A Glossary of Translation and Localisation Terms

The A-Z of translation

In today’s interconnected global marketplace, understanding the nuances of language adaptation is crucial. We hope this glossary of translation and localisation terms can serve as a useful resource for marketing directors, localisation managers, translators, and project stakeholders. So, whether you’re asking yourself, “What is Localisation?” or “What is Transcreation?” this A-Z guide provides clear, concise definitions and explanations.

A

AI Translation Using artificial intelligence (neural networks and Natural Language Processing (NLP)) to automatically generate translations. Can provide draft translations that require human Post-Editing. It continuously improves with feedback and is often integrated into a TMS for efficiency. Differs from broader Machine Translation by emphasising advanced, self-learning AI capabilities.

Alignment Matching corresponding segments from the source text and its translation. Builds Translation Memories in a TMS by linking Source Language and Target Language segments.

API Localisation Adapting an API’s documentation, error messages, and related text for different languages. To ensure that developers globally can understand and use the API.

Automated Quality Assurance (AQA) Software-driven checks that automatically review translations for errors. Identifies issues like inconsistent terminology, spelling, and grammar mistakes.

B

Back Translation Translating a target text back into the source language. Detects any discrepancies, misinterpretations, or omissions in the translation.

Bilingual File A document containing both the source text and its translation. Created by CAT tools to facilitate review and quality assurance. See also Side by Side Translation.

Brand Voice The consistent personality and tone a brand uses across all communications. A Term Base and Style established with clients that reflects brand values and ensures messaging remains unified, including in translations.

C

Captioning Translating and timing dialogue for audiovisual media. Must consider reading speed, character limits, and synchronisation. See also Subtitling.

CAT Tools (Computer-Assisted Translation Tools) Software that supports translators with translation memories, glossaries, and term bases. Enhances efficiency and consistency on large projects, and in the long-term..

Concordance A tool that displays occurrences of words or phrases in context within a text. Helps maintain consistency by showing how terms have been used in previous translations.

Consecutive Interpreting Interpreting after a speaker pauses, allowing for note-taking and accurate translation. Common in meetings and interviews. Compare with Simultaneous Interpreting.

Content Management System (CMS) A platform for creating, managing, and publishing digital content. Often integrates localisation workflows via a Translation Management System to streamline updates across properties, including website, social, CMS etc.

Crowdsourcing Leveraging a community of translators for a project. Can accelerate large projects while incorporating diverse insights, though quality control is key.

Cultural Adaptation Modifying content to align with the target audience’s cultural norms. Ensures translations are culturally sensitive as well as linguistically correct.

D

Desktop Publishing (DTP) Creating and formatting documents using page layout software. Collaborating closely with clients to ensure translated texts properly fit design layouts.

F

Fuzzy Matching A TM feature that finds segments similar to the current text, even if not identical. Saves time and maintains consistency by identifying Repetitions and suggesting close matches from previous translations within a Translation Management System. Matches can range from 60% to 99%, 100% (identical) or even 101% (when the surrounding strings are also identical).

Functional Testing Testing localised software to ensure translations don’t affect functionality. Verifies that all features work as intended post-localisation. For example, where buttons are referred to in CMS or website copy, that those buttons are consistently translated.

G

Glossary A curated list of specialised terms with their definitions or approved translations. Promotes consistency in terminology across a project. See also Term Base.

I

In-Context Review Evaluating translations within the actual product or layout. Helps catch errors that might be missed when text is isolated. Especially important for packaging and printed material.

In-Country Review (ICR) A review by native speakers from the target market. Ensures translations are culturally appropriate and linguistically accurate.

Internationalisation (I18N) Designing products so they can be easily localised. Supports multiple languages and regional differences without major re-engineering.

Interpreting Broad term for oral translation of spoken language in real time. Requires rapid processing and clarity, used in conferences and live events.

L

LQA (Language Quality Assurance) A systematic evaluation of the linguistic quality of translations. Copy-focused assessment that examines language accuracy, consistency, and cultural appropriateness. Differs from broader QA by concentrating specifically on language aspects, such as Grammar, Accuracy, Style, Mistranslation. See also LQE.

Linguistic Assets A collection of language resources such as glossaries, TMs, style guides, and term bases. Assets established with clients that can form the backbone of consistent, high-quality translation work.

Linguistic Quality Evaluation (LQE) A structured assessment similar to LQA that measures fluency and adherence to guidelines. Translator-focused assessment that provides actionable feedback for improvement. See also LQA.

Linguistic Validation Confirming that a translation meets the client’s linguistic standards. Typically performed by native speakers to ensure idiomatic correctness.

Locale A set of parameters defining a user’s language, region, and cultural conventions. Influences choices like date formats, currency, and measurement units in translation. For example, in Translation Management Systems, this can be represented as de-de for German/Germany and de-ch for German/Switzerland.

