A
Active working language
A foreign language that has been learnt and mastered by the translator in addition to their native language, to the point where no or only very slight errors can be identified in his or her utterances. The result is a high level of foreign language competence that provides an excellent foundation for translation from the foreign language into the native language.
C
Certification
Most translations of official documents that are required by authorities should be certified. This means that the translation can only be carried out by a legally authorised and sworn translator, who can provide an official stamp. In other countries, you will receive a certificate of accuracy from the language service provider.
Chuchotage
Also known as “whispered interpreting”. Simultaneous, liaison or escort interpreting for one single person, where translation is whispered into the listener’s ear, so as not to disrupt proceedings.
Company Language Training
There is an increasing demand in the global economy for more linguistically confident contact between international companies and their foreign customers. In company lessons, participants receive a practically-orientated training programme tailor-made for their business.
Computer Assisted Translation
This specialist term is also referred to as CAT, whereby translations can be completed with the help of a computer. Computer Assisted Translation differs from machine translation, in that machine translations are done independently by a computer, whereas with Computer Assisted Translation, the translation is carried out by the translator who uses a computer merely as a tool.
Conference Interpreting
Simultaneous or consecutive interpreting at conferences, or in conference-like situations. It can be undertaken by a team of interpreters or by a single interpreter, and with or without interpreting equipment.
Consecutive Interpreting
Interpreting, predominantly of speeches or during meetings, particularly at a high level and for interpreting in court. Interpreting takes place after long or short passages of speech
Counting Programmes
Programmes that count the characters, words, lines or pages of source and target texts. These programmes have been developed especially for translators and are partially connected to a module for calculating the invoice. MS Word’s integrated counting program is not sufficient for the needs of a professional translator.
D
Document Translation
The term document translation refers to the translation of papers, especially those concerned with legal relations (e.g. deeds, court documents, private written documents). Typically, documents are translated by sworn translators. This certifies the integrity and accuracy with an official stamp. This can be subsequently authenticated by a notary.
DTP
Stands for Desktop Publishing, computer assisted composition of high-value documents, which can also include text and images. The target is the publication of catalogues, magazines or books. Special software is also required for preparing the layout.
E
Editing
During the editing process, the correct reproduction of the content of the source text and completeness of the translation are checked.
Escort Interpreting
Liaison interpreting for non-binding, informal discussions, at cultural events, trade fairs, plant visits, sporting events, excursions, and looking after and welcoming or taking leave from holiday-makers or tourists.
Express Translations
Translations which must be commissioned, completed and delivered within a short time frame.
Extraction Tools
Extraction tools are used for the extraction of terminology. With the help of these tools, a list of candidate terms can be drawn up, which can then be selected and approved by a translator or specialist to be possibly used again in the future
F
Foreign Language Dubbing
Linguistic reworking of audiovisual media, for example the dubbing of industrial or commercial films, videos, CDs and tapes into another language. It is vital that the voice-over is carried out by a native speaker so that the finished product sounds as though it was originally produced in the target language.
Foreign Language Dubbing Artists
Dubbing artists are often linguists, interpreters, professional speakers or actors who have a complete understanding of the language to be dubbed and are able to reproduce it in their native language.
Foreign Language Subtitles
The sub-titling of film media into a language other than the spoken language of the film, such as in adverts, educational videos, and power-point presentations. Cultural awareness is vital for creating accurate and comprehensive subtitles for the target audience.
Foreign Language Synchronisation
The dubbing of the original language of film material into another language.
I
Illustration and Graphics
To ensure a thorough understanding of complex technical concepts, technical documentation is often illustrated with diagrams and images. A combination of verbal and visual elements ensures products can be used quickly and efficiently.
Intercultural Communication
A translator or interpreter does not just act as an intermediary between two languages, but between two different cultures. An in-depth cultural knowledge and understanding of the speakers of his working languages is also required.
Internationalisation
Internationalisation is one of the requirements of the localisation process. The information to be conveyed must be adapted to the target market.
Interpreting
The oral translation of a text or speech from one language into another.
Interpreting Systems/Conference Equipment
Any technical equipment that is required for interpreting during international meetings, conferences, presentations or speeches. This includes, among other items, portable infrared simultaneous interpreting equipment for international events with many participants, (such as conferences, seminars or podium discussions) and tour guide systems, which are used when a group of listeners needs to be able to move around freely (during trade fairs or plant visits for example).
L
Language Training
Language training can come in different forms,ranging from one-to-one teaching, group teaching and intensive training through to seminars, weekend workshops on a training holiday and crash courses abroad. The goal is the acquisition of foreign language skills.
Liaison Interpreting
Interpreting during courses, readings and individual presentations. This can be carried out with or without interpreting equipment.
Localisation Tools
These are tools which help with the process of software localisation (e.g. Catalyst, Passolo and Visual Localize).
M
Machine Translation
This concerns the translation of texts by a computer programme. The results of a fully automated translation process are still not perfect. Without the intervention of a person, it is not possible to achieve an optimal translation result.
Mother Tongue Principle
Native language translators can express even fine details of the source text idiomatically, in their mastered specialist fields, incorporating the necessary feel for the language. An optimal translation result is achieved, when the translator translates into his or her mother tongue.
