Translated Documentation

Translated documentation provides design system information in multiple languages. Translation enables users to access documentation in their preferred or native languages. Managing translated documentation requires attention to translation quality, workflow efficiency, and synchronization with source content.

What Is Translated Documentation

Translated documentation is documentation content converted from a source language to target languages. For design systems, this typically means translating from English to other languages used within the organization or user community. Translated documentation serves users who read more effectively in languages other than the source.

Translation quality significantly impacts translated documentation value. Poor translation may confuse more than help. Technical accuracy must survive translation. Design system terminology needs consistent handling across languages.

How Translated Documentation Works

Translation workflows move content from source to translated versions. Content extraction pulls text from documentation for translation. Translation converts text to target languages. Review verifies translation quality. Integration returns translated content to documentation structure. Workflow automation reduces manual coordination.

Translation memory systems improve efficiency and consistency. These systems store previously translated segments for reuse. When similar content appears, translators see past translations as references. Terminology databases ensure consistent translation of design system terms.

Quality assurance verifies translation accuracy. Linguistic review checks language quality. Technical review verifies accuracy of technical content. User testing with native speakers identifies issues automated review misses.

Key Considerations

• Translation workflows should minimize manual coordination overhead
• Terminology consistency requires glossaries and translation memory
• Quality assurance should verify both linguistic and technical accuracy
• Synchronization processes should keep translations current with source

Common Questions

Should teams use professional translators or community translation?

Translation source depends on quality requirements, available resources, and community engagement goals. Professional translators provide consistent quality with clear accountability. Community translation leverages native speaker knowledge and can build engagement but requires coordination and quality review. Hybrid approaches use professional translation for core content and community translation for additional coverage. The choice depends on organizational context and documentation importance.

How do teams handle technical terms in translation?

Technical terms require careful handling to maintain accuracy. Some terms should remain untranslated when they are industry standard in the source language. Others should be translated when target language terms exist and are widely used. Glossaries document term decisions for consistency. Translators with technical background better handle technical content. Technical review catches translation errors in technical terms.

Summary

Translated documentation provides information in multiple languages for broader accessibility. Effective translation management includes efficient workflows, terminology consistency, and quality assurance. Synchronization processes ensure translations remain current as source documentation evolves.