SDL TRADOS Certification Program As Vendors Performing Product Localization Part of Its Implementation Strategy

Canada Preserving and protecting the French language in Canada Building an Inuktitut telephone directory Developing a search engine for syllabic Inuktitut Canadian translator groups: tradition and innovation Translation from English to American Sign Language Translators evaluate TM systems — a survey Translation management systems and subcategories

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u ti in ua M l L g March 2007l Language | Technology | Business #86 Volume 18 Issue 2

Q Up Front Q Feature Articles Q 6 www.multilingual.com Q 7 Post Editing Q Region Focus: Canada 40 Preserving and protecting the French Q News language in Canada — Jim Healey 8 Q News 45 Building an Inuktitut telephone directory Q 9 Letters — Christopher Pullen, Jack Cain & Jim Howse Q 21 Calendar 51 Developing a search engine for syllabic Reviews Inuktitut — Benoit Farley & Marta Stojanovi´c

Q Up Front 22 Perspectives on Localization 55 Canadian translator groups: tradition — reviewed by Angelika Zerfaß and innovation — Nancy A. Locke 57 Canadian language technology 24 How to Succeed as a Freelance R&D: tradition and innovation redux Translator and The Translator’s Handbook, 6th Revised Edition Industry Focus: Interpreting — reviewed by Dena Bugel-Shunra Q 59 Translation from English to American SDL TRADOS Certiﬁ cation 26 Sign Language — Rosalee Wolfe, — reviewed by Ignacio Garcia John C. McDonald & Mary Jo Davidson & Vivian Stevenson 65 Interpretation modes require multiple skill sets — Katharine Allen Q Columns and Commentary 66 An introduction to interpretation equipment 31 Off the Map — Tom Edwards — Rafael Morel 34 World Savvy — John Freivalds 67 Patient diversity increases need for interpretation — Michael D. Greenbaum 36 Perspectives — Andrew Joscelyne & Jaap van der Meer 38 Perspectives — Larry Rogers Table of Contents continues on 98 Takeaway — Liam Gallagher page 6 >

About the Cover Signs on the corner of a side street in the heart of Old Montréal refl ect the meeting of English and French, old and new in twenty-fi rst-century Canada. www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual 5 Q Translation 73 Subtitling project uses collaborative tools — Lisa Fresolone 75 Translators evaluate TM systems — a survey — Elina Lagoudaki MultiLingual 79 Culture affects technical writing #86 Volume 18 Issue 2 March 2007 in a second language — Diana Karel Editor-in-Chief, Publisher: Donna Parrish Managing Editor: Laurel Wagers 83 Translation management systems and Translation Dept. Editor: Jim Healey subcategories — Benjamin Sargent Copy Editor: Cecilia Spence News: Kendra Gray 87 Basics Illustrator: Doug Jones Q Production: Sandy Compton Cover Photograph: Doug Jones Q 89 Buyer’s Guide Webmaster: Aric Spence 97 Advertiser Index Assistant: Shannon Abromeit Intern: Callie Welch Special Projects: Terri Jadick on the web at www.multilingual.com Advertising Director: Jennifer Del Carlo Advertising: Kevin Watson, Bonnie Merrell Editorial Board Jeff Allen, Henri Broekmate, Bill Hall, Andres Heuberger, Ken Lunde, John O’Conner, Mandy Pet, Reinhard Schäler Now Live! The 2007 Resource Directory and Editorial Index 2006 Advertising [email protected] The 2007 Resource Directory and Editorial Index 2006 is now www.multilingual.com/advertising online in two formats. As always, you may download a full PDF 208-263-8178 version at www.multilingual.com/resourceDirectory Subscriptions, back issues, Now, subscribers to print or digital versions of MultiLingual may customer service also access this valuable information through e-mail noti¿ cation [email protected] or by entering their e-mail address at http://multilingual.texterity.com/ multilingual/2007resourcedir www.multilingual.com/subscribe Submissions, letters We are particularly excited about this version of the Directory and Index because each editorial index entry is a live link to the corresponding [email protected] page numbers in the 2006 digital issues. You don’t need to thumb Editorial guidelines are available at through multiple issues — just click on the index entry and the www.multilingual.com/editorialWriter information is at your ¿ ngertips! You will also ¿ nd links for all the Reprints: [email protected] advertisers and resources listed in the volume. MultiLingual Computing, Inc. 319 North First Avenue, Suite 2 Sandpoint, Idaho 83864-1495 USA [email protected] MultiLingual News: free knowledge source at www.multilingual.com www.multilingual.com Want to know what happened in the industry today — or ten years © MultiLingual Computing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction ago? Go to www.multilingual.com/news to keep up on current events without permission is prohibited. For reprints and e-prints, please e-mail [email protected] or call 208-263-8178. or search through over 5,400 news items from between 1994 and now. MultiLingual (ISSN 1523-0309), March 2007, is published monthly except Jan-Feb, Apr-May, Jul-Aug, Oct-Nov for US $58, If you would like to receive our free biweekly newsletter highlighting the international $85 per year by MultiLingual Computing, Inc., 319 North First Avenue, Suite 2, Sandpoint, ID 83864-1495. Periodicals most recent news, subscribe at www.multilingual.com/multilingualNews postage paid at Sandpoint, ID and additional mailing offi ces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MultiLingual, 319 North First Avenue, Suite 2, Sandpoint, ID 83864-1495.

6 | MultiLingual March 2007 Laurel Wagers Post Editing

New frontiers

One of the best things about MultiLingual is the opportunity to explore “new” facets of the language world all the time. We begin this issue with a focus on Canada — preserving and protecting French (Jim Healey); the building of an Inuktitut phone directory (Christopher Pullen, Jack Cain and Jim Howse) and an Inuktitut search engine O(Benoit Farley and Marta Stojanović); tradition and innovation both in language industry associations and in language technology research and development (Nancy A. Locke). Plus a Perspectives commentary from Larry Rogers on the situation of private language service providers in the Canadian marketplace. Why so much emphasis on Inuktitut, when it’s used by such a small population? It’s an example of an “old,” mostly oral language of everyday life adapting to its establishment as an offi cial language and to use in everything from government notices to computer databases. Interpreting is our industry focus — one important aspect being the place where the hearing and Deaf cultures meet. This hasn’t been a high-tech area, but new software and video technologies are being developed to address the challenges of that interaction. Translation from English to American Sign Language is the topic of research at DePaul University, reported here by Rosalee Wolfe, John C. McDonald and Mary Jo Davidson. Michael D. Greenbaum and his company summarize information they have gathered about trends involving limited-English-profi ciency medical patients who need interpreting services. Katharine Allen defi nes various types of interpreting, and Rafael Morel describes current interpreting technology from soundproof booths to walk-around transmitter/receiver equipment. Exploring other new frontiers in the language industry, Lisa Fresolone details a collaborative effort to subtitle fi lms about Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus and social entrepreneurship in dozens of languages — a project that brings together new technologies in an exciting manner. Three intriguing pieces of language-industry research address some new questions. Elina Lagoudaki’s survey of translation memory users brings out interesting facts and attitudes from the translators who responded — including (the number that stands out) the 16% who own tools that they don’t use! Diana Karel studies differences between native-speaker English technical writing and the work of French technical writers writing in English. And Benjamin Sargent discusses fi ndings related to terminology management systems — why, for example, a TMS is not the same as a content management system. Reviewers look at Perspectives in Localization (edited by Kieran J. Dunne, reviewed by Angelika Zerfaß); two new books for translators by Corinne McKay and Morry Sofer (reviewed by Dena Bugel-Shunra); and the SDL TRADOS Certifi cation program (reviewed by Ignacio Garcia and Vivian Stevenson). In commentary, Tom Edwards looks at symbols; John Freivalds explains the charms of hotel lobbies; and Andrew Joscelyne and Jaap van der Meer look at the future of the language industry in the second of three Perspectives columns. Another “new frontier” for MultiLingual is the fi rst Localization World in Asia — in Shanghai, to be exact — which takes place March 20-22 with two tracks of technology and business sessions that will focus on topics of special interest for companies doing business in China. Another exciting learning opportunity for everyone! So, that’s what’s new — for now — with more to come. Cheers! :

www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 7 for discussion in the OmegaWiki (www Announcements .omegawiki.org), thereby contributing to the final verification and validation to be GM translation memories made by the World Language Documenta- available for licensing tion Centre. The ISO 639-6 standard will GM Service Parts and Operations uniquely identify all additional linguistic has made available more than 1.9 mil- entities, putting them in a hierarchical con- lion translation units of its translation text and thus increasing the effectiveness memories (TMs) in six language com- of software applications. The elements that binations (English to German, Italian, were distilled during the conference were Canadian, French, Mexican Spanish, placed on the WikiforStandards in real-time

News European Spanish, and Dutch) for and can now be seen and edited. licensing through TM Marketplace. In a parallel ISO Task Group meeting, it This makes GM the first major corpo- was proposed, discussed and agreed upon ration to use TMs for more than just that an overview of the ISO 639-6 stan- streamlining its own translation pro- dard will be made available on the Wiki- cesses by following TM Marketplace’s forStandards at the same time as the Draft model. GM will expand the use of its International Standard is issued for public TMs by directly monetizing their value Technical Communication Summit comment. All interested parties may express through licensing them and in the process to offer certiﬁ cate programs thoughts about the framework of this stan- aiming to further GM’s terminological lead in The Society for Technical Communication’s dard. Upon availing themselves of a copy the automobile industry. annual conference, the Technical Commu- of the draft, interested parties can discuss For greater usability, the licensable TMs nication Summit on May 13-16, 2007, is a what is important for the understanding of are divided into subcategories that include source of learning for technical communi- languages and dialects, written, spoken or service data, bulletins, owner manuals, cators at every level. Whether a novice or signed and other linguistic entities. navigation manuals and base tables (titles). senior practitioner, manager or researcher, GGloballobal MeetingMeeting Services,Services, Inc.Inc. These databases are available for licensing the summit caters to the education and pro- www.internationalization-conference.org individually by language combination and/ fessional growth of technical communica- or subcategory in TMX format. tors with preconference seminars, learning ITI announces the launch TTMM MMarketplacearketplace LLCLLC sessions, keynote speakers and networking of International Calendar of Events [email protected] opportunities. To introduce technical com- The Institute of Translation & Interpret- www.tmmarketplace.com municators to the language technology ing (ITI) is offering a free facility to anyone industry, localization and translation service who is organizing or planning to attend a Welocalize wins Canon award providers represent the majority of exhibit- language industry-related event. Interna- Welocalize, a provider of globalization ing companies. tional Calendar of Events (ICE — www.iti services, has received the “Five Year Excel- For the first time, the Technical Commu- .org.uk/ice) was created for publicizing calls lence in Service Award” from Canon Locali- nication Summit will also offer certificate for papers, training, conferences, product sation Services, a division of Canon Europe. programs, which let participants explore launches, social events and so on. ICE Welocalize provides localization services for a subject in-depth over the course of the includes an RSS feed to speed dissemination Canon’s Office Imaging Products, collabo- conference. Participants who complete a to a worldwide audience and is available in rating with Canon Localisation Services on program earn a certificate of attendance. English, French, German and Spanish. multifunctional device driver localization To earn the certificate, a participant must Event organizers can search up to 60 and the translation and desktop publishing first participate in a two-day preconference months ahead to check on the availability of high volumes of user documentation in seminar. Then, during the three days of the of dates to help avoid conflicts. ICE also up to 23 languages. conference, he or she must attend four includes world holidays and a list of all bank WWelocalizeelocalize [email protected] designated conference sessions in the same and public holidays by country. Searches www.welocalize.com subject area. This combination of seminars can be performed by many criteria, includ- and sessions is intended to develop skills ing date, city, country, event, organizer and Logos Group makes Europe’s 500 and expose participants to the broad range organizer type. Logos Group has been listed among of thinking in a given subject area. IInstitutenstitute ofof TranslationTranslation & InterpretingInterpreting the fastest growing European companies SSocietyociety forfor TechnicalTechnical CCommunicationommunication [email protected], www.iti.org.uk included in the 2006 Europe’s 500 Listing, [email protected], www.stc.org/54thConf the annual ranking of high growth, job- Language services industry creating companies published by Europe’s ISO 639-6 standard announced featured in TTIMEIME magazine 500 — Entrepreneurs for Growth, supported At the Language Standards for Global TIME magazine reporter Jeff Ressner by Microsoft and KPMG. Logos Group is the Business Summit, which took place in featured the business of translation, both only Italian company in the translation and Vienna, Austria, on December 14-15, 2006, in government and the private sector, in localization sector that managed to qualify it was announced that the base data the January 12, 2007, issue. Citing Common for Europe’s 500. researched for potential inclusion to the Sense Advisory’s estimate of the size of the LLogosogos GroupGroup www.logos.net ISO 639-6 standard will be made available language industry, he also turned to the

8 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] News firm’s president and chief research officer, web. Topics to be discussed may include officers for 2007 are Stephen Ryan (Mora- Don DePalma, for insight about what’s driv- web accessibility, international standards, via Worldwide, Czech Republic), chair; Kim ing the market for global communication pervasive web and mobility, and technology Harris (text & form, Germany), vice chair; and product localization. for developing regions. Christiane Bernier (Lionbridge Technologies, Ressner also reached out to Lionbridge’s IInternationalnternational WWWWWW CConferenceonference CCommitteeommittee Canada), treasurer; Matthias Caesar (Loca- chief marketing officer, Kevin Bolen, for http://www2007.org tech GmbH and LCJ, Germany), secretary; and an overview of the company’s clients and Arancha Caballero, board member-at-large. industry trends. Other organizations men- Eriksen recognized GALA is an international nonprofit asso- tioned included Idiom Technologies, L-3, by DiversityBusiness.com ciation that promotes translation services, and Global Linguistic Solutions. Eriksen Translations, Inc., has announced language technology and language man- CCommonommon SSenseense Advisory,Advisory, IInc.nc. that it has been named as one of the Top 100 agement solutions. [email protected] Woman-Owned Businesses, Top 100 Diver- TThehe GlobalizationGlobalization andand LocalizationLocalization AssociationAssociation www.commonsenseadvisory.com sity-Owned Businesses, and Top 100 Small [email protected], www.gala-global.org Businesses in New York State (Div100) by Idiom begins 2007 with momentum DiversityBusiness.com, a US multicultural Lingua Tech accredited with TrustSg Idiom Technologies, Inc., a provider of internet site. This is the second year that Lingua Tech, a translation and localization scalable software solutions for accelerating Eriksen has been included on the Div100 services provider, has officially become the and optimizing globalization initiatives, has lists, which acknowledge companies with first localization company in Singapore to be announced that it tripled the number of new revenues ranging from over $325 million accredited with the TrustSg seal. For Lingua customer gains from 2005 to 2006. Signifi- to one million. Tech’s potential customers, TrustSg provides cant 2006 customer momentum capped a EEriksenriksen TranslationsTranslations IInc.nc. the security of a company that has the back- year also highlighted by strategic additions [email protected], www.erikseninc.com ing of the government as a trusted merchant. to the Idiom Global Partner Network and As part of the Asia Trustmark Alliance, TrustSg the establishment of a European Support New GALA board begins terms is readily recognized by businesses and con- Center, part of Idiom Technologies, recently The new board of the Globalization and sumers in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. announced European expansion initiative. Localization Association (GALA) officially LLinguaingua TechTech (S)(S) PtePte LtdLtd IIdiomdiom Technologies,Technologies, Inc.Inc. took office on January 1, 2007. The board’s [email protected], www.linguasg.com [email protected] www.idiominc.com Letters Atlas at 15th Asian Games Alternatives to costly TM cleaning? Atlas Translations Ltd. provided “Toward a cleaner information environment” (January/February 2007) was a interpretation to Chinese, Japanese very interesting article, and I definitely agreed on the significance of translation and Korean delegations at the 15th memory (TM) cleaning. But I couldn’t help wonder, what if the client is not willing Asian Games (www.doha-2006.com) to pay for these extra efforts, which is often the case? From a client’s point of in Doha, Qatar. Some 39 sports and view, this could be seen as an extra expense since he or she often thinks this is disciplines were represented at the what should have already been taken care of during the translation and quality games. A few of the disciplines, such as assurance process. However, we know this is not the case. What if multiple teams were working on the translation for the same product? What if small projects were requested within a fairly kabaddi and sepak takraw, were new to quick turnaround time and the client sent the material out without reference material such the interpreters. Atlas sent a team of 20 as TM? Inconsistency can occur in various cases. So, to clean the TM to minimize the pain interpreters, including in-house personnel, of dealing with inconsistency on the translation part at a possibly lower cost than the one to assist the competitors and press. described here, do we have an alternative? — M.J. Kim AAtlastlas TTranslationsranslations Ltd.Ltd. You ask some good questions! My article was intended to explain how to achieve cleaner [email protected] and more consistent content using an enterprise-class global information management solu- www.atlas-translations.co.uk tion, which manages the life cycle and workflow of all translatable and translated content. The use of technology to enable and enforce processes based on business rules that define exactly 16th International WWW2007 how each job will be treated — which TMs and terminology database will be applied, which will The World Wide Web Conference, to be be updated, and who will be responsible for each production step — is the key to achieving and held on May 8-12, 2007, in Banff, Alberta, maintaining clean content. Such a full-fledged translation management system (TMS) should Canada, is a global event that brings allow for multiple users across geographically dispersed teams, as described in your example, together key innovators, decision-makers, to connect to the system in real time and work on the different translation jobs that are technologists, businesses and standards routed through the system automatically. The TMS supports web-based access to the system and the management of all legacy support material such as TMs, terminology and style guides. bodies shaping the web. Organized by the These assets are centrally maintained and organized within the TMS according to established IW3C2 since 1994, the WWW conference business rules so that clients no longer need to send these materials along with every job. is the annual gathering place of the inter- In my experience, the optimum way to handle multiple small projects with tight turnaround national community to discuss and debate times is through a solution that provides these benefits. By automating as many steps in the the future evolution of the web. workflow as possible and working with a standardized toolset in a homogeneous environment, The second day of the conference focuses you ensure not only quality deliverables but also significant time and cost savings. Being part on the theme “The Global Web” and will of the solution really is the answer! — Garry Levitt cover the global reach and impact of the Please send comments or questions to [email protected] www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 9 News

