The Evolution of the Translator’s Role 

Translators have always adapted to technological changes, from the rise of computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools and translation memories two decades ago to the more recent integration of machine translation systems. Now, AI has entered the scene, promising to streamline translation processes further. But rather than replacing human translators, AI is becoming part of an evolving toolkit that enhances the human touch. 

Today, translators are shifting away from purely linguistic tasks and are now managing AI-driven tools that combine translation memory, machine translation, and terminology databases. These advanced platforms enable translators to work more efficiently, maintaining consistency across large-scale projects. Instead of focusing on line-by-line translation, professionals are increasingly tasked with refining and contextualizing AI-generated content, especially in areas where AI struggles to capture cultural nuances and idiomatic expressions. 

While this new technology can handle the bulk of a translation, the human touch remains essential in ensuring the final product resonates with local audiences. This dynamic underscores the emerging partnership between AI and human translators, where technology augments human capabilities rather than replacing them entirely. 

A Radical Shift in Skills 

As the industry transforms, so too must the skill set of professional translators. Familiarity with AI and machine learning is becoming increasingly important, and translators are now expected to understand how to train and manage AI translation models. In addition to linguistic expertise, they must develop technical skills, ranging from using AI tools to analyzing data that informs the translation process. 

Moreover, the human element of translation remains crucial. Cultural sensitivity, deep contextual understanding, and the ability to adapt content for specific audiences are skills that machines cannot yet master. Translators who enhance their proficiency in these areas, along with the technical aspects of AI, will find themselves better positioned to thrive in this new landscape. 

Adapting to Change: A Necessity for Translators 

In a rapidly evolving industry, adapting to new technologies is vital. Those hesitant to embrace these innovations may find themselves falling behind as AI continues to revolutionize workflows. Conversely, translators who engage in ongoing professional development and learn how to integrate AI into their processes can increase their value to clients and extend their capabilities. 

Embracing change allows translators to not only maintain their place in the industry but also enhance their work quality and expand the scope of their services. Those who adapt will emerge as skilled professionals capable of balancing technology with the irreplaceable human touch. 

The Takeaway 

The world of translation is evolving quickly, but rather than viewing AI as a threat, it should be seen as an opportunity for growth. Human translators will always be essential in providing the cultural and contextual knowledge that machines cannot replicate.

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In recent years, “sustainability” evolved from being a trendy buzzword to a fundamental necessity for businesses in every sector. This shift is driven by growing environmental challenges and changing consumer expectations, as people increasingly prioritize eco-conscious practices. The translation industry, like many others, is beginning to recognize that adopting sustainable practices is not just an option but a responsibility.  

As organizations look for ways to reduce their environmental impact, sustainable strategies are becoming integral to long-term success. 

Understanding Sustainability in Translation 

Sustainability refers to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. It’s a concept often associated with environmental preservation, but it also encompasses economic and social responsibility. In practice, sustainability is about making conscious decisions that benefit not only businesses but the planet as well. 

For companies in the translation industry (as well as other major industries like pharmaceuticals), adopting sustainability involves making operational changes to reduce carbon footprints and conserve resources.  

• Embrace remote work. By allowing employees to work from home, translation companies can significantly reduce the environmental impact caused by daily commuting. In fact, a remote workforce also minimizes the need for large office spaces, which can contribute to lower energy consumption. 

• Reduce paper usage. Translation companies can transition to fully digital operations by using email, online portals, and cloud-based platforms for all communications and document sharing. Not only does this streamline the translation process, but it also cuts down on paper waste and the energy involved in physical mail handling. 

• Use cloud-based tools. With these tools, teams can collaborate across borders without the need for travel. The ability to store, access, and work on documents simultaneously through the cloud reduces the need for physical meetings, saving both time and energy while limiting carbon emissions.  

