Knowledge Centre

Glossary of Translation Terms

Short, plain definitions of 53 terms used in sworn translation, certification and the translation process. For step-by-step explanations, see the Knowledge Centre guides.

Certification and legalisation (11)

Apostille The international certificate issued under the Hague Apostille Convention so that an official document is recognised… Certified Translation A translation whose accuracy has been confirmed by an authorised translator or authority, and which carries… Chain of Legalisation The sequence of certifications through which a document passes, from translation to final validity. Consular Legalisation Certification carried out by the consulate of the destination country so that a document is recognised… Electronically Signed Translation A translation certified by a sworn translator with a qualified electronic signature, valid in digital form. Official Translation A translation carrying the certifications required for use with official bodies and procedures, and holding legal… Sworn Translation A translation with official validity, certified by the signature and stamp of a translator authorised by… Translation with a Declaration A translation in which the translator undertakes in a written statement that it is faithful to… Translator’s Stamp The stamp a sworn translator applies to formalise a translation, carrying their identity and details of… Wet-signed Translation The paper copy that a sworn translator signs by hand and stamps in person. What Is a Notarised Translation? Certification by a notary of a translation prepared by a sworn translator, on the basis of…

Types of translation (11)

Interpreting (7)

Consecutive Interpreting Spoken interpreting in which the speaker pauses at intervals and the interpreter renders each section afterwards. Interpreting Rendering spoken discourse into another language as it is delivered. Liaison and Escort Interpreting Spoken interpreting in which the interpreter accompanies the parties and renders the conversation in both directions. Relay Interpreting Working between languages with no direct interpreter by routing the interpretation through an intermediate language. Remote Simultaneous Interpreting (RSI) Interpreting delivered over an online connection without the interpreter being physically present; known as RSI. Simultaneous Interpreting Spoken interpreting in which the interpreter renders the speaker into the target language almost in real… Whispered Interpreting (Chuchotage) Simultaneous interpreting delivered quietly beside one or two listeners; also known as chuchotage.

Technology and quality (15)

Back-translation Testing a translation’s accuracy by having a second translator render it back into the source language. CAT Tools Computer-assisted translation software that brings translation memory, termbase and quality checks together for the translator. Desktop Publishing (DTP) Laying the translated text back onto the page so the document keeps the appearance of the… Final Review (Proofreading) A last check of grammar, spelling and formatting before a text goes to publication or delivery. Localisation Adapting content not only to a language but to the culture, conventions and expectations of the… Machine Translation Translation produced automatically by software, without human involvement. Proofreading Reviewing and correcting a translation against the source for meaning, terminology and style. Style Guide The reference document setting out the language, tone, spelling and formatting choices for a project. Termbase A structured glossary holding approved source and target renderings of the terms specific to a project… Terminology The body of concepts specific to a field and the terms that express them, together with… Transcription Putting the speech in an audio or video recording into written text. Translation Memory (TM) A database that stores previously translated sentences as source–target pairs so they can be reused in… Translation Quality Assurance (QA) The set of processes that secure a translation’s accuracy and consistency through systematic checks; known as… Transliteration Rendering a text letter by letter from one writing system into another alphabet, according to the… What Is Machine Translation Post-editing (MTPE)? A specialist translator correcting raw machine output and bringing it to its final form.

Process and units (9)

Character-based Pricing Setting translation volume by character count rather than by how the page looks, using the standard… Language Pair The combination of source and target language that defines a translation job. Language Pair Direction Which language a translation runs from and which it runs into. Right-to-left Languages Languages written from right to left, which call for particular care in translation and page layout. Source Language The language a translation is made from — the language the original text is written in. Standard Page (1,000 Characters) The unit in which translation volume is measured; by common convention one page equals 1,000 characters… Target Language The language a text is translated into — the language in which the result will be… The Native-Speaker Principle The widely held professional principle that translation should be into the translator’s native language, because that… Turnaround Time and Urgency The time in which a translation is completed and delivered, given its volume and priority, and…

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