manuals, always make sure that they have what you need along with industry expertise.
Make sure your translation agency has certified translators having domain specific experience. Understand their work ethic and the variety of services they provide.
Timely delivery, professional behavior and utmost confidentiality are the major things to always look out for. Maintain effective communication with them and always ask them questions related to technical documentation. A good translation agency will always be down to whatever changes, edits you may want.
5. Get your Visual Elements Ready for Translation
Translating user manuals isn’t just about text and proper translation. The translated document should always look like the original source document. Most of the translation companies have experts who specialize in Desktop Publishing (DTP) for maintaining the originality of the text.
Want expert advice for you setting up your technical documentation process? Contact ourexpert DTP team who are always there to help you with any technical manual translation services.
6. Use Standard File formats
Using editable formats like PPT, Excel, DOC etc. along with pre existing information which they can edit reduces the time required to prepare everything from scratch. This in turn would reduce a lot of your extra cost.
For example, instead of sending complex files to your translation agent, try importing those files in any of the above mentioned formats. It will reduce extra work and allow the translators to do their job more efficiently.
7. Consistency of information
Consistency of subject matter and terminology is very important especially for technical user manual translation. Because inconsistency in technical information can be extremely confusing and may lead to poor user experience. If you have made updates in your product or software but the manual refers to the old system, this would lead to confusion and ultimately affect your product value in the market.
Any update in the product should reflect in the product manual consistently. Translation memory is a good way to ensure any future changes are consistently added to the manual.
8. Review and Quality Assurance
The next step in translating user manuals is to check the effectiveness of the technical documents. Make sure that your translation agency reviews and does proper quality checks of your translation and is open to suggestions and recommendations.
Taking the help of any subject matter experts, or using Quality Assurance (QA) tools as well as making sure your manual is consistent with occurrences in other products and matches the target language.
Doing this will help you identify and correct the issues or problems beforehand that affect user experience and satisfaction.
Conclusion
Translating technical documents is a vital step in ensuring effective utilization of your product. User manual translation is the best way to promote your products in a foreign market. Follow these practices if you want your customers to use these confidently without worrying about damaging them.
User manuals have more than just Guides and instructions; they are the source that enhances the entire user experience and have a significant role in the success of your product or service in a foreign market.
Want any help related to user manual translation? Get in touch with us and let us help you in this process.
Related Article: 10 Types of Technical Translation You Need to Know