Pages in topic:   [1 2] >
Poll: Do your clients manage their source language content with terminology databases and glossary lists?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Nov 4, 2016

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do your clients manage their source language content with terminology databases and glossary lists?".

This poll was originally submitted by Jeff Allen. View the poll results »



 
Mario Chavez (X)
Mario Chavez (X)  Identity Verified
Local time: 07:26
English to Spanish
+ ...
Managing takes time and costs money Nov 4, 2016

In my experience, both clients and translation agencies manage some kind of terminological source, mostly in the form of a MultiTerm database, an Excel worksheet or a Word glossary list. But since neither (client or agency) is a linguist, translator or terminologist, these glossaries or databases of words are static and are given an almost biblical status (i.e. they're unchangeable or updateable).

I have a problem calling texts “content” or “data.” Both designations are tech
... See more
In my experience, both clients and translation agencies manage some kind of terminological source, mostly in the form of a MultiTerm database, an Excel worksheet or a Word glossary list. But since neither (client or agency) is a linguist, translator or terminologist, these glossaries or databases of words are static and are given an almost biblical status (i.e. they're unchangeable or updateable).

I have a problem calling texts “content” or “data.” Both designations are technically, rationally and linguistically inaccurate and misleading.

[Edited at 2016-11-04 08:56 GMT]
Collapse


 
neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 12:26
Spanish to English
+ ...
Other Nov 4, 2016

I'm afraid I don't really understand the question.

Perhaps it's because I agree with Mario ("I have a problem calling texts “content” or “data.” Both designations are technically, rationally and linguistically inaccurate and misleading.")

[Edited at 2016-11-04 09:05 GMT]


 
Mario Chavez (X)
Mario Chavez (X)  Identity Verified
Local time: 07:26
English to Spanish
+ ...
Many ways to manage stuff Nov 4, 2016

neilmac wrote:

I'm afraid I don't really understand the question.

Perhaps it's because I agree with Mario ("I have a problem calling texts “content” or “data.” Both designations are technically, rationally and linguistically inaccurate and misleading.")

[Edited at 2016-11-04 09:05 GMT]


Hi, Neilmac. I'm reminded of polysemy at this point (it's 9:19 a.m. in Aveiro, Portugal). On their websites or brochures, many companies claim to manage stuff of various kinds, just to sound important.

I also manage matchboxes, meaning I bought them and I keep them in the cupboard.



 
Christopher Schröder
Christopher Schröder
United Kingdom
Member (2011)
Swedish to English
+ ...
No Nov 4, 2016

Somewhere out there the machines are taking over...

Back in my world: They write it; I translate it. Simples.

Sometimes they have a "house style", but they don't normally take much notice of it.

None have an official vocabulary (beyond banning the word "problem" in one case). That would make my job very dull.

But would probably make tech translators like Julian happy.


 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 11:26
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Other Nov 4, 2016

I have been asked by several of my customers to build a glossary of terms before starting a project, but I'd be reluctant to use a glossary "imposed" upon me, unless I can check its accuracy and make the necessary changes in collaboration with the client.

 
Gianluca Marras
Gianluca Marras  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 12:26
English to Italian
some do Nov 4, 2016

Mario Chavez wrote:

In my experience, both clients and translation agencies manage some kind of terminological source, mostly in the form of a MultiTerm database, an Excel worksheet or a Word glossary list. But since neither (client or agency) is a linguist, translator or terminologist, these glossaries or databases of words are static and are given an almost biblical status (i.e. they're unchangeable or updateable).

I have a problem calling texts “content” or “data.” Both designations are technically, rationally and linguistically inaccurate and misleading.

[Edited at 2016-11-04 08:56 GMT]


and in the meanwhile I am waiting to see if there is at least ONE word in this world that is used properly and is not inaccurate or misleading according to Mario


 
Julian Holmes
Julian Holmes  Identity Verified
Japan
Local time: 20:26
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
Yes, the majority of them do Nov 4, 2016

Chris S wrote:

....

But would probably make tech translators like Julian happy.


Chris, I am blushing already.

I jump with joy when I get a nicely managed TM with a neat term base and autosuggest dictionary.

But a lot of the time, legacy translation is poorly managed with sundry input from more than 3 or 4 translators or just simply culled from poorly written manuals that have been translated in Chindia, which means that TMs I get are a linguistic nightmare.
I have, in the past, declined and sent back jobs because the legacy translation is a clustermess, and 100% and context matches have been calculated based on utter crap. I am not having my name sullied because I have to de facto OK someone else's dross. So, there!

End of my pre-weekend rant


 
Mario Chavez (X)
Mario Chavez (X)  Identity Verified
Local time: 07:26
English to Spanish
+ ...
Ciao, Gianluca! Nov 4, 2016

Smile back atcha!

I just moan, lament, etc. the use of “content” and “data” as acceptable substitutes for text, audiovisual information, infographics, structured information, context, cotext, etc. that we translators manage, manipulate, manhandle, mold and massage into our translations.

