PDFs, Panic, and Python: Turning Localization Challenges into Innovation

Not every project starts off smoothly — but that’s often where the magic of true innovation begins.

We were recently tasked with localizing a series of eLearning courses built in Articulate Storyline. The initial brief seemed simple: translate the content using a series of PDF documents as reference material.

Easy, right?

Not quite.

What we quickly realized was that these PDFs weren’t just supplementary — they were foundational. The Storyline courses were practically built on top of them, word-for-word. Suddenly, our job wasn’t just to translate. It was to reverse-engineer instructional content so that it matched government-approved reference materials exactly.

The Challenge

Asking our linguists to manually cross-reference every sentence in the PDFs would’ve been a logistical nightmare — exhausting, inefficient, and prone to error. But giving up wasn’t an option.

The Response

We turned to what we do best: engineering smart solutions.

We assembled a team of:

• Engineers
• AI specialists
• ‍ Python scripters
• Tools like Google Colab, BERT, Claude, and ChatGPT

Together, we created a semantic matching system that could scan massive PDFs and align their content to specific Storyline course sections — even detecting phrasing variations and near-matches. In short, we trained AI to find the needle and thread it.

The Results

• ✅ Precise, side-by-side tables showing reference text and course content
• ✅ No manual searching
• ✅ Fast, consistent, high-quality localization across the board

Just as we wrapped this part of the project, our client introduced new changes:

• A revised glossary (mid-project)
• A switch in text-to-speech tools
• An upgrade to Storyline 360 AI
• Integration with Synthesia for lip-synced videos

The Outcome

We adapted — fast. Our team pivoted tools, rebuilt pipelines, and maintained top-tier quality without delays or disruption.

Why It Matters

At Compass Languages, we don’t just “do” localization. We design solutions, build workflows, and empower teams. We focus on delivering results and protecting the time, energy, and success of everyone involved — from our clients to our internal teams.

This wasn’t just about checking the box. It was about showing what’s possible when expertise, tech, and heart come together.

That’s the Compass way.