Language services professions term prospective member states; efficient Conducted in November 2006, the survey featured in BusinessWeek inclusion of linguistic knowledge into focused on key areas of life sciences firms BusinessWeek columnist Karen Klein fea- statistical MT; development and testing of heavily involved with complex documenta- tured language-related professions for bilin- hybrid architectures for the integration of tion practices, including labeling, clinical, guals, including translation and interpreting, rule-based and statistical approaches; orga- nonclinical, regulatory and medical affairs. in “Smart Answers” (January 29, 2007). nization, analysis and interpretation of a Over 70% of the respondents indicated Citing information regarding the American competitive annual international evaluation their biggest pain points were related to Translators Association and the American of MT with a strong focus on European eco- the formatting of documents, re-creating Council on the Teaching of Foreign Lan- nomic and social needs; provision of open- documents from other documents and guages, she asked Nataly Kelly, the author of source MT technology, including research data sources that already existed within the forthcoming book Telephone Interpret- tools, software and data; a systematically their organization, and inefficient creation, ing: A Comprehensive Guide to the Profession compiled and constantly updated detailed review and approval processes. For a more (Multilingual Matters, UK) to share expert survey of the state of MT technology for all in-depth look at the survey results, visit advice on the language services industry with EU language pairs based on the developed www.dclab.com/survey2_results.html BusinessWeek readers. Kelly leads product systematic translation between all EU lan- ForeignExchange Translations has also development initiatives with NetworkOmni, guages, the comparative MT evaluations; completed its sixth annual client satisfac- a provider of telephone interpreting, transla- and an inventory of available and needed tion survey designed to gather feedback tion, cultural competence training and other tools, components, lingware and data. from clients regarding their experiences in multilingual services. EEuroMatrixuroMatrix ProjectProject working with ForeignExchange. The satis- NNetworkOmnietworkOmni www.networkomni.com http://cordis.europa.eu/search/index.cfm? faction rating increased by three percent- fuseaction=proj.simpledocument&PJ_RCN= age points in this year’s survey. The 2006 EuroMatrix project announced 9055296 survey was sent to 262 clients who signed EuroMatrix aims at a major push in off on translation projects within the 2006 machine translation (MT) technology apply- Life sciences survey results, calendar year. Ninety-three surveys were ing the most advanced MT technologies client survey shows support completed, for a response rate of 35.5%. systematically to all pairs of European Union A new poll of life sciences companies FForeignExchangeoreignExchange Translations,Translations, IInc.nc. (EU) languages. As part of this application indicates that more than three out of four [email protected], www.fxtrans.com development, EuroMatrix will design and of the companies feel that current docu- investigate novel combinations of statistical mentation processes are inefficient. Com- Lingo Systems’ Guide wins awards techniques and linguistic knowledge sources missioned by ForeignExchange Translations, Lingo Systems, a Coto Global Solutions as well as hybrid MT architectures. Data Conversion Laboratory and RWD Tech- company providing translation and local- Objectives include translation systems nologies, the survey also indicates most are ization services, has announced that the for all pairs of EU languages, with a special planning to either investigate or implement sixth edition of the Guide to Translation focus on the languages of new and near- a solution over the next 12 months. and Localization — Communicating with the Global Marketplace has received two awards from the Willamette Valley Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication We are serious about (STC) — an excellence award for overall book design and content and a merit award for your success. the cover artwork. Four previous editions have also received these awards. Co-published by MultiLingual Computing, McElroy can address your business Inc., the Guide is regarded as an industry objectives at all levels of responsibility, resource and is used by many corporations from global strategic planning to and universities as part of their curriculum for training employees and educating students. resource management to the most LLingoingo SystemsSystems technical details of localization. [email protected], www.lingosys.com

Syntes earns national recognition, CEO wins national award In recognition of the economic power of multicultural businesses, DiversityBusiness McElroy Translation .com, a multicultural internet site, recently named Syntes Language Group, Inc., as one Call us for more information. of the “Top 50 diversity-owned businesses” US & Canada: 800-531-9977 (Div50), one of the “Top 100 woman-owned International: +1 512-472-6753 businesses” (Div100) and one of the “Top www.mcelroytranslation.com 100 Small Businesses” (Div100) in the state of Colorado. Syntes Language Group is a

10 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] News provider of professional translation, inter- main hub in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. FQA is a com- new office will allow the company to extend preting and localization services. bination of traditional desktop publishing its capacity to meet this demand. Monica Smiley, publisher and CEO of Enter- quality assurance and mechanical review, WWhPhP [email protected], www.whp.fr prising Women Magazine, has announced a process which requires detail-oriented that Beatriz Bonnet of Syntes Language individuals who focus on the content of the IFL Brazil production center Group, Inc., is a 2007 Enterprising Women of text, comparing against source, using style Idea Factory Languages (IFL), Inc., a the Year Award Winner. The award honors the guides and customized checklists. translation and localization services pro- United States’ finest women entrepreneurs OOpticentrepticentre vider, has opened a new production center and their successes. The award also recognizes [email protected] in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Initially, the Brazilian winners as leaders who have mentored and www.opticentre.net operation will focus mainly on language given back to other women in business and processing, with other functions, such as who have had a profound impact on their Noraktrad partners a Berlin offi ce project management, desktop publishing communities. Noraktrad, a technical and legal trans- localization, and engineering, continuing to SSyntesyntes LLanguageanguage GGroup,roup, IInc.nc. lation firm, has a new office in Berlin as be handled from the company’s main office [email protected], www syntes.com a joint venture with the technology firm in Buenos Aires, Argentina. ehotel AG. In connection, the joint project Porto Alegre was carefully considered — www.ehotelstore.com — will commence and selected for several reasons. The city its online activities in spring 2007. ehotel has an excellent infrastructure and a strong AG developed its own software to manage resource base, being the home of two major the electronic hotel booking system (www national universities. Its geographic location .e-hotel-express.com). in southern Brazil makes it easily accessible Noraktrad’s areas of specialization in from IFL’s Buenos Aires office. translation range from professional services IIdeadea FFactoryactory Languages,Languages, Inc.Inc. and technical assistance to travel bro- ifl [email protected], www.ifl ang.com chures and specialized manuals. The large legal division also offers a specialized, fully Collaboration Changes guaranteed service in the field of patents. NNoraktradoraktrad BerlinBerlin ELRA and Beijing Haitian Ruisheng TOIN launches TOIN USA [email protected], www.norak.de Science Tech Ltd sign agreement TOIN Corporation has launched TOIN USA ELRA and Beijing Haitian Ruisheng Sci- Inc. to focus on the North American local- WhP opens Shanghai offi ce ence Technology Ltd have signed a language ization market. Founded in 1964 in Tokyo, WhP has announced the opening of its new resources distribution agreement. On behalf TOIN has worked with Global 1000 compa- regional office in Shanghai, China, thereby of ELRA, ELDA will act as the distribution nies such as IBM, Microsoft, DaimlerChrysler strengthening its regional position and agency for Beijing Haitian Ruisheng Science and SAP to prepare their products for developing local partnerships. WhP handles Technology Ltd and will incorporate to the international markets. TOIN USA will offer multilingual projects into 50 languages and ELRA language resources catalog a large a suite of services, including localization, has an extensive capacity for localization number of speech resources designed and authoring, content management and work- from English into Traditional and Simplified collected to boost speech synthesis and flow/process consulting, to help companies Chinese, Japanese and Korean. The demand speech recognition. The resources cover market products and services to businesses for major Asian languages in areas such as mainly Mandarin Chinese with some cover- and consumers worldwide. enterprise software, e-learning and online age of Korean and Japanese languages. TTOINOIN CorporationCorporation transactions has recently increased, and the EELRA/ELDALRA/ELDA [email protected], www.elda.org [email protected], www.to-in.com across enters French market across Systems GmbH, a provider of cor- Been getting some ghastly porate translation management software, has begun its activities in France. Emeline results in your medical Massart has been appointed regional man- translations? ager for the French market. Besides French, Massart also speaks English, Italian and Ger- At Nova Language Services, our teams specialize man, and is familiar with the requirements in medicine, pharmacy, chemistry and veterinary for developing international markets. medicine, meaning that we deliver top-quality results. aacrosscross SSystemsystems GGmbHmbH [email protected], www.across.net

Opticentre dedicated FQA center www.nova-transnet.com Opticentre, a localization solutions pro- Còrsega 371, planta 5, vider, has just opened a dedicated FQA (Final 08037 Barcelona SPAIN Tel: +34 93 412 65 00 Quality Assurance) center at the company’s www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 11 News

Synthema provides solution site. Ingersoll Rand was able to localize the of that language. Pimsleur Practice Partners for Italian Home Affairs Ministry website into seven languages. is available initially in five languages: Span- Synthema, a provider of artificial intel- HHotot BananaBanana SoftwareSoftware IInc.nc. ish, French, Italian, Mandarin and Japanese. ligence and linguistic solutions, has deliv- www.hotbanana.com Language Line Personal Interpreter Ser- ered a text mining application for OSINT CConnexiononnexion CorporateCorporate CommunicationsCommunications vice, which can be accessed via PimsleurDi- (Open Source Intelligence) to the Italian www.connexion.be rect (www.pimsleurdirect.com), is designed Home Affairs Ministry. This multilingual for English speakers who need to communi- indexing, searching and clustering system ENLASO releases case study cate with limited-English-proficient speak- — specifically designed to manage huge of online dating localization ers around the globe in over 170 languages. sets of data from different and geo- ENLASO Corporation, a provider of transla- LLanguageanguage LineLine Services,Services, Inc.Inc. graphically distributed information sources tion and localization solutions, has authored [email protected] — provides language-independent search a new case study about globalizing online www.languageline.com and dynamic classification features. The dating. “Finding the Perfect Global Partner: process of accessing multilingual raw data Meetic and ENLASO Pair Up for Multilingual GMSC and MIIS GLOBE Center and transforming them into information Online Dating” documents a large-scale to produce interactive conference can be used as input for strategic deci- localization project for Meetic, a European The Globalisation Management Strate- sion-making and as a basis for predictive online social networking provider. Meetic’s gies Conference (GMSC) will be held on scenarios in either politics or economics. three main online dating services, extensive March 29-30, 2007, in Monterey, Califor- Providing automatic and language-inde- database of personal interests and an in- nia. With the theme “Global Business in a pendent features for document indexing depth psychological profile test were among Localising Economy,” is not an academic and clustering, this system helps analysts elements translated for additional languages conference for looking at new standard- cut through the information labyrinth and and locales. The case study details many chal- ization-adaptation research, nor a localiza- overcome linguistic barriers. lenges that were overcome in this localization tion practitioner conference for looking at Synthema project. new localization technologies, processes [email protected], www.synthema.it EENLASONLASO CorporationCorporation or trends. It is a conference designed to [email protected], www.translate.com combine the best of academic theory and Ingersoll Rand intranet site localized industry practice and to look at localization Hot Banana Software Inc., a web content Language Line Services and as a strategic management issue. management provider for marketing, and PimsleurDirect introduce program The Globalization and Localization of Connexion Corporate Communications, an Language Line Services, a provider of Business Exports Center of the Monterey integrator of multilingual web content man- language services, and PimsleurDirect, a Institute of International Studies and the agement systems and communication solu- personal spoken language training provider, GMSC have come together to produce this tions, have delivered an intranet project to have announced a new program called single-track conference, which has the the European headquarters of Ingersoll Rand Pimsleur Practice Partners. This program fundamental objective to combine theory — helping the company to welcome new allows language learners to practice newly with practice to encourage a high level of personnel through a customized intranet acquired language skills with native speakers participation and interaction. Based on the World Cafe model of participant interaction, rather than the usual lecture format, attendees will be expected to participate fully in discussions, creating a stimulating Are you hoarding “mind-mapping” experience for all. GGloballobal MeetingMeeting Services,Services, Inc.Inc. hidden treasure? www.globalisation.org

Gostai chooses Acapela Acapela Group, a speech technology pro- How many assets lie dormant in your corporate vider, has been chosen by Gostai, a company treasure vault in the form of translation memory dedicated to artificial intelligence applied to robotics, to voice animate its universal data? robotic platform. Gostai’s core technology is URBI (www.gostai.com), the Universal Real- time Behavior Interface, usable to control We can help you to make the hardware and software components in a most of those hidden assets. Visit flexible and portable way. Acapela text-to- speech contributes to giving a human-like tmmarketplace.com to discover THE TRANSLATION sounding voice to the Gostai URBI, thereby how. MEMORY BROKERS allowing robot manufacturers to voice animate interfaces with very natural, pleasant and intelligible tones. AAcapelacapela GroupGroup www.acapela-group.com

12 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] News

Moravia and Tektronix implement partnership designed to further streamline encourage its vendors to become SDL TRA- XLIFF-based localization workfl ow the critical testing phase of the mobile- DOS Certified and will be adding an SDL Moravia Worldwide, a globalization solu- device development life cycle. Lionbridge Certification status to its vendor profiles, tions provider, and Tektronix, a test, mea- works with mobile-device manufacturers by which language service providers and surement and monitoring instrumentation to localize and test their devices for global translators are classified. provider, have jointly developed and imple- markets. By supporting collaboration and SSDLDL IInternationalnternational mented a technical authoring, localization test asset sharing among distributed test [email protected], www sdl.com and publishing workflow based on open teams, TestQuest CountDown integrates standards such as XLIFF (XML Localization test processes and information sharing LCJ localizes Microsoft Interchange File Format) and XML. This across the mobile industry value chain. Windows Vista and Offi ce single source/multiple target file solution LLionbridgeionbridge Technologies,Technologies, Inc.Inc. LCJ, a provider of multilingual transla- connects technical writers, translators and [email protected], www.lionbridge.com tion and turnkey localization solutions for publishers in a streamlined process. This local and global projects, has announced process uses customized deployment of Siemens endorses that it played a significant role in preparing industry standard tools, such as Arbortext SDL TRADOS Certifi cation Program Microsoft Windows Vista for its worldwide SDL International, a provider of global release on January 30, 2007, by localizing information management solutions, has the release into 11 languages. announced that Siemens Automation & LCJ — the name comes from its founding Drives (A&D), an electrical engineering members Locatech, CrossGap and Jonckers and electronics company, has endorsed — was also one of four Microsoft Premier the SDL TRADOS Certification Program as Vendors performing product localization part of its implementation strategy. All of the 2007 Microsoft Office system. the localization engineering teams across Completed languages are French, German Siemens A&D will be undergoing SDL and Italian. TRADOS Certification. Siemens is aiming LLCJCJ [email protected], www.lcj-eeig.com to have all of its localization engineers go through the initial stage of certifica- Springer-Verlag selects TEMIS tion before the end of the first quarter Springer-Verlag media, a publisher in the of 2007. science, technology and medicine sector, Starting in March 2007, certification has entered into a software license and training will be undertaken with the aim services agreement with TEMIS, a provider of having all localization teams certified of text analytics solutions. Springer will by the end of the German fiscal year, deploy TEMIS Luxid Annotation Factory September 2007. Siemens also intends to and Luxid Information Mart software for Epic Editor, and development of specific extensions that utilize the benefits of the XLIFF-enhanced XML files throughout. The workflow simplifies the process for submitting content for localization and provides an automated and immediate conversion from XLIFF to an Adobe Acrobat PDF file for a streamlined language and layout review. Used extensively in this workflow, the open-standard XLIFF format is a tool-neutral specification for the loss-less interchange of localizable data and its related information, and has been formalized as an XML vocabulary. It has been developed under the auspices of the OASIS consortium. MMoraviaoravia WorldwideWorldwide [email protected] www.moraviaworldwide.com

Lionbridge Beijing offshore testing lab deploys TestQuest CountDown TestQuest, Inc., a test automation and management solutions provider for the wireless industry, and Lionbridge Tech- nologies, Inc., a provider of globalization and offshoring services, have entered a www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 13 News

its semantic linking project. This project SDL and Tridion form partnership an overview of its revenue expectations for is aimed at giving instant access to com- SDL International, a provider of global the first quarter of 2007 with an estimated plex scientific documents and providing information management solutions, has revenue of $100 to $104 million, reflecting innovative navigation capabilities in online entered into a strategic relationship with the company’s traditional seasonality. journals and encyclopedias. Tridion, a provider of web content man- LLionbridgeionbridge Technologies,Technologies, Inc.Inc. TTEMISEMIS [email protected] agement software solutions. The combina- [email protected], www.lionbridge.com www.temis-group.com tion of technology is intended to provide a solution that enables corporations to People Teragram powers author content once, translate once and Reed Business’ search re-use across all web requirements in mar- Conversis adds client service manager Teragram Corporation, a multilingual keting, sales and customer support in any Conversis, a translation and localization natural language processing technologies language. company, has added Paul Turner as the provider, has announced that its proprie- SSDLDL IInternationalnternational new client services manager as of Decem- tary categorization, entity extraction and [email protected], www sdl.com ber 2006. Turner spent six years with SDL taxonomy management software is being International as an engineer, where he used to automatically organize interna- Financial gained expertise in the localization process, tional media company Reed Business’ (RB) including software engineering and project hundreds of online media properties. Lionbridge announces 2006 results management. In addition, RB has integrated Teragram’s Lionbridge Technologies, Inc., a provider CConversis,onversis, Ltd.Ltd. technologies into its search engine offering of globalization and offshoring services, has [email protected] called Zibb — www.zibb.com — which scours announced financial results for the fourth www.conversisglobal.com sites from throughout the web and within quarter — $101.3 million — which is an RB media to find the most relevant, specific increase of $3.6 million from the quarter spanishbackoffi ce appoints information possible. ending December 31, 2005, and the year new project manager TTeragrameragram CCorporationorporation ending December 31, 2006, with a record rev- spanishbackoffice SA, a translation, desk- www.teragram.com enue of $418.9 million. Lionbridge provided top publishing (DTP) and project management provider, has appointed Christina Hamilton as DTP manager. She will lead the three-person, in-house DTP department based at the company’s Cordoba, Argentina, office. Hamilton has three years’ experience in the language industry. sspanishbackoffipanishbackoffi cece SASA contact@spanishbackoffi ce.com We Can www.spanishbackoffi ce.com Take You There Jonckers executive management team grows Jonckers, a provider of software, e-learning and multimedia localization services, has announced that Nic McMahon will be joining the executive management team, the first senior management member located in the United States. McMahon, who previously oversaw the strategic growth and development of SDL in the United States, will be focused on the operational and business development infrastructure that will consolidate and support the continued global expansion of Jonckers. JJonckersonckers TranslationTranslation & EngineeringEngineering [email protected], www.jonckers.com