• Find the right partners. Translation companies should also seek out technology providers actively pursuing environmentally friendly practices. This helps ensure that the entire workflow remains as eco-conscious as possible. By partnering with eco-friendly suppliers, translation companies can reinforce their commitment to sustainability. Whether it’s choosing green-certified office supplies or engaging with vendors who prioritize eco-conscious production, each step contributes to an overall sustainable business model. 

Despite these efforts, the translation industry faces specific challenges in sustainability. For instance, document analysis, linguistic adaptation, and machine translation all require considerable energy. Each step in this process can leave an environmental footprint. To address these challenges, companies can look for ways to optimize their processes to minimize energy consumption while still maintaining high-quality services. 

Terra’s Commitment to Sustainability 

At Terra, we have been committed to sustainability since our inception. From the beginning, we’ve operated 100% remotely, which has contributed to significant reductions in carbon emissions. By eliminating the need for a physical office, we’ve minimized energy consumption and created a more flexible, eco-friendly workspace. 

Our paperless operations further support our sustainability goals. All translations are delivered digitally via email or secure portals, reducing waste and helping us maintain a sustainable workflow. While a small number of our team members may travel occasionally for conferences or business meetings, we are mindful of the environmental impact of these activities. To offset the carbon footprint from travel, we’ve engaged in initiatives like forestation, which helps balance the emissions generated by these necessary activities. 

Through our Terra Cares program, we are also supporting initiatives like Sustentabilidad sin Fronteras by providing pro bono translation services. This allows important environmental materials to reach multilingual audiences, reinforcing our dedication to both sustainability and social responsibility. 

Looking Forward 

At Terra, sustainability has always been a guiding principle. As the need for environmental responsibility becomes more pressing across all sectors, we believe that the translation industry should lead by example. By embracing sustainable practices and encouraging others to do the same, we can create a better world and leave a lasting, positive impact on both our industry and the environment. 

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This year, the International Federation of Translators (FIT) has selected “Translation, an art worth protecting” as the theme for its celebration of International Translation Day. This theme recognizes that, while translation is sometimes viewed as a straightforward process of conversion, at its heart, it is far more than a mere act of swapping words from one language into another; it’s an intricate art worth protecting. As the development of AI and the expansion of the digital sphere continue to reshape the world as we know it, the FIT calls on all of us to protect this unique art. 

The Craftsmanship of Translation 

Just as a crafty wizard combines ingredients to create a powerful potion, a skillful translator weaves words together to form a new text that captures the essence of the original and is infused with what made it so special. 

Consider the challenge of translating poetry or literature, for example. The translator will want to preserve the rhythm, tone and emotion of the original work, all while making it accessible and meaningful in another language. This requires the ability to not only do linguistic gymnastics but also walk the tightrope between two cultures and know how to invite the reader into this other world. Clearly, with so many elements to juggle, the translator is doing much more than an apples-to-apples equation.   

The Importance of Protecting Translation 

In much the way that spending time in nature helps us develop an understanding and appreciation for it, spending a moment reflecting on translation can bring the vital role it plays in our world into sharper view. 

 Here are some of the many reasons translation is an art worth protecting: 

• Cultural Preservation: Translation safeguards the richness of unique cultures around the world. It keeps the magic of storytelling alive and facilitates cultural exchange and mutual understanding. 

• Global Communication: In today’s interconnected world, translation allows for the global exchange of ideas, and it plays a key role in uniting nations and fostering peace, understanding and development. 

• Access to Information: Translation ensures that information is accessible to people of all linguistic backgrounds, thereby leveling the playing field and promoting inclusion. 

• Historical Record: Many ancient texts have survived only through translation. Protecting this vital craft ensures that future generations can access these records and the wisdom and experiences of the past. 

• Creativity and Expression: Translators are artists who create works that stand alone while honoring the original. By protecting translation, we can ensure that new interpretations of existing texts can reach and delight readers and expand their horizons. 

Let the Celebration Begin 

On this special day, we encourage you to take note of all the ways translation contributes to your understanding and enjoyment of our world. Have you read a translated novel? Discovered a new favorite show thanks to subtitles? Heard first-hand accounts in international news segments? Whatever it is, know that a dedicated translator is behind it, practicing their craft to connect us as members of a global community.     

