What considerations should be made for creating content in emerging languages or sign languages using DITA specialization?

November 10, 2023
|By Bryan Tipper

Creating content in emerging languages or sign languages using DITA specialization requires careful consideration to ensure accessibility and effectiveness. DITA specialization can adapt to these languages, enabling organizations to reach diverse audiences. Here are key considerations when creating content in emerging languages or sign languages:

1. Language Specialization: To create content in an emerging language, you need to specialize your DITA content to accommodate the unique features and structure of that language. This may involve creating language-specific elements or attributes. For sign languages, you’ll need to represent signs and gestures effectively. The example below demonstrates how you can create specialized language elements in DITA:

<!-- Example: Language Specialization -->
<topic id="t1234">
  <title>Introduction in an Emerging Language</title>
  <body>
    <emerging-lang-intro>
      <p>Here is the introduction in the emerging language.</p>
      <translation source="english">This is the translation in English.</translation>
    </emerging-lang-intro>
  </body>
</topic>

2. Accessibility Features: Ensuring accessibility for all users is essential, especially in the case of sign languages. You should consider adding video or animation content to demonstrate sign language gestures. Additionally, provide alternative text or descriptions for non-textual elements. Organizations must follow accessibility standards and guidelines to ensure their content can be consumed by all users, regardless of their language or hearing abilities.

3. User Localization: When creating content in emerging languages, consider the localization requirements of your target audience. This includes cultural aspects, regional dialects, and writing systems. The specialized content should be flexible enough to accommodate different regional variations and dialects. Users should feel that the content is created specifically for them, enhancing engagement and understanding.

By taking these considerations into account and specializing DITA content accordingly, organizations can effectively create content in emerging languages or sign languages, making their information accessible and engaging for a wider audience.