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Machine Translation Glossaries

Glossaries

Glossaries are managed on Tilde MT. Terms inside the glossaries are managed on Tilde Term.

What are glossaries?​

A glossary is a specialized term collection that contains a list of terms and their corresponding translations in one or more languages. Glossaries are used to provide MT engines with context-specific terminology, ensuring that technical terms, industry jargon, and company-specific language are translated accurately and consistently.

Are glossaries supported across the whole Tilde MT platform and integrations?​

Glossaries are currently supported in:

Glossaries are not supported on Tilde mobile apps.

What are the benefits of using glossaries in MT?​

Using glossaries in MT offers several advantages:

  • Improved accuracy: Glossaries provide MT engines with a reference for specialized terms, reducing the likelihood of mistranslations and improving the overall accuracy of translations.

  • Enhanced consistency: Glossaries ensure that technical terms and industry-specific language are translated consistently throughout the document, maintaining coherence and professionalism.

  • Streamlined workflow: By pre-defining translations for commonly used terms, glossaries can speed up the MT process and reduce the need for post-editing.

  • Adaptability to specific domains: Glossaries can be tailored to specific industries, company terminology, or project-specific vocabulary, ensuring that MT adapts to the unique language of the target audience.

Can I use the same glossary for multiple languages?​

Yes, you can add multiple languages to the same glossary. Machine translation will only use the terms from the corresponding language pair.

What types of terms should be included in an MT glossary?​

Glossary should typically include terms that meet the following criteria:

  • Technical terms: Terms specific to a particular industry or field of expertise.

  • Industry jargon: Specialized language commonly used within a particular industry or profession.

  • Company-specific terminology: Terms unique to a particular company or organization, such as product names, brand terminology, or internal processes.

  • Acronyms and abbreviations: Shortened forms of words or phrases that are frequently used in the target language.

How can I add non-translatables?​

There are certain types of content that shouldn't be translated and are best left as-is in the translated text. These are called non-translatables (NTs).

You can add non-translatables to your MT glossary by adding the term and disabling the Translate switch. Please, see MT glossary > Translate, Lock-case and Inflect attributes

What are Default glossaries and when to use them?​

Default glossaries are configured and used in translation across the platform: text, document and web translation, CAT tool, plugins, API integrations. Use them for terms that you want to be consistently used in all translations.

I need to use different terms for a specific file or project​

In text, document and web translation you can select a glossary from the menu for a one-off translation.

In CAT tool you will need to create a new MT configuration, then configure the languages and glossary.

In Trados, MemoQ and Phrase plugins, Outlook add-in, API integrations you will need to create a new Access key, then configure the languages and glossary.

Can I use multiple Default glossaries at the same time?​

Yes, you can add multiple Default glossaries to an MT engine. If several glossaries are added to the engine, the term from the top glossary will be used in translation if found in several. Change glossary order with "Move up" and "Move down".

How can I upload existing terms from a file?​

Terms for machine translation can be imported into Tilde Term. Please, see: Import collection data

How to create an effective MT glossary?​

Creating an effective MT glossary involves several steps:

  • Identify relevant terms: Review existing documents, product manuals, or industry standards to identify terms that are frequently used and require consistent translation.

  • Define source and target language equivalents: For each term, provide a source language term and its corresponding translation in the target language.

  • Include context information: If necessary, provide context information or usage examples to clarify the meaning and proper usage of specific terms. This can help other users in your organization if they want to make changes to the term.

  • Review and refine: Review the glossary thoroughly to ensure accuracy, consistency, and completeness.

  • Maintain and update: As new terms emerge or existing terms change, update the glossary regularly to maintain its relevance and effectiveness.