1. TMX

By implementing the OSCAR TMX standard, localization tool providers can increase the reusability of translation memory resources. OSCAR is working on two initiatives to increase the benefits of TMX: (a) TMX certification; (b) an OSCAR standard procedure for segmenting text. These two efforts go hand in hand. The first levels of TMX certification are already defined. Further discussion of a level which may well involve the implementation of standardized segmentation is progressing. In parallel with this discussion, tests for the levels already defined are being performed by the Language Technology Research Center.

What is needed to move this work along faster? Dedicated industry professionals who are willing to serve in the working groups of OSCAR and who are supported in this service by their employers.

2. Word Counting

Who has not used two different software tools on the same text and gotten two different word counts? Which one determines billing by the word? One side wants the higher count; the other side wants the lower count; and soon you have ill feelings instead of building a stronger business relationship. By developing standard procedures for counting words in various languages and language groups, LISA is in a position to provide a useful service to the language industries in general, even beyond localization.

What is needed to move this work along faster? Same as for item 1.

3. TBX+OLIF

The single most important controllable factor in translation quality, given that you have a team of competent professionals and a reasonably well-written source text, is terminological consistency. The single most helpful thing OSCAR can do to facilitate consistency is to finalize TBX, its terminology interchange format, including coordination with the OLIF lexicon format, and get it implemented by the tool providers. The November 2001 draft of TBX has been out for review, and comments will be implemented in time for the March OSCAR meeting. OLIF Version 2, which was just released (http://www.olif.net), will also be reviewed at the OSCAR meeting. Implementations of TBX and OLIF by tool developers are the forthcoming task.

What is needed to move this work along faster? Same as for item 1.

4. Workflow

When all parties in the localization process can use a common XML-format for specifying various aspects of workflow, including instructions for localization of software, there will be fewer misunderstandings and missed steps. As a concrete first step in this direction, OSCAR has been in communication with OASIS on the topic of XLIFF. It is anticipated that a separate news article will explain more about XLIFF and how it can benefit the localization industry. Clearly, much remains to be done in the general area of localization project workflow.

What is needed to move this work along faster? Same as for item 1.

5. You want that translated into what?

Increased globalization means localization into more locales, but with the current spec for xml:lang, some languages don't even have a language code. OSCAR cannot define the language codes for the world, but it can have a voice in current efforts to expand language codes and locale codes.

What is needed to move this work along faster? You know the answer.

The next OSCAR meeting will be in Washington DC on March 16, the day after the Ides of March. At that meeting, cooperation with three other standards bodies will be discussed. These bodies are OASIS, and the World Wide Web Consortium, and ISO Technical Committee 37, Subcommittee 4. ISO Subcommittee 4 is responsible for representing and processing language resources other than terminology; OSCAR is already collaborating with ISO Subcommittee 3 on terminology standards. Also, reports will be presented by the five working groups just described (TMX, wordcount/segmentation, TBX/OLIF, workflow, and language-codes).

Now that these five working groups have been established in OSCAR, the amount of work ahead is enormous, but so is the opportunity to make a difference. Please heed the call from the various working group leaders for energetic members. Then, instead of just watching the ides go by, we will remark how much progress we make from ide to ide.