Translation of textual information located on Web pages has a special specific nature, since it is a multilevel and complex process of adapting the content to the new target audience. Localization of Internet resources does not simply require mechanical interpretation of language blocks and selection of speech elements corresponding to the semantic load. The translation of sites includes a number of stages, the participation of a linguist in which allows the creation of an online project similar to the original, where the information is presented in a form that is easy for visitors to “read”. Often the focus is not on the accuracy of the translation of the original text, but on the notorious “usability”.
Spheres of application
The development of economic relations in various business segments determines a dynamic expansion of partner relations. Entering the world market, companies increase the number of branches, representative offices, which requires modernization of their sites.
The expansion of business, aimed at the realization of goods, services in another country, requires a change in the content of the online resource, taking into account regional, cultural and language characteristics. Website translation by a qualified linguist, preserving the structure and functionality of the original, makes it possible to adapt new pages to the needs of the target audience.
Stylistics
Forming text blocks for placement on the web-pages, it is necessary to comply with stylistic norms inherent in the original texts. It is important to preserve the simplicity of language, which guarantees the ease of perception of information by visitors.
Adhering to the business style, typical for the majority of official sites of the companies, it is necessary to translate web pages, taking into account the conceptual requirements for the uniqueness of the content posted, which imposes certain restrictions on the translator. The difficulty in this type of work lies in maintaining the inherent style of the original, while making sure that the information is still “readable”.
Specifics of
When translating, it is necessary to convey the message load of the text messages with the grammatical-syntactic connection of speech constructions, which is inherent to the language norms. It is necessary to correctly interpret the names of all the interface, graphic elements, adapt the flash content, prepare the meta-tags. All this will ensure the promotion of the position of the site in foreign search engines and serve as a means of attracting customers, visitors.
High-quality adaptation is not possible without editorial checks. A competent proofreader, who is a native speaker, will perform proofreading of text blocks and remove possible inaccuracies. It should be understood that the end users of such a document will be native speakers of the target language, so the translation must also be prepared by a native speaker.
The “right” site from the point of view of search engines and visitors is a resource whose translation is made with:
consideration of the lexical and grammatical peculiarities of the language;
observance of stylistic and linguistic rules and regulations;
optimization of translated content according to search engine requirements.
Translation and localization of a resource implies:
adaptation of posted materials, optimization of the navigation system according to the peculiarities of visual perception of texts, images;
forming messages using phrases and expressions characteristic of the language;
accurate transmission of industry terminology, technical aspects, information blocks with a correct interpretation of the measurement values of metric systems, date/time format, other subtleties.
The main difficulty for the linguist is the correct adaptation of the material, taking into account the numerous criteria that determine the simplicity, comprehensibility of the information for visitors and its compliance with the requirements of search engines. Such a line of work requires high qualification of a linguist, understanding of socio-cultural, regional linguistic peculiarities. It is important to perform the work so that the structure and the logic of the navigation correspond to the original, while keeping the material informative, readable, useful and unique. The specialist translator should have additional skills in working with Internet sites or work under the guidance of someone with such skills.