What are the best practices for preparing automotive content for translation in DITA?

November 10, 2023
|By Bryan Tipper

Effective preparation of automotive content for translation in DITA involves following best practices to ensure a smooth localization process and maintain content consistency across different languages. Here are some key strategies:

Use Localization Attributes

When authoring content in DITA, make use of localization attributes like “xml:lang” to specify the language of each element or section. By indicating the language of individual components, you provide clear guidance to translation tools, helping them identify which parts require translation. For example:


<section xml_lang="en">
  <p>This is English content.</p>
</section>
<section xml_lang="fr">
  <p>Ceci est du contenu en français.</p>
</section>

Separate Text from Formatting

Ensure that text content is separate from formatting elements. This allows translators to focus on the text without being concerned about the presentation. DITA’s structured approach encourages this separation, making it easier to update and translate content without affecting its formatting.

Provide Contextual Information

Include contextual information and explanations where necessary, especially for technical terms, abbreviations, or product names specific to the automotive industry. This additional context helps translators understand the intended meaning and ensures accurate translations.

Example:

Here’s an example of how to structure DITA content for translation:


<topic id="oil_change">
  <title>Oil Change Procedure</title>
  <body>
    <section xml_lang="en">
      <p>Before starting the procedure, ensure that you have the following tools:</p>
      <ul>
        <li>Oil filter wrench</li>
        <li>Drain pan</li>
      </ul>
    </section>
    <section xml_lang="fr">
      <p>Avant de commencer la procédure, assurez-vous de disposer des outils suivants :</p>
      <ul>
        <li>Clé à filtre à huile</li>
        <li>Bac de vidange</li>
      </ul>
    </section>
  </body>

In this example, each section includes the “xml:lang” attribute to specify the language. The content is structured in a way that separates text from formatting, making it translation-friendly.