Cross-language communication
Prepare matching event instructions in two languages
Write the instructions in one language first, with each date, time, address and required action stated in full. Translate them second, then compare the two versions line by line. Guests who read different versions should arrive at the same place, at the same time, ready to do the same thing.
A text to start with
Here are event instructions in [source language]: [text]. Translate them into [target language], preserving the meaning of dates, times and required actions. Use the agreed format [date format and clock style] only after resolving ambiguity. Keep supplied links and confirmed name/address forms exact. Show each required action beside its translation and flag missing or uncertain details.
Example request. Change the details to fit your situation.Two-language event comparison
Event name as it should appear: [ ] Source language: [ ] Second language: [ ] Source instruction: [ ] Translated instruction: [ ] Date, source version: [ ] Date, translated version: [ ] Time and time format, source: [ ] Time and time format, translated: [ ] Address, source: [ ] Address, translated: [ ] Link, source: [ ] Link, translated: [ ] Required action: [ ] Where it appears in each version: [ ] Proper nouns kept untranslated: [ ] Verification note and who checked: [ ]
Differences that cause confusion
Compare the actual date and time represented by each version, rather than expecting identical strings. Resolve an ambiguous date before converting its format, and retain any stated time zone. Verify the approved address and name forms for each language, and copy links accurately. Check that required actions, such as bringing an item or confirming attendance, keep the same meaning. Record uncertain differences for confirmation instead of guessing which wording is right.
Ask another agent to check the result
Compare the two versions of my event instructions. Check every time, date, address, link and required action. Report any that differ, are missing, or are required in one version and optional in the other. Quote both lines for each difference.
Align the two versions
Fill in the worksheet and compare both versions with the confirmed event details. Ask a fluent reader to check the translation. If a mismatch comes from the translation, correct it there; if the source is wrong or ambiguous, clarify the source and update both. Distribute matching versions and identify later revisions clearly.