How can terminology management improve the quality of technical translation?

Well, I'd like to ask the question the other way round. How can techcnical translation be done without terminology management? I don't this is anyhow possible. This said, I see two parts of terminology management I need. The first and most important one customer oriented, precise and quite small termbase with key terms for the product in question. Terms like hexagonal screw, helicoidal pump, solenoid valve and other general terms belong to a second, quite huge termbase. The purpose of this one is to save time and keep your own style consistent. For example you can put Verdichter or spr??arka as the preffered term for compressor and forbid the use of Kompressor or kompresor in your own texts. This will make your style simply better.

Terminology is important for many purposes, mainly: ?Precision and clarity: Precise terminology allows for the accurate transmission of technical terms, which is crucial in technical translation to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding. ?Consistency: Using consistent terminology throughout a technical text ensures uniform understanding and avoids any inconsistency in translation. ?Specialization: Terminology specific to a technical field reflects the precision and expertise required in that field, which is essential for accurate and relevant technical translation. ?Understanding the target audience ?compliance with regulations and standards

Terminology is essential for technical translation because it ensures precision, consistency, clarity, adherence to industry standards, accuracy, and helps prevent misunderstandings or errors, contributing significantly to the overall quality and reliability of technical translated content.

Let's also remember that successful utilization of terminology file requires constant updates and changes to it. Especially in use cases where multiple linguists are working on the same project.

Technical terminology can be industry-generic or client specific, either way the terminology needs to be fit for purpose or the client. It is important for end users and the client, that the terminology is consistent within the project and for future projects.

I remember that I did a translation that meant the difference between life and death for the workers in a factory. I worked with the engineer who was my client. Every word should have a precise meaning and application. Be humble and ask for a second reading to the professional.

1. Improved quality of communication: Effective terminological management ensures that the terms used are precise, clear, and consistent, which enhances the quality of technical communication. 2. Time and efficiency savings: With a well-organized terminological database, technical translators can quickly find the appropriate terms, saving time and increasing the efficiency of the translation process. 3. Reduction of errors and misunderstandings: By using precise and standardized terminology, the risk of translation errors and misunderstandings is reduced, which is crucial in technical fields where accuracy is paramount. 4. Consistency in technical documentation 5. Compliance with standards and regulations

Terminology is useful abstraction and quick to use shortcuts - it must be encouraged for the same benefits it brings, however too much of it makes people uncomfortable and too little of it makes the conversations repetitive and cliched. Just the right amount of terminology will foot the bill adequately and sensibly. Checking with the sponsors if there were previously translated texts they were comfortable with or sharing a list of terminology used in the text separately would foolproof the process.

The benefits of professional and accurate terminology management are self-explanatory. Well-researched and well-defined terms make documents easier to read and understand by the audience. People will simply acknowledge the names and labels they are used to. As a result, they can focus on the information that really matters to them. Proper terminology facilitates learning, speeds up information intake and generally makes the readers' and the users' lives easier.

La gestion terminologique fixe un cadre pour les traducteurs, afin de garantir un niveau suffisant de cohérence et de pertinence quant aux termes choisis.

Creating translation topic-related glossaries and terminology guidelines helps advancing with consistency and avoid "most" mistakes. I recommend having them validated by the customer to ensure brand cohesion accross languages/existing documents. If you don′t know well the subjec matter, unless you are willing to invest time into finding out about it, don′t take the job. You risk producing mediocre or even wrong translation. Always get a proof-read by a native subjec matter expert.

1. Create a terminology database: Gather and organize all technical terms used in your field of activity in a centralized database. 2. Establish guidelines and standards: Develop clear guidelines on the use and translation of technical terms, ensuring that all team members use the same terms consistently. 3. Train staff: Provide training on terminology management and the use of the database to translators, technical writers, and other professionals involved in technical communication. 4. Use terminology management tools: Invest in specialized software that facilitates the management and search for terms, as well as the creation of glossaries and terminology databases. 5. Implement a process for regular review and updating

Every client should have at least one termbase and it should be structured with fields that the client and the LSP agree upon. This avoids problems and misunderstandings with the client in the long run as more often than not, clients want to use those termbases for their business. Every project should have a project termbase to be used for new terminology which contains all approved fields which will help linguists choose the correct terms to be added. Terminologists make sure that the terms added are backed up by reliable evidence and, after the client approves it, it is merged into the main termbase(s). Several resources participate in this process so don't underestimate it because terminology consistency is at the core of credibility.

Cuando se trabaja en equipo en traducción técnica, es recomendable elaborar una hoja de estilo. Se trata de un documento breve (generalmente una tabla), compartido y editado por el equipo, que garantiza la uniformidad y la homogeneidad de criterios, define el estilo, contiene pautas ortotipográficas, sobre imágenes, principales dudas, etc., y spuede contener pautas éticas o deontológicas. Orienta al equipo, para lograr un a atmósfera de trabajo más relajado, sin conflictos entre las distintas personas que traducen, y resulta una preciosa guía para control de calidad. Con una hoja de estilo se habría evitado la fluctuación de dos personas verbales, tú y usted,, en el mismo texto (el que está a la izquierda en esta pantalla).

I think the best way to implement terminology management is by using one of the existing platforms (I'll avoid naming brands, but I have my preferences). When implemented correctly, Term Bases help immensely, when offering optional terms in real time. The downside of it is that managing TBs takes up (human) resources, so providers tend to avoid them. Where I work with clients who dedicate human resources, time and thought to managing TBs, translation of technical terms becomes much more fluid, with less inaccuracies, queries, and mismatches.

