RE: [WebAIM]: a translation question ...

May I enquire as to what anyone else would advise if a client expects their
site to be to a certain accessible standard but then plans to use automated
translation software to produce in 7 additional languages.

Would I be correct in referring to the WCAG pointing out that this action is
highly likely to reduce the accessibility of the site for non English
speaking users?

-----Original Message-----
From: w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org [mailto:w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org] On Behalf
Of John Colby
Sent: 22 November 2006 12:40
To: Chris Harpin; coordina@sidar.org; Matthew Smith; w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
Subject: RE: [WebAIM]: a translation question ...


Agree - the only reliable way we have found is to use native speakers - and
specialist ones if you can find them. If you can't find them point the
generalist native speaker in the direction of your (in my case) English
specialist so that they get the correct flavour so that they can translate
it adequately.

John Colby 
Lecturer, Department of Computing, The Business School,
Room F114, Feeney Building, University of Central England,
Franchise Street, Perry Barr, Birmingham B42 2SU
Tel: +44 (0) 121 331 6937
Essential Website - http://essential.tbs.uce.ac.uk

-----Original Message-----
From: w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org [mailto:w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org] On Behalf
Of Chris Harpin
Sent: 22 November 2006 12:35
To: coordina@sidar.org; 'Matthew Smith'; w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
Subject: RE: [WebAIM]: a translation question ...


Is manual translation not the only way to ensure that you use the clearest
and simplest language appropriate for a site's content??

Also, I would add that the translation must be from someone that understands
your sites content.

Say for example, I am a mobile phone manufacturer, not much point asking
someone with a background in rocket science to translate the site even if
they are a native of the language I desire.

Although it is not the most cost effective option, manual translation
services from a company that matches your sites content with the individual
chosen to write it is the only method that I would advise.

-----Original Message-----
From: w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org [mailto:w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org] On Behalf
Of Emmanuelle Gutiérrez y Restrepo
Sent: 22 November 2006 12:25
To: 'Matthew Smith'; w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
Subject: RE: [WebAIM]: a translation question ...


I agree with Matthew :-)

Probably I can help you, but I need more context. You can write or call to
me when you want.

All the best,
Emmanuelle Gutiérrez y Restrepo  	Fundación Sidar
Coordinadora del SIDAR			www.sidar.org
Email: coordina@sidar.org
Tel.: +34 - 91 725 71 47		

-----Mensaje original-----
De: w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org [mailto:w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org] En nombre
de Matthew Smith
Enviado el: miércoles, 22 de noviembre de 2006 11:54
Para: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
Asunto: Re: [WebAIM]: a translation question ...


Quoth Tim Smithers at 11/22/2006 09:02 PM...

> I apologise for this being a bit off topic, though perhaps it's not, 
> but I'm looking for a good translation of the term
> 
>   "User Empowerment" (in English)

Not trying to be funny, but seeing as this is an accessibility forum
something must be said: I would be loath to use a term like "User
Empowerment" in any language.  Phrases like this smack of bull, er,
unnecessary jargon.

Use of simpler language in the original text will make translation to a
foreign tongue _much_ easier.

In fact, this could be a handy test; if language is hard to translate to a
foreign one, maybe the original version needs review.  (I will refrain from
making any references to the inaccessible language of WCAG 2, oops
- I just did...)

Cheers

M


--
Matthew Smith
IT Consultancy & Web Application Development
Business: http://www.kbc.net.au/
Personal: http://www.smiffysplace.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/smiffy



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Received on Wednesday, 22 November 2006 13:54:52 UTC