27 The translation process

Create and introduce a process for translating the virtual gaming simulation (VGS).

As the purpose of VGS is to be used for as many users as possible, designers may wish to create a VGS that can be translated into different languages so that it can be used in different countries around the world. Ideally, content experts from different countries should collaborate in the design process to ensure that the content in the VGS is applicable to the policies and practices within different countries. A very important and crucial decision required at the onset of multi-language collaboration, is to determine, the primary language that will be used to design the initial prototype of the VGS. It is also important to select a software platform which will easily allow for the VGS to be converted to multiple languages.
All aspects of VGS design and development will increase in complexity with each additional country included in a collaborative project, but the process can be very rewarding and the VGS product can have a broad impact.
Several options can be considered in determining how a VGS can be translated into other languages. Team members from various countries who have intimate knowledge of the VGS design, can each translate the final VGS content and videos into their native language once a content is finalized to everyones’ satisfaction. These efforts can be supported by using free online translation software to translate the content and captioning of videos (e.g., Google translator; CHATGPT-AI).
If there is a sufficient project budget another option is to hire the services of a professional translator. This option will ensure that the VGS translation is more accurate and contextually appropriate.
In the Envision project, we designed 2 VGSs which were translated into five languages. We used team members to translate the content and a free online translation software to assist us.

Here are some tips that can be followed to translate the VGS internally:

The ENVISION experience: