Translation technology plays an essential role, helping to bridge the language gap and promote mutual understanding between different countries and cultures.
In recent years, thanks to the strong development of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, the field of translation has witnessed great progress. Neural Machine Translation (NMT) systems have significantly improved translation quality, bringing more accuracy and naturalness to translations. Advanced technologies such as Large Language Models (LLMs) and deep learning (Deep Learning) have opened up new possibilities, allowing translation systems to understand and process complex contexts in a new way. more effective.
Most language service providers market themselves as having the best and newest technology. All claim they have “the best localization solution on the market,” “the leading translation management platform,” or “the leading provider of localization automation.” If you're looking for a surefire way to evaluate the technological prowess of a localization provider, consider these 6 features of the latest translation technology.
Workflow Optimization
Back in the day, all translation requests were made and handled by email. Project managers have spent countless hours tracking down emails between vendors, translators, and reviewers and recording all of this correspondence in spreadsheets. Some LSPs still require clients to submit project requests this way, but we've moved to smarter strategies.
With the latest translation technology, you can stream all project requirements and track them all in a single, real-time dashboard. Whether it's a system-to-system digital request or an intern submitting a contract from the legal department, every project passes through a centralized point and into the right workflow.
Automatic and Continuous Localization
Most technology-savvy translation service providers integrate APIs to connect their clients' content management systems with their translation software. This is a great first step in automating the localization process, but only if your API integration actually works.
Many translation companies advertise that their software can integrate with any CMS and try to link whatever software their customers are using with their central platform. These approaches often result in integrations that don't work as they should. No one needs hundreds of half-baked API integrations. You just need to customize and prioritize the most important connections.
The best localization companies take API integration one step further by offering fully customizable CLI options. With this advanced tool, your engineers can dive into their own design and scheduling. Custom integrations and processes give your company 100% control over ongoing localization.
Integrated Memory Management
When hiring a localization service, you should see if their software has a built-in system for managing terminology. A glossary and glossary are at the core of every good translation project, and they should be used to help translators successfully implement brand and industry vocabulary. Style guides should also be integrated into the software so that everyone working on your content can translate in a similar voice and create a completely consistent brand experience for your international market.
In particular, translation memory (TM) is another tool that should be included in any translation service. Any software you pay for should actively collect translated phrases for reference, saving translators time and money for the company. Remember that reliable localization providers always maintain the right price when it comes to TM. They won't charge you 100% and let you download your TM for free, without asking.
Tasks of AI Automatic Translators
Getting the right interpreter for a project is a difficult task. Most LSPs assign project managers to tasks, and they are free to choose any translator they see fit. Utilitarianism is pervasive, and the latest translation technology uses AI to break that cycle. Data-driven automation for the sake of the quality of your content.
Once the task is automated, the software is in charge of putting the right translator on the right project. Furthermore, a good AI engine is capable of pairing translators with the right content reviewers, clients, and budgets.
When it comes to automation, it's not just about the end product, it's about the people. AI technology allows us to transform the role of localization project managers into much more valuable and fulfilling. This tool helps users tackle more tasks and be more productive and contribute more to their organization.
Data-Driven Quality
How does your current localization provider measure translation quality? If they don't take a data-driven approach, would you consider partnering with a company at the forefront of this technology? Advanced localization software tracks revision requests and approval rates for every translator, every project, and every client. By translating those numbers into quality assurance scores, you can see exactly how well the translators are doing and how the quality of the content has improved over time.
Data not only improves quality, but also accountability in localization. Translation quality is no longer dependent on the subjective opinions of in-market reviewers, but also receives a clear set of data points that inform localization strategy, management terminology and content creation. If the data reveals low-quality translations, you'll be empowered to move on and find better translators or providers.
Support for Media QA
Finally, the latest translation technology offers a wide range of tools and support services dedicated to multimedia content.
