Multilingual Desktop Publishing (DTP) Explained

When you translate and localize your content for audiences who speak different languages, there are more than simple words to convey your message. The visual appeal and overall presentation are equally important in delivering your message effectively.

Introducing a new language means altering the layout and design of your content. And this is where Multilingual Desktop Publishing (DTP) comes into play. 

After the translation phase, DTP is the process of recreating and redesigning translated materials to ensure translations fit the writing and formatting standards of the new language. In addition, the design layouts need to be culturally appropriate and visually appealing to the target audience.

This is why multilingual desktop publishing (DTP) involves a 3-tier process of restructuring, rearranging, and reformatting.

1. Restructuring 

It involves adjusting the layout and design elements so that the translated text integrates seamlessly while keeping the document visually appealing and cohesive.

2. Rearranging

It entails reorganizing the translated text and repositioning visual elements like images, graphics, boxes, and tables to maintain a logical flow of information and overall readability.

3. Reformatting 

It entails adjusting visual elements and formatting styles to align with the standards, preferences, and cultural norms of the target language. This might include changing writing directions, fonts, and more.

Types of Content Multilingual DTP Can Enhance

1. Electronic Pages

This includes websites, manuals, digital archives, presentations, and eBooks.

2. Virtual Pages

This includes electronic pages designed for print, such as brochures and flyers.

Why Do You Need Multilingual Desktop Publishing

After the translation or localization phase, you’re often surprised by the number of problems that arise due to the differences between languages. If not dealt with properly, it can compromise the quality of your content.

So, let’s explore the aspects you need multilingual desktop publishing for, shall we?

1. Text Length

Different languages often vary in length. This is referred to by Text Expansion/Contraction. This happens due to different grammar, syntax, and character variations between languages. 

For example, German text expands about 20-30% when translated from English, meaning that when translated from German to English, the text will contract by the same ratio.

This means that when you translate a text, it’ll either look too crowded and overflow, or it’ll look out of place.

And that’s where multilingual DTP comes into play!

To accommodate text expansion and contraction during multilingual Desktop Publishing (DTP), DTP specialists adjust layouts using specialized software to ensure translated text fits seamlessly without compromising readability or design. 

This process includes redistributing content, modifying page elements, and utilizing dynamic text boxes to adapt to varying text lengths efficiently.

Typography adjustments, such as font size, white space, and layout scale, are also made to maintain visual consistency. Additionally, DTP software allows for precise text scaling and line spacing adjustments to suit different languages’ unique character shapes, ensuring a clear and aesthetically pleasing presentation.

2. Text Direction and Character Compatibility

Due to the inherent differences between languages, text directions and type of characters change from one language to another.

Although this issue might not arise when translating from one language to another in the same language tree, when you translate from English (a left-to-right language) to Arabic (a right-to-left language), directions will vary. Moreover, some Asian languages can be written vertically or horizontally.

In addition, many languages include alphabets, scripts, diacritics, and special characters that may not be supported by your software, such as Latin, Cyrillic, Arabic, Chinese, among others.

Such issues can cause readability issues, character corruption, and overflow of text.

Enter Multilingual Desktop Publishing!

Multilingual desktop publishing (DTP) addresses text alignment, Unicode compatibility, and typography to ensure multilingual content is accurately and effectively presented.

It adjusts text alignment and directions, such as mirroring text for RTL languages and repositioning design elements to maintain natural flow.

It also ensures Unicode compatibility to accurately render characters from various languages, preventing corrupted or unreadable text. Additionally, multilingual desktop publishing (DTP) software offers fonts that support different writing systems, maintaining readability and visual appeal across languages.

3. Visuals

In translation, it’s crucial to adapt visual elements alongside text to align with cultural preferences and avoid misunderstandings or offensive content.

Multilingual desktop publishing (DTP) helps maintain visual relevance and integrity by localizing graphics, text within images, colors, symbols, and user interfaces.

But the question is how?

1. Graphic Localization

DTP specialists adjust graphics, images, illustrations, symbols, gestures, and colors to meet the cultural and linguistic requirements of the target audience. This includes replacing images that may have different meanings across cultures.

2. Text-Image Localization

 DTP ensures that text within images is accurately translated and culturally appropriate and avoids issues like text overlapping or cutting due to length differences, maintaining the visual appeal of image-based content.

3. Color and Symbolism

DTP experts consider cultural differences in color symbolism and preferences. They also ensure symbols and icons are appropriate, avoiding culturally offensive elements.

4. User Interface Localization

 DTP adapts UI elements for software, websites, or apps to fit the target language and culture. This includes adjusting buttons, menus, and dialog boxes, and aligning date, time, and number formats with local customs to ensure usability and consistency.

Conclusion

Gripon, a premier translation and localization company, is your trusted partner for all your multilingual desktop publishing (DTP) needs. With expertise spanning over 120 languages and a vast team of specialists, we deliver comprehensive localization solutions that ensure your content resonates with diverse global audiences.

Our team of specialists provides an extensive range of services such as translation and localization, desktop publishing, and a variety of multimedia solutions, all customized to meet your specific requirements. 

Whether you’re looking to streamline your international operations or enhance your global reach, Gripon guarantees an effective localization plan.

What are you waiting for? Contact us now!