I recently saw a cake recipe that translated lime (the fruit) as wapno (also lime in English but meaning calcium oxide). When managing terminology, you need to know your lime from lime.

Find hereby some challenges faced in managing terminology 1. Consistency: Ensuring that all team members use the same terms consistently can be a challenge, especially in multinational and multilingual teams. 2. Terminology evolution: Technical terms can evolve over time, and keeping up with these changes and updates can be a challenge. 3. Multilingualism: Managing terminology across different languages can be complex, especially when dealing with nuances and cultural differences. 4. Integration with existing systems: Integrating terminology management tools with existing software and systems can be a challenge, especially if there are compatibility issues. 5. Quality control

The complexity and volume of technical terms, coupled with their continual evolution, demand meticulous maintenance and updating of databases. Multilingual nuances and the lack of standardization across industries pose difficulties in ensuring consistent and equivalent terms in various languages. Access to reliable resources, integrating tools with translation software, and achieving consensus among stakeholders present further hurdles. Additionally, costs, resistance to change, and the need for training impede the implementation and adoption of effective terminology management practices.

It is quite challenging for technical translators who work in different fields, such as legal, engineering, finance, etc. For example, the word "settlement" conveys different meaning based on the particular field and relevant context. In legal documents, settlement may refer to settlement of the dispute between two parties by finding possible solutions by themselves or court proceedings. In structural engineering, settlement may mean the downward movement of the ground when the load is applied to it. In stock markets, settlement is transfer of ownership of securities to the buyers. So, when making terminology notes, it is essential to keep separate records for each field.

Unabh?ngig von dem Vielfalt der Begrifflichkeiten ist das Corporate Language eine gro?e Herausforderung für den übersetzer und Korrektor. Sie müssen nicht nur den Vielfalt kennen sondern sollten auch den Wunsch des Endkunden berücksichtigen bzw. implementieren.

A termbase is only as useful as the accuracy of its content - there might be a temptation to just save new entries with SL and TL terms. However, a lot of term and entry level information (e.g. context/definitions) can help you to get a lot more out of your terminology. Sources (e.g. which piece of primary legislation it comes from), specific subject area, whether or not it is inclusive/accessible etc can all prove very helpful. Most of all terminology work should not be considered as a mere afterthought - dedicated resources for terminology work can help accelerate the translation process, and increase productivity.

In my experience, having term bases updated from time to time, collaborating with all the stake holders, effective use of CAT tools and especially updating black listed terms is very helpful!

1. Standardization: Establishing and maintaining a standardized terminology list and guidelines for usage can help ensure consistency across teams and languages. 2. Regular updates 3. Collaboration: Encouraging collaboration between subject matter experts, linguists, and translators can help ensure that terminology is accurately and effectively managed across languages and cultures. 4. Training and education 5. Use of technology: Leveraging terminology management tools and software can streamline the process of creating, updating, and maintaining a centralized database of approved terms and translations.

One best practice needs to be asking the client for their terminology database. From my personal experience I know that industry-specific terminology and information only go so far. The brand identity of the customer and the product-specific titles and names need to be taken into account. If a button or a type of table or process is called a certain way in a software or a product, it needs to be called this in every part of the product. Sounds simple, sometimes not so easy to do in our fast paced work environments as either the translator does not get the time to research in the product or clients sometimes are very hesitant about giving out their terminology databases. To their own detriment in some cases. Both sides need to collaborate.

Terminology should be consensus, international consensus. Translator don′t create the language, they just use it....well, sometimes translator have to be quite creative indeed. But not very often. Language is a sensitive issue. People are very sensitive about their mother language. Companies are very sensitive about terminology. Sometimes, too sensitive.

La terminologie est très importante, mais doit être choisie sur la base d'un contexte bien évalué, selon la cible, l'usage, etc. Une autre chose est très importante : La cohérence. Une même notion doit être exprimée avec le même mot (ou expression) à travers tout le document écrit, toute l'interface utilisateur, etc. Si le vocabulaire utilisé diffère, le lecteur ou l'utilisateur sera perdu (confusion). Dernière chose : Le traducteur doit être impartial et ne doit en aucun cas être influencé par ses propres habitudes terminologiques et doit effectuer un choix terminologique le plus objectif possible, pour l'intérêt commun.

Der Austausch mit dem Kunden über die Terminologie soll keine Einbahnstra?e sein. Der Mehrwert eines übersetzers liegt darin, dass er mit seinem Fachwissen für die Entwicklung einer übersetzung, die dem Kunden zugute kommt, entschieden beitragen kann.

Overcoming translation tool limitations involves recognizing constraints and finding effective strategies. Challenges include file format compatibility, language diversity handling, and cultural nuances. Solutions include exploring specialized tools, custom options, and human quality checks. Factors like cost, collaboration, and integration affect tool effectiveness. A proactive, adaptable approach ensures an efficient translation process.

La importancia de investigar en profundidad la temática central no puede ser desestimado. Dentro el lenguaje hay otro lenguaje. Ejemplo: programación, Python...etc

On large projects I always keep a mini TB of my own. I create a spreadsheet where I collect my industry/project specific terms, to ensure my own consistency during the current translation and throughout the project. In many cases, even where there are well managed terminology management systems, new entries take long time to be implemented and applied. So, to benefit from a choice made on a term, and to ensure consistency, I initially use my own database.