h3. Terminology Management
h4. What is terminology management?
When translating software, it means that the English key terms in that software are identified and that ideally one translation is defined for each term. But of course only as long as the English term is used in one meaning. Depending on the context and application where it is used, a different translation may be required.
h4. Why is it important?
It helps to keep the translation consistent. This means that one English term is translated in one way throughout a software or in a certain context (application) in that software. A consistent translation is an important part of the usability of a translated product. That is, one English name of one menu item, dialog box, button, function = one translation will make the user's life easier.
h4. What is a glossary?
A glossary is a list of - ideally defined - English terms ("source terms"), which are used in a software and its documentation and their corresponding translations in a foreign language ("target terms"). A typical glossary entry at minimum includes the English source term and its target term in the foreign language. It can contain terms for a specific software or a software group.
h4. What terms should be included in a glossary?
Mainly key software terms and commonly used software strings, sometimes also phrases. In some cases glossaries contain every string that is translated for a software. However, over time it can be difficult to keep such a large stack of entries up to date (Are the strings still being used in the latest version? Have they changed?). So it's easier and also more focused to concentrate on key terms (and strings).
h4. What are the benefits of using standardized terminology?
Ideally a standard set of software terminology already exists and is constantly being built up in a language. In some countries, there are groups consisting of different organizations and companies which are working together to set up such standard IT related terms, as new English terms emerge. In some cases, there may be many different translations in use for a specific English term, but overall it's more user-friendly to keep track of such terminology that is standardized or about to become standardized and try to align with it, rather than "inventing" new terminology. In the end, this will make it easier for the user to switch between different software programs.
h4. Related Topics
* [Translation|Translation]
* [Terminology Tool|Terminology Tool]
* [Linguistic Consultation|Linguistic Consultation]
h4. Feedback
If you would like to tell us what you think of the content
of this page. Please [Contact the Open Translation team|http://developers.sun.com/contact/feedback.jsp?&category=sdn&mailsubject=Open%20Translation%20feedback].
h4. What is terminology management?
When translating software, it means that the English key terms in that software are identified and that ideally one translation is defined for each term. But of course only as long as the English term is used in one meaning. Depending on the context and application where it is used, a different translation may be required.
h4. Why is it important?
It helps to keep the translation consistent. This means that one English term is translated in one way throughout a software or in a certain context (application) in that software. A consistent translation is an important part of the usability of a translated product. That is, one English name of one menu item, dialog box, button, function = one translation will make the user's life easier.
h4. What is a glossary?
A glossary is a list of - ideally defined - English terms ("source terms"), which are used in a software and its documentation and their corresponding translations in a foreign language ("target terms"). A typical glossary entry at minimum includes the English source term and its target term in the foreign language. It can contain terms for a specific software or a software group.
h4. What terms should be included in a glossary?
Mainly key software terms and commonly used software strings, sometimes also phrases. In some cases glossaries contain every string that is translated for a software. However, over time it can be difficult to keep such a large stack of entries up to date (Are the strings still being used in the latest version? Have they changed?). So it's easier and also more focused to concentrate on key terms (and strings).
h4. What are the benefits of using standardized terminology?
Ideally a standard set of software terminology already exists and is constantly being built up in a language. In some countries, there are groups consisting of different organizations and companies which are working together to set up such standard IT related terms, as new English terms emerge. In some cases, there may be many different translations in use for a specific English term, but overall it's more user-friendly to keep track of such terminology that is standardized or about to become standardized and try to align with it, rather than "inventing" new terminology. In the end, this will make it easier for the user to switch between different software programs.
h4. Related Topics
* [Translation|Translation]
* [Terminology Tool|Terminology Tool]
* [Linguistic Consultation|Linguistic Consultation]
h4. Feedback
If you would like to tell us what you think of the content
of this page. Please [Contact the Open Translation team|http://developers.sun.com/contact/feedback.jsp?&category=sdn&mailsubject=Open%20Translation%20feedback].