Improving the usability of online information when translated from English to Chinese

Author

Fisher, Julie ; Chong, Janice

Author_Institution

Victoria Univ. of Technol., Melbourne, Vic., Australia

Volume

39

Issue

3

fYear

1996

fDate

9/1/1996 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

122

Lastpage

128

Abstract

Business information systems are usually written and presented in English, with graphics designed from a western cultural perspective. Online help and error messages are likewise written and displayed in English. To exploit global marketplace opportunities, business systems must be designed to accommodate a range of cultural conventions, with printed documentation and online help translated into local languages. The paper discusses major considerations in the translation of online documentation from English to Chinese. It describes the particular approach taken by one major software company and evaluates its efforts from the users´ perspective

Keywords

business data processing; help systems; language translation; natural languages; system documentation; user interfaces; business information systems; business systems; cultural conventions; error messages; global marketplace opportunities; local languages; major software company; online documentation; online help; online information; printed documentation; user perspective; western cultural perspective; Australia; Companies; Cultural differences; Documentation; Global communication; Graphics; Information systems; Natural languages; Usability; Writing;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Professional Communication, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0361-1434

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/47.536260

Filename

536260