What does positive mean in app translation
YES or OK?
Hello LetterworksIt's a team.
Translation is a communication tool that links diverse content from language to language. Therefore, there are cases where translations that are thought to be trivial become major issues, and there are also cases where translations that were thought to be critical issues pass without any problems. However, the nature of app app translation is slightly different. The translation must be carried out by considering a string called a string, and app users must clearly communicate the desired information to help them perform the desired function accurately. The translated content must be expressed naturally and consistently while using vocabulary and expressions that are easy for users to understand. In the world of app translation, the idea that “translation only needs to work through meaning” results in complacency.
Letterworks team's translation thoughts
(Why Letterworks Team translation is good)
Here's an example the Letterworks team recently experienced while translating an app. Provides a diary-style service for records The task of translating the app's Korean into 3 languages: English, Chinese, and JapaneseThat was it. Details cannot be disclosed for the client's security, but internally When translating the “yes” part in the app's notification window into English, There was a debate about how to translate it. Whether to use YES or OK. It was a part where choices were necessary.
App translation plays a major role in improving the user experience. Users must understand the translated content and be able to properly use the app's features. With a clear purpose, the Studio team drew this big picture and proceeded with the translation.
First, when translating the app, both Yes and OK are possible with nuances containing the meaning of permission. However, the more specific context determines which words are more appropriate to use in different situations. Using “yes” in app translations can be interpreted as positive answers to various questions. In this case, both Yes and OK are possible.
But if you use “yes,” what The meaning of accepting an offerIf you use it as, OK is more suitableI will.
On the other hand, to something Meaning of agreeWhen used as Yesmight be a more natural choice.
For example, [This app wants to use location services. Do you want to allow it?] If there is a message, select YesDoing it would be more appropriate, [Are you sure you want to delete this message?] If there is a message, select OKDoing it would be a more natural translation. (This app was translated to a neutral tone OK that takes tone and manners into consideration while communicating with clients.)
Above all, when translating apps, you should avoid translating with the simple arithmetic idea of 1+1=2, such as math problems. The important thing is to recognize in advance that various issues may arise as a result of translation and to prepare a manual to deal with them. One way might be to analyze and think about lots of similar references on a regular basis.
too Asking for an explanation of a defined word while communicating with a clientIt's also very important. This is because tone and manners vary depending on whether the part that needs to be translated is a “explanation” at the level of guidance or a “command” for a function, and serious mistranslation can also occur. For example, when you say [subscribed], you must clearly explain the definition of the word, such as whether to explain “the content is currently in [subscribed]” or “a function that can be selected when you want to view content on [subscribed].”
Still not sure? Here's another easier example. [Empty FolderThere is a character called].
Does this expression describe the current empty state or is it a command to empty the folder?
Since it is unknown, it is a part that must be defined and moved on through mutual communication.
Other than that Things for translation workers to think about while using the app themselvesIt is also a path forward with excellent translation.
What are similar examples?
In addition to considering YES and OK, it's easy to find similar examples.
Let's consider the situation of downloading and installing an application from the web.
Accept vs Agree
Accept is commonly used frequently in app installation agreements. Users must select “Accept” to agree to install the app. Agree is commonly used when an app requests consent to a privacy policy.
Continue vs Next (Continue/Next)
Continue is usually a message that informs the user before continuing to work in the app.
This is a nuance where when a user finds an issue with the app, clicking the “Continue” button, the app attempts to resolve the issue.
Next is commonly used to move to the next step in an app.
Decline vs Cancel
Decline is commonly used in app installation agreements. It is used as the opposite concept of Accept. Users must select “Decline” if they don't want to agree to install the app.
Cancel is commonly used to abort or cancel a task.
Sign-in vs Get started (Getting started with email)
Let me ask you a question. If you think of a screen with a mixture of [login] and [sign up] phrases, whether it's an app or web, how should [Start with email] be translated?
1. Get started with email Sign-in with email
2. Get started with email Get started with email
Please tell the correct answer to the dedicated manager in the chat window. And let us know what you think.
Our Letterworks team will be with you when translation is needed.
Our Letterworks team excels at translating software/apps. If you have any questions, please report them to the Studio team.
👇 Ask the translation and letterworks team considering the user's UI/UX
We hope this app translation example was helpful to those who were curious about it. We'll meet in the next post~
*This content has been transferred from Gicon Studio to Letterworks.
