What to change
Retain the recognisable name needed for arrival and explain it in the reader's language where helpful. Ask the reviewer to consider signs, confirmations and spoken questions together.
A worked example
Illustrative example
A translated guide retains West House as the building name and explains the entrance in the selected language. It also preserves the practice name shown on the confirmation, avoiding two unfamiliar aliases.
Put it into practice
Share a photograph of the actual entrance with the translator where useful. Ask a reader to match the translated directions to the signs. A beautiful translation is not helpful if it sends someone looking for a name that does not appear anywhere locally.
Check links to map services as part of the language review. A correctly translated instruction should still lead to the intended place rather than a similarly named building or branch.
What to agree before publishing
Use actual signs and a current map link as translation context. The translated directions can explain the route while retaining the building or practice name people need to recognise outside. Ask a reader to point out which name they would look for on arrival. Avoid translating a proper name into wording that does not appear locally unless the explanation also preserves recognition. This is especially useful in shared premises where the building's large sign differs from the practice's name.
How to check the result
A visitor can use the translated instructions to recognise the actual signs at the destination.
A mistake to avoid
Do not replace a useful proper name with a literal translation that nobody at the building uses.
Turn reading into a next step
Your action checklist
Work through these checks with your team or supplier. Tick the ones you have resolved and leave unknowns open.
Record what you know, what is still missing and the answer you need from your team or supplier.
Use project decisions only, without personal, patient or confidential details. Entries stay in this page and are not submitted to Kay & Co. Copy or download before leaving; this page does not save your notes.
Further reading
These sources provide background for the topic. The practice examples and checklist are illustrative planning suggestions from Kay & Co.
Related guides
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