The post The Craft of Translation: A Legacy to Protect    appeared first on Terra Translations.

Today there is greater access to information than ever before and that accessibility grows by the day. While the internet, traditional media, and social media all play a positive role in spreading knowledge, there are times when these platforms are used to spread misinformation (whether it is done so knowingly or not). Thanks to the rise of social media, falsehoods that have the potential to cause great harm can spread rapidly. The algorithms social media brands use to encourage engagement can unfortunately help increase the speed at which misinformation spreads. As of late, misinformation (which is often referred to as fake news) has spread about very important topics such as issues relating to politics and health.

Work is being done to help combat the damage that fake news can cause and social media companies are attempting to shed light on which content is inaccurate by adding links to posts that direct users to official and updated information on the matter.

During the coronavirus pandemic, for example, we saw a lot of this happening in regard to drugs and vaccines, and many platforms deployed algorithms to detect this type of content and block it — especially social media platforms.

Unfortunately, the responsibility to engage with accurate content too often falls on the consumer, especially for those who engage in social media in languages other than English.

The Role of Linguistics in Fake News

The topic of fake news is gaining international relevancy and experts are using linguistics as a means to detect and prevent misinformation from spreading. Linguists in Norway at the University of Oslo are teaming up with computer scientists and artificial intelligence researchers at the independent research organization SINTEF to work to expose the language commonly used in fake news, which they are dubbing “Fakespeak”.

While this interest in learning more about how to fight the spread of misinformation online is excellent news, not everyone in the world is lucky enough to be exposed to these warnings, as oftentimes these detection mechanisms are only implemented and analyze text in English and a handful of mainstream languages. Many of these algorithms have yet to be programmed to work for less commonly spoken languages.

The Importance of Language Accessibility

It’s essential for social media platforms to consider other languages when they implement initiatives designed to help combat the spread of misinformation, as language accessibility is the key to equality when it comes to sharing information worldwide. Nowadays, many people learn the news via social media platforms and they don’t fact-check the information they are reading — they trust what they see.

As the internet continues to play a bigger role in our daily lives, it’s important that these platforms make conscious decisions about this and try to protect as many people as possible. Otherwise, they risk endangering their users who may make important and potentially life-threatening decisions based on the information they engage with.

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Ease of Use and Accessibility: in the Cloud 

The main advantage of browser-based CAT tools, like XTM, Memsource, SmartCat, or Wordbee, among many others, is their accessibility. Since users don’t need to install any application, they can work on different computers by following a shared link. This makes projects more easily allocable, given that there are fewer hardware and operating system constraints (no need to install, more flexible requirements, user can borrow equipment, etc.). Furthermore, web-based solutions imply lower costs for clients and for linguists in terms of licensing and hardware. 

However, browser-based CAT tools depend strongly on the quality of Internet connectivity. This is one of their major cons, because bad connectivity really affects the performance of the platform and of the resources involved. Work is slower, online resources can’t be accessed, such as Translation Memories (TMs) or Term Bases (TBs), and there may be difficulties saving progress. 

Integral Solutions: Desktop Based CAT Tools 

Desktop applications for localization, like memoQ, Trados Studio, or Wordfast, offer comprehensive and complex solutions, and cover almost every need supporting different formats and documents. They allow linguists and localization managers to manage in detail TBs, TMs, and quality assurance (QA) features, in contrast with online editors, that sometimes support simpler configurations. Their comprehensiveness and customization make desktop tools ideal for complex and high-volume projects, where clients and managers need to leverage as many IT resources as possible. 

Desktop apps support offline work, so they are good allies for users with connectivity issues. Yet, they are more expensive and, as they need installation and specific requirements, they are not as versatile as web-based editors. However, most of these CAT tools provide browser-based online solutions, like memoQ WebTrans or Wordfast Anywhere, for instance. Likewise, some browser tools offer desktop applications, like Memsource Editor. 

