A well-prepared glossary is a valuable resource that supports translators and editors in producing consistent and accurate translations. A glossary, also known as a terminology base or termbaseterm base, is an organised list of approved translations for specific terms. These may include names, technical expressions, industry-specific jargon, or preferred language choices for your language team.
Key Guidelines for Creating a Useful Glossary
- Be Organised and Precise
A good glossary is structured and clear. It should be mutually exclusive, meaning each term appears only once, and collectively exhaustive, meaning it includes all terms that need defined translations or explanations. - Focus on Relevant Terms
Include only terms that are directly related to your product, service, or intended audience. There is no need to repeat terms already available in widely used industry glossaries or general dictionaries. - Keep It Concise
Aim for a manageable number of entries. Glossaries that are too large can be difficult to use and may slow down the translation process. As a general guideline, 150 to 350 well-chosen terms are ideal, depending on the scope of your material. - Provide Context and Definitions
A useful glossary should go beyond listing terms and their translations. Include clear definitions and examples of how each term is used in context. This helps translators understand the correct usage and meaning. - Include “Do Not Translate” (DNT) Terms
Some terms such as product names, brand names, or certain medical terms should not be translated. These can be included either in the main glossary or in a separate DNT list, clearly marked to avoid confusion. - Ensure Consistency
Use consistent definitions, formatting, and terminology throughout the glossary. Consistency supports uniform translation and helps reduce misunderstandings. - Update Regularly
A glossary should be reviewed and updated regularly to include new terms or reflect changes in terminology. This ensures it remains relevant and effective over time. - Gather User Feedback
Encourage feedback from translators and other users. This can highlight unclear definitions, missing context, or areas where improvements are needed. - Implement Quality Control
Establish quality checks to verify the accuracy of definitions and translations. This might include peer reviews or validation by subject matter experts.
You can find a step-by-step guide on how to create and edit your termbase term base in Phrase Phrase here.