Glossary Creation & Its Importance to Localization; A Four-Part Series

词汇表创建及其对本地化的重要性;第一篇(共四篇)

2020-08-17 18:10 United Language Group

本文共527个字,阅读需6分钟

阅读模式 切换至中文

This blog marks the first in a four-part series. Meant to introduce the topic “Glossary Creation & Its Importance to Localization,” this blog will be followed by three subsequent blogs in the coming weeks. Each blog will cover one of three related topics in detail: 1) The Glossary Creation Process, 2) Glossary Management Best Practices, and 3) Common mistakes with glossary creation & management. The topic for this blog is: What is a Translation Glossary & How Do Clients Benefit? What is a Translation Glossary? Language, and individual words, can be inherently ambiguous. Often, words carry multiple meanings, depending on the context of their use. Take the word “field,” for example. When used as a verb, it carries multiple meanings: to open for questions, to catch or pick something up, to give an impromptu answer or solution, and more. “Field,” also carries multiple meanings as a noun. To add to the confusion, many organizations have their “own language” that includes company or industry-specific technical terms. Managing all of this in English is extremely complex in and of itself; when translation is introduced, it can become downright unmanageable. To help ensure accurate, contextual translations, many companies use a translation glossary. A translation glossary is an index of specific terminology with approved translations in target languages. The glossary is used by a Language Service Provider (LSP) and their clients to ensure consistent translation of important terms across localization projects. Typically, a glossary is created in collaboration between an LSP and the client company. Glossaries are often reviewed by the quality assurance team at an LSP before a new project. In addition to company-specific and industry-specific technical terms, a glossary may also include names, trademark terms, non-translatable terms, or acronyms. Glossaries are particularly useful in highly technical fields like medical device and industrial manufacturing, legal and finance sectors, and information technology. A glossary drives the technical clarity and consistency required in such industries. In the global marketplace, translation glossaries are a high-value tool with uses that extend beyond content development. What are the Benefits? In short, translation glossaries aid translators in ensuring that each time a defined term appears in any language, it is used and translated correctly and consistently. This consistency, in turn, eliminates uncertainty throughout the translation process, which allows the process to flow more effectively and efficiently. Over time, through the use of consistently maintained glossaries, clients will realize several benefits: Drive consistent messaging Enhance and protect a company’s brand image and trademarks Limit the needs for and costs associated with in-country review Reduce rework and waste throughout the content development and translation processes Lower the overall cost of translation projects Reduce time to market for new products or content The glossary development process can be time-consuming upfront, but with the support of a strong Language Service Provider, the creation time can be minimized. More importantly, the glossary, if well maintained, will save you time and money in the future. To learn more about the glossary creation process, subscribe to United Language Group’s blog and follow us on LinkedIn to tune into the next part of the series – Managing the Glossary Creation Process.
本系列博客由四部分组成,这是该系列博客的第一篇。本博客旨在介绍“词汇表创建及其对本地化的重要性”这一主题,后续的三个博客将在接下来的几周发布。每个博客将分别详细讨论以下三个相关主题:1)词汇表的创建过程;2)词汇表管理的最佳实践;3)词汇表创建和管理的常见错误。本博客的主题是:翻译词汇表的定义以及词汇表给客户带来的好处。 什么是翻译词汇表? 一种语言或者个别词汇在本质上都可能存在歧义。通常,单词有多种含义,具体含义取决于单词使用的上下文。以单词“field”为例。当它用作动词时,它有多种含义:处理问题、抓住或拿起某物、给出即兴答案或解决方案等等。“field,”作为名词也有多种含义。更令人困惑的是,许多公司都有自己的“语言”,其中包括公司或行业特有的专业术语。用英语处理这些含义多变的术语本身就非常复杂;在翻译时可能会变得更加难以应付。为了确保翻译准确并符合上下文,许多公司选择使用翻译词汇表。 翻译词汇表是特定术语的索引,包含术语的固定译文。术语表由语言服务提供商(LSP)及其客户使用,以确保跨本地化项目的重要术语的翻译一致。通常,词汇表由语言服务提供商和客户公司之间协作创建。在开展新项目之前,语言服务提供商的质量保证团队通常会对术语进行审查。除了特定公司和行业的专业术语外,词汇表还可能包括名称、商标术语、不可翻译的术语或首字母缩略语。 翻译词汇表在技术程度高的领域非常实用,如医疗器械和工业制造、法律和金融部门,以及信息技术。术语表能够满足行业的技术要求,提高术语清晰度和一致性。在全球市场中,翻译词汇表是一种高价值的工具,其用途超出了内容开发的范围。 翻译词汇表有什么好处? 简而言之,翻译词汇表帮助译者确保已定义的术语在任何语言中都得以正确使用并翻译一致。这种一致性反过来又消除了整个翻译过程中的不确定性,从而使翻译过程更加有效和高效。长期使用定期维护的词汇表,将会为客户带来以下几个好处: 信息传递一致 提升公司的品牌形象并保护商标 减少国内审评和相关费用 减少内容开发和翻译过程中的返工和浪费 降低翻译项目的总成本 缩短新产品或内容的上市时间 开发词汇表前期可能会很耗时,但在语言服务提供商的帮助下,词汇表的创建时间可以降至最低。更重要的是,如果对词汇表善加维护,今后可以节省很多时间和金钱。想了解更多关于词汇表创建过程的信息,请订阅联合语言集团的博客,并在领英上跟随我们关注本系列的下一篇--管理词汇表创建过程。

以上中文文本为机器翻译,存在不同程度偏差和错误,请理解并参考英文原文阅读。

阅读原文