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Language Management
As translators, we hate to admit it, but translation is only part of the foreign language communication process. Language Management is the method used to make sure that the translation process produces a well-crafted deliverable efficiently, for speed to market and best value. So language managers become the ringleaders for the entire translation show. Language managers work with language service providers, validators and other corporate stakeholders in a translation process designed for continuous quality improvement. It is the language managers job to make sure that every translation is completed, accurately, styled correctly and on time. The language manager is responsible for the planning and development of the language management plan, which is a plan that identifies available resources, defines the scope and timelines of a communication plan, and defines guidelines for style and quality assurance. The language manager consults with client stakeholders to ensure that objectives are met in accordance with client communication goals. Once the project begins, the language manager maintains and updates a style guide, glossary, and translation memory, and makes sure that the translation plan is closely defined project by project. The language manager makes sure that each translated document meets client requirements for accuracy and style Best practice requires that language managers do not participate in regular translation workflow, in order to preserve authority and autonomy. In our experience, language managers work best when supported by an organization with deep expertise in translation and language management. Successful translation management requires an experienced project manager with an intimate knowledge of client requirements, translation industry best practice, and translation language native-speaker expertise. Language management is a high-order skill and the majority of professional linguists lack the linguistic, technical and social skills/experience required to successfully perform the required task set. Within an organization not set up for the needs of translation, it is a difficult role for in-house linguists, especially when they are untrained and untested, as is so often the case. Even a proof of a professional translation may be beyond the skill set of a distributors secretary for example, with error and delay as the results. 1-800-Translates language management service provides an approach that offers clients the advantages of having professional translators available to manage all aspects of the language management and quality process, priced on-demand, without the need to use any in-house linguistic resources. Based on our experience and that of our clients, we have learned that the first principle in managing language quality is to provide access to professional talent for feedback on translation best practice. In

Language Management

3/16/2010

865 United Nations Plaza, NY, NY 10017-1807 info@1-800-translate.com

most cases, our customers do not have access to this talent and are most likely not interested in making that investment. The resulting review process is then left to volunteers, and in most cases, these volunteers do not have the technical translation knowledge or time to provide professional feedback consistently, along with their other main duties. Through 1-800-Translate business partnerships, we provide training, support and best-practice back-up to empower our clients internal language management resources for better multilingual communication. However, in recent years, our clients have moved away from doing language management in-house to using an outsourced solution, either provided as a separate service track by 1-800-Translate, or by a third party vendor.

Language Management Goals 1-800-Translate language management programs always share four key objectives: 1. Improve translation quality, consistency and impact. 2. Assure style for each language conforms with the client style guide, with branding and productspecific terminology adapted to the particular needs of each audience. 3. Lower costs through increased use of translation memory. 4. Improve language quality and consistency of all suppliers.

Language Management Services 1. Create style guides and glossaries for each target language. Style guide: Style guides are a collection of rules that define language and style conventions for a specific language. These rules usually include general localization guidelines; information on language style and usage for literature used for training, marketing, etc., and also includes information on any additional audience-specific requirements. The Microsoft Spanish-language style guide is provided as an example. http://www.microsoft.com/language/en/us/download.mspx In preparing the style guide, the language manager will review available client resources and consult with client stakeholders. The language manager will be responsible for updating the style guide as needed, and audit work submitted by vendors to insure compliance. Style guides will be provided to each translator and editor as required, or made available to linguists online. 2. Consolidate all translation memories to create a consolidated, regularly updated translation memory in a single format in a single location. The language manager will ensure that translation memories are consistent and in compliance with the style guide and glossary. Translation memory will be managed in Trados by vendors, while remaining the property of the Principal. The language manager will insure the security of this valuable resource in compliance with the policies of the client

Language Management

3/16/2010

865 United Nations Plaza, NY, NY 10017-1807 info@1-800-translate.com

3. Construct glossaries from approved translation memories. Glossaries and translation memory are as closely aligned as possible. As translation memory is altered, glossaries are updated through the analysis of the translation memory as a whole. The language manager will also work closely with client product specialists and any in-country resources to insure that the glossary is in alignment with client goals. A glossary management system can involve many team members. Different stakeholders including: translators, technical writers, project managers, in-country reviewers, product management specialists, distributors, marketing professionals, lawyers, among othersall having a different perspectives as to how a products attributes and assets should be communicated and translated. The language manager will clearly identify and document who is responsible for submitting glossary terms and translations. The glossary will be posted on a web page to provide ready access for all stakeholders, and will be updated as needed or periodically based on client requirements. 4. Improve validation workflow. Our validation best practice requires that any changes requested by the client or third-party validation team are reviewed and approved by the translation team. As part of that process we encourage direct translator and client discussion to reach an understanding when there is misunderstanding or disagreement on particular issues. The language manager then makes the final determination and updates relevant documents, translation memories and glossaries. The language manager will audit all translations, including client or third-party validations, to insure compliance with glossary, style guide and the use of translation memory. The language manager will work with client stakeholder to insure that client communication goals are managed in a process of continuous improvement. Additional services provided by the language manager could include: a. b. c. d. . Reports on the quality performance of translation vendors. Feedback to authoring teams on any inconsistency in source terminology. Suggested process improvements. Single point of contact for all translator queries.

Language Management

3/16/2010