Locatech hires marketing manager Locatech GmbH, a globalization services provider, has announced that Leif Sonstenes has joined the organization in the position of marketing manager. Sonstenes, an indus- E C S E O E E A C N N try sales and marketing veteran with years of experience bringing clients and service

14 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] News providers together, will generate market 11 supported word count formats, including 2.0. The main theme for the new version is awareness and keep the company aligned Microsoft context-sensitive help formats and networking, featuring a brand new resource with client needs as Locatech expands its OpenOffice 1.0 and 2.0 file formats. Addi- server. The new server not only stores portfolio of globalization services. tionally, the new version provides full sup- translation memories and termbases, but it Locatech port for Microsoft Office 2007 and Microsoft also offers the possibility of creating server [email protected], www.locatech.de Windows Vista. projects that allow for the easy distribu- AIT has also released AcroLexic, a search- tion of work among several translators and Acclaro hires able software dictionary of acronyms and increases productivity at an early stage of vice president of technology abbreviations to assist translators, lin- the learning curve. Acclaro, a software and website transla- guists, technical writers and anyone deal- Improvements on the client side include tion and localization company, has hired ing with text documents on a daily basis. support for XML and Adobe FrameMaker Stephen Gomory as vice president of The dictionary database contains over MIF file formats; improvements to all other technology. Gomory has over 15 years of 70,000 acronyms and more than 150,000 supported file formats; and support for the experience in technical leadership and man- definitions. Segmentation Rules eXchange standard, agement roles with companies such as IBM AAdvanceddvanced IInternationalnternational TTranslationsranslations auto-propagation of translated segments, where he developed advanced health-care [email protected] better navigation and over a hundred more and e-commerce solutions at IBM’s Watson www.translation3000.com minor enhancements. Research Center and co-invented a patented KKilgrayilgray [email protected], www.kilgray.com control system for robotic surgery. Kilgray MemoQ version 2.0 AAcclarocclaro IInc.nc. Kilgray Translation Technologies, a com- TranslationLinks’ TPM, OPE [email protected], www.acclaro.com pany dedicated to the support of translation, TranslationLinks, a provider of multilin- multilingual content creation and content gual communications solutions, has created Products maintenance, has updated its Integrated Translation Project Management (TPM), Localization Environment MemoQ to version an online system designed to simplify the Tavultesoft Keyman Desktop 7.0 Tavultesoft Pty. Ltd. has developed version 7.0 of its keyboard customization solution for Microsoft Windows called Keyman Desktop — a keyboard mapping solution that allows for the remapping of the end user’s keyboard to type in different languages. Version 7.0 updates Keyman to support the latest technology and standards, including Windows Vista and Unicode 5.0. Keyman features a contextual input mechanism to simplify multilingual input. The companion product Keyman Developer provides all the tools to create keyboard layouts, including visual editors, character maps, debugging, and a programming language specifically created for designing keyboards. The Branding Pack expansion module for Keyman Developer adds customization and deployment tools so that a user can create, market and sell keyboard layouts online. The KeymanWeb Pack expansion module for Keyman Developer enables keyboards to be converted into lightweight, web- based keyboard layouts for any website. TTavultesoftavultesoft PPty.ty. LLtd.td. [email protected] www.tavultesoft.com

AIT AnyCount Version 6, AcroLexic Advanced International Translations (AIT), a software development company with a line of products for translators and translation agencies, has released Version 6 of AnyCount: Word Count, Line Count and Character Count Software. Apart from multiple interface enhancements, the new version introduces www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 15 News

management of multiple and complex with Google-like queries via its Powersearch translation projects. TPM allows clients to mode and support for more formats includ- upload new files and receive an automatic ing TBX, MultiTerm XML, XLIFF, or Mac OS quote; to view and print project progress software glossaries. It also includes a num- reports; and to view and print invoices. TPM ber of quality assurance-related features for also provides a translation documentation quality-oriented language service providers repository for each client. In addition, and translators, including checks for num- TPM allows for a glossary resource using bers, inconsistencies in segments, or run- existing TRADOS memory files. Clients can ning predefined checks in one step with its upload their own TRADOS memory files, checklist feature. Xbench 2.7 is freeware and and translators can download the files for can be downloaded directly from ApSIC’s use on the clients’ materials. website. TranslationLinks has also created OPE AApSICpSIC SS.L.L (Online Proficiency Examination), an online [email protected], www.apsic.com testing platform that supports all languages. Developed by WebXample, for use exalead one:enterprise 4.5 by TranslationLinks to test the linguistic Exalead Inc., a provider of information proficiency of its contract translators and search and retrieval software, has intro- interpreters, OPE is also in use by Denver duced the newest version of exalead one: Health Medical Center to test its in-house enterprise, designed to provide users with medical interpreters. a unified access point to content and data, TTranslationLinksranslationLinks [email protected] both structured and unstructured, regard- www.translationlinks.com less of format or location. exalead one: enterprise 4.5 offers a new user interface Vision Objects MyScript Notes 2.1 with greater search refinement options; Vision Objects, a provider of handwrit- improved performance for both 64-bit ing recognition and text input methods and 32-bit system environments; file forfor pen-based user interfaces, has released mat support; new management tools for MyScript Notes 2.1. The new release fea- administrators; and expanded language tures writer adaptation for Asian languages support for Dutch. and supports Chinese (Traditional and The company’s proprietary, native sup- Simplified), Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, port covers more than 54 languages, such French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Hebrew, Japa- Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish nese and other major Asian languages. and Swedish. EExaleadxalead Inc.Inc. http://corporate.exalead.com VVisionision ObjectsObjects [email protected] Collanos Workplace translated www.visionobjects.com to German by volunteers Collanos Software AG, a developer of Babylon Turkish-English dictionary free peer-to-peer software for virtual Babylon Ltd., a provider of single-click teams, has made available a German ver- translation and dictionary software, has sion of the software. The German version created a Turkish-English dictionary. Users was translated entirely by volunteers in the can now click on any term from any desktop user community. Other languages will fol- application and receive immediate results to low as volunteers provide the translations. and from Turkish in a small pop-up window. Collanos will work with its user community The Babylon’s Turkish-English bidirectional to maintain the localized versions. dictionary contains more than 170,000 By leveraging open-source technologies, words, phrases, abbreviations and acronyms. open standards and a global development It includes terms from a wide variety of model, Collanos Workplace provides home fields, such as medicine, electronics, zoology, and business users with a team-based business, computers, religion and so on. solution that combines the benefits of BBabylonabylon Ltd.Ltd. [email protected] classic client/server, web and peer-to-peer www.babylon.com architectures. Typical Workplace users are MBA students, small to mid-size busi- ApSIC Xbench 2.7 beta nesses, nonprofit organizations, and mobile ApSIC, a provider of translation and soft– work groups in large consulting companies ware product localization, has rolled out seeking cross-organizational collaboration ApSIC Xbench 2.7 beta. Additions in the beta solutions. version include the ability to search corpuses CCollanosollanos SoftwareSoftware AAGG www.collanos.com

16 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] News

MadCap Flare 2.5 offers development and vendor competition. Frost Europe. The membership of the recently four language interfaces & Sullivan’s analysts examine the follow- founded association grew by eleven imme- MadCap Software, Inc., creaters of mul- ing markets: automatic speech recognition, diately before and during the two-day tichannel publishing and content authoring speech synthesis (text-to-speech), voice bio- meeting on January 25-27, 2007, in Barce- software, has introduced its Flare 2.5 native metrics and natural language understanding lona, Spain, to reach 36 members from 19 XML content authoring application. Accord- as applicable to multimodal interfaces. different countries. ing to MadCap, Flare 2.5 is the first content RResearchesearch aandnd MMarketsarkets Networking Day 1 was preceded by a authoring software to offer four language www.researchandmarkets.com meeting of the ELIA’s board, the annual interfaces in the same product — English, general meeting and a one-day workshop French, German and Japanese. Previous ver- TM Survey 2006 results on new marketing methods. Headed by sions of Flare offered full Unicode support The results of the Translation Memories president Roberto Ganzerli and expanded for authoring content, thereby allowing (TM) Survey 2006 are now out. The TM from 7 to 11 directors, the new board users to produce documentation and Help Survey 2006 examines the relationship made decisions on the program of events systems in most languages, including East- between translation professionals and TM for the next 18 months. It was agreed ern European and double-byte languages systems and sheds light on the usage of that Networking Day 2 will be held in such as Chinese and Korean. With Flare 2.5, existing TM systems from the user’s per- Berlin, Germany on June 18-19, 2007, to language support extends to Flare’s own spective. It provides information on the coincide with Localization World Berlin interface. working practices of modern translation (June 19-21, 2007). Flare 2.5 also combines MadCap’s Capture professionals and explores ideas on future EEuropeanuropean LanguageLanguage IndustryIndustry AssociationAssociation 2.0, a screen capture and graphics editing developments in TM research. The full PDF [email protected] program, and Mimic 1.0, a software simula- report can be downloaded from Wikipedia’s www.elia-association.org tion tool, to form MadPak, the first single- article page — http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ sourcing suite for multichannel publishing. Translation_memory#References_and_ Conversis releases report on Turkey MMadCapadCap Software,Software, IInc.nc. interesting_links. Conversis, a translation and localization [email protected] IImperialmperial CCollegeollege LLondonondon company, has just released a country report www.madcapsoftware.com [email protected] on Turkey for its “Cultural Commentaries: A www.imperial.ac.uk Closer Look” section on its website. Since a Multilizer Lite Localization tools devastating financial crisis in 2001, eco- Multilizer/Rex Partners Oy, Espoo Finland, Membership grows nomic reform in Turkey has reduced infla- has published two new Multilizer 2007 at ELIA networking event tion from 54% to single-digit numbers, and Lite localization tools. Multilizer 2007 Lite The first networking event staged by the investor confidence and foreign investment for Developers localizes software that is European Language Industry Association have increased while unemployment has developed with the most common software (ELIA) attracted over forty executives of decreased. Turkey has continued to slowly development tools. Multilizer 2007 Lite for language service companies from around open its markets by reducing government Documents is an easy-to-use tool for localizing documents in the most common document formats. Multilizer takes care of the support for different file formats and allows the user to focus on translation work. RRexex PPartnersartners OOy/Multilizery/Multilizer [email protected], www.multilizer.com Resources Frost & Sullivan report Research and Markets, a web source for international market research and market data, has made available the Frost & Sullivan report titled “Advances in Speech Technol- ogy” (www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/ c49236). The report provides an overview of the developments in speech technologies and products, a complete analysis of key accelerating factors, competitive challenges, and market/technological trends that are impacting technology adoption in the speech industry. The study also analyzes the gaps in the offerings of current market leaders, identi- fying market potential for future product www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 17 News

controls on foreign trade and investment the information technology (IT) market Common Sense has also begun the Trans- and by privatizing many publicly-owned is rapidly growing, reaching $4.5 billion lation Technology and Web Globalization industries. The state still plays a major role in 2004. According to the report, experts RoadShow Series. “Trends in Translation in banking, transportation and communica- predict that small and medium-sized Technology” is based on Common Sense tions, but pressure from the International enterprises will increasingly invest in IT as Advisory’s review of over 20 commercial Monetary Fund and World Bank is accelerat- Turkey has become the natural crossing software products currently marketed to ing efforts at reform. point between European and Middle East- enterprise departments and language service While Turkey’s traditional economy has ern IT businesses. providers to streamline translation opera- centered around agriculture and industry, CConversis,onversis, Ltd.Ltd. [email protected] tions and its research in machine translation www.conversisglobal.com and translation memory. “Mastering Web Globalization” is based in part on an eight- Gilbane Group content nation survey of 2,400 consumers who 1UALITYISMORETHANJUSTAWORD globalization practice and blog answered questions about their behavior The Gilbane Group has launched a new and preferences for website visits and pur- research and consulting practice covering chases, in English and in their own language, content globalization technologies and across a wide range of product types. applications. Lead analyst Leonor Ciarlone Future workshops are planned for San and senior analyst Mary Laplante lead the Diego, California; Phoenix, Arizona; Van- new practice, with contributions from couver, British Columbia, Canada; Portland, guest blogger Kaija Poysti. The new prac- Oregon; Raleigh, North Carolina; Atlanta, tice complements existing Gilbane Group Georgia; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Detroit, consulting services that cover a broad Michigan; Salt Lake City, Utah; Denver, range of content technologies, as well as Colorado; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and its publishing technology and strategy Washington, D.C. Common Sense Advisory consulting practice and enterprise search senior analyst Ben Sargent will lead the practice. workshops. The globalization practice is supported CCommonommon SenseSense AAdvisory,dvisory, IInc.nc. &SSPS4QZ by a new blog (http://gilbane.com/search_ [email protected] blog) devoted to the topic. The globaliza- www.commonsenseadvisory.com 4HE QUALITY ASSURANCE SOFTWARE tion blog went live on January 10, 2007, FOR TRANSLATIONS with an introductory entry by Ciarlone. OASIS members approve (OWCANYOUENSURETHATTHE TECHNICAL TThehe GGilbaneilbane GGrouproup OpenDocument format TERMSOFYOURCOMPANYAREUSEDCORRECTLY [email protected], www.gilbane.com OASIS, the international standards con- ANDCONSISTENTLYINAPAGEMANUAL sortium, has announced that its members %RROR3PY CHECKS Common Sense releases new have approved version 1.1 of the Open 0ROPER USE OF TERMINOLOGY !CCURACY OF NUMBERS research, begins ‘RoadShow’ Document Format (ODF) for Office Appli- &ORMAT OF YOUR TEXTS A marketing, publications or translation cations (OpenDocument) as an OASIS #OMPLETENESS OF THE TRANSLATION manager who oversaw 500 “content trans- Standard, a status that signifies the high- )NTEGRITYOFTAGS actions” in 2006 can expect that number to est level of ratification. The result of a ANDMUCHMORE grow as high as 160,000 equivalent transac- unique collaboration between advocacy %RROR3PY AUTOMATICALLY GENERATES tions by 2009, according to translation and groups for the disabled and open-source ALISTOFERRORSAND A CUSTOMIZED EVALUATION OF THE localization research firm, Common Sense and commercial software vendors, this TRANSLATION QUALITY Advisory. Rising volume, shrinking job size, new version of the standard provides key &ORMATS SUPPORTED added languages and greater workflow accessibility enhancements to ensure that !LL4RADOSFORMATS24& 448 articulation will create a significant growth the ODF addresses the needs of people 4RANSLATION -EMORIES 4-8 4RADOS in demand for tools that manage transla- with disabilities. "ILINGUAL TEXT lLES tion workflow. OOASISASIS [email protected] 4RANSIT lLES Common Sense Advisory’s latest research, www.oasis-open.org &REELANCE VERSION € &ULL VERSION € “Translation Workflow Management: Man- 0LEASE ADD LOCAL TAXES WHERE APPROPRIATE aging Workflow for Multilingual Publish- Services 3ERVER BASED VERSION ALSO AVAILABLE ing and Website Globalization,” examines factors driving demand; defines four buyer New website for multilingual types; maps system features into mean- medical healthcare ingful subcategories; and outlines the InterLingua Medical Publishing, a transla- adoption strategies available for translation and interpretation services provider, has tion management systems. The research launched www.factsabouthealth.com — a $/' $OKUMENTATION OHNE 'RENZEN 'MB( is relevant both to enterprise buyers of website where multilingual health adviso- % -AIL INFO DOG GMBHDE translation services and technology as well ries can be downloaded and distributed by WWWDOG GMBHDE s WWWMULTILINGUAL PRODUCTSCOM as to language service providers looking to hospital administrators, nurses, doctors and automate their translation operations. so on. Information can be downloaded in as

18 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] News many as five languages on everything from and traditional classroom training sessions JustSystems has also underwritten a new AIDS prevention to whooping cough. The carried out by associations and partners, Harte-Hanks Aberdeen Group research report advisories are available in PDF format and across is now also offering interactive tuto- focused on the use of next-generation cost $3.99 each. Once downloaded, hospital rials for freelance translators. These tutori- technologies for addressing time, cost and personnel can print as many copies of the als can be started at any time, and the user resource constraints for publishing through information as needed. can work through them at his or her own multiple channels in multiple languages. “The IInterLinguanterLingua MMedicaledical PPublishingublishing pace. Interactive elements ensure that the Next-Generation Product Documentation [email protected] contents offered are actually understood Benchmark Report: Getting Past the ‘Throw www.thetranslationstation.com and can then be put into practice when It over the Wall’ Approach,” reveals tech- working with across. Currently, only German nologies and processes used by best-in-class Olympia Medical Center goes live and English versions are available. French companies and shows how top performers with Martti interpretation service and Spanish versions as well as tutorials on in structured documentation authoring hit Language Access Network, an interpreta- project management will follow. product launch dates every time. tion services provider, is now providing live aacrosscross SystemsSystems GmbHGmbH JJustSystemsustSystems [email protected] video interpretation services at Olympia [email protected], www.across.net www.justsystems.com Medical Center, Los Angeles, California. The service, known as Martti (My Accessible JustSystems unveils program, Real-Time Trusted Interpreter), is available underwrites research report Corrections: free to patients 24 hours a day, 365 days JustSystems, Inc., a global enterprise The caption for the screenshot on a year. Through a services agreement, Lan- software company, has unveiled its new page 36 of the October/November 2006 guage Access Network will provide Olympia Xelerate Partner Program. The four-tier issue stated that the language on that Medical Center’s Emergency Department program, whose categories include Strate- web page was Spanish — it was Brazilian with live video interpretation services in gic Partner, Premier Certified, Certified and Portuguese. 150 languages, including American Sign Associate designations, has been created In the January/February 2007 review, “A comparison of translation QA products” Language. Olympia Medical Center’s most to reflect its focus on partners that will by Andrei Gerasimov, the prices of prod- requested languages include Farsi, Korean, add value to its XMetaL content life cycle uct licenses were switched in Table 2. The Russian and Spanish. solutions. Whether partners offer content next-to-last line should read: “License LLanguageanguage AccessAccess Network,Network, Inc.Inc. conversion, management, publishing or price (price of one user license) Trados www.languageaccessnetwork.com localization software complementary to $895, WordFast from €90, QAD $1,000.” XMetaL, the program reaffirms JustSys- Also in the January/February issue, across offers interactive tems’ commitment to work in partnership Yves Savourel intended to refer (page 54) tutorials for freelance translators with vendors to provide complete content to his article “XML Technologies and the across Systems GmbH, a manufacturer life cycle solutions and services to custom- Localization Process,“ which appeared in of corporate translation management soft- ers. The first three partners to the program issue October/November 2000. We apolo- gize for changing it to refer to a review of ware, is breaking new ground in knowledge are XyEnterprise Inc., Ovidius GmbH and his book (January/February 2002). transfer. In addition to web-based online Commandtext, Inc. No Complications. No Side Effects. www.fxtrans.com

