How do agricultural companies ensure that localized content retains the same technical accuracy as the source content?

November 10, 2023
|By Bryan Tipper

Ensuring that localized content in agricultural companies retains the same technical accuracy as the source content is a critical aspect of maintaining effective communication and compliance. With DITA XML, organizations can implement robust strategies to achieve this goal.

Terminology Management

One key strategy is effective terminology management. Agricultural companies can create and maintain a centralized terminology database within their DITA content management system. This database ensures that specific technical terms and terminology conventions are consistent across all localized content. By referencing this centralized database, translators and content creators can ensure that the localized content uses the same technical terminology as the source content, preserving accuracy.

Translation Memory

Another important tool in maintaining technical accuracy is the use of translation memory (TM) systems. DITA XML supports integration with TM tools, which store previously translated segments of content. When new localized content is created, the TM system can suggest or automatically apply previously approved translations for identical or similar phrases. This not only ensures linguistic consistency but also helps maintain technical accuracy, as approved translations have been vetted for accuracy in the past.

Example:

Here’s an example of how DITA XML can support terminology management:


<topic id="crop-rotation">
  <title>Crop Rotation</title>
  <body>
    <p>Effective crop rotation is essential for maintaining soil fertility.</p>
    <term id="crop-rotation">Crop Rotation</term>
    <term id="soil-fertility">Soil Fertility</term>
  </body>
</topic>

In this example, the DITA topic includes specific terminology using <term> elements. These terms can be referenced in localized versions, ensuring consistent use of technical vocabulary.