This week, we have launched one of the most requested features by our users: automatic translation of instructions using AI. This functionality allows translating a StepAlong into any of the currently available 8 languages (English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and Polish) in just a few minutes, generating a specific URL for each of them.
Translating manuals or product instructions has always been a stumbling block for many companies when considering internationalization, as in some contexts, translating a manual can involve certain technical, linguistic, and logistical complexities.
When developing this functionality, we have taken into account the most common problems when translating product instructions, manuals and tutorials.
Use of precise terminology on the subject
Every sector has specific terminology and jargon, which is often difficult to translate. In addition to linguistic knowledge, it is also necessary to have sufficient knowledge of the topic we are translating. For example, knitting has its own specific vocabulary for each technique and can vary or even be different depending on the language.
In this case, performing translations using AI allows for greater precision. At StepAlong, we have optimized translation prompts for product tutorials so that the language and terminology used are as specific as possible in each language.
Consistency and context of use
Translations must maintain consistency in terms and phrases. Preserving the tone is very important. The diction, formality, and pace of the instructions are a major part of a company’s branding to differentiate itself from the competition. Preserving this when performing manual or literal translations is challenging.
AI translations can understand the context of what is being translated to produce a more natural and accurate result, requiring less time for translators to correct and review. Furthermore, the tool improves with use. For those less familiar with AI, the more information provided, the more efficient it becomes.
Furthermore, in StepAlong the review and editing of translations can be done from a single screen, in order to take into account the entire context of the text.
Visual format and hierarchy
If we want the product manual to look good and make sense, formatting visual elements and hierarchy (bold, italics, and bullet points) can be complicated and tedious, as each language has different word and sentence lengths, and often completely different grammatical structures.
To ensure that the translation does not spoil the appearance of the manual, companies generally need the collaboration of translators with designers to ensure that the manual design looks good for each language.
With StepAlong, this is not necessary; the format is flexible and adapts to any content. Additionally, when translating instructions, the AI respects the text format, and bold, italics, and bullet points are automatically applied. You just need to review the result and adjust any nuances detected. Furthermore, if we add links in the text, we can customize them for each language, pointing to the company’s online store or corresponding resource.
Paper errors are costly
A customer explained to us that a supplier in Poland had discovered several translation errors in the product manual after opening one of thousands of boxes of product. At the beginning of my professional career, I spent several years working in advertising agencies for print media, and I remember perfectly the stress involved in reviewing texts before sending them to print. With StepAlong any content error can be corrected instantly.
Paper format also requires resource economy and sometimes abuses abbreviations to be able to print instructions on fewer pages. For example, knitting and crochet have their own vocabulary, leading to very cryptic instructions such as:
Skip 1 ch, make 6 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc, end with 1 sl st in first sc (=16 sc).To refer to the following steps:
1. Skip 1 chain
2. make 6 single crochets
3. 3 single crochets in the next single crochet
4. 5 single crochets
5. 2 single crochets in the next single crochet
6. end with 1 slip stitch in the first single crochet (=16 single crochets).If we use a digital format like StepAlong, we can emphasize and focus on each step, using the necessary text without worrying about paper consumption. By adding the QR code to the product packaging, the link will direct to the product instructions in the StepAlong format, then the platform will automatically detect the user’s browser language, offering the instructions in the corresponding language.
With the delivery of our AI Translation tool, we offer an efficient solution to one of the most common problems in the creation and managing of product instructions and tutorials.
To see the results of our AI Translation checkout our StepAlong Crafts page where we have translated the StepAlongs.
