1. Typesetting Multilingual Projects Alexandra Hickey Design and Production October 6, 2008

2. © 2008 Alexandra Hickey Design and Production, Toronto, Ontario | 416.532.8287 2 Introduction – credentials B.A. in theoretical linguistics and philosophy from U of T Working in print production since 1999 Typesetting experience on multilingual projects –Navigating Mental Health Guide for CRCT, 6 Language project for CLEO, numerous brochures and information texts in the following languages: Left-to-right orthographies: Chinese, Tamil, Japanese, Somali, Punjabi and Hindi Right-to-left orthography: Urdu, Dari, Pashto, Arabic, Farsi

3. © 2008 Alexandra Hickey Design and Production, Toronto, Ontario | 416.532.8287 3 Considerations specific to multilingual projects Multilingual typesetter or native-language typesetter(s)? Implications of project constraints Process

4. © 2008 Alexandra Hickey Design and Production, Toronto, Ontario | 416.532.8287 4 Multilingual typesetter (multiple languages typeset by a single person who is not necessarily literate in the target languages) Pros: –Easier to achieve greater visual consistency across languages –Less administration and coordination required Cons –Requires greater collaboration between typesetter and translator / proofreader –may be difficult to find someone able to typeset in all languages within the scope of the project

5. © 2008 Alexandra Hickey Design and Production, Toronto, Ontario | 416.532.8287 5 Native-language typesetter(s) (multiple typesetters, each working in a target language, or languages, in which they are literate) Pros –May require less collaboration with translators / proofreaders –Greater chance of catching errors in text, potential to contribute an extra layer of proofreading (i.e. an extra pair of eyes) Cons –Greater likelihood of visual inconsistency between layouts –More administration / coordination required –May be difficult to find native-language typesetters for all of the languages within a project –Possibility of software conflicts

6. © 2008 Alexandra Hickey Design and Production, Toronto, Ontario | 416.532.8287 6 Project Constraints: Initial text and design Length / size of document –Variable or not? Need to give consideration to length of text in translation Validating design across cultures Design considerations for projects including both left-to-right and right-to-left orthographies Output / Delivery method(s) –print –PDF (delivery by e-mail / download from Internet) –html

7. © 2008 Alexandra Hickey Design and Production, Toronto, Ontario | 416.532.8287 7 Process – a sample flow chart Check typeset translations Typeset translations Design layout Validate initial text Write text in initial language Translate initial text Validate layout Make any necessary changes to text Validate revised text Make any necessary changes to layout Validate typeset translations Make changes to typeset translations Initial TextInitial DesignTypesettingOverall Review Review design and content for consistency across all languages Team Members Writers Community Consultants and/or specialists Translators / Proofreaders Designers / Typesetters Entire Team Check typeset translations Multilingual research and font testing

8. © 2008 Alexandra Hickey Design and Production, Toronto, Ontario | 416.532.8287 8 Process: Initial Text and Design Translation concerns: readability, technical accuracy, etc. Clear-language practices

9. © 2008 Alexandra Hickey Design and Production, Toronto, Ontario | 416.532.8287 9 Process: Typesetting Technical concerns –Software Typesetting right-to-left orthographies –The importance of testing and validation Fonts PDF (embedding fonts, file sizes, etc) Print

10. © 2008 Alexandra Hickey Design and Production, Toronto, Ontario | 416.532.8287 10 Process: Review and validation Content / Translation review(s) Community consultation, review by native- language-speaking specialists in field Design review(s) Reviewing for consistency across languages Liaison between typesetter and translator –Technical issues providing copy and changes PDF, Word, hard-copy mark-up Setting expectations (availability, etc.) Late-stage changes

11. Typesetting Multilingual Projects Alexandra Hickey Design and Production October 6, 2008