E-Learning – Training and Voiceover in the Native Language

E-Learning Voiceover Across Borders – How Does It Work?

Finding the right E-Learning voiceover can be like navigating through an intricate jungle, especially when your E-Learning content is intended for use in various countries and cultures. Simply translating a voiceover is often insufficient, as language and culture can significantly influence how we absorb, understand, and process information. Therefore, translating your voiceover in the best possible way is crucial.

In this article, we delve into the many ways of translating a voiceover and explain why finding the right voice for your voiceover is so important.

Considerations When Choosing Your Voiceover

When selecting a voiceover for your E-Learning, it’s not a trivial decision. The choice of voice matters greatly in how the educational material is received and processed by your audience, especially when it’s intended for use in different countries and cultures.

Imagine creating a training program for your employees across borders. In such cases, simply having someone speak the translated content won’t suffice. It’s essential to cover all aspects to ensure that no content is lost or misunderstood.

Here are some points to keep in mind:

• Is the message and essence of your E-Learning accurately conveyed in all languages?
• Are the chosen voice actors native speakers of the target language?
• Should the voiceover be a straightforward translation, or do factors like “localization” play a significant role?

All of these factors influence how your message is received and whether your employees learn what you intend to convey.

Translation, Localization, or Transcreation?

A large company with multiple departments in different countries often finds the need to deliver E-Learning content in various languages. If you have a training program that your employees need to use, it’s critical to ensure that the translation is done correctly so that all employees, regardless of their location and culture, understand your message.

To achieve this, you should understand the differences between translation, localization, and transcreation.

• Translation: This involves converting text, memos, or dialogues directly from one language to another. It’s the kind of translation most of us are familiar with.
• Localization: A more complex form of translation used when a straightforward translation isn’t sufficient to convey the complete message, and content needs to be adapted to ensure that the audience understands the message correctly. Culture is a significant factor in localization. Localization can help you effectively address your audience, avoid cultural insensitivity, comply with laws, or prevent content from being misunderstood.
• Transcreation: An even more complex form of translation that allows for creative freedom within a language. For example, a proverb that makes sense in the source language might not have an equivalent in the target language. Transcreation helps find an appropriate replacement in the target language that achieves the same effect but is expressed differently.

Your task is to determine which type of translation makes the most sense for your project. The ultimate goal is to ensure that E-Learning users receive the message consistently, regardless of the language and culture.

By selecting a voice actor in the target language and using techniques like localization or transcreation, you can:

• Provide a better learning experience for your employees.
• Enhance your credibility with users.
• Keep users engaged with your E-Learning content for longer.

Our most important point is to find the right voice and ensure that the person is a native speaker of the language in which you intend to deliver your E-Learning to make it as effective as possible.