Articulate Storyline: Translations

by Kal Hadi 

 

So you need to create eLearning in various languages but you're not quite sure about available workflows in Articulate Storyline. This article demonstrates the import and export features in Storyline specifically designed for building multi-lingual courses. Please keep in mind that Storyline is NOT going to translate the content from one language into another... that's a job for localization companies such as Carmazzi Global Solutions.

You can export content from Storyline, have the content translated, and then import the translated text back into a project. The process is often referred to as round-tripping.

 

Storyline objects that contain text (text boxes, smart shapes, buttons, and text entries) get assigned an internal ID that looks something like this: {bmp_5hAyawujdSz.Name}. The IDs, which are automatically generated by Storyline behind the scenes, are the key to performing the round-trip.

To perform a Storyline round-trip choose File > Translation and then choose Export.

 

 

 

The export formats include Word Document (.doc), Word Document with Reference Column, and XML Localization Interchange File Format (.Xliff).

 

 

 

The difference between the two Word .doc formats is whether or not the original language text is retained as a reference for the translator. This is often preferred for immediate point of reference.

 

 

 

The XML-based format (.Xliff) is fairly common in the technical translation field and is used to facilitate the sharing of data between software tools. 

 

 

 

Your localization vendor will advise you as to the best export format to use. In any event, the exported file will simply be sent to the vendor and its content translated.

 

Upon receiving your translated file back from the vendor, it's time to import the file back into Storyline by choosing File > Translation > Import.

 

 

 

Open the translated file and the localized text will replace the original text throughout the project. (The original object styles and formats will be maintained.)

 

Give the updated project a new name via File > Save As (being careful not to over-write the original language project). Word counts can vary from language to language resulting in undersized or oversized text boxes and shapes. You should go through the slide elements one-by-one and adjust the size of the text elements as needed.

 

Note: Because you will have to do additional work to a project after importing translated text (resizing slide objects for instance), localization should occur after you have completed the course in your primary language.

 

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