[IxDA Discuss] Multi-lingual transactional Web sites

[Doc]

My apologies if this post seems off-topic, but I have a question which falls
into the category of 'user experience' and so here I am...

We are in the process of evaluating a large e-business site for a global
business. Parts of the site are available in languages other than English,
but none of the site's primary transactional functions have been translated:
these are only available in English.

The nature of the service/product being sold is complex. It requires a great
deal of knowledge about the service/product being purchased in order to
complete a transaction. Further, each transaction forms part of an on-going
activity - an 8-part process. Lastly, more than half of the customers come
from non-English speaking nations, although generally the local population
would be expected to have some grasp of English.

The client has asked for an opinion on the need to provide the site in
non-English languages: not just our opinion, but any general perspectives on
the matter.

I'd appreciate any insights you may have to offer - case studies, disaster
stories, successes etc.

Please feel free to send replies off-list.

Many thanks

Steve Baty
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Steve 'Doc' Baty B.Sc (Maths), M.EC, MBA
Director, User Experience Strategy
Red Square
P: +612 8289 4930
M: +61 417 061 292