N
Native Language
This is the language acquired during childhood, and in which a person becomes completely fluent. To master a language to native level, you must also have a full knowledge of the current and past developments in the society of the respective country. Wherever higher language demands are made, translators should generally only translate into their native language.
P
Patent Translations
The translation of patents and patent pending texts, such as texts for patent registration to international patent agencies and patent control. Such translations are commissioned by patent law firms, patent departments of large companies, in research and development and by inventors.
Project Management
The management, co-ordination and project planning of translation orders which require particular planning and special processing, due to their scope, complexity, language combination, difficulty of the text, specific delivery dates/deadlines, or the wish to have a text translated simultaneously into several languages.
Proofreading
The target text (the translation) is often checked in its electronic form for its correctness and compared to the source text. Focus is often placed on formal aspects. The final document is checked for mistakes in register, coherence, idiomacy, completeness, accuracy and formatting, etc.
R
Relay Interpreting
Relay interpreting involves the oral translation of a text via a subsidiary language. A text, which has already been interpreted, serves as a model for further interpretation. Relay interpretation is therefore employed, when there is no interpreter available for a particular language combination.
S
Simultaneous Interpreting
During simultaneous interpreting, the interpreter translates simultaneously and continuously into the target language either using simultaneous interpreting equipment or by directly whispering the translation to the listener.
In order to ensure a thorough understanding during the valuable interpreting time, the simultaneous interpreter must prepare carefully and thoroughly. With conference interpreting, both simultaneous and consecutive interpretation can be used.
Software Localisation
This is the coordination and language-specific adaptation of user interfaces with their menus, dialogue boxes and buttons, online help and printed documentation to the conditions of a specific target country.
Specialised Translations
Accurate translations which meet the highest linguist demands within specific subject areas (such as economics, science or technology). These are carried out using established and continually developing specialist terminology.
Sworn Translators
Translators or interpreters who are authorised to translate and certify documents. More specifically for interpreters, who are authorised to interpret for administrative bodies or in courts of law. They have taken a general oath, which authorises them to perform such work. The conditions of the swearing-in and authorisation procedure differ from country to country and in some cases, from region to region. However, a qualification in translation or interpreting or a special qualifying examination is a pre-requisite.
T
Technical Authors/Editors
Subject specific knowledge is edited by technical editors according to the type of text and the intended recipients in a way that ensures optimum understanding of technical documentation and, if necessary, can also serve as a template for translation into further languages. Various different technical aids are employed, such as terminology and text module databases. Localisation can lead to an overlap between the work of the translator and that of the technical editor.
Technical Documentation
Documents that describe technical products, for example instruction manuals or safety advice.
Technical Editing
Technical editors transcribe and articulate subject-specific information in user and operator manuals. It is important, that these texts are well-formulated and comprehensible.
Telephone Interpreting
During telephone interpreting, an interpreter forms the link between a pair of conversation partners. During such work, particular demands are placed on the interpreter, which through different conditions (e.g. line disturbances, lack of possibility to adapt to the conversation partners and the content of the conversation) necessitate a large amount of spontaneous reaction on the part of the interpreter. Globalisation and migration increase the need for this type of language service.
Terminology Databases
Databases, equivalence tables and terminology lists that help to standardise a company’s language usage, such as in the form of a company-specific glossary or dictionary. Terminology databases also facilitate the work of a translator, thus enabling the translation process to be shortened and the costs reduced.
Terminology Extraction
An elaborate procedure used to fix in-house terminology, thus offering the possibility to establish an internal language consistency. As a rule this would be implemented by a translator or a native-speaking reader.
Terminology Management
Terminology management comprises the gathering, editing, saving and use of units of terminology. The quality of a translation is determined by, among other things, the consistency of the terminology. Currently, various terminology management computer programs are available on the market, which to some extent include translation memory systems. The use of terminology management enables translation costs to be reduced, without affecting the quality.
Translation
The term translation is understood to mean the written transferral of a text from one language to another.
Translation Tools
An umbrella term for programmes that are designed to can aid a translator in his/her work. These include all localisation tools, terminology management systems, machine translation programs, Translation Memory Systems, electronic dictionaries and glossaries, analysis programs, project management software, counting programs etc.
Translator’s Expertise
All the skills and knowledge of a professional translator. As well as a firm grasp of the native and foreign languages, these also include cultural awareness, specialist knowledge of the subject and knowledge of the theory of translation, which are necessary for successful translations.
Translation Memory Systems
Translation Memory Systems (such as Déjà Vu, across, Trados, Transit) are software programs which can store helpful segments of the source text with the corresponding segments of the target text in a database. Repeated occurrences can be called up in the same or a similar form. The translator therefore saves valuable time and avoids unnecessary searching for terms that have previously been found. It also leads to the production of a more consistent translation.
V
Voice Recognition
A spoken text can be converted into a written text by voice recognition with the help of a computer program. This program can now also be used by translators. A system was recently developed, which instead of only recognising broken speech (with pauses between individual words), can also recognise continuous speech.
W
Website Localisation
Translation and localisation of websites, such as a multilingual company website. This involves, amongst other things, the adaptation of various data and formats.
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