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Glossary
Our glossary contains an alphabetical
listing of many of the terms used in the
translation industry, accompanied by
definitions.
Computer-assisted translation
Computer-assisted translation (CAT), also
called machine-assisted translation (MAT),
is a form of translation where a human
translator creates a target text with the
assistance of a computer program. Note that
in computer-assisted translation, the
machine supports the translator.
Computer-assisted translation can be seen to
include standard dictionary and grammar
software, however, the term is normally used
to refer to a range of specialized programs
available for the translator.
For example, translation memory (TM)
programs store and align previously
translated source texts and their equivalent
target texts in a database. When a new
source text is submitted, the translation
memory program scans it for previous
translations, which are then proposed to the
translator for re-use.
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Internationalization/Localization/Globalization
Internationalization and
localization are means of adapting
products such as publications or
software for non-native environments,
especially other nations and cultures.
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Relation to
globalization
The term internationalization is also
sometimes used interchangeably with
globalization when speaking broadly of the
economic and cultural effects of an
increasingly interconnected world.
While internationalization is most commonly
taken to refer to the addition of a
framework for multiple language support,
especially in software, it is also sometimes
used to refer to the process whereby
something (a corporation, idea, highway,
war, etc.) comes to affect more than one
nation. This usage has become uncommon and
globalization is preferred. Because of
globalization, many companies and products
find themselves in many countries worldwide.
This has given rise to increasing
requirements for localization of products
and services.
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Translation vs. interpreting
A distinction is made between translation,
which consists of transferring ideas
expressed in writing from one language to
another, from interpreting, which consists
of transferring ideas expressed orally, or
by the use of gestures (as in the case of
sign language), from one language to
another.
Although interpreting can be considered a
subcategory of translation from the point of
view of analyzing the processes involved
(translation studies), in practice the
talents required for these two activities
are quite different.
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Machine translation
Machine translation (MT) is a form of
translation where a computer program
analyses the source text and produces a
target text without human intervention.
Currently the state of machine translation
is such that it involves some human
intervention, as it requires a pre-editing
and a post-editing phase. Note that in
machine translation, the translator supports
the machine.
In recent years the long anticipated goal of
machines assisting in the translation
process has met with limited success. The
goal of converting information from one
language to another automatically is a major
goal of natural language processing.
The international plaza of the internet has
been a promising testing ground for these
technologies, such as
AltaVista's Babel
Fish. These tools produce what is called a "gisting
translation" - a rough translation that
gives the "gist" of the source text, but is
not otherwise usable.
However, in fields with highly limited
ranges of vocabulary and simple sentence
structure, for example weather reports,
machine translation can deliver useful
results. top
Translation
Translation is an activity comprising the
interpretation of the sense of a text in one
language - the source text - and the
production of another, equivalent text in
another language - the target text.
The goal of translation is to establish a
relationship of equivalence between the
source and the target texts (that is to say,
both texts communicate the same message),
while taking into account the various
constraints placed on the translator. (These
constraints include the rules of grammar of
the source language, its writing
conventions, its idioms and the like.)
The term translation is also used for the
product of this procedure.
Translation is also the name given to a
profession which consists of transferring
ideas expressed in writing from one language
to another. top
Standard Language
A standard language is a particular dialect
of a language that has been given either
legal or quasi-legal status. It is said to
be the most correct language of a nation.
Usually, but not always, based on the tongue
of a capital city, a standard language is
defined by the selection of certain regional
and class markers, and the rejection of
others. This is the version of a language
that is typically taught to learners of the
language as a foreign language, and most
texts written in that language follow its
spelling and grammar norms. top
Translation process
The translation process, whether for
translation per se or for interpreting, can
be stated simply as:
Decoding the meaning of the source text, and
re-encoding this meaning in the target
language.
Behind this simple procedure there lies a
complex cognitive operation. For example, to
decode the meaning of the source text in its
entirety, the translator proceeds more or
less consciously and methodically to
interpret and analyze all the features of
the text, a process which requires in-depth
knowledge of both the grammar, semantics,
syntax, idioms and the like of the source
language, as well as the culture of its
speakers. The translator needs the same
in-depth knowledge to re-encode the meaning
in the target language. In fact, many
sources maintain that the translator's
knowledge of the target language is more
important, and needs to be deeper, than his
knowledge of the source language. For this
reason, most translators translate into a
language of which they are native speakers.
In addition, knowledge of the subject matter
being discussed is essential.
In recent years studies in cognitive
linguistics have been able to provide
valuable insights into the cognitive process
of translation. top Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/ |
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