Case Study: Complex Multilingual Translation of a Mental Health eLearning Module

June 10, 2024
wintranslation
Articles, Case Studies

Background

When the Coaching Association of Canada set out to expand the reach of their eLearning program “Mental Health in Sport”—originally created in English and French—they partnered with wintranslation. The goal was to make this important resource accessible to a wider range of communities across Canada, including both Indigenous Peoples and newcomers.

To achieve this, the module was translated into eight additional languages:

Indigenous languages: Cree, Inuktitut, Dene
Newcomer languages: Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Punjabi, Tagalog

This project was about more than words—it was about cultural connection, accessibility, and ensuring that vital mental health knowledge could reach coaches and athletes from coast to coast to coast.

The Challenge

The project involved multiple content types and technical hurdles:

Six InDesign brochures requiring translation and formatting.
Five videos (7 minutes total) needing subtitles and voice-over in multiple languages.
Complex site testing for left-to-right languages and Indigenous syllabics, where platform compatibility was uncertain.

The scope demanded not only precise translation but also careful coordination between translators, designers, and the eLearning development team.

Our Solution

We designed a multi-step workflow that combined technology, cultural expertise, and close collaboration:

Step 1: Pseudo Translation
We provided pseudo-translated files for early testing, helping the client’s technical team identify and resolve compatibility issues—particularly with non-Latin scripts and syllabics.

Step 2: Translation Preparation
Using XLF, InDesign, and video files supplied by the client, our team prepared everything in Trados Studio, including extracting video subtitles. Translation kits, with style guides and reference materials, were delivered to translators.

Step 3: Translation & Editing
Translations were followed by a second round of review. For Indigenous languages, our workflow allowed flexibility to honor different cultural approaches to translation and revision.

Step 4: Translation QA
Industry-leading QA tools were applied to verify accuracy, consistency, and completeness.

Step 5: Desktop Publishing & Voice-Over
Validated XLF files were returned for site testing while our DTP team formatted InDesign files for each language. Final layouts were proofread by translators. Over 40 Indigenous-language audio segments were recorded and synchronized with the video content.

Step 6: Site Testing
Translators then tested the live module as real users, reviewing quizzes, PDFs, videos, and interactive features. They ensured readability, cultural appropriateness, and technical accuracy across all languages.

Benefits of Our Approach

This structured process delivered powerful results:

Solved technical challenges before they could impact delivery.
Streamlined translation of complex file formats through advanced tools.
Created reusable legacy materials for future updates, saving time and cost.
Simplified file management by consolidating everything in one package.
Ensured top-quality outcomes in translation, formatting, and voice-over.
Accelerated communication and problem-solving by working directly with the client’s development team.

Impact

The successful multilingual launch of “Mental Health in Sport” ensured that coaches and athletes across Canada—including Indigenous communities and newcomers—could access mental health resources in their own languages.

This project demonstrates wintranslation’s expertise in managing large, complex eLearning localization initiatives, bridging cultural and technical barriers to deliver meaningful impact.

Ready to Expand Your Reach?

By translating your materials into the languages spoken in Canada—including Indigenous and newcomer languages—you can extend the impact of your programs to diverse communities nationwide.