Quality Assurance Insight 

Both types of CAT tools open up the possibility of exporting and importing finished documents or XLIFF files, which allows users to work in another environment or run QA checks with specialized software, whenever possible. However, this prospect tends to be more limited in browser-based editors. Some tools offer limited exporting options, while in some occasions, the possibility may be deprecated by project managers or clients, as well as other functions. Nevertheless, most browser-based tools integrate some kind of quality check. Choosing between one type of tool or the other must be really an informed choice, since both can add different kinds and degrees of value. 

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Keep reading to learn about what a term base is and what the benefits of using one are. 

What is a translation term base?

A translation term base is a tool used to house industry, company, and product related terms that a translation team needs to be aware of. A term base acts as a central hub for this detailed information and it can evolve over time as you add new terms. You may choose to start with a monolingual term base and evolve it to a multilingual term base over time. 

A translation term base may include:

• Source terms or phrases
• Approved translations
• Contextual information
• Definitions of terms
• Usage notes
• Parts of speech
• Grammar
• Terms that should remain in the source language (such as a brand name)

The key benefits of a translation term base

There are many benefits associated with having a well maintained translation term base, such as:

• Saving time and confusion. Because a translation term base serves as a terminology guide for a translation team, when there is ambiguity surrounding what term to use, they can quickly reference the term base to save time and to make sure they use the correct term. This is especially helpful when working across multiple departments or with freelance translators. A solid term base helps cut down on research time, which improves workflow. 
• Improving accuracy, quality, and consistency. Language can be subjective. The use of a term base can nail down the correct words or phrases to use so that the current spelling and terminology is used across all translated materials, which improves the quality of the text.

How it differs from a translation glossary

It’s easy to confuse a translation term base with a translation glossary, but these are two different resources. A translation term base integrates with CAT tools, whereas a translation glossary is usually just a spreadsheet. A translation glossary is a great place to start, but a translation term base is a much more effective tool to use during translation projects. 

Managing and maintaining a translation term base

A translation term base is only a helpful tool if it’s maintained properly. Working with an outdated translation term base can cause easily avoidable mistakes. Term base management involves combining terminology work and database administrative tasks to support the collection, description, processing, presentation, and distribution of information about the terms and any linguistic units used in an organization. 

To properly manage and maintain a good translation term base, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Avoid repetition. You will only want each term to appear in the termbase once, unless a term has more than one meaning. In which case the secondary meaning and approved translation appears in the same entry. You want your term base to be easy to navigate and to cut down on confusion.
• Keep it tight. You should only include terms in your term base that require definition, you don’t want to include unnecessary terms that aren’t used or that don’t require explanation. Large term bases can be difficult to use and maintain.
• Review the terms. It’s important to confirm that changes or additions to a termbase are checked and reviewed by a native-speaking subject-matter expert.
• Update it regularly. Your translation term base should grow and change over time as the company releases products, new technologies emerge, and languages change. You’ll want to add new terms to the translation term base and remove any unnecessary ones from time to time. 

The post What is a Translation Term Base and Do You Need One? appeared first on Terra Translations.

If you have a source text that has gender neutral language in it and it needs translating, what do you need to know about gender neutral language? Let’s investigate. 

What Gendered Language Is

Gendered language refers to language choices that assign a gender to a noun, verb, pronoun, or adjective. It’s especially common to see gendered language choices in both French and Spanish where nouns have gender inflections. Around the world there is a push happening to embrace gender neutral language. In order to achieve gender neutrality, most languages have to stray away from traditional grammar and linguistic standards and embrace new ones. While some people are more than ready to make this shift, others are fighting to hold onto more traditional language standards. 

Why Gender Neutral Language Matters in Translation

When working on a translation project, it’s important to understand what is happening in the source text in order to decide how it should be translated. If the original document is using gender neutral language, then there is an explicit intention of the author, writer, or company to be inclusive in their communications. Because of this, it would make sense for the translated text to take those gender neutral language choices into account and incorporate them in the translation to the target language to the extent possible.

