Desktop Publishing Points to Ease Translation Issues

Our foreign language translation firm works on several different computer platforms and in all sorts of software programs when working with clients around the world.

We continue to encounter several issues that can cause higher rates for our clients due to additional time to “fix” files before they can go through translation.  Only a few quick changes can make the translation and formatting process go smoother, quicker and cheaper for you.

5 formatting suggestions to help your projects move faster:

• Use tabs, not the space bar, to align type.
• Word-processing programs may not print on an image setter with the same line and page breaks as on your office printer. The best solution is to save the document as a .pdf file. as well as providing the original document

• Delete extra blank pages and any clutter, such as unused type, boxes, and art, that remains on the pasteboard.

• Provide a proof usually a pdf of the most current version of your document.
• Place copies of your document, fonts, art, and photos in the same folder so that files link properly.

We hope this helps your translation project run smoother!

List of new Simplified Chinese Characters to be announced

According to Window of China in a recent article - the People’s Republic of China will be issuing a modified list of simplified Chinese characters.  This is in hopes of standardizing a language written by billions internationally.

China first introduced the simplified character in 1956.  The process included decreasing the number of strokes for each character to make it easier to learn.  In 1986 the official count of simplified characters was 2,235. 

Many people have felt that the symbols have been oversimplified, which have made the characters more difficult to understand.  This new release is intended to help solve this confusion. 

Don’t expect the new characters to be fully restored to traditional Chinese as that would require an entirely new education for the Chinese people.  Although many Chinese people see the traditional Chinese characters as a way to preserve their culture.

What do you think?