Answering frequently asked questions

There are some special considerations which must be kept in mind when planning multilingual projects. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions, and answers to them.

Question: I want to be able to print the translation into Japanese from my own PC, but I don't have any Japanese fonts installed. How can I do it?

Answer: The simplest way to receive documents in Asian languages which you can print yourself is to ask for the translated document to be supplied in PDF format. PDF ('Portable Document Format') has been developed by Adobe, and files in this format can be read and printed from both Windows and Macintosh without the need for special Asian fonts. You will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader, an easy-to-use application which Adobe supplies free of charge. You can download a free copy from Adobe's website at www.adobe.com. When you receive your document in PDF format, you will be able to display the document onscreen and print it out. However, you will not be able to change the text or alter the layout.

Question: Can you give me just the translation into Japanese, so I can do the layout myself?

Answer: This is possible only if you have a Japanese operating system or Japanese fonts installed on your PC. Most clients outside Japan do not have the proper set-up on their PC to allow them to format Japanese text in such applications as Word, PageMaker, Illustrator, etc. You will also need to be able to read Japanese (or have someone who can to help you) to ensure that the layout is correct. For most clients, the safest way of preparing documents in Asian languages is to have NZTC International do all the formatting and layout.

Question: I want to have a brochure printed in Chinese. How should I supply it to the printer?

Answer: Before you give the go-ahead to commence typesetting of your brochure, talk to the graphic design agency or printer you are dealing with, and ask them to specify how they would like to receive the file. The options include PDF files, EPS files, 'outlines' Illustrator, Freehand, PageMaker or QuarkXPress files, etc. You will also need to ask if the file is required in Macintosh or Windows format. In most instances, it is best to get your printer or graphic artist to talk directly to our Art Department so that the technical specifications can be clarified before the job commences.

Question: Can I send the same Chinese document to Taiwan, the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong?

Answer: Generally speaking, there are two forms of written Chinese: 'Traditional Chinese' is the written form of Chinese used in almost all Chinese-speaking areas of the world outside the People's Republic of China. 'Simplified Chinese' is the written form of Chinese used in the PR China and Singapore. If you have documents which are to be used in both Taiwan and the PR China, you will normally require two separate versions. When in doubt, the safe option is to choose 'Traditional Chinese'. (See the next two questions for more details.)

Question: What is 'Simplified' Chinese?

Answer: Simplified Chinese is also known as Modern Chinese. It was developed from the traditional form in the People's Republic of China in the late 1950s with the aim of increasing the level of literacy. The use of the more complex traditional form was limiting, and it was understood and used by only half the population. Round 7000 Simplified characters replaced some 13,500 Traditional characters.

When the People's Republic of China was recognised by the United Nations in 1971, Simplified Chinese became the official written language used in China. In addition, Singapore made it the official written language of that state. Elsewhere in the Chinese world, Traditional tends to be the norm.

Question: What is 'Traditional' Chinese?

Answer: Traditional Chinese is also called Complex Chinese. As its name indicates, it is the traditional and more complex form of the written language, and is used by all Chinese communities outside mainland China, with the exception of Singapore. Traditional users tend to be proud of it and consider it to be a more sophisticated form of Chinese. It is partly for this reason that the Taiwanese refuse to use the Simplified form - another is, as claimants to being the true rulers of China, they could not validate a system sanctioned by mainland China.

Question: Do I need separate versions of my document in both Mandarin and Cantonese?

Answer: 'Mandarin' and 'Cantonese' are the names of two different spoken dialects of Chinese. Written Chinese however, can generally be read by both Mandarin and Cantonese speakers. The more important question to ask is whether the document is destined for the PR China (Simplified Chinese required) or outside the PR China (Traditional Chinese required).

Question: My agent in Malaysia objects to some of the words you have used in the Chinese translation you did for us. What is wrong?

Answer: If the same document is being used in Malaysia, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, it is very difficult to get everyone to agree on the same usage. Just as 'footpath' is appropriate for England, but 'sidewalk' is used in the USA, there are many regional differences in Chinese. Sometimes, it may be necessary to make minor modifications and prepare separate versions for different markets.

Question: I have the English version of my brochure in QuarkXPress. If I give you a copy of this document, can you replace the English with Korean text and return it to me, retaining the same layout and all pictures in the same place?

Answer: Yes. However, the new text will be in a graphics format (i.e. 'outlines' or EPS format), and you will not be able to modify the layout easily once you have received the finished file.

Question: What's so special about the layout of the Arabic version of my brochure?

Answer: Arabic presents some special challenges, as the language reads from right to left. This often impacts a 'mirror image' dimension to the layout or typesetting. Multipage publications may require a re-ordering of the pages, which to Western eyes read backwards from the 'back' cover to the 'front'.

Question: What file formats can I use for Asian languages?

Answer: There are a number of file formats available for Asian languages:

Microsoft Word: Chinese, Japanese and Korean are available in Word 97 or higher. However, you will need to install the language support for these languages from the Microsoft Office CD-ROM.

EPS files: If you need to include Chinese, Japanese or Korean in page layout software such as Illustrator, Freehand or QuarkXpress, we can supply the text in EPS format with the text converted to outlines (paths).

QuarkXpress or PageMaker: If you have an existing layout which needs to be replaced by an Asian language, send the original file to our Art Department (mac@nztrans.co.nz). We will prepare the new text as an EPS file and place it in position in the original file.

PDF format: This is the simplest method of receiving files in Asian languages. You will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader which is available free of charge from www.adobe.com. These files can be read and printed on either the Windows or Macintosh platform.

Text only: For clients who have their own Asian language fonts and software, we can supply 'text only' files which can be imported into the client's own word processing or page layout software.

Question: What's so special about business cards in Japan?

Answer: Those who are serious about doing business with the Japanese will have their name, title and company in Japanese on the reverse side of their business cards. The exchange of business cards (meishi) is far more formal in Japan than it is in the West. The meishi should be presented with the Japanese side of the card facing up so that the recipient can read it without having to turn the card around. After receiving a card from another person, it is customary to spend a few moments reading it. Casually putting it into one's pocket without paying attention to it would be considered impolite.

For the Japanese, a person's business card is a means of indicating status. The person's position and the company's status are vitally important indicators of how others should behave towards him or her. In English, a job title does not always clearly indicate the person's exact status within the company hierarchy. Therefore, the English title is rarely translated directly: instead, the closest equivalent in the Japanese system is used. It is common practice for our translators to check with clients to elicit from them their exact position within the company so that a suitable Japanese term with the same status can be chosen.

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