Translation memory is an important tool in the modern translator’s toolkit, and one that is currently the focus of a great deal of discussion in the translation and localization community. Simply put, translation memory is a type of shared database that stores translations and continually updates itself as its users work.
Living in China, the New Years’ Resolutions we made don’t really start until after Chinese New Years…right? For those of us who made resolutions to get into shape and be healthier in the New Year, unfortunately, we can’t put that off any longer as the holidays are now officially over and it’s time to get ready for spring.
In this changing world of increased communication between cultures and the burgeoning digitalization of many of our common day to day processes, it is vital that companies stay ahead of the latest localization trends. LocWorld, an annual conference that takes place in venues all over the world, brings in Keynote speakers and luminaries in the localization field and seeks to provide a chance for companies and interested parties to gather together to learn and share new ideas.
What is TM and why does it always come up when talking about translation services? Known as translation memory, TM first commercially appeared in the early 1990s and has since played a crucial role in translation efficiency and helping businesses go global. Translation memory is essentially a linguistic database that stores previously translated sentences, phrases, and words into a system that allows translators to translate content more efficiently and consistently across projects.
Simply put, technical writers produce documentation to help the average reader understand how to use products or services. Few in our field attain fame for their writing, and those who do – like Ted Chiang, Kurt Vonnegut, and Amy Tan – are generally known for their non-technical work. Find out more about technical writing.
Technical writing differs from other forms of writing. Its aim is generally to provide instruction about a subject to help users solve problems. Because technical writing has such a unique, defined goal, good technical writing adheres to specific guidelines. Here we look at some of the most important things to avoid when writing technical documents.
