Translation/Localization 101:Getting Started – Part II

Presented By Anja Schaefer and Arnold Koh

January 2010

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Localization Tools and Technology

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CAT = Computer Assisted TranslationComplement / support human translators

Main Purpose of CAT tools is to secure the Translation “Information Pool” as an immediate in-house asset to:

Automate/Recycle recurrent translation workGive immediate access to standardized terminology Improve consistency, quality, accuracy, efficiencyReduce costsConsolidate/Improve turnaround time (TAT) over the long term

Key CAT Tools:Glossaries / Terminology Management SystemsTranslation Memories

Computer Assisted Translation Tools

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Goals and objectives of

content

Cultural Biases

Clarity of the Intentions - Audience Analysis

Clarity and Readability of

the Text

Consistency

Key Translation Considerations

“Literal translations” violate these considerations

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“The What”Multi-lingual database of key corporate terms, definitions, context, gender, source, etc.Integrated with Translation Memory

Glossaries and Terminology Management Systems

Establish linguistic standards and encourages consistency in usageProtects corporate terminology and brandCan be shared corporate wide (outside of the translation process)

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Glossaries and Terminology Management Systems

“The How”Extract of key terms, nouns and noun-phrases from content sources

Translations sent to client for approval

Approved translations used for all translation projects by translators, editors, proofers, etc.

Typically done prior to translation of core materials

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Translation Memory

Technology that enables users to store translated data within a database for re-use or sharing

System matches existing translated segments against new source files

Allows for leveraging of translations

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Exact Match… is a segment which is 100% identical to a segment stored within the translation memory

Fuzzy match… A segment that partially (50-99%) matches a segment within the translation memory

Because of the diminishing return as the match gets fuzzier, anything below 75% is considered “no match” for pricing purposes

No Match… A segment in the current source text does not

match a segment existing in the TM database

Match Types

Translating with Translation Memory

This is a sample file to show how a translation memory system works

This is the original file

It will be translated using Translation Memory

This is a sample file to show how a translation memory system works

This is the updated file

It is not that different to the other file

100% match: identical to previous version

Fuzzy match: similar to previous version

No match: No match found in TM

File A File B

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Improve consistency and qualityCompare new content against existing translated material.

Reduce costReuse content to reduce and eliminate the need for formatting.

Increases speed, productivity, and efficiency of overall process

Benefits of Translation Memory and Glossaries

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What is Machine Translation (MT)?

MT addresses the productivity improvement need for “New Content”

MT is characterized by the absence of human intervention during the translation process

MT is not and will never be perfect

Combining machine and human translation creates a process that ensures the best quality.

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Projects Most Suitable for MT

Large volume, “repeatable” type content

Technical documentation

Internal content, “good enough” vs. publishable quality

“Gist” – acceptable quality (Google/Bablefish)

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While not a formal tool or technology, per se, can still be a very important tool for translationStyle guides define specific usage, formats, fonts, related to specific localized productsExamples:

How translators should write titles, headings, numbers, and metricsThe manner & tone of addressing the userItems that need to be left in English (fund names, brand references)Standardized treatment for acronyms

A Word on Style Guides

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