Version control

– The monitoring of changes to a source file, problems fixed and enhancements added, is a major process for many global industries, from software to manufacturing.

It is an essential aspect within a company’s due diligence process, it helps to maintain brand consistency, and it allows stakeholders to easily look back and see the lifetime of a product; ensuring the correct processes have been followed in its evolution.

Over time your preferred terms, product names, your entire brand even, may change.

When considering translation requirements for your business, version control may not be the first thing on your mind. A change to a document isn’t the same as a change to how a jet engine is put together, right?

But what about a document that tells you how to put that jet engine together? In truth, version control in your translated content is vital, and here are three key reasons why.

Obsolescence and Compliance

Picture the scene…your company is one of the top 20 language service providers in the world (shameless name drop). Now imagine you’ve contacted your entire client base to share the good news; only to find the promotional flyer you have used is from last year when you reached the top 50. The professional embarrassment is palpable.

Controlling your translated content is exactly the same. By knowing when a document was updated, and what was done to it and why, you can guarantee the message reaching your clients is current, correct and accurately reflects your brand.

Compliance is an integral factor in many company’s operations. For example, version control of documents is a key condition of ISO 9001 certification. For a global operation, you need to be secure in the knowledge that all of your staff have the most up to date procedural information, in their language for full comprehension.

An effective language service provider (LSP) will work with you on this, archiving and updating your documentation in a clear and consistent fashion. Any and all content, from whatever stage of its development, will be at your disposal almost instantly.

Review Stages

Personal preference and individual taste can play a big part in the production of any creative or marketing content. Equally, what sounds right in one language may not in another; tell a Spanish person Bob es tu tío* and all you’ll get is a funny look.

You may run your documents through several review stages, with native speaking resources or even end clients, to make sure your message sounds just right. Taking this into account, it’s vital to be able to look back at past stages, make sure your requirements have been met, or even revert back to an earlier version. Remember, it’s the customer’s prerogative to change their mind.

*Bob’s your uncle, for the uninitiated

Translation Memory and Reference Materials

If you’ve ever submitted a document for translation, you undoubtedly have a translation memory on file with your LSP.

In brief, a translation memory (or TM) is a record of all the translations you have ever done. It prevents you from going over old ground, saves on time and cost, and more importantly makes sure your documents are consistent with your brand image and any preferred terminology.

TM’s are your intellectual property (IP), as are any other reference materials, glossaries and style guides which inform translators exactly how your content should look and sound.

Over time your preferred terms, product names, your entire brand even, may change. For these reasons it is vital that any updates to your TM or other reference material are controlled and recorded. An out of date TM can corrupt an entire document, meaning further work and reduced efficiency. This flies in the face of version control. Your LSP should collaborate with you, to constantly update, expand and improve upon your IP. Part of this is keeping an accurate record of what has been done and when, and most importantly making sure it has been done right.