Terminology Management: How Microsoft Language Portal’s Coming End Reinforces Professional Localization

As the language industry faces profound technological change, service providers of all stripes must be quick to adapt in ways that surprise even the best prepared, and many are now finding that includes even the most fundamental methodologies like terminology management.

If the 2019 closure of Google’s Translator Toolkit raised questions about the long-term role of online language portals – critical resources translators and language professionals worldwide rely on for a leg up on new subject matter or a quick way out of ‘translator’s block’ – then this week at least settles all doubt. The sudden news that Microsoft will be shutting down its Microsoft Language Portal after more than a decade in operation is an undeniably challenging development for the worldwide pool of human linguists that remains the bedrock of professional translation even in our technology-driven age. Those fond of the platform have been advised they have until June 30^th to chart a course forward without it.

While it is tempting to dwell on linguists’ newfound predicament, the core stakeholder in professional localization – the client – is the ultimate downstream recipient of any new challenge in multilingual communications. The loss now of two major platforms strongly underscores the growing challenges of operating alone in today’s market, and the need for professional guidance and planning for projects of all scopes. In all, if this decision has left many translators and language professionals in search of a replacement for Microsoft’s beloved tool, it also serves to highlight the advantages both clients and linguists always stand to gain by partnering with a professional localization group like CSOFT with its own set of robust terminology and translation resources.

Below, we look at at just a few of the ways CSOFT can help.

Terminology Management, Glossaries, and Style Guides: Your Own Custom Portal to Localization Success

One of the key advantages of working with a professional translation company is the availability of customized language resources. Unlike the Microsoft Language Portal, which was a general resource for computer-related terms and localization style guides, a professional translation company can work with you to develop customized glossaries and terminology lists that are tailored to your specific needs. These resources can be updated and refined over time to ensure that they remain accurate and effective. Most importantly, they will not change from one document or project to the next simply because a linguist makes a new terminology discovery in a third-party repository; if a wording or standardized phrase changes, it is because our project management team has confirmed that request with the client, and it will then be distributed for implementation to every linguist deployed to translate any impacted instance of that client’s content.  

Another advantage of working with a professional translation company is the ability to access a wide range of linguistic and cultural expertise. Terminology resources are an unsifted source of potential insights that need to be validated for use in real scenarios by in-country linguists who understand both the market they are helping you access and the specifics of your product or service – none of which come from a massive database alone. At CSOFT, we have a vast network of language professionals in 250+languages who specialize in a wide range of prevalent industries and subject matter areas. This means that we can provide accurate and effective translations for nearly any type of content, from technical manuals to marketing materials to legal documents, and in the process develop a unique, client-specific glossary and term base that will ensure long-term cost savings and enable efficient, when-and-where-needed localization support.

Key Takeaways

Translation has relied on technology for decades, and that relationship has not been without its precarious elements. Tech firms able to provide vast resources freely or at little cost have enable translators worldwide to work as never before, but that does not imply a commitment on their part to safeguarding the livelihoods of those users, or the end users of their services.

Ultimately, working with a professional translation company like CSOFT International provides peace of mind in a shifting landscape that will only continue to reinforce the value of localization best practices we never do without, and never entrust to third-party resources. As well as developing client-specific terminology management and term guides, we apply a rigorous, ISO-certified quality assurance process to ensure that all of our translations meet the highest standards of accuracy and consistency. To learn more and get in touch with our team, visit csoftintl.com.