Glossaries Usage Guide
Yee
Sep 10, 2024
1 What is a terminology database?
2 Creating a terminology database
3 Editing a terminology database
4 Using a terminology database
5 Exporting a terminology database
1 What is a terminology database?
A terminology database is a systematic directory used to record commonly used terms and their standard translations in a specific field or project. These terms typically cover personal names, company names, place names, product names, technical terms, and proper nouns.
Using a terminology database can effectively ensure consistency and accuracy in translation.
In technical manuals, terminology databases help unify the translation of brand names, technical terms, and product names. In the academic and research fields, terminology databases ensure the standardization of terms, such as technical terms, drug names, and academic terminology. In literary and cultural translation, terminology databases provide standardized translations for names, place names, cultural customs, and specific expressions.
Terminology database in O.Translator
In O.Translator, each terminology database consists of one or more term entries, which include the source language term (source text) and the target translation you specify (target text). Terminology databases can support multiple language pairs.
You can add multiple terminology databases and choose to use them when translating documents. This ensures accuracy and consistency in translations.
Prioritize referencing the terminology database during translation
The terminology database provides a reference for translation, and the translations specified in the database are prioritized during translation.
In most cases, the terminology database ensures that translations are carried out as expected. However, if a translation does not conform to the terminology database, you can use post-editing to make corrections.
2 Creating a terminology database
In O.Translator, we offer two ways to create new terminology databases: manually creating them and uploading existing ones (supporting .xlsx and .tbx formats).
Manual creation
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Access the 'Personal Center' and select 'Glossary'.
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If you have not yet created a glossary, click 'Create Glossary'.
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If you already have a glossary, you can also choose 'Create Glossary' or upload a file.
- Finally, enter the glossary name and confirm to create a new blank glossary.
Create by uploading .xlsx and .tbx
Refer to the two diagrams above; the 'Upload Glossary' button and the 'Manual Creation' button are located on the same page. Select the relevant file type and upload it.
After the uploaded file is parsed, a draft preview of the glossary will be generated, allowing you to adjust the original and translated text in the preview.
.xlsx Preview Adjustment
When parsing .xlsx files, the system will default to selecting the first column as the source text and the second column as the translation.
You can reassign the columns for the source text and translation, and the program will automatically parse them.
After making adjustments, save the file to generate a new terminology table.
.tbx Preview Adjustment
When parsing .xlsx files, the system will default to selecting the first langSet tag as the source text and the second langSet tag as the translation.
You can reassign the tags for the source text and translation, and after making adjustments, save the file to generate a new terminology table.
3 Editing a terminology database
On the terminology database page, you can select a terminology database to click and enter the details of the terminology database.
For a single terminology database, you can rename, delete, and export it.
For entries in the terminology database, you can add or delete individual entries, and edit the original text and translation of individual entries.
4 Using a terminology database
When translating the same document, you can select multiple terminology databases and then start translating.
5 Exporting a terminology database
Currently, exporting as a .xlsx file is supported, and more terminology database formats, such as .tbx format, will be supported in the future.
6 Tips for use
Use in conjunction with Post Editing
In most cases, translations will strictly adhere to the terminology database, translating the original text into the specified translation.
If there is a discrepancy between the translation and the terminology database, you can use the Post Editing tool to modify and correct it.
For a tutorial on using Post Editing, please refer to: How to Use Post Editing >>
Refer to the sample file
Download glossary-example.xlsx
Large volume of terminology database data
For terminology databases containing a large number of entries (e.g., over a thousand), it is recommended to first edit the .xlsx or .tbx file locally before uploading, as this is more efficient.
