Professional Translation & Localization Glossary

Official Documents & Certified Translations

Sworn Translation in Italy

A translation that undergoes a formal swearing procedure before the competent authority in Italy. The translator formally declares that the translation accurately reflects the source document in accordance with the applicable Italian procedure.

 

Certified Translation

A professional translation accompanied by a statement of accuracy or certification issued by the translator or translation provider. Certification requirements vary depending on the country, receiving authority and intended use of the document.

 

Apostille

A form of authentication established under the Hague Apostille Convention that certifies the origin of a public document for use in another contracting country. An apostille does not certify the accuracy of a translation; it authenticates the relevant public signature or authority associated with the document.

Document Legalization

A procedure used to authenticate documents for international use when an apostille does not apply or when another form of authentication is required. The exact procedure depends on the countries involved, the type of document and the requirements of the receiving authority.

Translation Technology

CAT Tools

Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools are professional software applications used to manage translation projects, translation memories, terminology databases and multilingual content. Common CAT and translation platforms include Trados Studio, memoQ, Phrase, XTM, Smartling, Crowdin, Wordfast Pro and Transit NXT.

Translation Memory

A database that stores previously translated source and target segments so they can be identified and reused in future projects. Translation memories help improve consistency and efficiency, particularly for recurring content, documentation updates and long-term translation programs.

Machine Translation

Technology that automatically translates content from one language into another using computational models. Modern machine translation systems are primarily based on neural architectures and other AI-based approaches.

MTPE (Machine Translation Post-Editing)

A workflow in which machine-translated content is reviewed and edited by a professional linguist to meet the required quality, terminology and style standards.

Repetitions

Identical text segments that occur multiple times within the same project or set of files. CAT tools can identify repetitions so that previously translated content can be reused consistently rather than translated from scratch each time.

Fuzzy Match

A partial match between a new source segment and a similar segment already stored in a translation memory. The match percentage indicates the degree of similarity and helps linguists identify previously translated content that may be adapted for the new segment.

Context Match and 100% Match

A 100% match occurs when a source segment is identical to a segment stored in the translation memory. A context match provides an additional level of confidence by taking the surrounding context or segment position into account, depending on the CAT tool being used.

 

Translation Leverage

The proportion of content in a translation project that can be reused or partially reused from existing translation memories. Higher translation leverage can reduce the amount of content that needs to be translated from scratch, improving efficiency and potentially reducing turnaround times and costs.

Termbase

A structured terminology database containing approved terms and, depending on the project, definitions, translations, usage notes and other linguistic information. Termbases help maintain consistent terminology across languages, documents, teams and successive content updates.

Post-Editing

The professional review and editing of automatically generated translated content made by a human professional to correct linguistic, terminological, stylistic and contextual issues and bring the output to the required quality level.

Source Language

The language of the original content being translated.

 

 

 

Target Language

The language into which the source content is translated.

Transcreation

A creative adaptation process used when preserving the communication objective, tone, cultural relevance and intended impact of the original content is more important than reproducing its wording closely. Transcreation is commonly used for marketing, advertising, brand messaging and other highly audience-sensitive content.

Enterprise Language Workflows

Software Localization

The process of adapting software, applications and SaaS platforms for users in different languages and markets. It can involve user-interface content, product terminology, help content and other language-dependent elements of the product experience.

 

 

 

Internationalization (i18n)

The process of designing and developing software so that it can support multiple languages, locales and regional requirements without requiring major structural changes for each new market. Internationalization creates the technical foundation for subsequent localization.

 

Localization (l10n)

The linguistic, cultural and functional adaptation of software, digital products or content for a specific target market or audience. Localization goes beyond translation by considering how content and product elements need to work in the target environment.

 

 

 

 

Terminology Management

The structured management of approved terminology across languages, documents, products and successive content updates. It typically involves glossaries, termbases, terminology guidelines and review processes designed to maintain consistency across long-term multilingual programs.

NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement)

A legal agreement used to protect confidential or proprietary information shared between parties. In translation and localization projects, NDAs may cover source documents, product information, business data and other confidential content handled during the project.

