Glossary Management

Localization Lab - 2024

Overview

1. Introduction to glossaries
1. What are glossaries and why are they important?
2. Glossary vs Translation Memory
3. Basic structure of a glossary
4. What goes into a glossary?
2. How to create a glossary?
3. How to translate the Localization Lab Unified Glossary?
4. Important links

Introduction to glossaries

What are glossaries and why are they important?

A glossary is a list of terms and definitions used for localization projects. It explains what the terms mean, how to translate them, and whether to translate them at all.

Typically, all the terms used for a localization project would be stored in one glossary. The glossary can then be used across multiple projects and shared between translators.

Introduction to glossaries

Benefits:

• More accurate translations
• A glossary helps translators make fewer mistakes by showing the approved translations or recommending the translation of the specified words and phrases. It enables every translator to use the exact approved translation or to do their translation following the given explanations and guidelines.
• Consistency within the project and across projects
• If everyone is using the same glossary as a reference, it is more likely that the same terms will be translated in the same way within the project and across projects, which will make it easier for end users to process and understand the translation.
• Saves time and speeds up the translation process
• Translators work faster because they have more translation guidelines to follow. They are able to copy the approved term translations or spend less time researching the meaning of the term to convey it properly, as they already have an explanation.
• Consistent translations leave less editing work for a translator or a reviewer to do.

Introduction to glossaries

Glossary vs Translation Memory

Translation memory (TM) is a database of previously translated text that can be used to help translators translate new text.

TM saves translators time and effort by providing them with pre-translated segments of text that they can use as a starting point for their translations, and help to ensure consistency for multiple resources and projects.

A Translation Memory is a translation tool that is used to memorize and assist with consistently translating content, whereas a glossary is a guide for translators on how to translate specific terminology for a translation project.

Introduction to glossaries

Another big difference is that a glossary is something contributors would create for their language by going through the terms listed in the glossary and then finding an appropriate translation for it.

But in the case of TM, contributors don’t have to consciously do anything to add translations into the TM. It happens automatically because translation platforms (like Transifex or Weblate) have the TM software integrated into the platform.

Every time someone translates something on the platform, that translation is automatically saved in the TM. The next time someone comes across the same or similar string that they need to translate, TM will show them this previous translation that has been saved so that they can use it for their translation.

Introduction to glossaries

Basic structure of a glossary

• Term (in the source language)
• Description/context (in the source language)
• Part of speech (POS)
• Language columns

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Note: Translation platforms might have their own rules on how to name these columns but glossaries generally follow this structure.

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Introduction to glossaries

What goes into a glossary?

• Terminology that is commonly used across the project/product
• Non-translatable terms
• Industry-specific terminology
• Organization-specific terminology
• Names of specific features
• App/tool name
• Abbreviations and acronyms (and what they stand for)
• Unique terms for your audience

How to create a glossary?

1. Go through the resource you want to create a glossary for and identify words and phrases that will go into the glossary. Remember to focus on words and phrases mentioned in the previous slide.

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open source, transparency, Mailvelope, security, security audit, source code, free license, GitHub, Internews, Open Technology Fund

How to create a glossary?

2. Create a spreadsheet and follow the basic glossary structure when creating the columns: term, part of speech, definition, language. You can add more than one language to the glossary as long as each language has its own separate column where the translations will go.

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How to create a glossary?

3. Add all of the words and phrases you identified in the first step to the spreadsheet.

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How to create a glossary?

• Make sure you add information about the part of speech for every term you added, as well as the definition for that term so whoever is translating and using the glossary has as much context possible about the terms.

Words can have multiple meanings depending on the context – make sure you use the definitions that apply to your context.

How to create a glossary?

Note: It’s good to keep in mind that there are different types of ways you can create a glossary, depending on what kind of software and technology you use. If you are using a translation platform, most (if not all) of them nowadays have integrated glossaries. This means you will go directly into the platform and start working on your glossary there, adding the terms, definitions, etc. – no need for a spreadsheet or any kind of external document. Some platforms might not have integrated glossaries and you’ll have to create one on your computer, as a spreadsheet, and then upload it to the platform. There is also different translation software that professional translators use that might work in different ways. So keep in mind that the format of your glossary will depend on your context.

How to translate the Localization Lab Unified Glossary?

Localization Lab has its own glossary that contributors can translate and it is set up in Transifex. To contribute, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Glossaries tab in Transifex, find the glossary, and click on View Glossary. This will take you to the editor where you will be able to add translations.

How to translate the Localization Lab Unified Glossary?

2. Once you’re in the editor, you can choose the language you want to translate the glossary into by clicking on the search box on the top and selecting the language from the dropdown menu.

• Go through all the strings and translate/review them as usual.

How to translate the Localization Lab Unified Glossary?

Note: You will only be able to add translations to the glossary if you are a reviewer in at least one of the projects for your language. For example, if you are added as a Croatian translator to Bitmask and SAFETAG projects, you won’t be able to add translations to the glossary. But if you are added as a translator to Bitmask but as a reviewer to SAFETAG, you will be able to add translations to the glossary. This is how the glossary permissions are currently set up.

Important links

Quick guides to all translation platforms:

• Crowdin
• Lokalise
• Transifex
• Weblate

Localization Lab’s Contributor Welcome Form

Localization Lab’s channel on Mattermost

Localization Lab’s Getting Started Glossary

Thank you!