Ask LISA
Developing Products for Multinational Markets: Effective Terminology Management
09:00 - 17:00 : Monday, October 22, 2007
Workshop Overview
Today, to compete in multinational markets you need to produce high-quality information in multiple languages quickly and cost effectively. Repeating the same tasks costs time and money, which is why we use translation memory (TM). TM can be used over and over again in different documents, and it can also be used by any translator who uses a software tool that supports Translation Memory Exchange (TMX).
The key to being able to reuse translation memories in different tools, for different types of content, and so forth, is the availability of this common interchange format.
While TM consists of sentences, content can actually be further broken down into words, or terms. The key words in products have a direct impact on customer satisfaction. Using TM alone does nothing to ensure that these words are translated correctly and consistently.
Like memories, terms are a valuable information asset that could also be reused and repurposed to make the translation process, and indeed other processes, more efficient. Using terminology data, in addition to memories, adds another dimension to the translation process that can reduce translation time, improve quality, and even reduce costs. In localization tools, terminology is added, to help translators, in the form of bilingual electronic dictionaries.
However, did you know that, unlike TM, terminology cannot be easily exchanged between most translation tools? So if you use multiple localization software tools, or vendors, you are likely missing some important opportunities to use terminology to enhance productivity and quality.
Terminology could also be used for other purposes in addition to translation, such as controlled authoring and search engine optimization. There is a lot of untapped potential in terminology data.
The content management industry is beginning to take notice of this fact. All of a sudden, there is a sense of urgency that we need to implement, industry-wide, a standard interchange format for terminology to make it more portable in different systems and for different applications. Whenever a company makes an acquisition, it needs to exchange terminology. When a translation service acquires a new customer, it needs to use its terminology. When a company changes translation suppliers, or uses several different ones, it needs to exchange terminology. Lastly, if you develop an electronic dictionary in a translation tool, and you want to later use it for another purpose, you need to exchange terminology!
The LISA TBX format (www.lisa.org/tbx) is an interchange format that is being adopted by some localization tools suppliers. Other standards relating to the structure of terminology databases, the nature of terminology data, and the process for managing terminology, have been developed by ISO. Lastly, OASIS is currently developing some standards for terminology in source content, such as in DITA.
Is your organization ready to embrace these standards, which may soon become pervasive within the industry? Do you have a plan? Or will you be left behind…
During this workshop you will explore the following topics, which will help you prepare for the inevitable demands to develop structured and interchangeable terminology data:
- Best practices for managing terminology
- Data design
- TBX and other related standards
- Formats for authoring, translation, and other uses
Who will benefit from this workshop and why?
| Who: | Interested in... |
| Localization software vendors |
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| Participants in localization projects (project managers, planners, translators) |
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| Information strategists and architects |
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| Authors, translators, and other language specialists |
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About IBM
IBM is the world's largest information technology company with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. Drawing on resources from across IBM and key business partners, IBM offers a wide range of services, solutions and technologies that enable companies to take full advantage of the on demand era.
About Kara Warburton
Kara Warburton is responsible for defining IBM's terminology strategy, including tools, processes, and data management. She is also a published author and conference speaker on the subject.
Kara is a Canadian delegate to ISO TC 37, which defines ISO terminology standards, and the chair of the LISA Terminology Special Interest Group. She holds a Master's degree in Terminology from Universite' Laval and has held positions as translator, information developer and university professor.