Continuous Localization

A localization approach integrated into the software development cycle, allowing new or updated content to move through translation and linguistic review alongside ongoing product development. It is particularly relevant for software and SaaS products with frequent releases.

Continuous Delivery

A software development practice in which changes are prepared and released frequently through an automated or highly structured delivery process. In multilingual products, localization workflows may need to be synchronized with this release cycle so that language versions remain aligned with product updates.

Language Lead

A senior linguist responsible for helping maintain linguistic quality, terminology and style across a translation or localization program. Depending on the project, the Language Lead may also support linguistic teams, resolve terminology questions and help maintain consistency across languages or successive releases.

 

 

Linguistic Quality Assurance (LQA)

A structured quality-control process used to evaluate linguistic accuracy, terminology, consistency, style and other language-specific requirements against defined project criteria. In software localization, LQA may also include reviewing translated content in context within the user interface.

Consistency

The use of coherent terminology, style and language conventions across documents, products, languages and successive content updates. Consistency is particularly important in long-term translation and localization programs involving recurring content and multiple linguists.

 

DTP (Desktop Publishing)

The formatting and layout of translated documents to ensure that typography, graphics, tables and other visual elements are correctly adapted to the target-language content. Multilingual DTP may be required because translated text can differ significantly from the source in length and structure.

TEP (Translation, Editing and Proofreading)

A translation workflow consisting of three distinct stages: initial translation, editing or revision, and final proofreading. The exact workflow and responsibilities may vary depending on the project, content type and quality requirements.

 

TMS (Translation Management System)

A software platform used to centralize and manage translation and localization workflows. A TMS can support project management, workflow automation, resource assignment, translation assets, integrations, progress tracking and other operational processes involved in multilingual programs.

Specialized & Regulated Content

MDR (Medical Device Regulation)

Regulation (EU) 2017/745 governing medical devices in the European Union. It establishes requirements relating to areas such as device safety and performance, clinical evaluation, technical documentation, conformity assessment and post-market activities.

 

IFU (Instructions for Use)

Documentation providing users with the information required to use a product or device correctly and safely. In regulated sectors such as medical devices, IFUs may form part of the product documentation subject to specific regulatory and language requirements.

 

Intellectual Property (IP)

Legal rights associated with intellectual creations and proprietary assets, including patents, trademarks, copyright, designs and certain forms of confidential know-how. IP-related translation may involve patents, trademark documentation, licensing agreements, legal correspondence and other specialized materials.

 

KIID (Key Investor Information Document)

A standardized investor-information document historically associated in the EU with UCITS and designed to present key information to investors in a concise and accessible format. The terminology and document requirements applicable to investment products depend on the relevant regulatory framework; in some contexts, a Key Information Document (KID) is used instead.

 

SDS (Safety Data Sheet)

A structured document providing information about the properties, hazards, handling, storage and safety measures associated with chemical substances or mixtures. SDS content is subject to regulatory requirements and uses highly standardized technical and safety terminology.

 

CER (Clinical Evaluation Report)

A document that records the results and conclusions of the clinical evaluation of a medical device under the applicable EU medical device framework. The CER forms part of the clinical evidence and technical documentation used to assess whether the available clinical data support the device’s safety, performance and clinical benefit.

 

SmPC (Summary of Product Characteristics)

An official regulatory document containing the approved information about a medicinal product, including its indications, dosage, contraindications, warnings, adverse reactions and other information relevant to its safe and effective use. The SmPC is a key reference document for healthcare professionals.

PIL (Patient Information Leaflet)

A document provided with a medicinal product that presents essential information for patients, including how to use the medicine, warnings and precautions, possible side effects, storage instructions and other safety information. The PIL is written for patients and must communicate approved product information in clear, accessible language.

GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)

A framework of requirements and principles designed to ensure that medicinal products and certain other regulated products are consistently manufactured and controlled according to appropriate quality standards. GMP environments generate highly controlled documentation in which accuracy, consistency, traceability and correct specialist terminology are particularly important.

International Standards & Quality Frameworks

In the professional translation industry, there are international standards that define quality processes, operating procedures and specific requirements applicable to professional language services.