Medical translations you can trust. www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 19 Powerful partners for successful projects

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STAR – Your single-source partner for information services & tools March 2007 Localization Certiﬁ cation Program April 25-27, 2007, in Marseille, France. CSU Chico Continuing Education TAUS Summit C March 15-16, 2007, in Taos, New Mexico USA. [email protected], http://rce.csuchico.edu/localize a TAUS, [email protected] The European Text Analytics Summit www.translationautomation.com/meetings.php l April 26-27, 2007, in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. en DCCA 2007 textanalyticsnews.com, [email protected] www.textanalyticsnews.com/europe07

March 19-22, 2007, in Irbid, Jordan. d Jordan University of Science and Technology Localization Management Roundtable ar [email protected], www.cis.just.edu.jo/dcca2007 April 29-May 2, 2007, in Santa Cruz, California USA. The Localization Institute, [email protected] Localization World Shanghai www.localizationinstitute.com March 20-22, 2007, in Shanghai, China. Localization World Ltd., [email protected] May www.localizationworld.com/lwshang2007 International Terminology Symposium Fifteenth Annual WritersUA Conference May 2-4, 2007, in Gatineau, Québec, Canada. March 25-28, 2007, in Long Beach, California USA. Université du Québec en Outaouais, [email protected] WinWriters, Inc., [email protected] www.uqo.ca/terminologie2007 www.writersua.com/ohc07/index.html WWW2007 Content Management Strategies/ May 8-12, 2007, in Banff, Alberta, Canada. DITA North America Conference 2007 International WWW Conference Committee, http://www2007.org March 26-28, 2007, in Boston, Massachusetts USA. STC 54th Annual Conference The Center for Information-Development Management May 13-16, 2007, in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA. [email protected], www.cm-strategies.com Society for Technical Communication Globalisation Management Strategies Spring 2007 [email protected], www.stc.org/54thConf March 29-30, 2007, in Monterey, California USA. June Globalisation Management Strategies Group and MIIS [email protected], www.globalisation.org 2007 STC Israel Convention June 4, 2007, in Herzliya, Israel. April Israeli Chapter of STC, [email protected] FIT Fifth Asian Translators’ Forum www.stc-israel.org.il/ChapterInfo/2007_Convention/2007IC_home.htm April 11-12, 2007, in Bogor, Indonesia. SLAM 2007 Association of Indonesian Translators/Himpunan Penerjemah Indonesia June 6-7, 2007, in Denver, Colorado USA. [email protected], http://wartahpi.org/asia_forum.php Webcom Communications Corp., [email protected] www.softwarebusinessonline.com/slam_conf2007_index.htm Critical Link 5 April 11-15, 2007, in Sydney, Australia. TAUS Executive Forum Critical Link 5, [email protected], www.criticallink2007.com June 7-8, 2007, in San Francisco, California USA. Global Diversity Career Expo & Multilingual Job Fair TAUS, [email protected] www.translationautomation.com/meetings.php April 15-17, 2007, in Baltimore, Maryland USA. MultiLingualPros.com, www.multilingualpros.com/events.php 2007 Localization Certifi cation Program AIIMExpo June 12-14, 2007, in Chico, California USA. April 16-19, 2007, in Boston, Massachusetts USA. CSU Chico Continuing Education, [email protected] Questex Media Group, Inc., [email protected], www.aiimexpo.com http://rce.csuchico.edu/localize PALC 2007 Advanced Training in Localization Project Management April 19-22, 2007, in Lódz, Poland. June 15-16, 2007, in Chico, California USA. University of Lódz, [email protected], http://palc.ia.uni.lodz.pl CSU Chico Continuing Education, [email protected] http://rce.csuchico.edu/localize ITI — 21st Birthday International Conference April 21-22, 2007, in London, UK. Localization World Berlin Institute of Translation and Interpreting June 19-21, 2007, in Berlin, Germany. [email protected], www.iti.org.uk Localization World Ltd., www.localizationworld.com www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 21 22 localization, andweallask ourselves: localization. Qualityis amuchdiscussed topicin correctly from thebeginningofproject. areas thatcan costalotofmoneyifnothandled Carla DiFranco gives apractitioner’s viewonthe support oflocalizationactivities. Inher article “Localizationcost,” the needtodocumentalso theROIontechnologyinvestments in Lynch uses somecasestudiesontheintroduction ofGMStoshow system] technology makingthelocalizationbusiness case,”Clove practices of50 UScompanies. In“GMS [globalizationmanagement DePalma shares informationfrom his research onthelocalization his article“Quantifying thereturn onlocalization investment,” Don for comparison yet, andwhatmightbe donetocontrol thecost.In needs togointotheROI—even thoughthere are nohard numbers overview over thedifferent areas where costscomefrom, whatcost where you willneedthis specifi most interesting nowandleave others foratimeinthefuture from cover tocover butwillpickandchoosethepartsthatare time inlocalizationprojects, you probably won’tread this book — tobetterunderstand thecomplexitiesinlocalizationprojects. ing intheindustry orthattheyhave alotofexperiencetheirown help anybodyinvolved inlocalization—beitthattheyare just start- how-tos show adeepunderstanding ofthematters in handandcan examples from theirown personal experiences. Thedos, don’tsand share theirknowledgeon thekeyissues inlocalization,oftenwith | K MultiLingual Chapter 2discusses thequalityaspect of Chapter 1takesalookatcostandROIcalculation.Itoffers agood well aschecklists withdetaileddescriptions onthe — andprovides awealthofbackground information as investment), standards oreducationfrom different sides as terminologymanagement,costandROI(return on group ofarticlesinachapterdiscusses akeytopic—such formative articlesonthekeyaspects oflocalization.Each Q As notalltopicswillbeequallyimportantatoneandthesame In seven chapters on356 pages, practitioners from ourindustry and Reviews Keiran J.Dunnehascollectedanumberofhighlyin- What is quality? hows ofthechecklist items. ac 07 [email protected] March2007 variety oflocalizationprofessionals Useful informationfroma Reviewed byAngelikaZerfaß Localization on Perspectives c information. c whys related processes. tools andlocalization- trainer fortranslation freelance consultantand Angelika Zerfaßisa games have evolved intoacomplexsystem where thelocalizerhasto article “Issues inlocalizingcomputergames,” Frank Dietzshows how its distinguishing features compared tosoftware localization.Inhis is re-created inthetarget languages. example, text is notsimply“translated” butthemessage ofthetext to beadaptedthespecifi correspondence asitcomesfrom themanufacturing industry needs guistic ones. Heshows howtheideaofqualityasaone-to-one applicable toallareas oflocalizationactivities, especially thelin- from thequalitydefi horse: pages, $138/ 2006. Hardcover,356 Mono graph SeriesXIII), Benjamins (ATAScholarly Localization. ed. on Perspectives Chapter 3 looks at the unique challenges of game localization and Chapter 3looks attheuniquechallengesofgamelocalizationand Kieran J.Dunne.John Rethinking localization quality management” as coming Rethinking localizationqualitymanagement”ascoming € 115. nition ofmanufacturing,whichis notreally dubbing and subtitling, game objects and dubbing andsubtitling,gameobjects deal withuser interfaces, error messages, internationalization and separation of code internationalization andseparation ofcode software localizationprojects knowabout It seems thatalthoughmostdevelopers in installation descriptions, tonamebutafew. missions, maps, question/answer systems and c contextoflocalization,where, for article “Putting the cart behind the article “Puttingthecartbehind ines ourperception ofqualityinhis the client’s. Keiran J.Dunneexam- — thetranslator’s, theagency’s and cles from three different perspectives quality andsolutions tothoseobsta- Scott Bassexplores theobstaclesto or badquality? of thetarget languageproduct? could heorshe defi his orhertarget market — sohow or language-specifi or she doesnotknowthecultural sourced thelocalizationbecause he Is itreally theclient— who out- how? Q Q Q In “Quality in the real world,” In “Qualityinthereal world,” What are thereasons forgood Who defi Can qualitybemeasured and nes whatqualityis? c conventions in ne thequality Reviews from text, the world of game localization standards such as the ones created by OSCAR the expectations before the project, and the has not yet reached this level everywhere. (TMX, SRX, TBX, GMX-V) and OASIS (XLIFF) actual results of what could be achieved Also, translators will not only have to have in his article on “Localization standards, afterwards. subject matter expertise but, for fantasy knowledge-centric and information-centric We see that localization projects are very games, a love for playing themselves and a business models, and the commoditization complex, so don’t expect a one-size-fi ts-all lot of creativity, too. Eric Heimburg describes of linguistic information.” This is followed calculation template or simple checklist! yet another layer of complexity in his article by a look at the myriad of language stan- But the checklists available in this book do on “Localizing MMORPGs [massively-multi- dards such as various markup languages, offer useful information on when and how player online role-playing games]” where a standards for content creation, translation the checklist items can be applied. It will lot of people communicate, playing the or locale-related standards and their cre- still be your own decision which of these same game at the same time in different ation processes by Sue Ellen Wright in “The points are important for your own project, languages. creation and application of language indus- and they may be different for different In Chapter 4 the focus is on terminology try standards.” The article also contains a projects. management and here source-language comprehensive discussion on standards for As a suggestion for future articles/books terminology management and terminology quality control and quality assurance, such of this kind, I would like to see a less US- management workfl ow in specifi c. We all as the ISO 9000 family, SAE J2450 and the centric focus as well as more on multime- know terminology management should LISA QA model. dia localization. Maybe a “best practices” be done and that it will help to improve Chapter 7 discusses the topics of user-cen- collection on certain topics could follow consistency, accuracy and usability. And tric design and the corpus-based approach or some case studies on the collaboration we all know that it is seldom done because to localization. User-centric design is not between the industry and educational insti- of the cost of time, money and resources only a localization topic, but, when dealing tutions. Also, the whole range of tools and and because it would also require a certain with design of any product, localizability technologies, though touched on in various amount of centralization, which means should always be a consideration. In “Meld- articles, still holds a lot of potential. somebody has to take responsibility for ing Paradigms,” Susan M. Dray and David A. I’m looking forward to more reading terminology management. Siegel show how in user-centric design the material such as this! M Robin Lombard gives some interest- specifi cation of the users and the context ing calculations in “A practical case for of use of the product come fi rst and then managing source-language terminology” the defi nition of the requirements followed on the savings that might be achieved by the product design itself. At the end the George Bell’s by managing terminology correctly. The design is evaluated with a usability test. article gives a lot of helpful information The examples provided in the article illus- Index of Ch nese Characters IIndexndex ofof on what needs to be counted and calcu- trate quite clearly the use of a user-centric With Attributes lated in order to be able to estimate the design process. Gregory Shreve focuses on I fu ly searchab e pdf format and including Unicode A quick and CChinesehinese easy index

ROI for terminology work. the corpus-based approach for localization (FPSHF & #FMM XJUI +PZ ;IBP 3PV[FS In “Terminology workfl ow in the localiza- in his article “Corpus enhancement and CCharactersharacters tion process,” Barbara Inge Karsch focuses computer-assisted localization and trans- WWithith MultiLingual Press À on terminology management as knowledge lation.” He details the constraints of most © Geo ge E Be • A r gh s reserved management, where knowledge is gathered conventional translation memory systems, AAttributesttributes from different parts of the company, where mainly their sentence-level and out-of- entry creation and structure are standard- context processing of text and suggests to Th ree completely searchable ized so that re-use is improved, and where enhance the current system with domain- volumes delivered on one the terminology management process is specifi c corpora that can contain different seen as an ongoing process. kinds of meta data, for researching terms compact disc Chapter 5 deals with the topic localiza- and phrases in context. tion education. In “A discipline coming of age in the digital age,” Debbie Folaron Summary describes the necessity to defi ne what I found most of the articles full of useful localization is and what skills students information, especially the checklists, even should be taught in order to provide what for somebody like me who has been in the the localization industry needs. The article industry for almost ten years now. This lists a comprehensive set of competences book can well be used as a reference over in cultural, technological and manage- and over again, when you want to check, ment issues. if you have thought about all there is to In Chapter 6, the focal point is the stan- consider in localization projects, be it cost dards that have evolved in the localization calculation for an ROI, quality, terminology industry over the past years because of or specifi cs such as localizing games. From MultiLingual Press an increasing abstraction of content from I sometimes missed concrete data. For representation as well as the development example, when case studies were mentioned, Order yours at www of translation tools. Arle Lommel gives an I would have liked to know more about how .multilingual.com/eBooks overview of some of the most well-known much time implementation took, what were www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 23 Reviews

How to Succeed as a Freelance Translator and The Translator’s Handbook, 6th Revised Edition

Reviewed by Dena Bugel-Shunra Two how-to books are valuable resources for translators

Falling into it — that’s how most of my colleagues describe their careers. Not as mapped, planned-out, charted life choices but rather a usually happy set of coincidences and disasters which led them to their to the Universe that since such Fhome-based offi ces and the stack of invoices they is- resources are indeed available now, they ought to be used. sue every month. This means that most of us have learned the hard way, winging it as we go. Corinne McKay’s patient instruction Even the translators who have had the foresight — and oppor- McKay’s book has a defi nite tunity — to study translation as an academic discipline fi nd the advantage of better writing. As transition from school to a freelance practice perplexing. Transla- you read it, you get the sense tion schools tend to prepare students for in-house positions at of hearing the words of an best, and students are not prepared to function as independently experienced mentor. She covers acting agents in the market. How do you get started? How much the ground from certifi cation do you charge? What can you earn? And who is willing to pay? to business growth, leaving no One of the side effects of globalization has been a boom in important aspect of the busi- our industry, a vortex that has sucked in many novices who How to Succeed as a Freelance ness untouched. Indeed, even have needed accessible instruction in the actual getting-started Translator. Corinne McKay, someone who has been in the aspects of freelance work. Corinne McKay’s How to Succeed Self-published (via Lulu com), translation business for many as a Freelance Translator and Morry Sofer’s The Translator’s May 2006. Paperback, 148 years will fi nd useful answers Handbook, 6th Revised Edition, offer a helping hand and some pages, $19.95. here to questions that come up advice for every stage of professional life, starting with the in a day of work. decision whether to become a freelance translator at all and The book’s strength is in the business details. It covers the tricky all the way through to how a seasoned translator handles non- early part of a business, including résumés and the fi nding of paying clients. clients. McKay includes a sample invoice as well as those hard-to- Given a time machine, it would be great to go back to the phrase dunning letters. Her list of ten ways to please a translation heady days when translation was the fastest route I could come client ought to be required reading for everyone in the language up with to make my rent and have either of these books available industry. to answer some perplexing questions that came up when I was What I liked best about this book was its tone. Whether McKay starting out. In the absence of time machines, I’ll just put it out is telling you how to raise your rates or how to phrase your qualifi cations, you get the sense that she sees her reader as a respected colleague. The information is solid and is delivered pleasantly. She Dena Bugel-Shunra, business development manager of has broken down the business skills a translator needs into man- Shunra LLC, has translated in and out of Hebrew since ageable bites, right down to the handling of a feast-or-famine 1989 and done localization on a variety of computers. market and the ins and outs of billing and collection. She also translates legal and fi nancial texts for Some of the business information is US-specifi c. Transla- attorneys specializing in the high-tech market. tors working in other countries should consult accounting and

24 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Reviews legal professionals near them to be sure would have to keep updated as new and stay legal. But freelance translators revisions come out. everywhere would probably enjoy this I found the text of the book itself harder book and learn enough from it to justify to read. Sofer touches on many subjects, the price and time. For a beginning free- but does not go far enough into them lance translator in the United States, this to satisfy the reader. He covers a broader book is a must. fi eld than McKay, including information that appears to be directed at in-house Morry Sofer’s translators as well. His agency website exhaustive approach examples are taken from his own agency’s The Translator’s Handbook has far more procedures in which he is undoubtedly pages and rather less charm, although it, well versed. too, is a resource worth perusing. Sofer, whose path into translation and publish- Can you live without them? ing went (according to his website) via a Each of these books would make a career as a clergyman, defi nes his mission The Translator’s Handbook, 6th good purchase, and any translator who as being “to help language practitioners Revised Edition. Morry Sofer, takes the time to read through them will in all languages, and to raise the stan- Self-published (under Schreiber have gotten his or her money’s worth and dards and the status of wordsmiths, who Publishing), November 2006. more. Neither McKay nor Sofer can replace often are underappreciated and under- Paperback, 402 pages, $26.95. a solid professional group, but each offers paid” — a very worthwhile cause. To this a good starting point. They are close to end, he has put together a book which all you need if you don’t have time or being the only game in town for transla- lists many, many resources for transla- inclination to wade through search tors-as-businesspeople, and we would do tors, some of which are more useful than engine results. While the appendices are well to include them in our professional others. a good resource for translators, one libraries. M The eight appendices, covering about 200 pages, provide lists of things such as dictionaries and professional associations, translation courses and sources for software. I am of two minds about these lists. On the one hand, they’re great — vetted for quality, with only the best included and the not-very-useful ones weeded out. On the other hand, that’s two hundred pages of information that changes frequently. Why commit the results of a few minutes of work with a good search engine to a page where they will outdate themselves and require further editions — requiring, for example, a seventh revision of the book? These lists may have been immensely useful in a period before search engines, when they were perhaps initially compiled for the fi rst edition, but in the twenty-fi rst century, the concept appears to be a bit dated. That said, the information collected is indeed quite good and will save the reader a good deal of trouble. Sofer leaves nothing to chance and lists seventy pages of translation companies, with the stated size of their “pools” of translators and contact info. He lists translator organizations worldwide and recommends dictionaries for many languages. This book is not meant as a guide into the business but as an exhaustive repository of information that might come in handy one day — an easy place to fi nd www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 25 Reviews

SDL TRADOS Certification

Reviewed by Ignacio Garcia & Vivian Stevenson New certification process offers potential benefits to consumers and industry

Almost a year ago now — in May 2006 — SDL came up with an ambitious plan of putting together an “SDL TRADOS Certiﬁ cation” package. Following on the foot- steps of Microsoft and other big ones, SDL aimed at Acrossing training over from the cost to revenue side of the ledger, while at the same time promoting the brand among translators and their employers. What is the cer- tiﬁ cation promise, and does it deliver? How has it been received by translators? And is it likely to succeed?

