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Watch out for that conference

There are plenty of networking conferences to get involved with. Here is a quick overview of some forthcoming events:

Lavacon Professional Development Conference
New Orleans, USA: 25-27 October 2009  

North West Translators Network NWTN "Boost Your Productivity" one-day workshop
Manchester, England: 14 November 2009  

DITA Europe 2009 Conference
Munich, Germany: 16-17 November 2009  

 

Links page

Some useful links for you.




White paper: Translating DITA files using XLIFF
Using XLIFF to translate DITA user documentation

This white paper on "best practice" when translating DITA files is brought to you by the translation team at SalfTrans.

What is DITA?

DITA stands for the Darwin Information Typing Architecture. Originally developed by IBM, DITA is now an open standard that is overseen by OASIS. DITA is designed to support structured authoring and content reuse in any technical domain. Here is a bit more about the concept:

  • Darwin: DITA uses the principles of inheritance for specialization
  • Information Typing: DITA is designed for topic-based technical information based on an information architecture of concept, task, and reference
  • Architecture: DITA provides the framework for the development of an Information Model

 The DITA 1.0 specification was published by OASIS in 2005. This was followed by the publication of DITA 1.1 in 2006, and DITA 1.2 is expected to be published in 2009. The DITA Open Toolkit is available as a free download, and can be used to create granular content in XML format using DITA's model of concept, task and reference.

What is XLIFF?

XLIFF stands for the XML Localization Interchange File Format. XLIFF is an open standard that is overseen by OASIS.

Why not simply translate the individual DITA files?

Since DITA files are XML files, it is certainly possible to simply open each file in turn and translate it, ideally using an appropriate translation memory tool.

What benefits does XLIFF bring when translating DITA files?

The main advantage offered by XLIFF is that it provides a mechanism for combining a multitude of small files into one single file. That makes project administration a lot simpler. So rather than translate several hundred small DITA files, XLIFF allows us to combine them and to translate just one XLIFF file. There are also tools available which automate this process, picking up all the DITA files references from a particular DITA map file and combining them into one XLIFF file ready for translation. At the end of the translation or localization process, the same tools save out each individual DITA file and the map file in the new target language.

 Click on this link if you would like a more detailed introduction to XLIFF, including examples of the XLIFF data structure.

SalfTrans: A translation company that cares

Salford Translations Ltd is a highly experienced translation company, specialising in providing accurate and consistent translations. We translate user guides, manuals, marketing materials and websites across a full range of languages. Founded in 1986, our company offers you the benefit of over 20 years' experience of managing translation projects.

We would be delighted to welcome you at our offices close to Manchester airport to discuss your technical translation requirements in all languages, or to visit you at your premises. You are welcome to call us on 0161 968 7102, or you can use our online contact form to get a free, no-obligation quote for your translation requirements.

Salford Translations Limited

66 Lower Hillgate, Stockport SK1 3AL, England

Phone:
0161 968 7100    (or +44 161 968 7100)
Fax:
0161 968 7109    (or +44 161 968 7109)
Email:

Click here to find out how to find us