Terminology localization; some best practices

Terminology localization is a crucial part of the translation process, especially when adapting content for global markets. It involves not only translating words and phrases but also adapting them to suit the cultural, technical, and contextual nuances of the target audience. Effective terminology localization ensures that the translated content is both linguistically accurate and culturally appropriate.

A robust localization process lowers your translation costs, eliminates avoidable errors caused by cultural and linguistic misalignments, and ensures end users understand the products and services they are using. This blog explores the best practices to consider when localizing terminology.

Understand the Target Culture

Cultural idiosyncrasies can sometimes have devastating outcomes, as was the case during the Battle of the Imjin River in the Korean War, where a classic British understatement was misinterpreted by a U.S. Army general.

When English Brigadier Tom Brodie was asked by his American superior, General Robert H Soule, to give an update on the situation, he replied ‘Things are a bit sticky, sir’ – meaning he was in a tough situation. However, the General interpreted this differently and chose not to reinforce the beleaguered British forces, resulting in the capture of hundreds of men by the Chinese forces and deaths on both sides.

Despite both speaking English, distinct cultural differences exist such that the same sentence has a drastically different meaning to different people, and the only way to know about these differences is to be aware of the historical, geographical, and cultural context of the regions where the language is spoken. Before beginning the localization process, it’s important to have a deep understanding of the target culture, including its norms, values, and taboos. This knowledge helps in avoiding cultural sensitivities and ensures that the localized content resonates with the audience.

Create a Glossary

Develop a comprehensive glossary that includes key industry and business-specific terminology, along with accepted translations and definitions. This glossary should be a living document, updated regularly as new terms arise or as existing terms evolve within the industry or the target culture.

A real-life example is that of the crucial, yet often underrepresented, Native American Code Talkers in the First World War, enlisted by the U.S. Army to secure communications and protect sensitive military information using Native languages, most of which had no written history and were unknown to the Germans. Due to the many advancements in technology during the First World War – for example, tanks, barbed wire, and machine guns – the Code Talkers had to create and agree upon new terms that quickly and efficiently described these new inventions.

To do this, they effectively created a new glossary of words and phrases which was updated as new technology appeared on the battlefield, and was taught to new Code Talkers joining the war effort. In the context of the modern localization process, this example underscores the importance of a well-maintained glossary in bridging communication gaps and ensuring clarity and precision in your work.

Engage Local Experts

Hernán Cortés arrived in the New World with grand plans, but there was one major obstacle; he had no way of communicating with the inhabitants. Fortunately, by using Yucatec Maya as a pivot language between Spanish and Nahuatl, he was able to bridge the gap. Unfortunately, this allowed him to conquer the New World. When localizing terms, utilise linguists who are native speakers of the target language and who are from the region where the language is spoken.

These experts will have a better grasp of local idioms, slang, and nuances that are crucial for accurate and relevant translations. Just as Cortés’ understanding of local languages had profound historical consequences, businesses today must recognise the power of effective communication in a globalised world, where accurate localization can determine success or failure in new markets.

Using technology

Leverage technology such as translation memory, glossary databases, and Translation Management Systems (TMS) to streamline the localization process:

• Translation memory databases are an integral part of the localization workflow; by storing and allowing you to use already-translated content, they speed up the localization process, guarantee consistency across projects, and reduce the likelihood of discrepancies.
• Glossary databases, curated for each project, ensure that terminology is consistently applied.
• A TMS is a comprehensive tool that incorporates several technologies and automates repetitive and time-consuming aspects of the localization process, including content preparation and extraction, translator assignments, quality assurance, and final delivery. Additionally, some TMSs are equipped with analytics features that track metrics such as translation speed, error rates, and consistency, allowing you to refine your processes based on analytical reports.

However, when the accuracy of information and processes is important, quality assurance checks done by humans add an extra layer of precision and peace of mind. Here at 3di, we pride ourselves on having a robust QA process embedded in our localization workflow, ensuring the highest level of accuracy for our customers.

Consistency

Maintain consistency in terminology across all localized content. This is important for brand cohesion and helps in building trust with the target audience. Consistency can be ensured through the use of Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools, which can store and manage an approved termbase – a specialised glossary of key terms. The termbase serves as a centralised repository for your translators and editors, ensuring correct terminology is used across all projects and documentation. CAT tools are more than just databases though, they are fully-fledged software that facilitate various aspects of the localization process and include features such as:

• Software-agnostic translation: the ability to translate a variety of source file formats in a single tool.
• A translation memory database.
• Real-time quality assurance checks that automatically flag inconsistencies or deviations from the approved terminology.

By leveraging these tools and maintaining consistency, you can ensure that your messaging remains uniform and professional across different languages and regions.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Especially in highly-regulated industries like finance, healthcare, and law, it’s crucial to ensure that localized terminology complies with local laws and regulations. For example, in the European Union, the Medical Device Regulation and the In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation govern the regulation of medical devices and require that device labelling and documentation be provided in the official languages of the member states where the product will be marketed or used; more broadly, Regulation (EU) No 2016/679  asserts the right to access information in one’s native language.

Failure to take into account legal and regulatory frameworks can result in legal issues and damage to your brand’s reputation. By adhering to laws and regulations and prioritising accurate localization, you can safeguard your operations, build trust with international customers, and strengthen your position in the global market.

Test and Validate

Before finalising the localized content, conduct testing with the target audience to gather feedback on the appropriateness and accuracy of the terminology used. This could be through focus groups, A/B testing, or user surveys. Then, use this feedback to make adjustments. Your localized content will benefit from refinement through real-world validation, ensuring that it resonates with the target audience. By incorporating this step, you can confidently launch your content, knowing that it is both culturally relevant and linguistically accurate.

Training and Development

Regularly train your localization team on new tools, technologies, and best practices in localization. Keeping the team updated ensures that it is equipped to handle the complexities of terminology localization effectively. The localization team at 3di is a member of GALA (Globalization and Localization Association) and stays up-to-date with the latest developments in the industry, routinely taking industry-recognised courses, and is certified in various roles, including localization engineering and localization project management. Through continuous learning and professional development, your team can put itself at the forefront of the industry and be able to offer the best possible service.

So, by adhering to the best practices discussed in this blog, you and your organisation can be confident that your localized content will be accurate, consistent, and culturally adapted to meet the needs and expectations of your target audience. For more information on the services 3di provide and how we can help you to localize your content, contact us.