Translation of corporate training material looks to the learning effect as much as to technical accuracy. Content prepared at group headquarters often misses its mark when it is carried over as it stands to an employee in Türkiye.
Types of material
The presentation, the participant handbook, the trainer's notes, the e-learning module and the test are separate documents. Each carries a different constraint.
The presentation constraint
The text areas on a slide are fixed. A translation that runs longer makes the text overflow; in that case the content is not shortened, the layout is rebuilt.
Trainer's notes
The notes are written for the trainer and are close to spoken language. Translating them in the same style as the participant text makes the two documents resemble each other and defeats their functions.
Localising examples
An example specific to a foreign country may mean nothing to an employee in Türkiye. Changing the example is a localisation decision and is taken together with the client.
References to legislation
Compliance training refers to foreign legislation. If the equivalent in Türkiye is different, the difference is added as a note; the reference is not changed unprompted.
Test questions
The question stem and the options are translated together. The balance of length between the options is kept; an option that becomes noticeably longer gives a clue.
Answer key
The key is tied to the question numbers. A change in the numbering makes the key invalid and breaks the testing system.
Feedback texts
The explanation shown for a wrong answer is where the learning really takes place. These texts are translated without being shortened.
Audio and subtitles
The voice-over script and the subtitles are subject to different rules. Subtitles have limits on line length and reading speed.
Time codes
The time codes in subtitle files are kept. A shift in a code puts the subtitle out of step with the picture.
On-screen text
Screenshots and graphics in a video are a separate item. They require reproduction and are written into the schedule separately.
Interactive elements
In drag-and-drop and matching activities, text length affects the interaction. Labels that run longer do not fit into the boxes.
Term list
The organisation's internal terminology occurs densely in training material. The list is obtained from the human resources department and applied to all modules.
Brand and product names
Brand and product names are not translated. Slogans and campaign names, on the other hand, are subject to a localisation decision.
Accessibility
Alternative texts for images and subtitles are an accessibility requirement. They are translated with as much care as the content.
Version updates
Training courses are updated annually. If a translation memory is not used, the content is translated from scratch at every update and the terms drift.
Delivery format
The source file format must be editable. Material that arrives only in output format gives rise to a reproduction cost, and this is discussed at the outset.
Certificates and attendance documents
The documents issued at the end of training contain the spelling of the name, the date and the name of the course. Participants' names have to be the same as their spelling in identity documents; Turkish characters being corrupted in the system is the error seen most often and noticed latest.
Reporting assessment results
When test results are reported to headquarters, success rates are shared question by question. Because the translation of the question texts affects these rates, whether a question with a low success rate stems from the translation or from the content is assessed separately.