Localisation (L10N) Adapting content to meet a specific market’s cultural, linguistic, and technical requirements. Goes beyond literal translation to resonate with local customs and practices.

M

Machine Translation (MT) Automated translation produced by computer algorithms. Offers rapid first-draft translations that usually require human post-editing for context and quality. Compare with AI Translation.

Machine Translation Post-Editing (MTPE) Refining and correcting machine-translated text. Enhances Machine Translation output to meet quality and cultural standards. See also Post-Editing.

P

PO File A text-based Portable Object file used to store original strings and their translations. Commonly used in software localisation, editable with tools like gettext.

Post-Editing Refining and correcting machine-translated text. Enhances Machine Translation output to meet quality and cultural standards. See also MTPE.

Pre-translation Preparing content for translation by isolating translatable elements, and identifying strings not requiring translation. Streamlines the process and minimises errors, identifying any inconsistencies etc within the Source copy.

Project Brief A document outlining goals, target audience, tone, and requirements for a project. Provides essential context to ensure the final translation meets expectations.

Punctuation Localisation Adjusting punctuation to align with the target language’s conventions. Ensures translated text reads naturally in market.

Q

Quality Assurance (QA) The overall process of reviewing translations to meet quality standards. Includes checks for accuracy, consistency, formatting, and cultural suitability. Broader than LQA, which focuses specifically on linguistic quality.

Quality Gates Predefined checkpoints in the translation workflow. Helps catch and correct issues early, ensuring high-quality outcomes.

R

Re-engineering Modifying a product’s design or code to better support localisation. Involves restructuring content to accommodate various text lengths and writing systems.

Repetitions Strings that have been translated previously, or appear more than once within the same document. Requires careful preparation of the source language to ensure repetitions are identified within the Translation Management System.

S

Segmentation The automated division of text by a TMS into smaller units (e.g., sentences) for translation. Facilitates the use of TMs and ensures consistency.

Side by Side Translation A layout that displays the source and translated texts next to each other. Enables quick visual comparison to spot errors and ensure consistency between Source Language and Target Language. See also Bilingual File.

Simultaneous Interpreting Interpreting in real time as the speaker talks. Requires specialised equipment and high concentration, common in large conferences.

Strings Individual pieces of text (e.g., labels, error messages) within a Translation Management System. Must be translated carefully to maintain functionality and context.

Source Language (SL) The original language in which content is written. Accurate understanding of Source Language is crucial for conveying meaning in the target language.

Style Guide A document outlining grammar, usage, and formatting rules. Ensures consistency across all written content, including the brand’s linguistic, punctuation, grammar, and spelling choices. Compare with Tone of Voice Guide, which focuses on maintaining the brand’s personality.

Subtitling Translating and timing dialogue for audiovisual media. Must consider reading speed, character limits, and synchronisation. See also Captioning.

Syntax The set of rules that govern sentence structure and word order. Understanding syntax differences is key to maintaining clarity and natural flow in translation. Often the difference between human and Machine Translation, that human translation can adjust the syntax of a translation to meet linguistic and cultural norms.

T

Target Language (TL) The language into which the source text is translated. The goal is to produce a natural, culturally appropriate text.

Termbase A centralised system for storing approved terms and their translations. Ensures specialised vocabulary is used consistently across projects. See also Glossary.

Terminology Management Organising and standardising specialised vocabulary within a Termbase. Critical in technical fields to prevent misunderstandings and errors.

Tone of Voice Guide A document detailing the desired tone, style, and language guidelines for a brand. Focuses on maintaining the brand’s personality in all communications. Complements the Style Guide by emphasising emotional and tonal consistency.

Translation Kit A set of resources for a translation project, including style guides, glossaries, and TMs. Provides all necessary tools and information to ensure consistent work. See also Linguistic Assets.

Translation Management System (TMS) A software platform that organises and automates translation workflows. Integrates tools like project management, Translation Memories, and Machine Translation to streamline processes and improve communication.

Translation Memory (TM) A database that stores previously translated segments for reuse. Increases efficiency and consistency by suggesting existing translations for similar segments based on Fuzzy Matches.

Transcreation A free creative translation process that adapts a message to preserve tone, style, and intent. Common in marketing to evoke the same emotional response as the original without necessarily translating like for like.

U

User Interface (UI) Localisation Adapting software UI elements (menus, buttons, dialogues) for different languages and cultures. Ensures that every part of the user experience is linguistically and culturally appropriate.

Z

Ziggurat A pyramidal stepped tower, inspired by the Tower of Babel—testament to the rich diversity of languages.Not really a translation term, but a worthy Z for us to finish on 🙂