Everyone knows that the Internet is not dominated by English alone even though you may think so especially if it’s your language. Every country around the world has access to the Internet and many have translated web pages into their own unique language. When it comes to a local business in Japan, for example, in order to sell the product the website has to be in Japanese. This ensures problem free browsing and problem free purchasing. However, the Internet is not just about this type of localisation. So what is it about?

1. There are many products such as e-learning materials including training courses that now take place on the Internet or at least the theory component. This is particularly easy for language courses as there are many interactive e-learning resources that enable the user to practise reading comprehension, writing and speaking even to the point that feedback to answers is given when questions are used for practise.
2. Even today, the theory of the well known PADI dive courses can take place through e-learning materials. This saves dive companies the trouble of setting up a classroom environment and the learner can sit the theory exam in their own time when they feel competent to do so. Of course this doesn’t give them full certification as they still have to complete the open water practical component.
3. PADI is not stupid with its marketing as it has made sure that it has used a competent translation service to translate its course materials into all the major languages. It only takes a good e-Learning Translation in as many languages as possible and wannabe divers are knocking at the door to take part. Once they have completed the theory then they are all set for the practical and as fully certificated divers they can dive anywhere in the world from the magnificent reefs of Australia to the lesser known natural undersea wonders of Belize. All made possible by a good e-learning translation of the PADI learning materials.

If you have an e-learning course you want to reach the world here are some great tips that make translation easy.

• Use language that is easy to translate such as bulleted points not long paragraphs, avoid culture specific slang and idioms.
• Keep words out of images and ensure images can relate to all cultures e.g. don’t use $ symbols as not all countries use dollars
• Don’t cover up graphics with text
• Use “Unicode.” As All applications handling localizable content should support the characters of your target languages.
• Avoid embedded text in scripts.
• Allow for room for more text as many languages take up more space than English
• Ensure font properties can be customized for other languages.
• Keep the technology used in your e-learning materials simple. Don’t try and mix up different technology, such as video or audio that is matched to a time sequence or subtitles.

You never know someone might have been so enchanted with your speech they may even want a conference presentation translation into another language so that they can share your views with like-minded people who don’t speak English.