XTM Xplains
The purpose of a translation management system (TMS) is to help organizations manage content translation for their global audiences more quickly and efficiently. All types of content that an organization wishes to have in another language can be localized and managed in a TMS. Depending on its type, the content translation and localization process will require the use of different tools or features within a TMS.
Does each type have a different content translation process within a TMS?
The content translation process within a TMS can vary based on the content type. A TMS facilitates the overall translation workflow, which typically includes tasks like file preparation, translation assignment, collaboration, linguistic review, and quality assurance.
Certain content types may require additional steps or considerations that require leveraging certain features or tools within a TMS. For example, when translating marketing materials, the length of words can vary between languages and therefore localized text may exceed the limits of the design.
For these cases, the TMS may have an in-context viewer tool, which allows linguists to see what the translation of their content looks like in the original user interface or design and ensure it fits in properly. However, if you localize content in which word length doesn’t matter, such as novels, having this tool in the TMS is not as much of a priority. In any case, seeing what it looks like localized, in any format, will enhance the content translation experience and normally ensure higher quality output.
The future of content translation
Translation of content is moving away from file-based approaches towards repository-based models. With the rise of version control systems and collaborative platforms, teams can now manage and update content in a dynamic and centralized manner. Instead of sending files for translation, these are stored in repositories, allowing for real-time collaboration and version control.
For this reason, it has become a necessity for TMSs to smoothly integrate with the content creation technology stack that a company has in order to extract, translate, and update content directly all within the content technology environment.
For example, let’s take GitHub, a platform that is used to store content for code or software development projects. Translating directly from repositories instead of from files is a big time-saver. A localization manager that needs to translate a file in GitHub in 10 different languages would have to send individual emails to all translators, reviewers, etc., and then import the 10 translations manually, which leaves the door open for human error.
By operating directly within GitHub via the TMS integration, the localization manager just has to select what needs to be translated, and the target languages, and send it off—no emails, no manual import or export.
This system is not only faster and has a lower risk of error, but it also provides improved oversight over version control, with greater control over the synchronization between source content updates and corresponding translations.
Expert tip
Before you deploy a TMS, it’s important to let your provider know which types of content you will be working with. This way, they can give you tailored advice on which tools and features you will need. For example, you may need a connector if you use a CMS, or you may require specific AI tools if you want to localize your website’s chatbot replies. A TMS can cater to all content types, making it a global funnel hub.
Customizing the TMS to your needs from the get-go is a key step towards successful localization, so create a list of your content repositories, even those that you do not translate now. This way you will be well prepared when you decide to look at TMS systems.”
Iñaki Hernández-Lasa
Xpert at XTM International
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