Steps to Accuracy: Terminology Management

The use of specific terminology is important in many fields, including finance, technology, government work, and medicine. Certain words hold specific meanings, which are generally known in that context. Most of us are familiar with specialized terminology of one kind or another. Did you ever think about what happens when this terminology needs to be translated into other languages? If the terms are not clearly defined and translated consistently, confusion over meaning can ensue, and errors can be introduced into the translation process.

The field of terminology management addresses this issue. Companies find that, for extensive translation projects, it is important to include terminology management from the beginning. Ideally, specialized terminology is identified prior to translation, clarified, translated, and approved, and these translations are used consistently by all translators working on a project.

If terminology is dealt with at the beginning of a project, terminology related problems are greatly reduced at the review stage. While two reviews are necessary (one for the initial terms and one for the completed project), much of the tedium of ensuring consistency in a final translation, and debating terminology choices in the end stages of a project, are eliminated, since the terminology has been agreed on before the translation was performed.

While this can seem to be a complicated process, research has found that it runs more smoothly. Those with experience in working with professional translation can testify that it provides many benefits and gives linguists more control over the quality of the translations.

(According to CSA) research has found that the proper use of terminology management has the advantages of saving time, increasing quality, and saving money. Time is saved by streamlining the process, quality is increased by ensuring consistency ahead of time, instead of trying to rectify it after the fact. Because of this, fewer corrections are required after publication or release of documents, which saves money.

It is important to work with professionals who are familiar with creating and managing terminology databases, and can help select important terminology for the terminology management process. A database that is too large, or contains too many general terms, can impede the process. Every organization develops their own individual process—translation projects are too diverse and complicated for a single translation management model—but in order to enjoy the full benefits, all participants must understand the role of the terminology management system and know how to use it as required.

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