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Into Japanese FrameMaker PVD Documentation
THE CHALLENGE
Sputtered Films builds PVD systems for the semiconductor capital equipment market, which generated an ongoing, open-ended documentation project created in FrameMaker, which was to be localized for Japan.
The client faced several challenges: they initially requested a final output of PDF files sized for A4 paper, optimized for both screen and print, but it soon became clear that the issues of the open-ended nature of their document production and the possibility that additional deliverables (e.g., software localization, online help files for Sun Workstation User Interface) might be added at a later date had to be addressed. The project was revisited with an eye toward providing maximum flexibility to accommodate possible changes or additions in scope.
The client also hoped to have two separate colleague reviews occur simultaneously–one as an in-country review conducted in Japan, the other a review in a training setting in the United States. Neither reviewer had the capability to work with FrameMaker files, and there was the additional concern of disagreements on basic terminology.
THE SOLUTION
The solution McElroy provided included providing the client with multiple sets of deliverables: bilingual RTF tagged files which provided in-country reviewers an editable version with source and target languages side by side; a rough PDF layout for the reviewer using the manual for training as well as review; final FrameMaker files for possible print use in Japan; and final PDF files optimized both for screen and for print.
In addition, a glossary creation and pre-translation step was added, allowing the client to specify key terminology to be translated for the approval of in-country colleagues. Their feedback was incorporated into the initial translation, as well as into translation memory, which minimized requests for changes in the completely translated manuals.
THE BENEFITS
McElroy's focus on glossary creation and approval ahead of time streamlined the translation approval process. Customization of deliverables and providing multiple outputs provided flexibility of use with open ended possibilities. Input of feedback into translation memory and careful memory maintenance optimized turnaround for this project and will enhance the quality on future projects for this client.