To What Extent is Gender Neutrality in Translation Possible?

Because gender neutral language may not be as developed in that target language or even target country, it can be challenging to provide a clear and concise translated text that honors the desire of the original creator to use gender neutral language while making sure the newly translated text is easy to understand by the reader. 

Some languages are already genderless, in which case the translator won’t run into any problems. Some cultures are starting to use gender neutral alternatives so translating the text into one of those target languages may also present less roadblocks. 

In some cases, the translators may be able to use workaround word choices that are perfectly correct grammatically and that convey gender neutrality, but some others deviate from the traditional grammar structure. Regardless of whether it’s grammatical or ungrammatical, the use of gender neutral language may not be spread equally within the country or even within certain age groups. In some other cultures, gender neutral language is not even in the conversation.

Because of the various approaches currently being taken to adapt language (or in some cases not adapt it) to being gender neutral, the choice to translate your already gender neutral material is not as simple as it may seem. It’s super important to assess your target audience and consult with in-country linguists regarding the current climate surrounding this for that target audience and country, so you can be informed about what the best way to proceed is.

For those looking to adapt to gender-inclusive language when working with the English language, the United Nations has created helpful strategies that can be applied to any type of communication, including oral or written content, as well as formal or informal speech.

The post The Challenges of Translating Gender Neutral Language appeared first on Terra Translations.

These tools offer the core functions, such as translation memories (TMs), compatibility with usual formats, term bases (TB), and web-based editors. Yet, they do have their differences. Here we’ll break down some strengths and weaknesses of these four translation allies.

SDL Trados Studio 

There is a general consensus that Trados Studio is the most comprehensive CAT tool in the industry, supporting a wide range of formats and workflows. SDL offers a series of products and solutions for different needs with the additional option for users to buy and download plugins or add-ons. However, its comprehensiveness comes with a complex user interface (UI) that’s not as intuitive as others, sometimes resulting in a rough user experience.

Furthermore, another strength is its relative universality in the industry, and its versatility to integrate all kinds of formats (e. g., subtitles, HTML, InDesign, etc.). As a downside, in order to manage terminology, users need another application not included in the main product, called Trados Multiterm.

memoQ

This application also presents a comprehensive desktop version and a limited web-based editor. It allows LSPs and freelancers to manage documents, TBs, TMs, alignment pairs, and references, among many other features. memoQ also incorporates a QA solution in the same product, without the need of purchasing add-ons or extensions. Its UI is more friendly and intuitive for linguists and project managers, and it’s a ready-to-go solution for various needs. As a con, workflows, features, and layout are not as customizable as in other tools, but overall it’s a flexible and complete product for starters and veterans.

Wordfast Pro

Lighter and more affordable than the other two tools, Wordfast has the advantage of being compatible (and having official support) not only with Windows, but with Mac and Linux, so users can dispense with virtual machines or emulators. Its UI looks simpler and cleaner, but Wordfast Pro isn’t compatible with as many formats as the other tools. On another note, Wordfast Pro can integrate with Wordfast Server, an application for secure online translation memories and glossaries that allow real-time collaborative work among linguists. Despite being practical and useful, this feature can hinder integration between other CAT or QA tools, since users can’t have access to the TMs and TBs as editable files.

Memsource

While the three tools above are more focused on desktop-based solutions, Memsource is one of the most popular translation management systems based on the cloud. It has a lightweight editor and portal, offering TMs, TBs, quality management, and a preview mode. It has mobile integration through mobile apps for PMs and linguists, and a user-friendly interface that makes the software intuitive for both vendors and managers. One of its cons is that Memsource exports MXLIFF files, their native file, which is not easily supported by all the other localization tools.

***

Deciding which tool best suits your needs can be a tough call sometimes, since the choice depends on the client’s needs, usual workflows, resources used, etc. It’s always better to ask for advice from your localization partner before starting working on a certain tool. This way, everybody prevents potential setbacks and comes up collectively with the best solution.