The acquisition of the TRADOS company and brand by SDL certainly posed some interesting questions. First were the how and why behind the absorption of an apparently unassailable mar- SDL TRADOS Certification ket leader — the historic translation memory (TM) brand — by a Instruction/examination language: English relative newcomer. Equally interesting though is the where: what Placement Test: Free (but must own SDL Trados 2006 license); exactly would be SDL’s next move when it already had its own TM Levels (courseware, sample files and exam for each): Getting offering, SDLX? Started $49; Intermediate $49; Advanced $199. Each exam Consider the options: do you dump your own creation, a neat purchase permits three attempts. single-package program pushing the TMX memory exchange for- Online training for each level: $250 mat standard? Unlikely, especially if you played a big part in TMX www.sdl.com/certified in the fi rst place. Do you try to strong-arm existing TRADOS users into making the switch? Risky, with close TRADOS competitors banner provides a nice common ground to start marrying the making interesting plays of their own. Or do you try to hitch that old and new user bases. TRADOS brand power — and user base — to your own wagon? At fi rst sight, SDL TRADOS Certifi cation is a logical and attrac- Enter SDL TRADOS Certifi cation — a standardized way, deliv- tive product that addresses important strategic issues. First, it ered online, for translators to show they have the TM chops offers the user a hitherto unavailable standard of TM competence needed in today’s high-tech language services market. Think of that can enhance his or her marketability. Second, and just as all those cries for help we’ve seen from people who’ve bought importantly, it helps differentiate the software itself from the software they never learned to use. In hindsight, a training pack, thereby enhancing the program’s marketability by easing vacuum was sitting there, and go-ahead SDL has decided to fi ll the dilemma of choice. it, using all the pulling power of that still-potent TRADOS mark. With all this in mind, we decided to give certifi cation a run Moreover, putting SDL and TRADOS Certifi cation under the one ourselves to see how it fulfi lls its undeniable promise. Need and opportunity Ignacio Garcia is a teacher of For years now, translators have largely been fl oundering in the translation technology at the wake of one “breakthrough” TM product after another. The array University of Western Sydney. of competing programs seems bewildering, and choosing one is Vivian Stevenson is a the easy part. The grind comes in learning these packages effec- freelance translator in Australia. tively to access lucrative, consistent jobs. Not all translators are

26 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Reviews computer nerds, despite the impression one may gain from some Each exam, including Placement, consists of forty multiple- lists. The will is clearly there, but on-site courses have been scarce, choice questions divided into four sets of ten, with ten minutes expensive and — for a global translation community — geographi- to complete each set. You submit your answers online within a cally limited. Meanwhile, hacking away on your own can be bit- specifi ed period, so time is the only constraint. Nobody is looking terly frustrating. Thus, many who have bought TM software never over your shoulder to see what additional assistance — including get around to using it — as high as 16% according to a recent human — you might be using. survey on TM usage by Elina Lagoudaki from the Imperial Col- Upon exam registration you also receive the courseware (as a lege London (see the article “Translators evaluate TM systems — a PDF) and some sample work fi les. If you are keen, you can opt survey” on page 75). for online training, too — a bit more expensive since it involves So, with such need and opportunity, the SDL TRADOS Certi- a trainer. So, the whole certifi cation could cost you just $199, fi cation program unsurprisingly created high expectations at its should you go straight to the fi nal Advanced exam, or as much launch a year ago. According to a press release, more than 2,000 as $1,047 if you sit all three exams and use the online training translators registered their interest even before training offi cially option too, and assuming you pass each exam within the maxi- began on May 18, 2006. It also created some hostility, from reac- mum three attempts. tions observed on several translators’ lists, including the TRADOS users’ own TW_users at Yahoogroups. Courseware But quibbles aside, winners all round, one might think. Natu- Together with the testing service, each course comes with pre- rally, investment was needed in preparation — the same press paratory courseware in the form of 170 to 270 pages of PDF release tells it took seven months and 10,000 hours for readi- fi les. So, how does it dovetail into the global SDL environment of ness. Yet even after that and other administrative and promo- tutorials, documentation and Help fi les? tional expenses, the projected return-on-investment must still Much care usually goes into tutorial design and for good reason: have looked solid. Certifi ed translators would proudly show their for most (except experts) they are the fi rst and most important certifi cation to fellow translators and employers, thus promoting point of induction. If users establish a good relationship with the the brand and the courses themselves. Employers, all being equal, tutorial, they are likely to love the program; otherwise, goodbye. would prefer to use certifi ed translators, saving themselves costs As expected, tutorial design for TRADOS and SDLX is fi rst rate, on training and testing. When established, the courses would be but obviously the focus is only on the most basic, useful and cheap to run and would not only prove profi table but also gener- straightforward workfl ows. ate savings since a better-educated user base would make less The Help fi les are very comprehensive, but, as the name implies, demands on support. they’re helpful rather than instructional. Directed at problem solving, they’re most useful when you’re starting to fl y solo and actu- Product and process ally encountering your own “real-life” problems. SDL TRADOS Certifi cation entitles you as a translator to use a Likewise, the Documentation tends to be written by develop- nice yellow banner on your stationery, plus a web link attesting ment experts for user experts. Thorough as it may be, its strengths to your certifi ed status. And while you can opt to certify for only are more technical than educational, and seeing too much too one (SDLX or TRADOS), the logo will imply that you’re certifi ed on soon can be potentially confusing. both — which, of course, you could be. Ideally, courseware should neatly articulate with tutorials, Be advised, however, that your certifi cation will only be valid documentation and Help through step-by-step upgrading of user until a new version of the software is issued and a new exam pub- skills. Thus, after the basic entry level acquired from the tutorials, lished, at which time you will need to re-validate. (See the sidebar one progresses to the expertise required to effortlessly understand box for current information.) documentation and to apply Help when a problem arises. The Level one is a placement test — free, but only available for SDL courseware concept assists by fi lling a gap in the learning chain, Trados 2006 license owners. Then, depending on results, candi- providing systematic guidance from the most general features to dates are streamed to three other levels (Getting Started, Inter- the more arcane ones, from the easier processes to understand to mediate, Advanced), each with its own examination. Certifi cation the more complex ones. is only gained from passing the Advanced test, which you can The courseware modules follow the fi rst part of this scheme attempt immediately if you qualify on placement results. well, covering the most-used features with Getting Started and the most specialized ones with Advanced. Rather than having a diffi culty level that ramps up, however, the material remains quite Updates: SDL Trados 2007 and certifi cation demanding throughout. As to content, the courseware does not appear as developed as the New version release in March 2007; certifi cation exam to tutorials. It often gives an impression of hastiness, re-using Help and be published June 2007. Current SDL TRADOS Certifi cation will remain valid for 60 days after new exam is published. Documentation sections without much editing. This makes for con- Upgrade certifi cation exam and courseware will be available for siderable overlapping and repetition. There are many simple gaffes certifi ed users who want to renew certifi cation. Certifi cation (note: section 1.3.12.1 follows 1.1.5) that could have been fi xed with upgrade price of $5 to $10; 10% discount on products if standard proofreading. The TRADOS modules seem to have fared upgrading. Prices for certifi cation program and training to better in this regard — fortunately, since its learning curve seems remain unchanged; discount prices during promotional periods. (from general user comments) rather steeper than for SDLX. Exams and training will be updated based on user feedback and Unlike “random access” aids such as Help fi les, these training features of new product. materials are meant to be read the old fashioned way — from — Information from SDL TRADOS Technologies beginning to end. But they don’t always appear that linear, and www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 27 Reviews

they fall into distracting repetition (see, for Switchboard becomes SDL Analyze in the real and imaginary, are certainly going to example, sections 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.3 and courseware — a silly, inconsequential typo be reported. so on of the Advanced SDLX module). This to be sure, but people taking the course But writing good multiple-choice tests is makes it diffi cult to engage with the text need to be aware that such inconsistencies not a cheap undertaking, and SDL hasn’t and impedes that progressive, sequential may appear in the courseware. developed a big enough pool of questions advance that makes for effective learn- General advice: if you are not already for effective recycling. In fact, even without ing. For instance, readers need to be told an expert, do the tutorials fi rst. They are failing and repeating a single stage, you still just once how the program deals with the the best and most structured introduc- get recurring questions from Placement to add fi les feature; after that, they should tion and are simple to follow, particularly Intermediate to Advanced. This introduces be able to transfer this skill to another if you are working on two screens. Next another issue where SDL should be vigi- program screen that involves adding fi les step would be the Placement exam, fol- lant: cheating. If the certifi cation were to in the same way. If you need to go back lowed by the relevant module (probably truly achieve general recognition, then the over something, this were better accessed Intermediate). True, if you skip Getting resulting demand could generate a sub- through a hyperlink. We’re dealing with Started, you may later feel you’ve missed sidiary “industry” of harvesting and selling electronic text after all, text that most something, as no mention is made in solutions. Perhaps, though, the plan is to translators will read on the screen. subsequent courses of material covered increase the question base as use increases. Being of more recent creation, the in previous ones. However, you will save courseware appears more actualized than some money and time. Sample fi les the Help or Documentation or the tutori- You probably won’t need all the online Together with the PDF courseware and als themselves. Here, too, we can glimpse tutorials, but, particularly if you have the testing package, you get some sample the tremendous diffi culty in continuously worked on the material before, the abil- fi les in various formats. This is a great idea, synchronizing all elements so that when a ity to raise questions and doubts with a if not yet fully developed. As freelancers, software feature is changed, updates are trainer could prove very welcome. we tend to specialize with what works, and triggered through all the related content so we often end up with a limited reper- chain. For example, SDL Analise in the SDLX Exams toire. Certifi cation at least requires some Exams are well presented, carefully writ- profi ciency with various formats, regard- ten and neatly administered, with time less of whether they interest you or you enough to answer the questions and review even knew they existed. And there’s the the answers, but not to go to the course- point: fi nding new horizons and reach- ware to actually fi nd them. ing for them with increased expertise and At all levels there are common sense confi dence can create opportunity where questions, for which a general program- before you saw pain and drudgery. independent users’ knowledge of TM With more forethought, each courseware would be enough to answer them cor- section could have been followed by exer- rectly. Then there are others that require cises on such fi le types, to see when prob- knowledge of the specifi c terminology of lems arise and how to solve them. Indeed, the program in question, which sometimes in state-of-the-art e-training, actually doing differs even between SDLX and TRADOS things with fi les — instead of just knowing (TM Context for TRADOS fulfi lls basically there are things you can do — would have the same function as SDLX Update and so been even incorporated into the assessment. on). In some instances, it’s a case of pick- The multiple-choice framework doesn’t nec- ing the right wording as it appears in the essarily preclude this, and passing an exam drop-down menu. would be a more reliable measure of the As is inevitable with multiple choice, skill level that “certifi ed translators” ought occasionally the real test seems to be in to have. deciphering the question, but then isn’t As sample fi les are currently presented, semantics a translator talent? There also however — without any link to the course- is the odd question for which careful ware or exams — it’s easy to neglect them, reading of the courseware won’t help and and that’s an unfortunate waste. Ask any ambivalences where there seem to be two student these days, and it’s “fi rst let me pass equally correct answers. the exam; there’s plenty of time for learn- This raises the issue of transparency. Ide- ing later on.” To be really exploited, this ally, multiple-choice test results don’t just feature needs to be made more central. involve a grade but also an answer to each Further to practicalities — with its user particular question and feedback to explain volume and strong support arm, SDL could where the mistake was made. This encour- have harnessed all past information from ages learning and makes the quiz adminis- problems experienced in actual projects to trators accountable for possible errors and create exercises based on authentic situa- miswording — and provides them with an tions. Now, that stacks up to one mighty excellent QA mechanism since mistakes, training and testing tool, one moreover

28 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Reviews which SDL — not universities, not com- pure altruism. Enlightened self-interest, and certifi cation product, and SDL Trados is petitors, nor even industry organizations yes, and SDL has identifi ed a market need the only one to make a real go at fi lling it. — was perfectly placed to produce. There and opportunity and applied resources is no sense of that here, and it really feels for potential mutual benefi t to it, the Measuring the impact like a missed opportunity. consumer and the industry. We can fault As to its success, nine months gives little aspects of its implementation but must to go by. In February 2007, SDL sources Assessment applaud the concept. Indeed, SDL has say that more than 1,800 people had taken Before issuing our report card, it is been daring enough to treat training, more than 4,000 exams. Whatever, it will appropriate that we consider “learning” in which is usually a cost, as revenue — a surely require bigger numbers for Certifi ca- a more rigorous sense. The SDL TRADOS path already taken by Microsoft, Adobe tion to recover those initial 10,000 hours Certifi cation program is structured toward and others now offering professional cer- and start turning a profi t. passing multiple-choice examinations and tifi cation in their respective areas. SDL has, A second and perhaps more impor- thus foregrounds certain topics and rewards moreover, lifted training from its usual tant measure of success will be whether short-term intensive efforts. But as most dowdy status to a front-line item, right employers start seeking it. A quick search crammers know, this means you can eas- there in the website’s Products menu, rub- at ProZ’s site (www.proz.com) could fi nd ily forget what you’ve learned by the next bing shoulders with SDL Trados 2006, SDL no indication that they do: many TRADOS morning. So, “swotting” for that “obscure” Trados Synergy and so on. mentions, a few for SDLX, but none yet for question on, say, SKL will probably get you We see no real justifi cation, therefore, Certifi cation. Serious interest from local- over the line, but doesn’t guarantee you’ll for the now familiar accusation on user ization service providers and the corporate recall in six months’ time what SKL means lists that TRADOS — now SDL Trados — is localizers would certainly establish the or why you should care. trying to squeeze still more money out of product, and probably sustain SDL Trados Basically, one could virtually pass the freelancers and exert further control over brand leadership for another decade. test without opening the program, just by their lives, to force them not only to buy And what has been the reaction of the studying the courseware. That’s fi ne if all the last update but also now to do the translators who have undertaken certifi ca- you want is the bit of paper at the end, training and actually pay for the right to tion? Failed candidates won’t be singing but this won’t guarantee that you have advertise company products. its praises, that’s for certain. For many, retained the attributes employers would User lists represent just a segment of having passed has perhaps been incon- assume and want you to have. Educa- the freelance population, but one of sequential — more money spent against tionalists would likely identify all this as above average technical ability. Those another skill gained or at least confi rmed, “surface learning.” who attain expert status often ignore how and life goes on as before. Yet, there may Explaining the whys or internal logic of a steep the learning curve can be, and we well be happy stories where certifi cation topic is what will result in “deep learning,” must remember, too, that older users have has given individuals the confi dence to which works by securely anchoring new grown along with the software. While branch out and even win new clients. knowledge on foundations steadily accu- it’s previously been possible to grope After all that initial interest, things are mulated over the years. Then, although you your way to profi ciency, TM is now an currently quiet. We’ve been watching for may forget details the next morning, when expected skill, and newcomers need to hit the signs, but so far we haven’t yet seen the time comes, you can reason your way the ground running. those testimonials, heard any rumblings in through problems using solid principles The opinions of elite users are there- translator lists and web communities, or that also enhance retrieval from your long- fore interesting, but shouldn’t sway profound that yellow banner emblazoned on term memory. spective certifi cation candidates either colleagues’ e-mail signatures or business SDL claims to be continuously improv- way. There’s long been a space in the cards. With certifi cation nearly one year ing this Certifi cation tool, and so it should. market for a comprehensive TM training old, is it still just in its early days? M For the reasons we have stated, this is not state-of-the-art web-based training yet, and even within the constraints of multiple choice assessment, there is room for improvement. Results could be presented in a more accountable way by providing correct answers and feedback. Instead of emphasizing the how by pasting in slabs of Documentation and Help, the courseware could be more linear and develop understanding of the why. A greater tie-in with hands-on practice — linking courseware content to exercises with the sample fi les — would also be a big step. Commercial considerations The reality is that SDL Trados is a commercial concern, and it’s naïve to demand www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 29 Be Free.

