Adaptation of a text/software for another purpose or country. Adaptation for another purpose contains, e.g. private labeling for OEM customers. Adaptation for another country/region is part of the localization.
Computer-aided translation (CAT), computer-assisted ~, machine-aided or -assisted ~
Translation of text with the aid of computer programs, e.g. Translation Memory programs, designed to reduce the Translator's workload and to assure a consistent style. Translated sentences are saved with the source sentence in a database as segments (source and target language). If, during translation, a sentence appears that is similar to or identical with a previously translated sentence, the program suggests the found target sentence as a possible translation. See also machine translation.
Terminological consistency means always expressing the same object/subject with the same term (e.g. according to the company wide Glossary). Whereas the phraseological consistency means that the same action or idea is always expressed by exactly the same phrase or group of phrases. Consistently written texts allow using tools for publications, corrections, updates or translations. Consistency is the base of text comprehension or user acceptance and assures quality.
Finalizing task of the documentation creation/translation. The page layout is set up user friendly, e.g. by entering breaks and placing graphics correctly. -> InternationalizationAn invaluable tool for companies and Translators. Besides using the mono- and multilingual online-glossaries on the Internet, most Translators compile and maintain their own subject-, customer- and project-specific glossaries. It is also important for companies to use their own company wide glossaries. These glossaries not only support the work of the Technical Writer/Translator but also shorten the project times by reducing terminology research as well as ensuring the correct and consistent use of terminology in all languages. According to the strategic value of consistent terminology in companies (Corporate Identity) the glossary compilation or maintenance must be considered appropriately during the project planning phase.
Internationalization, globalization
The process of designing or redesigning a product (e.g. software or documentation) to ease or enable its localization. Contains the handling of country-specific data, such as texts of the user interface, in external resource files and the use of a character encoding method (e.g. Unicode) that supports foreign character sets.
The process of adapting a product to a country/region including the language, cultural norms, standards, laws and requirements of the target market etc. Includes the translation of user interfaces, online help files and printed documentation for example.
Translation of text using a program without a user taking action in the actual translation process. The quality of machine-translated text, in terms of terminology, meaning and grammar, varies depending on the nature and complexity of the source text, but does not usually meet quality standards without extensive editing. Search engines, e.g. AltaVista or Google, interface with a translation program to provide translations of websites. Further amusing examples of automatic translations can be found at Babelfish. See also Computer-aided translation (CAT).
Somebody who learned a language as a child and ever since used it as the primary language. Translators usually translate in their mother tongue only not in a language studied later on.
Oral and written command of a language equivalent to that of a person who not only learned the language as a child and has continued to use it as his/her primary language, but who also had some language training.
During technical proof reading, a text is verified and corrected regarding technical accuracy, e.g. references to user interfaces and, of course, technical coherence. This differs from linguistic proof reading, during which spelling and grammar errors, correct punctuation, consistent style etc. are verified and corrected. Upon placing the order to
Proof Readers it is recommended to specify the desired amount of verification (e.g. correction of spelling and grammar errors, style improvement or technical accuracy). Proof reading is part of every documentation creation/translation and assures quality.
Information regarding the text to be written. Supports or enables the Technical Writer/Translator to deliver text meeting customer requirements by supplying context, terminology, definitions etc. about the subject and assures quality.
Concept or system used for technical documentation. Printed manuals, PDF files, HTML pages, HTML systems and context-sensitive online helps are created from one source. The effort for updates, quality assurance and translations can be reduced heavily compared to two separated systems. Setting up the system and source files is done in accordance with the multiple output formats, which is initially more complex, but amortizes itself with the first version.
Language in which the text to be translated is written.
The text used for creating the documentations (see also Single source publishing) or the text to be translated.
The person for which the documentation/translation is created, e.g. an expert or a novice. The target user definition is part of the order for enabling the Technical Writer/Translator to apply the style and use of words specific to the target user.
Language into which a text is to be translated.
Computer-aided translation program. In essence a database ("memory") that stores translated sentences with their respective source sentences as sentence pairs (segments). For each new sentence to be translated, the program scans the database for a previous source sentence that matches the new sentence exactly or approximately (fuzzy match). The target sentence, if available, is then suggested as a possible translation.
Translation Memory program published by Trados.Character encoding standard which, unlike ASCII, uses not 8 but 16 bit character encoding, enabling the representation of virtually all existing character sets (e.g. Latin, Cyrillic, Japanese, Chinese). The use of Unicode simplifies the multiple language document and program creation (see also internationalization).