The post CAT Tools Comparison: memoQ, Trados Studio and Wordfast Pro appeared first on Terra Translations.

Let’s take a closer look at how technology has impacted the translation industry. 

How Technology Has Impacted the Translation Industry

The advancement of computer technology and the internet created a wide range of tools and convenience for every industry, but the translation industry specifically started its road of exponential growth when technology stepped in. As technology expanded, so did our access to other corners of the world. Given the amount of content that needed to be translated to reach other markets and audiences, technology also needed to provide enhanced productivity, communication, and quality assurance tools.

CAT tools were the first big revolution in the translation field and absolutely changed how translators worked thanks to the implementation of translation memory, term bases, and QA checks. While at the beginning CAT tools were deemed to be a threat to human translators, it soon became clear how much they had to offer. Linguists became more efficient and productive, and found in them ways to reduce human errors. Now it seems inconceivable to work without them.

Machine Translation (MT) can be considered the next big revolution. This technological solution was created to help meet that vast demand for fast translation services at a cheaper cost. While the quality standard with MT can be questionable and there’s a lot of room for improvement, there’s no denying that to some extent and in some fields the use of MT can prove to be invaluable.

As demand for translation services grew, other technological tools came to the rescue in order to keep track of everything. Translation Management Systems in particular provide a wide variety of solutions to common translation struggles. This tool organizes all kinds of translation and localization workflows. Some of the benefits of a Translation Management System include: 

The Takeaway 

Technology has its faults—there’s no doubt about that—but in the translation industry it has been an enabler for progress. As long as all parties involved in the process understand that technology has its limitations, it can be used to do more, better, and faster work. In a world where access to information in a language everybody understands has become critical, having technology on our side is an enormous help.

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Global Standards Vary

The translation industry is a global industry and one of the reasons that translators can have differing educational experiences is because every country has their own unique set of academic standards. In some countries, you can attend a university and earn your translation degree after four or five years of study. In other countries, the universities may not offer an equivalent degree, but you may be able to take short translation courses focused on specific fields. Some countries only have translation associations that offer certifications like ATA. Point being, the education opportunities and therefore the hiring standards to become a translator, can vary greatly depending on where a translator lives. 

Why Do Translation Degrees and Certifications Have Value?

A translation degree or certification illustrates that a translator has the knowledge necessary to do translation work and do it well. This is especially helpful for those who are new in their career without much work experience under their belt. While some translators learn the necessary skills to do this job on their own through a lot of practice, not having credentials to account for what they know can create a roadblock for them. 

Pursuing a translation degree or certification plays an important role in learning how to work as a translator and how to create a linguistically and culturally accurate message. Some people believe being bilingual is enough to become a translator, but in reality, being bilingual does not ensure that you have the skills necessary to be an accurate translator who can tackle all the important aspects of communication in both languages. 

The Benefits of Extending Education

Translators tend to be curious creatures, or at least in an ideal situation, they should be. A good translator must always be learning about new tools and reading about the latest developments in their fields of expertise. Some translators, after obtaining their degree in translation, go on to earn a degree in finance, the arts, history, or another subject relevant to their expertise. This desire to continue their education shows how committed a professional translator can be to delivering a top quality service.

What Employers and Clients Need to Know

To be on the safe side, always work with people who have become experts in translating specific language combinations through extensive studies. We know that literally everything can be solved, but not every translation has the same impact. Some fields are susceptible, such as those that have anything to do with health, security, and law. When it comes to the legal industry, some documents require a certified translation, and having credentials is a requirement, not an option. Specific industries allow no room for error, so working with a professional with vast linguistic and subject matter knowledge and experience is always your best bet. It’s worth noting that for some language combinations, there are no official certifications or academic programs available, so it’s essential to research before hiring to know what standards your candidate can realistically meet.

The post Why is it important that the translator has a translation degree or certification? appeared first on Terra Translations.