• Translation

Translation refers to services the outcome of which is the rendering of a source lan­guage text recorded on an electronic data storage device or on paper into a target language text recorded on an electronic data storage device or on paper.

• Machine Translation

Machine translation is an automated translation procedure, where the source lan­guage text is translated into the target language with the use of IT tools and comput­er software.

• Translator ( Certified Translator)

A person with the qualifications required by the effective laws or the necessary ex­pertise who performs (specialised) translations.

• Translation Service Provider

An organisation providing translation services.

• Revision/Editing

Revision/editing refers to services whereby a translation commissioned by the Trans­lation Service Provider and generated by the Translator is checked by a Reviser based on the requirements of the specific language as it is used today. This includes the checking of the translation’s punctuation, spelling, grammar, language use and style, as well as the terms applied in the translation against the terminology of the specific profession. Depending on the type of text, its final use and the client’s needs, linguis­tic and professional revision may be performed by two resources: a linguist and a subject matter expert. Revision is performed by checking the target text against the source text in a comprehensive manner.

• Reviser/Editor

The person performing the task specified in section 1.5.

• Target Language Review

Review of the target language text and the correction of any spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use or stylistic errors.

• Computer-Assisted Translation ( CAT) Tool

The CAT tool allows the Translation Service Provider to create a translation memory and terminology database for each of its clients and/or topics, and to use the docu­ments provided to it for reference as a translation memory during the translation process. The CAT tool enables the Translation Service Provider to coordinate the work of several Translators online simultaneously, so the overall translation project may be coordinated on an online interface.

• Translation Memory (TM)

A translation memory built up with a CAT tool contains segment pairs. During the translation/revision process, the software alerts the user of any matches between the source language text and the translation memory in use; as a result, the Transla­tion Service Provider can ensure that recurring texts are translated consistently.

• Term Base (TB)

The term base created with the CAT tool functions as a smart dictionary, and enables the user not only to record word pairs, but also to add information in connection with the use of the specific term, such as definition, context-related use, forbidden terms, etc. The CAT tool alerts the user of any matches between the source language text and the term base in use.

• Alignment

If the Client provides the Translation Service Provider with previous translations in addition to the appropriate source language documents, the Translation Service Pro­vider can align them with the CAT tool and subsequently use them as a translation memory.

• Repetition

Repetition refers to a statistical match between the sentences (segments). Therefore, a word appearing several times in the text does not, in itself, qualify as repetition.

• Source Language

The language of the text or speech serving as the basis of translation and revision.

• Target Language

The language into which the source language text is translated.

• Translation Quality
• Revised Translations (T+E)

The revised translation is correct in terms of its spelling, punctuation, grammar, lan­guage use and style, and its content corresponds to that of the source language text. Obviously, even revised translations can be modified further, but the purpose of such modifications is not to correct errors but to tailor the text to individual expectations.

• Translations Fit for Revision (T-only)

The translation may not contain substantive errors, linguistic mistakes, misinterpreta­tions or omissions. Such translations do not require sentence-level modifications to the text; the text can be perfected through minor changes, primarily at the level of words.

• Translations of Unacceptable Quality

The quality of a translation will be deemed unacceptable if corrections to its language use and substance, as well as sentence-level changes are needed to make it accepta­ble. Likewise, the quality of a translation will be unacceptable if the Transla­tor/Reviser or Translation Service Provider failed to use the terminology and refer-

ence materials provided by the Client appropriately or did not adhere to the transla­tion guidelines.