Terminology
GPT
Module: First Contact Outside Class
Subject Field: Artificial Intelligence, Language Services
Definition: GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) refers to a series of language processing AI models developed by OpenAI. These models, particularly the latest versions like GPT-3 and GPT-4, are capable of generating human-like text and are used in applications ranging from writing assistance to language translation.
Used in a Sentence: The integration of GPT models in translation software has significantly enhanced the quality of machine-generated translations.
Potential Translation Issues: The concept of AI-driven language models like GPT might be challenging to convey in languages where AI technology is less prevalent. Also, the term “GPT” might not be directly translatable and may require descriptive translation.
Question(s): How can the evolving capabilities of AI models like GPT be effectively communicated in different linguistic and cultural contexts?
Works Consulted:
OpenAI’s GPT-4 Research Page
Applications of GPT in Language Services
TMS
Module: Translation Technology M3
Subject Field: Language Services
Definition: Translation Management System (TMS) is a software or platform used to automate and manage translation processes and workflows. It often includes tools for project management, collaboration, memory databases, and integration with other translation tools.
Used in a Sentence: The adoption of a robust TMS streamlined the entire translation process, reducing time and cost while improving consistency.
Potential Translation Issues: The term might be confused with other management systems in industries outside language services. Accurate contextual translation is needed to distinguish TMS in the field of translation.
Question(s): How can TMS be effectively differentiated from other management systems in translations?
Works Consulted:
Understanding TMS
OneSky: TMS Benefits
continuous localization
Module: Website Localization M11
Subject Field: Language Services, Software Development
Definition: Continuous localization is a translation approach aligned with continuous integration and deployment in software development. It involves regular, ongoing translation activities parallel to the development of products, ensuring that localization is as up-to-date as the product itself.
Used in a Sentence: Continuous localization has become a necessity in fast-paced software development environments where content changes frequently.
Potential Translation Issues: The concept might be new or unfamiliar in markets where traditional batch-and-release models are prevalent. It requires careful explanation to convey the iterative, ongoing nature of this approach. The literal translation to 继续本地化 is weird.
Question(s): How can the benefits and processes of continuous localization be clearly communicated to audiences unfamiliar with agile methodologies?
Works Consulted:
Continuous Localization Explained by Lokalize
Continuous Localization by Microsoft Learn
proxy localization
Module: Website Localization M12
Subject Field: Language Services, Web Development
Definition: Proxy localization involves creating localized versions of a website using a proxy server. The proxy server acts as an intermediary, translating and adapting content in real-time as it is requested by users, making it appear as though there are multiple versions of the website in different languages.
Used in a Sentence: Proxy localization allowed the company to quickly launch their website in multiple languages without extensive backend development.
Potential Translation Issues: The technical nature of proxy servers and real-time translation may be challenging to explain in languages where these concepts are not widely understood.
Question(s): How can the technical aspects of proxy localization be made accessible to a non-technical audience in translation?
Works Consulted:
Proxy Localization Guide by Nimdzi
Real-time Website Translation and Globalization
terminologist
Module: Terminology Management M2
Subject field: language services
Definition: A specialist who systematically identifies, selects, defines, and manages terms in specific languages. They act as “manager of terms” and consults editors and translators to ensure consistency and accuracy in both the source and target languages. Terminologists can be quite tech-savvy as they need to research and analyze terms in texts, databases, and glossaries and either catalog, maintain, or update the entries in a huge corpus.
Used in a sentence: A terminologist can import an existing terminology database from a third-party product in, for example, the TBX or XLS format…. In an advanced workflow, the terminologist can assign translation and review tasks for terms to subject matter experts. (By Henk Boxma from Multilingual)
Potential translation issues: Organizations and companies from different countries and regions can have different expectations about the “terminologist” role or confuse it with a regular linguist or translator. For example, in UN careers, the role is described as “facilitating the editing and translation process by researching and locating information or past publications which might help language staff produce high-quality translations”, which is rather broad compared with the narrower definition of “A person who studies and uses terminology, especially in professional translation project management.” If I translate the term into Chinese, I would explicitly express specific attributes to “terminologists” in the client’s context.
In some cultures or languages, the specific functions of a terminologist might not have a direct equivalent, leading to potential misunderstandings about the expert’s specific duties and expertise. For example, the direct translation to用語専門家 in Japanese will be confused with “someone who talks in tech terms all the time”.
Question(s):
How can we differentiate and highlight the role of a terminologist in contexts where the profession might not be as recognized or distinguished from other linguistic roles?
