Translation
Translation is a complex operation that can be defined, in the context of the services I offer, as the transposition of a document written (or spoken) in a source language and rooted in a source culture into a target language and culture. (Do my working languages fit your needs?)
The original document is often intended for a specific audience and the translation may be aimed at a different target, one at least that is rooted in another culture. So it requires a number of linguistic and cultural adaptations.
Neither the audience, nor the use of the document are obvious, all the more so since the documents may be of very different kinds. The first aspect of the method I use consists therefore in asking the client to provide specifications based on my indications, which will enable me to draw up an adjusted estimate and deliver a translation of the best possible quality.
Localisation
Localisation can be defined as translation applied to electronic documents: websites, programmes, etc. It requires the adaptation of non-linguistic elements.
For this website, for example, it was necessary to change the colours of graphic elements, adapt the links, translate tooltips... For programmes, one should take into account such constraints as dialogue box size, menu width and so on.
The CATtool I use enables me to process tags and attributes and, consequently, to handle complex codes and localisation projects.
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