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© 2006 Idiom Technologies Inc. All rights reserved. Idiom and WorldServer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Idiom Technologies Inc. All other trademarks belong to their respective holders. 31 Column | MultiLingual is technically not synony- icon while the terms nitely an icon. So, Off the Map Off the ; rather, an icon is meant to signify an object an icon is ; rather, are often used interchangeably, an icon is really an icon is really often used interchangeably, are c use (containing a wide library of somewhat c use (containing a wide library . Probably the most recognizable group of symbols, of symbols, group the most recognizable . Probably symbol symbol Sacred cance as emblems of the respective beliefs and are often are beliefs and cance as emblems of the respective and es the Print function is defi Clearly, there are widely different applications and intended widely different are there Clearly, Q Tom Edwards is owner and principal consultant of Englobe, a and principal consultant of Englobe, a Edwards is owner Tom Seattle-based consultancy for geostrategic content management. spent 13 years at Microsoft as a geographer and as Tom Previously, its senior geopolitical strategist. a linguistic perspective and explores their structural aspects their structural and explores a linguistic perspective emphasis on symbols as and their origins. Symbology puts more the context in which considers of meaning and broadly carriers prac- with cultural symbols appear — including their association in the context approach tices and rituals. When we consider this symbology of information, communication and technology, interface icons and typically becomes a discussion about user I with a piece of software. designs that govern user interaction that the term should note here mous with For example, the small its appearance. by closely representing that sig- web browser image of a printer in the tool bar of your nifi icon symbol. intended to be a type of representative symbols as mentioned cartographic uses of symbols. I already one such specifi symbols — see this US Geological Survey website for universal help To examples: http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/symbols). purposes of symbols in our every- ascertain some of the broader categories I’ve suggested the following broad day environment, by no means comprehensive: are — which, of course, faith and type involves those which embody religious the sacred to be inviolable by adherents. often considered and are creed the Jewish Star of David, the Islamic Hilal, The Christian Cross, all hold great and many others the Buddhist Dharmachakra signifi to not afforded and respect with a level of discretion treated other types of symbols. . no cally The power of symbols The power c purpose. c

eld of semiotics that examines symbols and icons from eld of semiotics that examines symbols and icons from cance and also yield positive results. Why do these graphi- Why do cance and also yield positive results. We see them every day and practically everyday and practically see them every We So powerful is the symbology around us that if I were to us that if I were So powerful is the symbology around effectiveness of symbols can be found in of the great Part where — from our homes to our places of work, — from where systems we use to the the transportation from No, I’m media with which we entertain ourselves. consumer prices or increasing to not referring Rather I’m some form of new insect infestation. ubiquitous forms of the more one of addressing one of the content in our world today and yet on a day-to-day basis — the overlooked more content of symbols. or less an offshoot the study of symbols, is more Symbology, www.multilingual.com March 2007 Tom Edwards Edwards Tom simply say “circle-slash” or, even better, to draw it, the great ma- it, the great to draw even better, or, simply say “circle-slash” would immediately un- jority of those listening and/or watching for symbol to the near-universal that I’m referring derstand symbols any number of distinctly religious Likewise, I can draw or try a few symbols with historical and yield instant recognition signiﬁ cal symbols yield such powerful and immediate responses? messages their visual compactness — the fact that one or more or meanings can be conveyed with one quick action on the part of the user: observation. This is similar to what I have discussed and its power cartography in this column regarding previously potential for yielding as a visual medium as having far greater for required due to the low bandwidth observers from reactions simply a very maps are another perspective, From interpretation. combination of symbols — usually explained in a leg- structured speciﬁ easily interpret end — that help the viewer to more

geographic phenomena. Similarly, symbols that are employed for symbols that are phenomena. Similarly, geographic and struc- a wide variety of other purposes, both unstructured exist to convey a concept for a specifi tured, of the fi W Q Historical. Related to the sacred, closely mimics an existing, more context- symbols of historical importance are independent symbol, it opens up your those which have a clear historical icon to potentially more scrutiny (see the place and yet may not hold the con- sidebar for an example). tinuing signifi cance of the sacred or Symbols that tend to be more inde- other symbols which have persisted in pendent include the sacred, historical meaning through long periods of time. and cultural categories that are read- Historical symbols can be endearing or ily noticeable regardless of the setting. revered, such as the ancient Macedonian For example, a right-facing Nazi-style sunburst associated with Alexander the swastika — particularly associated with 29 April-2 May 2007 Great, or reviled, such as Nazi Germany’s the black, red and white coloring — will Santa Cruz, California right-facing swastika. be easily noticed and cause reaction, and Q Cultural. These symbols have more might even draw negative attention to Localization culture-specifi c meanings and thus may the left-facing Buddhist manji swastika not be universal in their recognition, but — even though it’s not sensitive in and Management they are abundant in the wide variety of itself. Incidentally, the swastika is an of cultural contexts. Many hand, face ancient symbol, both right-facing and Roundtable and body gestures tend to fall into this left-facing, but its use by the Nazi party Conference Fee: $1275 category because they differ widely in signifi cantly “reset” the context indepen- meaning from locale to locale. dence of the symbol and made it nearly Q Functional. Symbols used in trans- universally sensitive. portation, utilities, safety notices and so Thus, the basic rules I would suggest forth — all those things we see every day, for developing and managing symbols for whether we notice them or not — are informational purposes are as follows: what I term practical symbols. They serve 1. Make it functional. Ensure that the a straightforward purpose but are often purpose and meaning of the symbol are critical to observe — such as the circle- clear for its specifi c intended use. slash, the octagonal red stop sign, or the 2. Keep it context dependent. As much red-yellow-green of the traffi c light. The as possible, develop a symbol that won’t Agenda International Standards Organization (ISO) be misunderstood beyond its intended has even created the specifi c standard context. Agile Programming ISO 3864 for international safety symbols, 3. Research potential similarities. Localization Maturity Models many of which are quite effective in their Whether making an icon for a functional Doing More With Less conveyance of meaning — such as the purpose or developing another sym- Industry Trends corrosive effect of acid on a hand, one bol for a wider, non-functional intent, Machine Translation Update that always induces an instant cringe. thorough research into the new design China When developing icons for information and its potential relationship to existing technology applications or other forms symbols is critical. This is not only for Vendor Landscape (tools and services) of user interface, it’s critically impor- cultural sensitivity reasons but also for a tant to consider the concept of context trademark and legal purpose. + two open sessions dependency. I had mentioned this idea At this point I’d like to interject an im- briefl y in my column on video game con- portant note about the use of hand ges- *Agenda topics subject to change without notice. tent (MultiLingual #80, June 2006), but tures as symbols. The importance of hand it deserves further explanation here as it gestures within differing cultural contexts directly relates to symbol usage. When a was made abundantly clear to me when piece of content, in this case a symbol, I was once on a business trip to Istanbul. is context dependent, it means that the I had just arrived to give a presentation symbol’s meaning is highly dependent on (having barely made it on time from a its specifi c context of origin. The printer string of fl ights from Tangiers, but that’s The icon is fairly context dependent, since its another story), and I was in a fl urry of ac- meaning and function in the user inter- tivity to set up my projector and be ready Localization face of a web browser are pretty clear in in time. A Turkish colleague of mine who that context; but, if viewed by itself, its was assisting then asked me if I needed Institute purpose may be less clear. Typically, the anything else, and without hesitation 4513 Vernon Boulevard, Suite 11 more independent a symbol is from its or thought I fl ashed him the “OK” hand Madison,WI 53705 USA original context, the greater potential for symbol — the open hand with the thumb Phone 608.233.1790 sensitivity. This is because the symbol’s and pointer fi nger forming a circle — and Fax 608.441.6124 meaning is more clearly recognized said everything’s just fi ne. In that fl ash of www.localizationinstitute.com regardless of where and how it appears. the moment, I saw the shocked look in his [email protected] If you develop a functional icon that eyes, and I intellectually knew — almost

32 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Column as I did it — that this was a very wrong move, but my own cultural refl exes had already followed through. In some cultural Symbol sensitivities with the Islamic hilal contexts this gesture signifi es zero, which can be taken as an insult when fl ashed at someone. Fortunately, my colleague The Islamic hilal symbol, understood, and the quick event helped known more commonly outside us discuss it openly as I became more self- the Middle East as the crescent aware of gesture usage. moon, became associated with I mention hand gestures in the context Islam around the fi fteenth cen- of symbols because many icons employed tury and has persisted as an icon for software as well as practical signage of the faith — often displayed tend to readily use hand gestures. I can- as a crescent moon and star. As not recall how many times I’ve seen a illustrated here, the development user-interface designer employ various of similar graphical content can hand gestures to represent user-interface lead to potential sensitivities feedback, such as: with unrelated product content. Q Thumbs up. This is meant to signify “good” or “okay,” but in some cultures — in Greece, for example — the thumbs- up gesture can be seen as a sexual insult. Above is the basic image of Q Open-faced palm. Usually meant the Islamic hilal symbol, to signify “stop” or “warning,” the open as typically seen in many palm is likewise quite an offensive contexts including national gesture in some countries, particularly fl ags and emblems. around the Mediterranean. While the production of icons repre- The icon at right was senting inanimate objects such as print- developed to represent the ers can be helpful to the general user, idea of “astrology.” You can see the use of gesture-related icons can be a the similarity with the hilal of signifi cant risk exposure since such icons Islam, which actually forbids the assume that gestures are universal. practice of astrology. Symbol creation, including the development of logos and trademarks, is one of the more research-intensive forms of content development. When you are creating or managing symbols, besides striving for The icon at left was intended to a symbol that is mostly functional and be a warning about “adult-themed” highly context dependent, I can’t stress content, to help parents making enough that adequate time and resources decisions about what their children are allocated to thoroughly explore the might view. As with the previous potential relationship of your new designs example, it’s not an exact hilal, yet to existing symbols in the aforementioned its similarities could be risky. categories — particularly the sacred types. In the next column, we will address the topic of human representation and gestures more directly as there is much potential sensitivity related to employing the human form in content. M Last, but not least, the hilal in the picture at right appears Resources on a Sorcerer’s Apprentice hat with Mickey Mouse ears, a Symbols.net website (www.symbols souvenir item that is widely .net) — one of the more comprehensive sold at the Disney theme parks. web-based resources for symbols. The Illustrated Book of Signs and Sym- bols (Miranda Bruce-Mitford, 2004). About.com’s visual guide to religious symbols: http://altreligion.about.com/ library/glossary/blsymbols.htm www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 33 34 L | Agriculture Committeeandknowledgeableonthesubject. client ofours. GoodlatteistheoutgoingChairmanofHouse from theStateofVirginia, todiscusshisviewsonethanolfora Washington, D.C.,tomeetwithBobGoodlatte,aCongressman other thantheCEOofCiscoSystems,JohnChambers. Iwasin the valueofhangingoutinlobbies. people haveforgotten, neverlearned,orare intimidatedabout political aspectoflobbyingisaliveandwell,butmanybusiness cialization andnetworkingsiteslikeMySpaceLinkedIn.The world. People havedecidedtohidebehindCRMsoftware, so- eyes andstatingmycase. I wantedtoseewithahandshakeandsmile,lookingintotheir hanging outintherightlobbiesandapproaching peoplewhom believer ofthephysicalaspectlobbyingallmylife—thatis, tions fi the managingdirector ofacommunica- in thebackground. second?” Chambers’ Washington representative washangingout “Hi, I’mJohnChambers, CEOofCisco—canItalkwithyoua sion whenasmilingmanwalkedup,stuckouthishandand said, serves onaninternetcommittee.We were deepintoour discus- as hewasabouttovoteonsomeinternetlegislation—also numbers are inthebillions.AllGoodlatte thousands, andChambers, whosefi Column MultiLingual We metinananteroom (seedefi On thepoliticalside,Igot“zapped”nottoolongagobynone Lobbying isbecomingalostart,Iamafraid, inthebusiness Those are the dictionarydefi theater andsoon. room orvestibuleofanapartmenthouse,hotel on legislation. who triestoinfl against ameasure byactingasalobbyist. So Goodlatte had to choose between me, So Goodlattehadtochoosebetweenme, Lobby. Lobbyist Lobbying. rm whosesalesare measured inthe World Savvy Ahallorlarge anteroom asawaiting . Aperson actingforaspecialinterest ac 07 [email protected] March2007 Trying togetlegislators’ votesforor Meet youinthelobby uence theintroduction orvoting nitions. Ihavebeenafi rm’s sales nition above)oftheHouse, country, Latvia. the marketingrepresentativefor his native marketing communicationsfi John Freivaldsismanagingdirectorofthe rm came through thelobbyofPegasus, thethoughtstruck me away manymorningsdoingthisunglamorous task. answered, theperson youwantedmightnotbethere. Ifrittered number youwanted,butitwasusuallybusy. Ifthephonewas took several tries.Whenyougotanoutsideline,dialedthe You satinyourroom anddialedninetogetanoutside line.It hotel, thePegasus, butevenithadcommunicationsproblems. in Kingston,Jamaica’s busycapital.There wasonlyonemajor system workedproperly. Idreaded theroutine Iwentthrough was alwaysonatightscheduleandhadtogetthingsdonequickly. portunity togogetthingsgoinginsunnyandwarmJamaica.ButI business people.IlivedincoldMinneapolisandrelished theop- cated project thatinvolvedgovernmentoffi get anagribusinessoperation underwayinJamaica—acompli- cery stores so peoplecansitandtalk. Virginia ismuch thesame.Theyevenhavebenchesingro- lifelong friends.Mycurrent residence inasmalltownrural say “ and ahandshake.You canjustwalkuptopeopleanywhere and where Ilearned thevalueofintroducing myselfwithasmile your case.Noe-mailshere. — justwalkinguptopeopleyouwantinfl theless, Chambers knowsaboutthephysicalaspectoflobbying for me,justdrop himaline.Idid,andamstillwaiting.None- gized, gavemehiscard andsaidifthere isanythinghecando with Chambers toaquietcorner. tions from Cisco’s politicalactioncommittee.Hegotupandwent (which heattended,bytheway)versus thecampaigncontribu- ever gotfrom mewasaninvitationtooursummersolsticeparty One day, whilewaitingforacabandobservingthepeoplewho This wasbefore cellphones,andevenbefore aland-line I really got into lobbyingyears agowhenIwasgiventhetaskto It wasinPanama, themostinformalcountryinworld, They camebackin15minutes.Chambers profusely apolo- rm JFA and is rm JFAandis Epa, comova ,” andyoubeginaconversation likeyouare that I would do better to just hang out in that Iwoulddobettertojusthangoutin ernment ministerorabankoffi did thisforseveral days.I’dgo uptoagov- by forbreakfast, lunch,cocktailsordinner. I later theperson Iwantedtoseewouldcome the lobbyofPegasus becausesooneror John Freivalds cials, bankers, and uence andstating cer, stick out Column my hand and say, “Hi, I’m John Freivalds of IS Joseph. Could I talk the fl ight from Moscow to Almaty, which was always full of to you for a second?” I got to state my case, exchange business Western businessmen. All were potential customers of our fi rm. cards and arrange a meeting at the person’s offi ce. So, I would introduce myself to almost everyone on the fl ight, I continue the practice to the current day. It’s easy at ma- get a business card and fi nd out who their local contact was. jor conferences to follow certain rules. All conferences have a I have tried to teach some of these techniques, sometimes to central hotel where the people you want to see are staying. It’s the most reluctant of students. After Latvia broke away from the usually too busy to get to talk to people on the conference fl oor, Soviet Union, its IT industry was getting started but from the so I just sit and wait. But there are several rules to follow. ground fl oor. The Latvians at that point were even more withdrawn I usually lay claim to a sofa in the lobby, large enough for sev- than the Finns, if that is possible. I got two Latvians to speak at a eral people to sit on. To make sure that no random and unwanted LISA conference in Budapest. After they spoke, there was a recep- passerby sits there, I spread out some papers or open my briefcase tion in an area right off the hotel’s lobby. People with name tags next to me. When the person I want to see comes by, I approach, were milling about talking. The two Latvians were off in a corner guide him or her to where I am sitting and have my brief session. by themselves, not sure what to do. I went up to them and said, All you want to do at this stage is state the outlines of your case “Why are you standing here and not mixing with the crowd?” (or proposal) and arrange a meeting for some later time. But for “But we don’t know anybody,” they responded. that moment, you have that person’s attention. I physically grabbed both of them and just walked up to a clump of people and introduced ourselves. I told them nobody Lobbying at conferences knows anybody and that’s the point of the “mixer.” Everybody in At conferences most people wear name tags — and if someone the clump was appreciative. has a name tag on, I consider that an open invitation to go talk to Finally, a handshake is about as physical as you want to get. him or her. Never mention that you want to talk for 15 minutes, Don’t slap the person on the back if you don’t know him or her, but merely ask for a second of the person’s time. And never hand nor dare an abrazo, or hug. If you do, you’ll come off as a used- out anything more than a business card. Hold off on the Power- car salesperson. Point, the white paper or the three-ring binder containing your My great fear is that we are losing our humanity in the over- life’s work. As a business consultant once told me, “less is more.” reliance on software to “connect with people.” Living in today’s I have been known to lobby at some conferences that I didn’t urban areas gets you in the habit of avoiding eye contact, really plan to attend but just happened to be in the lobby. In something which is a no-no in rural Virginia. Here you raise your Washington, D.C., the Mayfl ower Hotel is a perfect place, particu- eyelids to everyone and look them in the eye. When was the last larly during coffee breaks. They have tons of conferences, some time a passerby looked you in the eye in New York City? Some- of which touch my intellectual fancy, and people are more than times I even think if I said hello to a passerby in an urban area, happy to begin to talk to you. someone would call the police. In any event, both our cyber And of course, I have been known to take advantage of “lob- communications and urban environments are teaching us to not bies” in airplanes. These are better known as the aisles, but on communicate in person. long fl ights they are lobbies because people get up and wander But just being there in person and knowing how to be person- about. When working to open an offi ce for an international able go a long way to accomplishing what you want. Meet you translation fi rm in Almaty, Kazakhstan, I was a regular fl yer on in the lobby! M

www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 35 36 he isaconsultantforTAUS. Commission languageengineering andtechnologyprograms.Today, industry andworkedasaconsultant andanalystfortheEuropean he covered the emergenceofthelocalizationandtranslation for languagetechnologyover twodecades.As ajournalist, Andrew Joscelyne(upperleft)haswrittenaboutandevangelized like upstream intoour“languageinstinct,”syntacticrulesare more data, scholars are nowpostulatingthatrather thanbeingwired With theadventoftoolsforhandlinglarge amountsofusage erated byaﬁ endless exceptionsandconditionsonrules. systems. Unlikethebrain, thesesystemscannotcopewiththe machine-readable grammar ruleshavefailed,atleastforMT attempts tosimulatetheinnerworkingsofourbrains through grammatical sentencesisembeddedinourgenes.Interestingly, esized thatourabilitytoformulateandunderstand well-formed impact academiclinguistics.TheChomskyangeneration hypoth- resource forlanguagetechnologists.Theyare alsobeginningto simply intermsofwhatpeopletendtowriteorsay. a language,notintermsofitsunderlyinggrammar rulesbut other formsofknowledge.Theyrepresent asortof“model” machine translation (MT)systemsorextract terminologyand which makesthemusefulforanyonetryingtotrain ortest |

