Finally, the day has come! You have just exported the final version of the new e-learning course you’ve been working on for the past few months in Articulate Storyline 360. Congratulations!
Nearly done. The files now simply need to be delivered.
In scenario A you now “only” need to send it off for translation so it can also be used by your colleagues from the German and Spanish subsidiaries.
In scenario B your client calls you right after you proudly delivered the training course and tells you they now also need it in three foreign languages to serve their international staff.
Can’t be that hard, right?
Well, it depends. E-learning courses, in any format, require a lot more technical skills than simple text-only translations.
Turning Articulate Storyline 360 courses into multilingual e-learning resources for a global audience
The content format can differ considerably, too. From product training and interactive health & safety courses to medical procedure training and other corporate e-learning subjects. When designed in Articulate Storyline 360, they are likely to include elements, such as
- static or dynamic (on-screen) text,
- infographics,
- animation,
- audio narration,
- subtitles,
- (closed) captions,
- embedded video,
- or text-to-speech.
Interactive components turn e-learning courses into a multimedia experience, using:
- quizzes,
- assessments,
- basic click-to-reveal slides,
- or custom drag-and-drop elements
to engage their audience.
Translating e-learning content can be complex: Why bother?
Translations at dumping prices are never a good idea. If you decide to enter a new market, or have multiple corporate languages, you should have a dedicated budget for translation services and consider it an investment in your company’s international growth. Your audience will know the difference – and appreciate it.
If your company has its own language and translation department, great! If not, you’re likely to rely on freelance or professional business translation services for all your language needs. To get the best outcome of your investment in multilingual e-learning courses, make sure external providers are experienced in handling translation projects directly in your e-learning authoring tool, e. g. Articulate Storyline 360 or Articulate Rise 360.
Potential (technical) bumps and opportunities in e-learning translation
Exporting and importing all necessary content categories (text, captions, voiceover) becomes a lot easier and, more importantly, accurate, when operating in the same system. This way you ensure potential video and animation elements are synched with audio, if/then commands are considered (different storylines for different audiences) and closed captions are embedded correctly as they need to be translated separately.
There is a lot to consider when it comes to the translation of training courses (and any other software-based translations). Often length restrictions determine button text and languages that differ greatly in length (German is 15-20 % longer than its English translation) requires text to be shortened, while maintaining the message, or layout to be adjusted.
With a professionally localised e-learning course, training, or coaching video, you can be sure to have a valuable resource that shares your knowledge with your audience – in multiple languages.
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*NEW* E–learning translation services for courses in Articulate Storyline 360
At EVS Translations, we have just introduced Articulate Storyline 360 and are able to support businesses with e-learning translation services including text, audio, and video elements from start to finish.
To discuss your individual e-learning course, contact our team today or learn more and get your free quote here.
EVS Translations UK Ltd.
+44 (0)115 964 4288
EVS Translations USA Inc.
+1 404-523-5560
EVS Translations GmbH
+49 69/82 97 99-99
