Translation Memory vs Glossary: Understanding the Key Differences

On the surface, translation might seem as simple as swapping words from one language to another, but there’s a complex structure to it.

Professional translators, especially when working directly with an accredited translation agency, often work on large projects where they’ve already translated down specific terms numerous times. In such cases, having a tool that can remember those previous translations becomes incredibly valuable.

That’s what translation memory and glossaries are about. Both are crucial for professional and certified translations, but serve different purposes. If you’re unclear on how they differ, don’t worry! Today, we’ll be exploring in detail the key differences between translation memory and translation glossary.

What Is Translation Memory?

Translation Memory (TM) tracks and stores previously translated content, aiming to make the translation process as smooth as possible. The concept is similar to that of a database, it remembers everything you have translated, sentence by sentence, and brings it back when you encounter similar phrases later.

When translators work on large-scale projects, they often encounter repetitive terminology. So, instead of repeatedly translating the same thing, the TM suggests the previously translated text. For example, say you are working on a user manual for a product. There are bound to be recurring instructions like “press the power button to turn on the device.” The TM will recognise that phrase after the first time it’s translated and offer it up again whenever it appears.

This way, the translator doesn’t have to re-enter the text every time manually. Overall, a TM improves accuracy and speed without sacrificing quality.

EXPERT’S TIP: Are you looking for a new translation agency to work with? Here are the 5 aspects you need to pay close attention to when choosing a new translation supplier.

How Is It Created?

A Translation Memory (TM) is built piece by piece as translations happen. At the start of a project, the TM is empty. However, as content is translated, each sentence or phrase is stored in its memory. Over time, it becomes a growing repository of translated text.

For example, as each new section of a document is translated, the TM captures that information. This means that as the project progresses, the tool becomes smarter and easily recognises repeated content. The beauty of this is that the more you use it, the more helpful it becomes, speeding up future translations.

Translation Memory Advantages

Translation memory offers advantages that any translation service provider would want to leverage. Some key perks include.

• Consistency, no matter who is translating. Translation memory ensures that no matter who picks up the translation or when linguists use the exact same terminology, there are no more mismatched lingo or head-scratching moments.
• Speeds up translations. TM remembers the stuff you have already translated, so you don’t have to. So, why reinvent the wheel when you can just hit “insert” and speed up the process?
• Cuts costs for clients. Faster translations? Check. Less manual work? Check. Lower costs? Double check. TM saves time, and we all know time is money; clients appreciate that.
• Improves productivity. TM lets translators skip the boring bits (been there, translated that) and get straight to the interesting stuff. The result? They get more done in less time and with the highest quality.
• Perfect for large and ongoing projects. Need to update a project years down the line? TM has your back. It remembers everything from previous projects, which makes updates a breeze, even when time has passed, or your team has changed.

What Is a Glossary?

A glossary, also known as a terminology database or lexicon, helps translators manage all those tricky terms. It is a centralised system where pre-approved company-specific and industry-related terms are put together. This makes it easy for translators to share information in real-time for a seamless translation process.

A solid glossary pairs key terms from source languages with their polished target translations (complete with definitions and context). This way, every term is used precisely as intended. Plus, it may include terms that should remain in their original form, so you don’t accidentally turn “CEO” into a lengthy title in another language.

So, a glossary becomes invaluable when translators deal with a vast amount of specialised content. It keeps terminology organised across projects, which saves time while ensuring quality never takes a hit.

How Is It Made?

Creating a glossary begins with identifying key terminology that doesn’t have a straightforward translation in another language. This could be industry-specific lingo, names, and acronyms, all those terms that need a little extra attention. Once you have rounded up your list of must-have terms, it’s time to generate their corresponding translations.

Clients always have a say here, too. They might, for instance, modify terms to make them resonate with their vision. Further, a glossary is more than just a one-and-done deal. It’s a living document that evolves over time. New key terms are added, and existing ones are refined. Every update is meant to enhance its value.

Advantages of a Translation Glossary

Using a glossary is essential for anyone dealing with specialised content. Here’s why.

• Clarity in complexity. A solid glossary eliminates ambiguity and helps manage the key terminology. This guarantees that every time a specific term pops up, it’s translated accurately (minus the guesswork).
• Streamlined translation. Say goodbye to hours spent researching terminology! Many glossaries are automated, which allows translators to quickly locate the correct translations of key terms.
• Cost-effective and quick. Besides speeding up the translation process, a glossary also reduces costs. When you apply the same standardised terms across multiple projects, you avoid the expense of re-translating well-established terms.
• Quality control. Given the subjective nature of language, a glossary improves overall quality. When translations for key terms are standardised, it helps maintain much-needed uniformity across all languages and reduces the risk of mistranslations.

EXPERT’S TIP: Want to learn more about the role of professional language interpreters in today’s business? Read our latest post here!

Conclusion

Translation memory and glossaries both play a role in producing consistent translations. The former helps you hustle through your projects by bringing back previous translations. At the same time, the latter lays down the law on terminology.

When combined, they improve the entire translation process for the better. This is one-way professional translation service providers capture the essence of the original text. They adhere to a system that paves the way for impeccable communication across languages. Every detail counts during translation, and they go the extra mile to convey the spirit of the message as accurately as possible.

About TS24 Translation Agency

Translation Services 24 (TS24) is the UK’s leading translation agency in London with professional translators working in over 200 languages. We provide services to clients in all corporate and public industries and specialise in sector-specific linguistic solutions. With over a decade of experience in the industry, 15+ million words converted every year and 100,000+ projects completed, TS24 is a leading provider of expert translations and interpretation services and an officially certified member of the ATC. Contact TS24 here. You can also read all of our recent articles here.

Follow Translation Services 24 on Social Media