L Perspectives MultiLingual N in itsvastgranary ofwebpickings. English fi Included inGoogle’s donationwere acoolbillion is a of lineartext.Examplesincludebigrams suchas into setsof more thanatrillionwords ofEnglishdivviedup processing communityafree datasetcontaining Chomsky’s axiomabouttheinfi Databases ofknowledgeabout -grams can beusedtopredict thetypicalityofsegments, posteriori a Last year, Googlehandedovertothelanguage ; trigrams suchas Andrew Joscelyne&JaapvanderMeer nite setofruleshastendedtoblinkerourmindset. vegrams thatoccurred atleast40times generalizations thatemerge from butdonot technology Translation 2.0: ac 07 [email protected] March2007 n -grams. An a numberof n nity ofpossiblesentencesgen- n -gram isasmallchunk -grams are notonlyavital ; andsoon. and publishedoneofthefi Technology company inTheNetherlands1980 andpublished global languageindustries.Heestablished asoftwarelocalization Automation UserSociety(TAUS) anda25-year-plus veteraninthe Jaap vanderMeer(upperright)isfounderanddirectorofTranslation humans maysimplyadoptworkablelanguagepatternsthrough Emergent Grammar are reversing theoldmodel,suggestingthat “generate” thedata.TheoriessuchasConstructionGrammar and multilingual.com forecasts with otherreaders viae-mail toeditor@ you toshare yourcomments,suggestions,visionsand eventually shared ontheTAUS website. welcome [email protected] and services. Allcommentsandsuggestionswillbenaturally the translation industrywillhavetochangedeliversuch of theseforces, andendwithsomesuggestionsabouthow forces, then atemerging technologiesthataddress some organizations willneedoverthenextdecade. integrated automated translation resources thatlarge to inventandcollaborate around thesortofmassively- translation automationresource platform. Theaimis been calledtoforge anagendaforanew-generation in March 2007 undertheTAUS banner. Thismeetinghas prepared forafi cheaper translation inafullynetworkedenvironment. multilingual contentmanagement,alsoknownasfaster, the evolvingneedsforwhatisoftengrandly called happening around usandhowtheindustryshouldaddress translation industryofferabird’s eyepicture ofwhat’s In addition,theeditors of The three articles inthisserieslookattoday’s market The ideasdevelopedhere draw ona“VisionReport” The three articlesinthisseriesonthefuture ofthe and Electric Word rst meetingofexecutiveminds tobeheld —Andrew Joscelyne andJaapvanderMeer rst translationmemory software products. magazines. His company INK developed magazines. HiscompanyINKdeveloped MultiLingual encourage Language Language —The Editors Perspectives

a general learning mechanism rather than The Scottish company Linear B is not of a single technology suite. Split apart from a set of universal language rules. (yet?) fueled by shared resources, but for when the plug was pulled on applied MT Whatever the truth, brains have certainly anyone seeking a free demo of the practi- research, memory and machine are now adapted to pick up patterns faster than cal benefi ts of translation search, its site is re-converging in a hybrid architecture, our machines. Although Google’s trillion- worth a visit. For the time being, Linear B delivering real-time translation where word gift may sound like a huge resource fi elds a mere 33 million words across four or it is most wanted — in the self-service today, we, like Oliver Twist, would dare ask fi ve languages — very useful to some, but, environment. for more — more words in more languages, again, not nearly enough for others. Think “customer support.” To provide covering more domains, inspiring more and customers with information from its more innovative processing tools. A small step for machines knowledge base of more than 140,000 Why? From this perspective, the industry product support articles (80 million words As we mooted in our fi rst Perspec- should fi nd that the move from transla- of English text), Microsoft offers real- tive (MultiLingual #85, January/February tion search tools to MT is a more natural time translation in several languages as a 2007), the new Web-2.0-type regime of and much smaller step. Translators will web service. Overall customer satisfaction participation, networking and sharing will soon grow accustomed to the basic opera- for the Spanish translations is over 86% produce very large translation data clouds tions of leveraging industry-shared cor- because translation means usability: “It and at the same time transform them into pora of bilingual text, applying the very helped me solve my technical problem.” powerful resources. And since once-good same recipe as that used to develop and Japanese users can also pull MTs from language data are accessible to human train statistical MT systems. Yet unlike our Cisco’s knowledge base, as can French-, translators, translation engines, tool devel- current recycling of merely proprietary TM Italian-, German- and Spanish-speaking opers and service innovators, translation databases, the use of translation search users of Symantec alerts and SWIFT fi nan- productivity will increase and demand will tools on open terabyte resources should cial services content. In all these cases, explode, as yet more networked partici- drive translator productivity up to double- there has been a shift from no translation pants tap into the emerging services. digit growth in the coming years. to MT, and users are at the controls. We believe some of the essential ap- MT itself is already being closely inte- We believe that if users such as transla- plications for this new model are already grated with memory resources in most tors and high-tech customers can benefi t on show. successful applications, and users out on in different ways from more shared data the web will be demanding more. Ironi- than has so far been possible, then there Searching for solutions cally, this TM/MT integration recalls the is a case for thinking carefully about how Consider translation search, the major pioneering technology of the mid-1980s, the industry could evolve to leverage data-driven technology novelty of 2006 as when the interactive translation database these resources judiciously. In our fi nal exemplifi ed by Lingotek and Linear B. feature and the fully automatic batch piece we shall explore what this might In fact, searching memory bases is not translation feature already formed part mean in practice. M new. The ability to leverage sub-sentential segments — rather than whole sentence matches — found during a search is at work in translation memory (TM) products such as MultiTrans and Similis, as well as in MT systems such as ESTeam, and is embedded in Oracle’s Translation Factory. What is new about Lingotek — reviewed in MultiLingual #84, December 2006 — is how it uses the collaborative power of the web to provide working translators with a simple productivity resource. Lingotek content can be shared in a protected environment through “private” indexes or openly through “public” indexes. Notice that this act of sharing crucially shifts the benefi ts of TM away from “owners” and back to the stakehold- ers — professional translators — who will also leverage even more from the system if they contribute their own translations as data to the public indexes. The key issue will be whether intellectual property rights allow them to use such resources on a public network. We would hope that in a “bazaar” (rather than a “cathedral”) culture, an “open” solution will prevail. www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 37 38 Ontario; andothercitiesinCanada. managment fi Larry RogersispresidentofLexi-Tech, atranslation anddocument numbers warrant. to makeeducationavailableinbothoffi of Québecdidnotendorse, required provinces andterritories province. In1982,theConstitutionAct,whichgovernment Bill 101 —topromote andpreserve theFrench languageinthe of theFrench Language—thewell-knownandcontroversial predominantly French province ofQuébecintroduced itsCharter led totheoriginalOffi and Biculturalism, whichstartedworkin1963andeventually modern formbeganwiththeRoyalCommissiononBilingualism of Canadianbilingualism.Bilingualisminitsmore extensive issues ofnational,regional andlinguisticidentitythebirth try, youmustfi at thecore of itsmakeup. diversity and hastwodiverse cultures —EnglishandFrench — gross domestic product inthetopten.Itisacountryofethnic in totalarea andoneoftheworld’s wealthiestnationswitha Group ofEight (G8)nation,theworld’s secondlargest country |

H Perspectives MultiLingual In order to properly understand the Canadianlanguageindus- A countryaboundingwithnatural resources, Canadaisa in thebilingualnationthatisCanada. the languagebusinessnorthof49thparallel answer thesequestionsandprovide insightinto through ontheinternationalscene?I’lllookto vate Canadianlanguageserviceprovider broken of theCanadianmarketplace?Whyhasnopri- iders? Whatare thestrengths and/orweaknesses in languageservicesthere, andwhoare theprov- you everwondered aboutthebusinesspotential of providing languageservicesinCanada?Have Have youeverwondered aboutthepeculiarities Larry Rogers rm withoffi rst understand somethingaboutthefundamental language servicesinCanada Thoughts onimproving ac 07 [email protected] March2007 cial LanguagesActin1969.In1977,the ces inMonckton,New Brunswick;Ottawa, cial languageswhere grams within anumberofCanadianuniversities. same periodalsosawtheestablishmentoftranslation pro- government from Western Europe intheearly1970s. That requirement, andmanylinguistswere brought inbythefederal at thattime,theywere insuffi Although translation resources were availableinthecountry from thefederal government,whichremains thecasetoday. ing theOffi compete forincreasingly scarce human resources againstthe eral government’s payscales,allotherproviders are forced to service industryinCanadafor manydecades.Duetothefed- its rooted historyhaveshapedanddominatedthelanguage try, theBureau consistsofsome1,500people.Itssizeand Ottawa region, withsatelliteoffi internal Translation Bureau. Headquartered inthegreater by farthegreatest infl into fi population asawhole. ment, truebilingualismisrelatively uncommonamongthe it haslongbeenaseriousaspiration oftheCanadiangovern- likely tohavecommandoftheFrench language,and,although gual province. Englishspeakers outsideQuébecare muchless Acadian population,isanexception—theonlyoffi majority. Theprovince ofNewBrunswick,withitslarge French in clusters of communitiesspread outamongananglophone and ishighlycentralized around theprovince ofQuébec. speaking communitywhichrepresents 15%ofthepopulation by politicalandmarketforces associatedwithCanada’s French- remainder, associatedwithprivatebusinesses,isprimarily driven 5% oftheworld’s globalannualtranslation requirements. The governments. Thatpercentage isestimatedtorepresent some 50% islinkedtorequirements ofthefederal andprovincial to beintheorder ofCAD$550millionperyear, ofwhichover An explosionoftranslation requirements tookplacefollow- The providers oflanguageserviceswithinthecountryfall Throughout mostofCanada,French isthe“mothertongue” Today, theCanadianlanguageservicemarketisestimated The languageservicesmarketinCanada ve distinctcategories.Themajorplayer—theonewith cial LanguagesActof1969,emanatingprimarily uence —isthefederal government’s cient innumbers tohandlethe ces throughout thecoun- cially bilin- Perspectives government, and as such Canadian translators are among the profession is well organized with numerous existing professional highest paid, if not the highest paid in the world. associations, a well-established network of university translation The second-largest group of providers is made up of varying in- programs, and the penchant for the quality of the translation house translation services in large national or multinational fi rms. services that is generally provided within the industry. These linguistic services departments were formed in the 1970s to Some of the weaknesses have already been discussed, but meet legislative requirements and the economic demands associ- to summarize: the industry is highly fragmented and under- ated with doing business with Canada’s French population (the capitalized. Although it is not expected to hit for a few years majority of the translation is from English to French), primarily yet, there remains a large potential shortage of translators to for the province of Québec. Most of these departments are locat- meet the future demand due to a high percentage of expected ed in the metropolitan Toronto and Montréal areas. Many of these retirees from the profession and limited numbers of new gradu- long-established centers of translation expertise have gone by the ates. And acceptance of the implementation of new technology wayside in recent years, giving way to many outsourcing possibili- is slow within some of the Canadian industry, particularly its ties. Global competition requires fi rms to look at the economic freelancers. impact of these long-standing departments that have typically The biggest weakness, as I see it, is that the entire industry fl own under the radar and are often fraught with ineffi ciency, low revolves around the government as both a client and as a pro- productivity and excessive costs. vider of services. The government in the form of its Translation Third, there exists a very small number — fewer than ten — Bureau competes for contracts with the private sector to provide of translation service providers of a reasonably large scale, services to other government departments, hence precluding the followed by a fourth group of smaller translation agencies with private sector from large potential contracts. At the same time, 20 or fewer employees. Last, as in many nations, a large group the Translation Bureau competes with the private sector for ever of some 5,000+ freelancers provides services directly to indi- increasingly scarce human resources paying infl ated wages and vidual clients or to the aforementioned providers. It is key to benefi ts. Once found, these resources often stay for a limited remember that, other than internal translation services, many of time only to be eventually lured away by the government the aforementioned groups receive the bulk or in many cases all — thereby rendering the private fi rms to be training centers for of their revenue from federal, provincial or local governments the government and schooling many junior translators during that are dealing with national and/or regional language policies. their incubational period into the profession. Few of the providers are aware of the international climate; few have adopted the use of tools, although this is slowly but surely Opportunities ahead changing; and pricing, as stated earlier, is typically high when Opportunities for the industry abound, with the closeness of compared to international competition. the US market as a sales and export medium, with the overall With but 15% of the Canadian population and an inherently trend in globalization and with the ever-growing demand for smaller proportion of the North American population, the French translation services throughout the world. Also prevalent is the community in Canada is highly focused on the preservation of current trend to outsource existing internal translation depart- its cultural and linguistic independence. Hence, the quality ments, particularly in Canada, but also abroad. requirements of the target language (typically French) in Canada Given the institutionalized nature of the business in Canada, it are extremely high. Many clients — government and non- could probably continue in its current situation for many years to government alike — employ a bank of internal translator/revisers come, but the current status quo will never allow the industry to or employ “bilingual” staff who feel qualifi ed to comment prosper. I believe its crippling effect — which is already being seen on the quality of the translated documents. In most cases, — will eventually suck the breath from the industry and poten- the verifi ers of the work on the client’s side have a far greater tially kill it. What should be done is rather obvious. A complete time to verify the work than the people providing it. All of this reversal of the status quo is required. Whereas government leads to quality standards for translation within the country to legislation provides a steady demand for services, government be among the highest in the world. itself must get out of the business of providing the service and Given this, the traditional international service provider model leave it in the hands of the private sector to use that base of busi- of employing in-house project managers and a limited number ness to consolidate its position, profi t from it and use those profi ts of linguists for quality control has proven diffi cult to implement to grow into the future both domestically and internationally. The in Canada. Thorough translation, 100% revision, and 100% Translation Bureau should be drastically reduced in size to become proofreading are typically required in an effort to satisfy the a group performing terminological research and providing core requirements of an extremely demanding clientele. Given a services for sensitive information such as political speeches, gov- greater propensity to manage quality with an internal team, ernment budgets and secret information of the external affairs most providers in the country use a model that is centered and defense departments. The remainder of the work should be around in-house resources complemented by freelancers on farmed out to the private sector, where the demand would spawn the outside for specifi c domains and peak periods. many private sector fi rms competing on a level playing fi eld with the existing fi rms. Large government contracts could be used as Strengths and weaknesses of the industry a basis to borrow money, changing the undercapitalization seen The inherent strengths of the Canadian industry are primarily in the industry, allowing the best-managed fi rms of the future to the size of the market (close to 5% of the world’s translation prosper, profi t, employ technology, invest in research and develop- requirement for a country with less than 1% of the world’s ment, and compete on an international basis. population), much of it driven by non-market forces; the large For now, the industry continues to plod along. The future, as number of educated and experienced translators; that the they say, remains to be seen. M www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 39 Preserving and protecting the French language in Canada Jim Healey Region Focus

The French language seems to be going through for the province of Québec is over 7.6 million people (Statistics an identity crisis. On the one hand, according to Canada), of which over 80% of the population speaks French. Julie Barlow and Jean-Benoît Nadeau, authors of It is important to note that the term Canadian French is The Story of French, French is a “global language, considered a misnomer by many individuals. Just as there is no T uniform American English but dozens of dialects, “there is no the world’s other global language.” In the October single Canadian dialect of French, regardless of what part of the 10, 2006, Toronto Star article — “French language country francophones live or were raised in. In Canada, Acadian alive and well” — Barlow and Nadeau observe French and Québec French are the two signifi cant and healthier that “internationally, French is doing much bet- dialects” (“Canadian French,” Answers.com). Some point out that the more precise phrase is “French in Canada” when referring to ter than is widely believed — even by the French the language. themselves.” Statistics back up what Barlow and Nadeau conclude. French has signifi cant speak- French in Québec ing populations in 54 countries and is the second Even though French speakers in Canada are in a distinct minority, no province has become the center of so much linguis- most frequently taught language in the world after tic and political attention as Québec, particularly with the pas- English, according to Wikipedia. Over 175 mil- sage of Bill 101 — the Charter of the French Language — in 1977. lion people worldwide possess French as a mother With over 80% of its population speaking French, Québec is the only Canadian province whose majority is francophone. In 1974 tongue or as a fl uent second language. the province declared that French is the sole offi cial language of But then on the other hand, there are those who believe that the Québec, thereby giving social and legal status to the language. In French language is on the decline. In fact, a book being released the “Canadian French” entry on Answers.com, it is stated that “on in March 2007 looks at whether the French language is truly in a pan-Canadian level, Québec French overwhelmingly dominates decline or not. Robin Adamson’s The Defence of French: A Lan- francophone culture and the French-language media.” guage in Crisis? (Multilingual Matters) “aims to fi nd out whether The Charter of the French Language — also known as Bill French . . . is in crisis or not. It traces the history and development 101 or Loi 101 — was passed into law by Québec’s National of language defence in France and examines the sometimes con- Assembly on August 26, 1977. Reaffi rming the 1974 Offi cial tradictory attitudes of French people to their beloved language,” Language Act that made French the sole offi cial language according to a recent Multilingual Matters brochure. of Québec, Bill 101 makes French “the normal and everyday language of work, instruction, communication, commerce and French in Canada business,” according to its preamble. No country refl ects this “French in a crisis” theme more than Without going into the details of Bill 101 and its political Canada with its over 5% of the world’s ramifi cations, it is important to recognize that francophones. According to the Wiki- this law has much to do with the way French pedia entry on the French language, speakers in Québec view their language and “about 13% of Canadians have knowl- its differences from European French. Fabien edge of French only, while 18% have Jim Healey is the Côté, a freelance translator based in Laval, knowledge of both English and French.” translation department Québec, makes an interesting observation The preliminary 2006 census estimate editor for MultiLingual. about language and identity: “A majority of

