Location

Localizing the technical documentation of an industrial product is the process of adapting it to a specific technical culture or region. This process involves translating the text, adapting images and diagrams, and modifying terminology or the structure of the documentation to suit the specific requirements of the target audience. Localization of technical documentation is important to ensure that users can correctly understand technical product information. This is essential for the safe and efficient use of the product as well as for customer satisfaction.

In the case of industrial products, localization of technical documentation is often necessary to meet legal requirements. In the European Union, technical documentation for industrial products must be available in the official language of each country where the product is marketed.

The process of localizing technical documentation can be complex and requires a thorough understanding of the product, target audience and legal requirements. This process is usually carried out by a team of localization specialists, including translators, editors and technical specialists. Localization of technical documentation is an important part of the process of launching an industrial product on a new market. This process ensures that users can correctly understand the product information and use the product safely and effectively.

The process of localizing pre-post sale technical documentation includes:

ANALYSIS OF ORIGINAL DOCUMENTATION

• At this stage, the original documentation in which the document was conceived is analysed in order to identify the elements that need to be adapted to the specifics of the target country;
• Assessment of the difficulties and restrictions of expression, accepted dialect, social or religious behaviour generally accepted in the target country. Based on this assessment it is decided whether the translation can be carried out with authorized translators or whether native translators should be used.

TRANSLATION

• The documentation is translated into the target language according to the rules of page layout and typesetting specific to each language.

ADAPTATION OF TRANSLATED DOCUMENTATION

• The translated documentation is proofread by a native translator (if the translation was done with authorized translators). Where appropriate, interventions may be made in the text using local technical jargon that may convey the technical information more accurately and precisely.
• Images, diagrams and layout are adapted to suit the target audience.
• Compliance with local regulations and legal requirements.
• Customize content to resonate with your target market.
• Converting technical data and units of measurement to local requirements.
• Use appropriate local formats for dates, addresses and phone numbers.
• Final corrections to the layout of the documentation if the language will have longer/shorter words, which will require each block of text to be adapted to fit the length of the new text.