A few years ago, people were saying that mobile applications were a thing of the future. Well, it now increasingly clear that they are a thing of the present as well as the future. The translation of mobile applications is one of our most popular services nowadays. Do you want to know the three best practices of professional translators when translating mobile applications? Keep reading and we will explain!
Keep it short
Keeping it short is one of the maxims of professional translators when translating mobile applications. We are only too aware of the way that apps are used, so we know that any translation in this area must be as brief and concise as possible. The professional translation of apps should allow for a quick scan of all the text elements that make up the application. For example, instead of saying “this process is carried out in two steps” it is better to emphasise that “the process is quick and easy”.
Say goodbye to complex words
Mobile app translations should be simple and straightforward. When a user accesses an app, they don’t want to spend hours trying to figure out what a certain word means or how a certain process should be performed. So professional translators try to avoid using complex words as much as possible. The aim? For anyone to be able to use the mobile application. As the saying goes: you do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother. So, it is better to say “switch off the X button” rather than “disable the X button” to ensure that everyone knows what you mean.
Think about the purpose
What do you use a sports app for? To do sport, right? And a mobile photo-editing app? To get the most out of your snapshots. So, apps should not only use a language that is easy for everyone to understand, they should also start from the basis of what each phrase is trying to describe. For example, it is better to say “to delete this photo do X” than “drag a photo from the album to X to delete it”.