I saw the word data used by a respectable colleague and professional friend in his toolbox bulletin recently, comparing what translators do to what music conductors do. Fi
... See more
Smile back atcha!

I just moan, lament, etc. the use of “content” and “data” as acceptable substitutes for text, audiovisual information, infographics, structured information, context, cotext, etc. that we translators manage, manipulate, manhandle, mold and massage into our translations.

I saw the word data used by a respectable colleague and professional friend in his toolbox bulletin recently, comparing what translators do to what music conductors do. First time I hear that musicians play “data.”

Ridiculous!
Collapse


 
Gianluca Marras
Gianluca Marras  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 12:26
English to Italian
... Nov 4, 2016

Mario Chavez wrote:

Smile back atcha!

I just moan, lament, etc. the use of “content” and “data” as acceptable substitutes for text, audiovisual information, infographics, structured information, context, cotext, etc. that we translators manage, manipulate, manhandle, mold and massage into our translations.

I saw the word data used by a respectable colleague and professional friend in his toolbox bulletin recently, comparing what translators do to what music conductors do. First time I hear that musicians play “data.”

Ridiculous!


It might be ridiculous for you Mario, but most of people use words as they are usually intended in several fields.
For example, I do not find the use of the word "content" so strange. I worked as a content manager... and the common use of the word was clear to me when I read the poll. To be honest I do not like it, but on the other side I cannot say it is wrong, unacceptable....
I just pointed out because when I read your comments, it seems that every poll is formulated with the wrong words, used in the wrong way...
Obviously with the due respect and a smile.


 
Ana Vozone
Ana Vozone  Identity Verified
Local time: 11:26
Member (2010)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Yes, some do... Nov 4, 2016

but often the databases and glossaries they send me as reference material are irrelevant, disorganized, not updated with the latest translations I sent them, they contain many inconsistencies and, to me, they are simply a total waste of time.
I prefer to rely (and usually end up relying) on my own TM's.


 
neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 12:26
Spanish to English
+ ...
The all seeing eye... Nov 4, 2016

Mario Chavez wrote:

I saw the word data used by a respectable colleague and professional friend in his toolbox bulletin recently, comparing what translators do to what music conductors do. First time I hear that musicians play “data.”

Ridiculous!


Reminds me of the Ancient One's comment in the new Dr Strange movie, something along the lines of "If you don't like the terminology 'spells', you can call them 'programs'"... Nevertheless, I'd like to think that at least some of my translations had something 'magical' about them that can't simply be assembled using terminology, databases or glossary lists... Or any other devices.


 
Jennifer Forbes
Jennifer Forbes  Identity Verified
Local time: 11:26
French to English
+ ...
In memoriam
Sometimes Nov 4, 2016

A few of my clients sometimes provide glossaries, lists of preferred terms, and even "style guides" (which are of variable usefulness). Most don't.

 
Muriel Vasconcellos
Muriel Vasconcellos  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 04:26
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Not really Nov 4, 2016

I work mainly for international organizations. Most of them have lists of preferred vocabulary, but it's up to the translator to ask for them. Some have databases in the form of corpora, but they aren't consistent or reliable.

(As a terminologist, I use 'glossary' to refer monolingual specialized terminology with definitions, not bilinguial lists of terms.)


 
Christine Andersen
Christine Andersen  Identity Verified
Denmark
Local time: 12:26
Member (2003)
Danish to English
+ ...
I voted 'some do' Nov 4, 2016

neilmac wrote:

...Reminds me of the Ancient One's comment in the new Dr Strange movie, something along the lines of "If you don't like the terminology 'spells', you can call them 'programs'"... Nevertheless, I'd like to think that at least some of my translations had something 'magical' about them that can't simply be assembled using terminology, databases or glossary lists... Or any other devices.


Like all my programs have suddenly turned into 'Apps' since I was more or less forced to update to Windows 10...

In answer to the poll, it is slightly wishful thinking, but I have clients who ask me to collect terminology now and then, especially a museum, where it may take ages to find the correct terminology at all. We want to keep it consistent over time, and also coordinate it with different language versions of their publications and information material.

Other clients over the years have built up glossaries and terminology lists, too.

In fact I wish more clients would do so, but I make my own lists where I feel they might be useful.
It is handy for point-grabbing at KudoZ, if nothing else.


[Edited at 2016-11-04 13:34 GMT]


 
Pages in topic:   [1 2] >


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Moderator(s) of this forum
Jared Tabor[Call to this topic]

You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Poll: Do your clients manage their source language content with terminology databases and glossary lists?






Anycount & Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000

Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.

More info »
Wordfast Pro
Translation Memory Software for Any Platform

Exclusive discount for ProZ.com users! Save over 13% when purchasing Wordfast Pro through ProZ.com. Wordfast is the world's #1 provider of platform-independent Translation Memory software. Consistently ranked the most user-friendly and highest value

Buy now! »