The Problems

Recent discussions among LISA members have highlighted the terminology problems facing localizers, documentation specialists and translation professionals, the product, among other things, of tighter deadlines, liability issues and quality pressures. Unfortunately, classic “make or buy” options for end users simply do not apply at present. In-house terminology work is slow and expensive, and bucks the trend towards tightly focused activities. This is true even of specialist language services providers, including localizers - terminology is never, ever core business. In addition, the specific combination of terminological, linguistic and domain skills needed to produce acceptable results is often lacking. And, with some honorable exceptions, the tools and methodologies to support this work are underdeveloped, poorly marketed, over-complicated and badly integrated with each other and with standard office environments.[1]