Layouting translated documents

[gaurav_2111]

We have to handle layouting for a few translated Datasheets created in Indesign. When we get the translated documents back, they are usually in a very bad shape. There are a lot of truncated text boxes, the layout is not very aesthetic, and so on. 

We end up spending at least a day (sometimes more) adjusting the layouting for the Datasheets. Is there any way to automate this process? 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Yes, scripts or more advanced tools can do this. 

But either way - you need to be able to control the process - sometimes, TextFrame needs to be resized left or right, or moved up or down, etc. 

So you can't 100% relay on automation - but more advanced tools can help significantly. 

[Willi Adelberger]

If you work with predefined styles—Paragraph, Character, Object, Table and Cell Styles—this task should be done fast.

[m1b]

@gaurav_2111, further to what @Willi Adelberger mentioned, of using pre-defined styles for everything, the more of your datasheet you can keep in the same "story" (a single text-flow, no matter how many text frames are linked or how many anchored objects), the easier it will be to edit for the translations without messing up your desired layout.

Also, once you have set up the styles, and received the translated version back, perhaps you could create a full set of styles (or as needed) for the translated text, so that next time you can explain to the translators that they must use those styles.

Feel free to post an example page or two, both your document and the translated document, and we can advise you of a good way to set it up.

- Mark

[Mike Witherell]

The trouble with language translation becomes the volume of words. Volume of expression is brief in one language; lengthy in another. Try turning on in Textframe Options the ability to resize to the volume of text by allowing it to change, for example, the depth of the textframe. Turn this into an Object Style, too. This will self-automate translated language files.