-Consult clients and
Works Consulted:
https://multilingual.com/articles/xtm-cloud/
https://www.atanet.org/growing-your-career/getting-started-with-terminology-management/
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/terminologist
https://www.trados.com/solutions/terminology-management/translation-101-what-is-terminology-management.html
localization
Module: Website Localization M1
Subject field: language services
Definition: The process of adapting a product, service, or content to cater to the cultural, linguistic, technical, and regional specifications of a particular target market or locale. Translation is only a small part of the story. Rather, localization encompasses adjustments to dubbing, graphics, date formats, and currency, avoiding cultural taboos and showing respect to local taste or other locale-specific elements to ensure the product feels native to its users.
Used in a sentence: Game developers (especially programmers) constantly experience the tug-of-war between the forces of globalization and localization.
Potential translation issues: The term ‘localization’ can be confused with mere translation, whereas localization is a broader process. Localization is also distinct from internationalization in that internationalization involves crafting software or products to suit multiple languages and cultures. In contrast, localization tailors a product or content to meet the needs of a particular audience.
Question(s): How do we bring out the more holistic nature of localization compared to mere translation or internationalization, especially in contexts where the distinction might not be fully understood?
Works Consulted:
https://phrase.com/blog/posts/how-important-is-localization-for-your-business/
https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/what-is-localization
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2022/01/24/three-important-aspects-of-localization-often-overlooked-by-small-businesses/?sh=9dbc0442847f
concatenation
Module: Introduction to Programming M2
Subject field: computer science and programming
Definition: Concatenation is joining two or more strings end-to-end. In many programming languages, this operation is represented by a specific operator or function.
Used in a sentence: We can use join() function to concatenate string with a separator.
Potential translation issues: 1) Adopted from general language, the term “concatenation”, when referring to connecting strings in programming, needs supporting context. For example, it may represent joining elements as “all the present activity has been made possible by a concatenation of relevant technologies”. But technical usage of the word bears distinct meaning. 2) Some languages might use a term that is closer to “linking” or “joining” rather than a direct translation of “concatenation.” For example, the word can be translated in many different ways to Chinese as 字串串接, 字串相加, 连接, 序连, 串连, 相连. And these terms can barely fully convey the message of connecting strings rather than any other data.
Question(s):
Given the importance of precise operations in programming, how can we ensure that translated documentation maintains clarity when discussing concatenation?
-Publishing a tech manual and maintaining a programming-related corpus can inform non-programmers including some translators, of the specification in denotation.
Works Consulted:
https://csrc.nist.gov/glossary/term/concatenation
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/3470/concatenation-programming
Unicode
Module: Website Localization M3
Subject Field: Computer Science, Localization
Definition: Unicode is a universal character encoding standard that assigns a unique code to every character, no matter what the platform, program, or language. It’s essential for text processing in a globalized world, enabling the representation and handling of text in most of the world’s writing systems.
Used in a Sentence: By adopting Unicode, the software could display and process text in a multitude of languages, including those with complex scripts.
Potential Translation Issues: While Unicode is a universal standard, explaining its technical aspects and importance in non-English languages may require careful translation to maintain accuracy and clarity.
Question(s): How can the technical and universal nature of Unicode be effectively communicated to audiences with varied levels of technical understanding?
Works Consulted:
The Unicode Standard
Introduction to Unicode
XML
Module: Translation Technology M2
Subject Field: Computer Science, Web Development
Definition: XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is a flexible text format used to create common information formats and share both the format and the data on the World Wide Web, intranets, and elsewhere. It’s widely used for the representation of arbitrary data structures, such as those used in web services.
Used in a Sentence: To ensure data interoperability, the system’s architecture was based on XML standards.
Potential Translation Issues: The concept of a markup language and its application in data structuring can be complex to convey in languages where these concepts are less common.
Question(s): How can the versatile nature and applications of XML be accurately translated into languages with different technical vocabularies?
Works Consulted:
W3school XML
XLIFF
Module: Website Localization M7
Subject Field: Language Services, Software Localization
Definition: XLIFF (XML Localization Interchange File Format) is an XML-based format created to standardize the way localizable data are passed between tools during a localization process. It’s widely used in the translation and localization industry to facilitate the exchange of texts.
Used in a Sentence: The translation team used XLIFF files to ensure efficient and error-free exchange of content with the localization software.
Potential Translation Issues: The specificity of XLIFF as a tool for localization professionals might not be well-known outside the industry, requiring explanatory translation.
Question(s): How can the role and importance of XLIFF in the localization process be effectively communicated to a non-specialist audience in different languages?
Works Consulted:
XLIFF Wikipedia
interface
Module: Translation Technology M3
Subject Field: Computer Science, Technology
Definition: An interface in computing refers to a shared boundary across which different parts of a computer system exchange information. It can be between software and user (user interface) or between two different pieces of software (software interface).
Used in a Sentence: The software’s user interface was redesigned to enhance usability and accessibility for a diverse user base.
Potential Translation Issues: The dual meaning of ‘interface’ in technology (both software and hardware) and its abstract nature can pose translation challenges, especially in languages with limited technological vocabulary.
