As a translation company often we get presentations as part of our work to translate. Often they come in PowerPoint form with graphics and pictures already included. The problem is that the pictures are often in English and are screen shots of whatever program we may be translating. Translation is an after thought many times and the person that put the original presentation together possibly didn’t think about the pictures and how they will fit with the translated presentation. As French and English can look different on a screen if the screen shot is in English and the presentation is in French when users go to the screen it will look different from what you presented. So how do you overcome this problem?
The best way to get around this problem is as follows: if the screens are the same in French and English we can try to cover up the English with a text box with the French. If the screens are different from the original then the best thing is to get new screen shots in the French language so they look correct to your users. If you don’t read French, how will you know what to supply? Many times a program screen will be numbered the same in both languages, so if you have a screen shot of visual 4, then provide us with the French equivalent of visual 4 and we can add it for you during the translation. If possible you can also get us access to the program and we can get the screen shots required. Pictures are very important to help explain the points of your presentation but if the viewers don’t understand the images they won’t do you any good. Remember a picture is worth a 1,000 words!
About the Author
Carmen Outridge is a professional translator with over 30 years experience. Originally form Quebec Canada she understands the French language of Quebec. Form information on the services of Outridge Translation Services please visit their website at www.outridgetranslation.com
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