Our Page Layout Services (DTP)

The Significance of Page Layout

Cultures Connection specializes in professional page layout services, also known as Desktop Publishing (DTP), ensuring clear and precise translations that faithfully mirror the source documents.

Page layout plays a crucial role in the translation process, requiring careful attention and consideration. When translating text, it is not only important to ensure accurate content that reflects the original text’s meaning in terms of language, industry, or theme, but also to consider the composition of the text within the document’s format and design. Elements such as typography, margins, images, infographics, and tables must be taken into account.

If the translation results in a longer text than the original, it may not fit within the existing document layout. In such cases, a translation agency has several options: modifying the translation to fit the layout, adjusting the layout to accommodate the text, or a combination of both.

Understanding Page Layout

Page layout involves utilizing digital graphical design tools to arrange translated text in a way that perfectly adapts to the type of document intended for end users or readers.

DTP work is tailored to meet the client’s requirements, aiming to create a final document that aligns with the specifications of the source documents and accurately represents the company’s identity.

Effective page layout encompasses linguistic, visual, and cultural challenges that go beyond mere word substitution between languages.

1. Linguistic Challenges: Each language has unique writing systems with specific characteristics that need to be considered in page layout. Romance languages like French, Spanish, and Italian may require up to 30% more words than English to convey the same content, while German or Dutch, for example, can use longer words to replace whole phrases. Additionally, languages such as Japanese, Chinese, or Arabic have taller characters or alphabets, necessitating more vertical space. Document translation and design must adapt to these spatial considerations by adjusting page margins, line spacing, and other layout measures as deemed appropriate by the DTP service.
2. Visual Challenges: Most translated documents require graphical enhancements. This may involve working with graphical elements that contain low-resolution text or text that is difficult to extract for translation and visual layout purposes. Some documents may require adherence to specific spacing requirements for PowerPoint presentations, websites, or social networks. Clients may not always possess the source files of a particular document, which can make fitting the translated text into the correct spaces challenging. Proficiency in translation and page design software and techniques is essential for resolving these issues.
3. Cultural Challenges: Page layout goes hand in hand with localization, as certain document characteristics vary across cultures. While some Western languages read from left to right, languages like Japanese or Arabic read from right to left, requiring the reversal of text and image positions. Photos, symbols, or colors that may be subject to misinterpretation due to cultural differences should be replaced accordingly. Just as translation services encompass more than word substitution, page layout plays a critical role in ensuring effective communication.

Translation from Various File Formats

Cultures Connection offers versatile translation capabilities across a wide range of file formats, catering to diverse content needs. Whether it’s business documents in Microsoft Office formats, promotional materials using Adobe InDesign or other page layout programs, or HTML content for websites and mobile devices, we have the expertise to handle your translations. If you encounter a challenging document to translate, we are here to assist you.

• .doc, .docx, .dot, .dotx, .docm, .dotm, .rtf, .ppt, .pptx, .pot, .potx, .pptm, .potm, .xls, .xlsx, .xlt, .xltx, .xlsm, .xltm, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, .htm, .html, .idml (.indd), .icml, .mif (version 8 and above only), .psd, .svg, .ttx (pre-segmented),
• .sdlxliff, .xml, .xhtm, .xhtml, Android .xml, .xliff (1.2),.xliff (2.0), .xliff for WordPress, mqxliff (MemoQ xliff), tmx, .dita,
• .ditamap, .md, .markdown, .pdf, .catkeys, .csv, (Magento).csv, DocBook (.dbk), .desktop, (Mozilla).DTD, .epub, (Joomla).ini, .json, .lang, .Plist, .po, .properties, (Java).properties, .rc, .resx,
• .srt, .strings, .sbv, .sub (SubViewer only), .ts,
• .txt, .vtt, .wiki, .yaml, .tag, .xtg, .zip

Experience with translation software

Proficiency in digital software tools is crucial for handling various document formats effectively.

Our team at Cultures Connection utilizes a range of computer-aided translation (CAT) tools to deliver accurate and clear translations that meet our clients’ specifications. We employ project management systems that streamline the translation process from start to finish, facilitating task assignment, project follow-up, and collaboration with clients for seamless document exchange and feedback. Our glossaries and translation memories ensure consistency and provide cost savings through discounts on repeated phrases.

With our industry experience and robust technological tools, we are committed to delivering translation services of the highest quality.