DeepL vs. Google Translate for Design Files (IDML): Why Nuance Matters

Machine Translation: A Powerful Tool for Designers

Machine Translation (MT) has revolutionized how we handle multilingual content. For designers working with InDesign, tools that integrate MT with IDML processing, like Transl8ly, offer incredible speed and efficiency. But not all MT engines are created equal, especially when dealing with the often nuanced and brand-specific language found in design files.

Two major players dominate the MT landscape: Google Translate and DeepL.

Google Translate: The Ubiquitous Option

Google Translate is incredibly accessible and supports a vast number of languages. It's excellent for getting the gist of text quickly or for translating simple, conversational content. Its integration into numerous platforms makes it a common choice.

However, for professional design documents, Google Translate can sometimes fall short:

• Literal Translations: It can occasionally be too literal, missing the subtle nuances, idioms, or context-specific meanings crucial in marketing or technical documents.
• Consistency: Maintaining consistent terminology across a long document can sometimes be a challenge.
• Formality/Tone: Adapting the correct level of formality or brand voice might require more post-editing.

DeepL: The Quality Benchmark (Especially for European Languages)

DeepL has gained a strong reputation, particularly for European languages, for producing translations that often sound more natural and human-like. It excels at:

• Nuance and Context: DeepL's AI seems better at grasping the underlying meaning and context, leading to more accurate and less literal translations.
• Natural Phrasing: Translations often flow more smoothly and require less editing to sound natural in the target language.
• Consistency: It generally does a good job of maintaining consistent terminology within a document.
• Handling Formality: DeepL often offers options for formality (e.g., in German, Spanish, French) where applicable, which can be helpful for brand voice.

Why DeepL Excels for IDML Translation (via Transl8ly)

When translating IDML files with Transl8ly, we leverage the DeepL API. Here's why this combination is particularly effective for design files:

1. Higher Quality Reduces Editing: DeepL's more nuanced translations mean less time spent post-editing text within InDesign after the automated translation. This preserves the efficiency gains of using an IDML tool.
2. Better Handling of Marketing/Creative Text: Design files often contain taglines, persuasive copy, and specific branding language. DeepL is often better at capturing the intended meaning and tone.
3. Layout Integrity: While the tool (Transl8ly) handles the IDML structure, the quality of the translation impacts how well the text fits. More natural translations often have lengths closer to the original or expand/contract more predictably, minimizing layout issues.
4. Technical Accuracy: For technical manuals or documents created in InDesign, DeepL's ability to handle complex sentences and terminology can be superior.

Conclusion: Quality Engine for Quality Results

While Google Translate is a valuable tool, DeepL consistently demonstrates superior quality and nuance, especially for the types of documents typically created in InDesign. By choosing Transl8ly, which utilizes DeepL, you are not only getting a streamlined IDML workflow but also benefiting from a best-in-class translation engine. This leads to more accurate, natural-sounding translations that require less manual intervention, ultimately saving you time and ensuring a more professional result for your multilingual publications.