These pieces aim to take a plunge into the depths of localization and leave no stone unturned. Our larger format podcasts aim to expand on specific topics pertaining to localization and the language industry in general by providing a platform for experts to discuss in every detail what they know best.
Here, the interviews are tailored to the expert’s experience, background, and ideas, with the goal of giving our listeners a thorough understanding and relevant opinions of the selected topics.
Episode 1
Managing the Machine – with Max Troyer
When we think about Artificial Intelligence in the language services industry, most people will immediately jump to the idea of machine translation. Tools such as Google Translate and Baidu Multilingual have popularized the image of AI as a linguistic tool, but the possibilities of machine-assistance in the localization industry reach far more broadly than just that. There is endless potential for AI to help assist project management, quality assessment, desktop publishing, and so much more if we just think a little bit outside of the box. In this episode, we talked to Max Troyer, a professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, about his predictions for AI beyond translation and how he’s preparing the students in his program for that future.
Music courtesy of musicjunkies.com
Episode 2
Solutions Architect – with Jon Ritzdorf
In today’s episode, we had the pleasure of talking about the backbone of every industry, including localization – money. Our guest today, Jon Ritzdorf, is an industry veteran, currently holding the title of a Senior Solutions Architect at RWS Moravia. Contrary to the usual perception of finance, accounting, there is actually so much creativity and ingenuity involved in his work, where he tries to understand the client’s and project’s individual needs and find ways to measure the efforts needed to bring the ideas alive. He talked to us about how the understanding of the localization business changes on the client-side, how to communicate efficiently when talking language products and money, and why the essential elements of every business, including localization, still boils down to the human element.
Music courtesy of musicjunkies.com
- The transcript for this episode can be found here.
- To hear this podcast on Apple Podcasts, click here.
- Anchor link.
Episode 3
The Voice behind the Voices
In this episode, we set out to explore the incredibly complex world of dubbing, a profession torn between the localization and entertainment industries. In here, you will be able to understand this profession much better by listening to two renowned voice actors, Moon Namsook from South Korea and Humberto Velez from Mexico, discuss the ins and outs of dubbing and the challenges and opportunities that fill this dynamic profession with buzz and excitement.
We touch upon the skills required to succeed in such a role as well as the critical role that passion and discipline play. As you can imagine, becoming a successful voice actor requires hard training, lots of patience, and a lot of love for the job and the characters you play.
Technology is another topic impacting the industry, so our two experts will guide you through the developments they have encountered and how they have had an impact in their jobs.
Music courtesy of musicjunkies.com
- The transcript for this episode can be found here.
- To hear this podcast on Apple Podcasts, click here.
- Anchor link
Episode 4
When Game Loc is No Game
In 2019, the global gaming market skyrocketed to unseen heights at a staggering $152 billion worldwide revenue, with 2020 numbers predicted to reach even higher at $165 billion. As the global population of gamers ranging from casual to competitive continues to grow, the need for thoughtful localization practices in the industry has become more imperative now than ever.
In this month’s episode of ROAR, the team sits down with Ainara Echaniz, a Senior Localization Producer at CD Projekt Red to talk about her experience working on the Witcher series of games, and discuss just how important a globally-aware localization mindset can be to leveling up a game’s success abroad.
Music courtesy of musicjunkies.com
- The transcript for this episode can be found here.
- To hear this podcast on Apple Podcasts, click here.
- Anchor link.
Episode 5
The Manga Translation Industry
For this episode of ROAR: Deep Dives, we talk to Ryan Holmberg, a comic historian and translator of alternative manga, best known for his work on the alternative manga magazine Garo. Ryan talks to us about how he found himself in this industry and how he’d like to see things change as interest in manga grows. If you’d like to see more from Ryan, be sure to follow him on Instagram at @mangaberg.