Question(s): How can the concept of an interface be effectively communicated in translations, considering its diverse applications in technology?
Works Consulted:
What are interfaces?
The history of user interfaces
fuzzy match
Module: Translation Technology M4
Subject Field: Language Services, Translation Technology
Definition: A fuzzy match in translation refers to a segment in the source text that is not an exact match in the translation memory but is similar to a previously translated segment. It requires minor adjustments to accurately reflect the new context.
Used in a Sentence: The translation software identified a fuzzy match for the paragraph, reducing the translator’s workload significantly.
Potential Translation Issues: The concept of ‘fuzzy match’ is specific to translation software and might be difficult to translate literally in some languages, requiring a more descriptive approach.
Question(s): How can the nuanced concept of fuzzy matches in translation memory systems be clearly translated and understood in various languages?
Works Consulted:
Fuzzy Matches Make Translation Cents
Finding Focus: The Evolution of Fuzzy Match Technology
segmentation
Module: Translation Technology M5
Subject Field: Language Services, Computer-Assisted Translation
Definition: Segmentation in translation refers to the division of text into smaller units, such as sentences or phrases, for easier management and translation. This process is essential in translation memory systems for aligning and matching source and target texts.
Used in a Sentence: Proper segmentation of the source document significantly improved the efficiency of the translation tool.
Potential Translation Issues: The technical aspect of segmentation in translation might be unfamiliar in some languages, requiring contextual explanation to avoid confusion with general text division.
Question(s): How can the concept of segmentation in translation technology be accurately conveyed in languages where such technical terms are less common?
Works Consulted:
Segmentation in Translation Tools
locale
Module: Cultural Adaptation in Localization
Subject Field: Localization, Cultural Studies
Definition: A locale is a set of parameters that defines a user’s language, country, and any special variant preferences that the user wants to see in their user interface. It plays a crucial role in localization, ensuring that content is appropriately adapted to the cultural and linguistic norms of specific regions.
Used in a Sentence: The software automatically adjusts its content and format according to the user’s locale settings.
Potential Translation Issues: The term ‘locale’ might not have a direct equivalent in some languages, necessitating a descriptive translation to convey its significance in localization.
Question(s): How can the multifaceted concept of a locale be effectively translated to ensure clear understanding in various linguistic and cultural contexts?
Works Consulted:
The Complete Guide to Software Localization
interoperability
Module: Outside of class
Subject Field: Computer Science, Technology
Definition: Interoperability refers to the ability of different systems, devices, applications, or products to work together or exchange and use information without special effort on the part of the user. It is a crucial aspect in the development of compatible and efficient technology solutions.
Used in a Sentence: The new software was praised for its high level of interoperability with existing systems.
Potential Translation Issues: Conveying the concept of interoperability in languages where the tech sector is less developed might require additional context or simplified explanations.
Question(s): How can the concept of interoperability be clearly communicated in translations, especially in contexts with varying levels of technological advancement?
Works Consulted:
Explaining Interoperability in Technology
definition
Module: Terminology Management M10
Subject Field: Language Services, Translation Technology
Definition: In the context of term base structures, ‘Definitions’ refer to precise and context-specific explanations of terms or phrases used within a specific field or project. They are essential for ensuring consistency and accuracy in translations and understanding in different languages.
Used in a Sentence: The term base included clear definitions for industry-specific jargon, aiding translators in their work.
Potential Translation Issues: The challenge lies in ensuring that these definitions are accurately translated to maintain their precision and context-specific nature in different languages.
Question(s): How can we ensure that the specificity and context of definitions in term bases are preserved during translation?
Works Consulted:
Creating Effective Definitions in Term Bases
Reflecting on My Journey with the Terminology Journal
What I Hoped to Learn:
When I started this project, I was really curious about how deep the world of terminology goes. I mean, we use words every day, but I wanted to get into the nitty-gritty of what these words mean, especially in specialized fields. My goal? To understand not just the words themselves, but the weight they carry in different languages and cultures.
Surprises Along the Way:
What a ride it’s been! I dove into terms like “GPT” and “Continuous Localization” thinking they’d be straightforward. But no, each term had its own history and context. It’s been fascinating to see how a single word can mean so many different things depending on where, who and how it’s used.
Choosing the Words:
I started off thinking I’d stick to one field, but boy, was I wrong. The more I explored, the more I realized how interconnected everything is. So, I branched out, pulling in from tech, programming, and beyond.
Growing into a Terminologist’s Shoes:
Has this project changed the way I think? Absolutely. I feel like I’ve started to think like a terminologist – always digging for context, never taking a word at face value.
Looking Back:
This wasn’t just an academic exercise for me; it was a journey into the heart of language and communication. I’ve come out of it with a deeper respect for the power of words and a real excitement for the role of a terminologist in bridging cultures and understanding.