ISO 17100

An international standard that defines requirements for professional translation services, including translator qualifications, revision, project management and other processes involved in delivering translation services. It provides a framework for structured translation workflows and quality management in professional language services.

 

ISO 18587

An international standard that defines requirements for the full post-editing of machine translation output and the competencies required of professional post-editors. It provides a framework for MTPE workflows in which machine-translated content is reviewed and edited to meet defined quality requirements.

 

ISO 9001

An international standard for quality management systems. It provides a framework for organizations to establish, monitor and continually improve processes with a focus on quality management, consistency and customer requirements.

 

ISO/IEC 27001

An international standard for information security management systems (ISMS). It provides a framework for managing information-security risks and protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information through structured policies, processes and controls.

Quality Assurance (QA)

A structured set of processes and controls designed to identify and prevent quality issues throughout a translation or localization workflow. Depending on the project, QA may include linguistic review, terminology checks, consistency controls, automated verification and validation against project-specific requirements.

 

SLA (Service Level Agreement)

An agreement that defines specific service expectations between a provider and a client. In professional language services, an SLA may establish requirements relating to turnaround times, response times, quality processes, project management, availability or other agreed service levels.

 

Data Security in Language Services

The policies, technologies and operational practices used to protect confidential or sensitive information throughout translation and localization workflows. Depending on the project, this may include access controls, secure file transfer and storage, confidentiality agreements, data-handling procedures and controls governing the use of external technologies or AI systems.

AI & Emerging Language Technologies

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

A broad field of technology that enables computer systems to perform tasks associated with human intelligence, including language processing, pattern recognition, content generation and decision support. In professional translation and localization, AI can support different stages of the language workflow, but its suitability depends on the content, purpose, quality requirements and level of risk involved.

 

Generative AI

Artificial intelligence capable of generating new content, including text, based on patterns learned from large volumes of data. In multilingual workflows, generative AI may be used for tasks such as language transformation, content adaptation, terminology support or draft generation. Its output requires an appropriate level of professional review depending on the intended use and associated risks.

 

Large Language Model (LLM)

An AI model trained on large volumes of text and other data to process and generate natural language. LLMs can perform a wide range of language-related tasks, including drafting, summarization, rewriting and multilingual content processing. They differ from traditional machine translation systems because they are general-purpose language models rather than technologies designed exclusively for translation.

 

Prompt Engineering

The process of designing and refining instructions provided to a generative AI system in order to guide its output toward a specific objective, format, style or level of detail. In professional language workflows, effective prompting can improve output consistency, but it does not eliminate the need for validation and quality control.

 

AI-Assisted Translation

A translation workflow in which artificial intelligence supports one or more stages of the translation process while professional linguists remain involved in reviewing, validating or refining the output. The exact workflow can vary depending on the technology used, the type of content and the required quality level.

 

Human-in-the-Loop (HITL)

An approach in which human expertise is integrated into an automated or AI-assisted process to review outputs, make decisions, correct errors and manage cases that require contextual or specialist judgment. In professional translation, human-in-the-loop workflows can combine automation with linguistic review, terminology control and subject-matter expertise.

 

AI Hallucination

An output generated by an AI system that contains information that is incorrect, unsupported or invented, despite being presented in a plausible or confident way. In professional translation and multilingual content workflows, hallucinations can introduce factual errors, unsupported terminology or content that was not present in the source material.

 

AI Quality Assurance

The processes used to evaluate and validate AI-generated or AI-assisted language output against defined linguistic, terminological, factual and project-specific requirements. Depending on the content and associated risk, this may involve automated checks, professional linguistic review, subject-matter validation or a combination of these controls.

Training (AI Model Training)

The process of developing or adapting an AI model by exposing it to data so that it can learn patterns, relationships and behaviors relevant to the tasks it is designed to perform. In language technology, training may involve large multilingual datasets or more specialized data used to improve performance for particular languages, domains or applications.

NMT (Neural Machine Translation)

A machine translation approach based on neural networks that processes source-language content and generates translations by modeling relationships between words and sentences within their context. NMT is widely used in modern machine translation systems and can be integrated into professional workflows that include terminology resources, translation memories and human post-editing.