What is Translation Management?

I have an amazing young woman interning with me this summer. In our weekly planning meeting she keeps me on task. Monday being “Blog Day,” I asked her if she had any ideas for me. Nina pointed out that when her friends ask what she is doing she tells them that she’s a digital marketing intern. Going on to describe my website she points out that one of the areas my website specializes in is Translation Management. They go blank. What does that mean?

The problem is that it is not just her friends. When I started building my platform, I sent out a survey. One of the questions I asked was, “Would you be interested in translation management training for yourself or employees in your company?” Thirty eight percent were unsure. This was followed by “Please list any specific translation management skills you would like to learn.” With a response of “Unsure what you mean by translation management.”

According to Michael Coates, Director Of Business Development at ProTranslating, “translation is not just a system, it is a process, a work flow, and a utilization of assets in that workflow. It is a bigger picture than just the system.”

For the first question, you might have said, “hire a translator.” The next two questions are much more complicated. Some of the problem is the terminology. The other problem is lack of adequate training for the task of managing translations.

Beginning with the terminology, there is translation management, translation management system, and translation memory. All three refer to three very different aspects of the translation process.

Translation Management System (TMS)

The Globalization and Localization Association (GALA) definition states, “A Translation Management System (TMS) automates the translation process, makes it more controllable, and eliminates repetitive tasks.

Translation Memory (TM)

A glossary and translation memory are vital to ensuring consistency and repeatability in translations. “Translation memory reuses past translations to improve translation productivity. It works by splitting text into short segments and storing their translations in a database.” – GALA

If we return to my initial questions: If you needed to translate one document what would you do? What if you needed to translate an entire elearning platform, would you know where or how to start? What about a UX interface?

Training in translation management leaves a lot to be desired. I have been quite disappointed by workshops offered at conferences. The Youtube videos also leave a lot to be desired. Googling “where can I learn translation management,” turns up a list of definitions for a TMS, and vendors in the translation business.

Translation is expensive. Not only the actual output, but the consequences of bad translations, as I pointed out in my previous post When Writing Goes Wrong. You can hope that if you choose the right person or service to work with, they will explain the process carefully, or you can stay tuned for more of my blog posts and my free Youtube videos.