Translation and Localization Tools

What does localization mean?

Localization is often confused with translation, but they refer to different processes. Let's analyze them in more detail...

Translation

Translation is the conversion of the meaning of a given content from a source language to a target language. Its purpose is to convey the original intent of a message, taking into account cultural and regional differences between languages.

Localisation

Localisation is the process of adapting a content, product or service to a specific place. Translation is just one of several elements required in the localization process. A localised text should read as if it was originally written in the target language and recreate the same experience for the target audience that the original texts provide to readers in the original language.

In addition to translation, the localisation process may also include:

FORMAT. Change date and time formats, addresses, numbering, currencies, etc. to adapt them to the target market.

GRAPHICS. Variation of graphics to the expectations and tastes of the target market.

DESIGN AND LAYOUT. Adapt the design and layout to correctly display the translated content in the language of the market or audience.

ADAPTATION. Modification of content to adapt it to the preferences and consumption habits of the target market.

SORTING FUNCTIONS. Adapt classification functions to the alphabetical or symbolic order of a specific market or public.

The localisation process is generally related to software, video games, websites and technical communication, as well as audio/voiceover, video or any other multimedia content.

Language Technology

Let's dive a little deeper into the localization process to understand it better.

The localization industry relies heavily on software to streamline its work and improve productivity, while translation in particular can be a repetitive task that can benefit from automation.

Here are some technologies commonly used in the global language industry:

CAT Tools

In localization, Computer Aided Translation (CAT) is the use of software to help the professional translator in the translation process. The human translator creates the translation, while the software facilitates certain aspects of the process, helping the translator to work faster, with higher consistency and accuracy.

CAT Tools involve a wide variety of software that simplifies the actual translation process. Most of the CAT tools have a very similar operation, although Trados stands out above all, in terms of functionality and features. Except for some specific features and a more or less sophisticated operation, most of them include the following:

• Ability to translate different source file formats in a single editing environment, without the translator having to use software associated with the file format

• Translation Memory (TM)

• Term Base (TB) or Glossary

• Various utilities or processes that are integrated into the software and increase the translator’s productivity and the consistency of the translation

Different file formats

With the software of any CAT tool similar to Trados, there is no need to worry about the format of the source file to be translated. The program converts it into text, separates it into segments and presents it on an editing board where you only have to write the translation. The text format (font, size, bold, etc.) of the target file will be traced to the original, without the need to do anything.

Translation Memory

A translation memory (TM) is a database that stores previously translated sentences, paragraphs or text segments. Each entry or segment of the translation memory includes the text in the source language and its corresponding entry in the target language. These pairs are called Translation Units (TU).

Translation memories are used with translation software or CAT tools and automatically suggest identical or similar matches, which are stored as new documents are translated. This means that sentences, paragraphs or segments that have been previously translated do not need to be translated again.

When a Translation Memory (TM) is applied to a source document, the software compares the content of the original text with the segments that have been stored in the same language combination. It looks for segments that have enough common content to be useful for translation. These are called "matches" and are usually presented by percentage match:

• 100% match: when the document segment and a Translation Memory segment exactly match.

• Fuzzy match (<100% match): Considered usable when the match percentage is between 99% and 70%. This may depend on the project-specific settings on your system.

Terminology Database

A Term Base (TB), or Glossary, is a centralized compilation of technical terms, specific to the industry or company for which the translation is being performed, which serves as a guide on how to manage key terminology, because it includes approved translations of the target language.

It is a valuable tool for ensuring consistency in the translation of terms, maintaining uniformity, and improving translation quality and accuracy.

But what do we understand by terminology?

In a corporate translation, the texts to be translated contain terms that are words that can be used with a general meaning, but must be translated consistently to avoid confusion. For this reason, the use of synonyms should be very limited. We'll also find terms that refer to specific features, services, or product names. In these cases, only the approved terminology should be used (if it does not exist, we must create it).

Specific approved terminology for each translation will be found in the Terminology Database and/or in a list of terms to be provided by the client or project manager.

Utilities and Features

Quality Assurance Check

Quality (QA) Assurance Check is performed to identify errors ranging from simple ones, such as multiple spaces and misspellings, to those that are more difficult to detect, such as mismatched terminology, inconsistent translations, or translation memory fuzzy matches confirmed without post-editing.

Quality control tools are a primary component of most Computer Assisted Translation (CAT) Tools or Translation Management Systems (TMS).

There are also third-party QA tools such as Xbench, QA Distiller, or Checkmate, among others.

Coding

An important aspect of localization is how the content is provided for translation/review.

Due to font formatting, the text provided in the CAT tool may include labels and placeholders.

If there is a placeholder or tag in the source, the exact same tag or placeholder must appear in the translation. These can be moved within a chain, but must not be translated or modified.

Project Management Software

Project management software is used to plan, manage and track different translation projects. Helps manage resources, time and budgets.

In the freelancer environment, it is highly recommended to know different CAT tools, since many clients require translations to be done with a certain software or on their specific platform. When it comes to a specific platform, they usually give the login credentials, with which the translator creates a user to work with a certain client. When they ask for a specific program, things get complicated, because the licenses are not cheap and the freelance translator cannot afford all of them. Some have free versions or demos that can be used, but sooner or later, you will have to get a Trados license.