For example, Best Localization has easy access to video editing and graphic design services directly within existing platforms and workflows. You don't have to waste time importing and exporting files for different providers. Whether you're working on PDFs, banner ads, or videos for your electronic suite, you can translate everything in one place.
In addition, the best tools also help to easily complete QA and get approval of multimedia content after they have been translated. There aren't many tools that allow instant alerts that it's time to view content and give feedback. Look for an established localization platform to do so. When all stakeholders give feedback and approval in the same platform, multimedia localization becomes much simpler.
If the localization provider doesn't offer the latest translation technology, it's time to check and see what other options are available to you. The localization industry is full of vendors and they all want to add you to the list of “thousands of global brands” that use their services, but not all are worthy of your business. You deserve to work with a localization company that has really good technology.
When requesting a quote from a new company, ask about the features they are most proud of. Find out how they're using data to improve quality. By asking the right questions, you can ensure that whichever partner you switch to blows past service out of the water.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why is workflow optimization important in translation?
Workflow optimization saves time and improves efficiency. Instead of using email and spreadsheets, modern translation platforms enable centralized management of project requests, real-time progress tracking, and automation of processes.
2. What role do APIs and CLI play in localization automation?
The API allows connecting a customer's content management system (CMS) to translation software, facilitating automation of the localization process.
CLI (Command-Line Interface) provides deeper customization, allowing engineers complete control over the seamless localization process.
3. What is the importance of managing terms and glossaries in a translation project?
Effective management of terminology and glossaries plays a key role in ensuring consistency and accuracy of translations. They help translators use the right brand and industry vocabulary and create a unified brand experience for international markets.
4. How does Translation Memory (TM) work and what are its benefits?
TM stores previously translated phrases for reuse, saving time and money on future projects. Reputable translation providers will maintain reasonable prices and allow customers to download TMs for free.
5. How can AI assist in assigning tasks to translators?
AI technology can automate the assignment of suitable translators for each project based on data and smart algorithms. This helps eliminate bias and improve translation quality.
6. How to measure data-driven translation quality?
Advanced localization software uses data to track revision requests, translator approval rates, and calculate quality assurance scores. This provides objective information about translator performance and quality improvement over time.
7. What are the benefits of integrating video editing and graphic design services into a translation platform?
Integrating these services saves time and improves efficiency by allowing users to handle any type of content (PDF, ads, videos, etc.) within the same platform without switching between them. different suppliers.
8. Why is it important to have QA and approval tools for multimedia content?
These tools enable stakeholders to easily review, provide feedback, and approve translated media content right within the translation platform. This simplifies and speeds up the multimedia localization process.
9. What questions should be asked when evaluating a new translation provider?
When looking for a new supplier, ask about:
- The tech features they are most proud of
- How they use data to improve translation quality
- Platform integration, automation, and customization capabilities
- Prices and policies related to translation memory (TM)
10. What criteria are used to evaluate an advanced translation platform?
An advanced translation platform should have:
- Ability to optimize workflows and automate
- Flexible API and CLI integration
- Manage terminology, glossaries and translation memories
- Assign tasks automatically using AI
- Measure quality based on data
- Integrated support for QA and approval of multimedia content
11. What are the future trends of translation technology?
The future of translation technology will focus on:
- Increasing application of AI and machine learning to improve quality and automation
- Develop more advanced language models and algorithms
- Deeper integration with customer platforms and systems
- Personalize and optimize user experience
- Expanded support for more content types and media formats.
Nguyen Trung Khang - Talented interpreter and translator, passionate about translation
Nguyen Trung Khang is a talented interpreter and translator, with many years of experience in the field of translation and linguistics. He graduated from Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, majoring in Linguistics in 2015.
After graduating, Mr. Khang participated in a professional interpretation and interpretation training course at the University of Foreign Languages - Hanoi National University. He achieved a high-level certificate in interpreting and interpreting, and was also awarded a master's degree in linguistics.