Controlled Authoring Localization Solutions

Developing Source Material with Localization in Mind

As the globalization of our economy continues, companies are focusing on delivering culturally-correct content to their target customers. A key driver for successful content localization is the nature of the source content. The less ambiguous the source material, the less it costs to adapt and manage your multilingual content.

Controlled Authoring enables firms to employ proven techniques to structure their source material in anticipation of localization. Technical writing that incorporates Controlled Authoring saves companies time and money without sacrificing customer satisfaction.

How Controlled Authoring Works

Controlled Authoring uses a standardized terminology database and a parsing engine that analyzes text and scores it against a set of internal rules that govern the desired degree of control. When a segment of text conflicts with the approved terminology or exceeds the defined structural parameters, the system highlights the segment and offers recommendations for revision. In this way, writers learn as they write, ultimately adapting their style to conform to the requirements.

Examples of Controlled Authoring rules include:

• No more than 25 words per sentence
• No more than seven sentences per paragraph
• No use of slang or jargon
• Correct use of gerunds (words ending in "ing")
• Use of the active voice

Benefits of Controlled Authoring

• Improved consistency and clarity of terminology
• Content that is easier to read for non-native English speakers
• Content that is easier to translate
• Greater repetition of words and phrases, which aids Machine and Computer Assisted Translation (MAT/CAT)
• Lower product lifecycle costs for clients
• Reduced liability from ambiguous instructions