40 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Region Focus

Québécois defi ne themselves fi rst as French speaking, then as either from Québec or from Canada. The same applies to French-speaking people living in the Atlantic provinces who defi ne themselves as Acadians and then as Canadians. Hence, the spoken language defi nes the identity.” If, in fact, language defi nes identity, then any threat to the language becomes a threat to who and what one is. Gaston Martin, born in the province of Québec and presently living in a rural village 30 miles from Montréal, believes that it is “very important that the Québec government takes some legislation to protect the French language. We are surrounded by other Canadian provinces and foreign countries where English is the predominant language. If we want to keep our language alive, we don’t have any other choice than pass legislation that will protect our language, us and our culture.” Preservation, not assimilation Being surrounded by speakers of English shapes the attitude [with its language protection measures and Bill 101] is heralded of many Québécois about their French. Côté notes that “French as a model to follow in language protection.” Côté observes that Canadians and particularly Québécois, living in a sea of anglo- the French language “is at the heart of the national identity in phones in North America, feel a permanent language assimilation Québec. The language is very lively here through social, cultural threat — a threat that stems from the fact of the exile of over and economic activities. It somewhat acts as a ‘preservation one million Québécois into the northeast United States in the agent’ against assimilation. This explains why French Canadi- late 1800s, almost none still speak French today, and the fact of ans — Québécois in particular — have a more energetic tie to the assimilation into Western Canada where spoken French disap- French language than their European cousins.” pears after two or three generations. These facts spur us on to One of the major differences between French spoken in Europe language preservation. With its over 60 million inhabitants on a and French spoken in Canada is that, according to Côté, “Europe- continent made up of a mosaic of cultures, France is not facing ans speaking French have a tendency to adopt much faster and the same situation. There is no short term issue there about the much wider English terms directly. French dictionaries incorporate survival of French.” many anglicisms that French Canadians would never use. I regu- Nathalie Girard, a freelance translator (EN>FR) who grew up larly localize content from FR-FR to FR-CA, and the two main dif- in Québec City, agrees with Côté about the situation of European ferences I’ve found are that, generally speaking, FR-FR documents French. “In Europe,” she observes, “there are a lot more French use English terms that we would never accept in Canada, particu- speakers in many countries, and they are not surrounded by a larly in Québec and that Euro-French speaking translators seem to single dominant language. There’s a ton of different languages struggle more with their understanding of US English expressions, spoken over there, so French is not really going to get swal- which probably has something to do with their geo-remoteness.” lowed by another dominant language.” Girard likewise sees this trend with Euro-French speaking Girard realizes that languages are not static, but in a con- people. “They really like to borrow a lot of words from English stant state of evolution: “The lines between languages become — much more so than French Canadians at the moment,” she blurred as people borrow more and more from people around says. “Currently in Canada, the movement to preserve French them who come from other countries and so forth.” She notes and not have it deteriorate at the hands of English is stronger that “more Euro-French speakers immigrate to Montréal espe- than it used to be.” cially, and they bring their way of speaking into the local French Côté gives the example of the word e-mail as illustrating a typi- Canadian culture. So, we are now seeing a marked difference in cal difference between Euro-French and French spoken in Canada. how French is being spoken in Montréal versus Québec City “In France,” he says, “e-mail or mail has become the standard in and other French Canadian cities with fewer immigrants. The spoken French and has already shown up in many popular dic- European infl uence is quite strong in Montréal in particular as tionaries — Le Robert being one. It is not recognized offi cially, but this is where the majority of Euro-French immigrants gather.” the word may be accepted some day considering how extensively Both Côté and Girard believe that in Québec the French lan- it is being used, in France in particular.” Côté goes on to say that guage is protected and preserved. And Barlow and Nadeau agree “in Québec the Offi ce de la langue française — a government with them. As they observe in their Toronto Star article, “Québec organization created to monitor the implementation of French in www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 41 Region Focus

many aspects of our social activities — has Comparative Terminology recommended the word courriel, a blend English French (Québec) French (France) of courier and électronique, just as e-mail is a blend of electronic and mail. Courriel Information Technology is almost unanimously adopted and well applet applet (borrowed, French appliquette (formal suggestion) formed, in my opinion.” pronunciation) Girard sums up the French language blog blogue (French-style or bloc-notes, bloc* (The French use blog, calque assimilation situation in Québec, with an “frenchifi ed” form) intégral) eye for keeping both languages as intact chat clavardage dialogue en ligne* (The French use chat, tchat as possible: “The movement to preserve or tchate) the French language and not have it dete- cookie témoin témoin (de connexion)* (the commission took up riorate at the hands of English is stronger the proposed Québécois term) than it used to be. It’s not perfect, but it’s a e-mail courriel (recommended courriel (Québécois term adopted June 2003. good trend. It’s important to keep French suggestion) Many French use e-mail or mail) as pure as possible — not that we do not fi rewall coupe-feu, pare-feu* barre de sécurité* enjoy speaking English, far from that, but we need to preserve each language as phishing hameçonnage fi loutage* (More and more French use hameçonnage) much as possible.” plug-in plugiciel, module module d’extension, extension* d’extension* Gender, verbs in future tense podcast balado, fi chier balado podcast (no suggestion, widely used) Besides a reluctance to assimilate Eng- podcasting baladodiffusion, diffusion pour baladeur * (The majority of French use lish words and phrases into the French baladiffusion podcasting) spoken in the province of Québec, Girard pull technology technologie du tirer recherche individuelle* notes other areas in which the two varieties of French differ. When Euro-French push technology technologie du pousser distribution sélective, distribution personnalisée* speakers borrow words from English, they shareware partagiciel* logiciel à contribution* are used in the masculine form, but on smiley binette* frimousse* (See note in Grand dictionnaire those rare occasions when French speakers terminologique) in Canada borrow English words, “about spam pourriel, polluriel spam (no suggestion) half of the ones we use on a regular basis are in the feminine form,” says Girard. URL address adresse URL adresse universelle, adresse réticulaire * Some examples are une job (Canada) and Web Web (borrowed) toile d’araignée mondiale (TAM), toile mondiale, toile* un job (Europe); une gang (Canada) and un webcasting webdiffusion diffusion (systématique) sur la toile* gang (Europe); une joke (Canada) and un joke (Europe); and une sandwich (Canada) webmaster webmestre* administrateur de site, de serveur* and un sandwich (Europe). Girard knows Web site site Web site de la toile, site sur la toile* of only one occasion where Canada uses Sports the masculine form and Europe uses the feminine form: un vidéo (Canada) and une Tennis: vidéo (Europe). service break bris de service break According to Girard, gender is also mini-break minibris minibreak used in French in Canada to make dis- topspin shot coup brossé coup lifté tinctions unknown in Euro-French. In the backspin shot coup coupé coup chopé, coup slicé example J’ai acheté un radio (I bought a radio), radio is masculine. But in Je l’ai Marine: watercraft motomarine* scooter des mers entendu parler à la radio (I heard him talk on the radio), radio is feminine. Golf: par normale par A difference can also be seen in verbs Other Domains in the future tense. Girard explains that in shopping magasinage (commerce) chalandage French in Canada the future tense is often expressed by using aller + infi nitive: Ils vont modeling modelage (éducation) modeling venir l’année prochaine (They will come self storage entreposage libre service self-stockage (manutention) next year). In Euro-French, the same sen- customization personnalisation (commerce) customisation tence is expressed as Ils viendront l’année prochaine (They will come next year). customize, to personnaliser (commerce) customiser bookcrossing bouquinomadisme (loisir) passe-livre Other areas of difference stakeholder intervenant stakeholder As a professional translator working with both French and English, Girard has *suggestion Source: Gérald Paquette, Offíce québécois de la langue française had business experiences with Euro-French

42 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Region Focus speaking clients for many years. She has become aware of the Vie, a popular science extension magazine edited in France, differences between the varieties of French. “If I spoke ‘Canadian there is a full-page Nissan Pathfi nder advertisement on page French’ to them,” she says, “they just had a look on their faces as 22. The title message is in capital letters: NISSAN PATHFINDER. if I had spoken Chinese. They don’t understand Canadian French NATURALLY CAPABLE — with the translation of this phrase unless you are very careful with the words and expressions that referenced in extra small font size at the bottom of the page: you choose. You must adapt your speech and writing using their Naturellement doué. The Nissan logo is shown in the top left words and expressions; otherwise, they really do not understand corner, along with the words SHIFT capabilities in English. The you at all.” remaining text — two paragraphs at the bottom of the page Girard gives the following examples of some of the marked — is in French. “In Canada, especially in Québec,” says Côté, differences in pronunciation and word choice with spoken “Nissan would never do this for the simple reason that using French in Europe and Canada. English words would be considered an insult to French speakers Consonants. Canadian French speakers pronounce the t and in Canada. This is not a good marketing strategy. In brief, such d with a z when it is placed in front of ee sounds, such as tz and a position would be idiotic here.” dz: tirez (tzirer), dire (dzire), dur (dzur) and so on. They don’t Some companies even change their names when setting up always realize that they are doing it, and this confuses Euro- shop in Québec. Côté observes that “many Canadian-wide busi- French speakers a bit. nesses change their commercial names when getting into Qué- Pronouns. Il (3rd pers. masc. sing.), Ils (3rd pers. masc. plur.) bec to increase their potential for success. For example, Staples and Elles (3rd pers. fem. plur.) are often replaced, when speaking, becomes Bureau en gros and Mark’s Work Warehouse becomes by Y in Canadian French: Y veut pas y aller (He doesn’t want to L’Équipeur.” go there); Y disent qu’il va faire beau (They say the weather will Girard uses a personal example to show product insensitivity be nice); Y voulaient rien savoir! (They weren’t interested at all!); to the French language in Canada. “We recently purchased some and Y sont bonnes ces poires! (Those pears are delicious!). DVD sets of Bewitched, a US television series that was dubbed in Elle (3rd pers. fem. sing.) is usually replaced by A in Canadian Euro-French back in the day when I was a child and watching French: A veut pas y aller (She doesn’t want to go); A voulait rien television,” she says. “I was very disappointed to see that there savoir! (She wasn’t interested at all!); and A veut pas manger (She was no French dubbing or French subtitles on these DVDs at all. doesn’t want to eat). They were sold on the North American market and had dubbing Word choice. A Canadian speaker of French would say J’en ai in Spanish and Portuguese and subtitles in Spanish, Portuguese, pas pantoute (I don’t have any at all). Pantoute means nothing to Chinese and Thai on the second season set — but nothing whatso- a Euro-French speaking person. He or she would most likely say ever for French. To me, this is unacceptable, and I’m truly disap- Je n’en ai aucun (I don’t have any). Some other examples: pointed by Sony Studios for such an oversight, especially since to have a good eye for something these products are sold here in Canada where French and English Avoir du visou (Québec) — Avoir l’oeil juste (France) are the two offi cial languages of the country.” Recently Girard had a positive cinematic experience where the He’s so stupid! fi lm was dubbed not only into French, but Québec French. “Not Y’est ben tarlais! (Québec) — Il est si naïf! (France) that long ago,” says Girard, “I saw the motion picture Garfi eld, Stop beating around the bush! and it was dubbed in ‘Québec’ French. It was absolutely wonder- Ça suffi t les tataouinages! (Québec) ful and hilarious! The dubbing was really well done.” Cessez vos tergiversations! (France) He’s in a huff. Conclusion Linguistic and word choice differences aside, the two vari- Il est en verrat. (Québec) — Il est en rogne. (France) eties of French are thriving, not only in their native countries Word formation. Suffi xes such as –age, -able, -eux, -ant and — Canada and France — but worldwide. According to Barlow so on are used in Canadian French to create many words that do and Nadeau, “it’s simply false to pretend that French is on the not exist in Euro-French. For example, parlable = Y’est pas par- decline. The number of French-speakers in the world has tripled lable. Y’écoute jamais! (You can’t say anything to him. He never in the last 50 years to 175 million. . . . It’s still the world’s second listens!). The word parlable would be unknown to Euro-French international language after English, and the only other language speakers. Other examples are bûchage, embrassage, garrochage, taught in all countries in the world.” critiqueux, quêteux, sueux, comprenable, mêlant and recevant. Among Girard’s language combinations, she works from Euro- pean French into Canadian French. For translators and clients, Implications for localization she offers this sound advice. “Working and being in contact for Obviously, any company that wants to do business in Canada many years with European-French speaking people,” she says, in general and Québec in particular needs to be aware of these “we see and hear the clear differences between both languages. language differences. Côté states that if a company wants to We need to educate more non-French speaking clients and help deal with the Québec government, its products and services them to understand that there is no ‘universal’ French — just as have to be in French. “In the private sector,” he says, “the more there is no ‘universal’ English or Spanish. There are marked dif- popular your products are, the more pressure you will get from ferences between all of these languages. Each one stands on its the Offi ce de la langue française.” own as a full and complete language, and translations should be Côté refers to an advertisement in a popular French magazine done in the correct language — by translators who are native to as an example of a telltale sign of what is going on in Europe the target country — for the market where the content is intended versus in Canada. In the November 2006 issue of Science & to be presented or published.” M www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 43 Bitext or TM? Why not both?

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Building an Inuktitut telephone directory Christopher Pullen, Jack Cain & Jim Howse

Is any book more unremarkable than a tele- throughout nearly four million square kilometers of Canada’s phone directory? It is a fi xture in most homes, a North. It is an enormous challenge to build and maintain useful tool for fi nding your friends and ordering world-class infrastructure to deliver communications services Ipizzas, or even for propping up a broken couch. to remote communities spanning such a vast and rugged area. Otherwise, a telephone directory is not given too much thought. This is not the case in Nunavut, where the telephone directory assumes a signifi cant role as a repository of information about the Inuit native language, Inuktitut. Nunavut is a Canadian territory the size of Mexico, with only 30,000 mostly Inuktitut-speaking inhabitants spread over some 26 communities near or above the Arctic Circle. Inuit culture and the Inuktitut language are inextricably linked and interdependent. For an introduction to the Inuktitut language, see www.nunavut.com/ nunavut99/english/our.html In this culture, which throughout the centuries has relied on an oral tradition for the transmission of information — and as a result has relatively little written Inuktitut material available — the telephone directory becomes an important vehicle for the support of the spoken and written language at the community level. As a source of terminology, correct spelling of the names of people in the community, sort order and other basic linguistic facts, the telephone directory is one of a small number of reference publications available in most homes throughout Nunavut. The Inuktitut telephone directory is produced by Northwestel (www.nwtel.ca). Established nearly 60 years ago, Northwestel delivers a range of telecommunications solutions to a population of 110,000 The cover art for this edition of the phone directory is the pencil work northern Canadians in 96 communities scattered “Precious Memory” by Rankin Inlet artist Veronique Nirlungayuk. www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 45 Region Focus

Northwestel is strongly committed to the North and meets this challenge through a substan- tial annual capital spending program and the innovative use of technology. The company’s investment in the North now approaches $600 million. Northwestel also actively supports the communities it serves through its community investment program, customer news- letters, corporate sponsorship of events including the 2007 Canada Winter Games, and an annual directory cover art contest that features works of local artists on the cover of the telephone directories. The early days The original electronic Inuktitut telephone directory was created by translators who used the “cut and paste” functions of basic word-processing programs. Individual names were often spelled in a variety of ways. The fi l- ing order of entries (sort order) was far from rigorous, complicating the fi nding of names in the listing. As the volume of entries grew, the costs of translator services to incorporate these into the directory began to escalate. In 1999 it was decided to introduce a “reverse” listing by telephone number in both the English and Inuktitut directories. The clerical effort to do this in the Inuktitut version looked to be a very time-consuming and expensive process. Northwestel decided to use technology to address this requirement and also to improve accuracy, reduce and stabilize the annual cost of updates and improve the consistency of the directory. Multilingual E-Data Solutions (Multe- data) was selected to develop a more automated method of processing and incorporating new entries and changes to the White Pages (personal and business listings) and Blue Pages (government listings) of the directory, as well as to generate the new Purple Pages (reverse listings) section. Overview of the revised process The revised process for preparing the annual telephone directory publication is shown in the diagram, “Inuktitut telephone directory creation process.” The English directory serves as the source for new and changed listings in the Inuktitut directory. During the year, updated versions of the English directory fi les are sent to Multedata, where they are parsed into their component parts and matched with existing entries to develop a comprehensive list of all English terms which have been added Inuktitut telephone directory creation process. or changed. In order to avoid retranslating the same phrases year after year (a feature of the old system), these entries are These entries are divided into Inuktitut and non-Inuktitut terms. matched against a dictionary of entries from previous years. Inuktitut names are sent for translation. Non-Inuktitut terms require Only the “truly new” entries are collected for processing. special treatment, which we will describe in detail later.

Jack Cain (far left), Christopher Pullen (center) and Jim Howse (left) formed Multilingual E-Data Solutions (Multedata) in1999. Cain, a graduate in library science, had worked many years in library automation systems; Pullen, a professional engineer, developed technolinguistic software referred to in the article; and Howse, also an engineer, provides project management, consulting and administration services. Multedata designed and developed the trilingual English-French-Inuktitut Living Dictionary (www.livingdictionary.com).

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Once processed, all new terms are the fi nal printed directory uses a printing The government listings (Blue Pages integrated into the directory. The results facility located in British Columbia. section) are handled in much the same are sorted into the accepted Inuktitut way as the business entries. The new collating sequence, within community More on the revised process fi le is compared entry by entry against (or by government classifi cation for Data parsing. When new data arrives tables of previously translated and pub- the Blue Pages) and then converted to a for the next year’s directory, it is parsed lished titles and phrases after broken compatible font for graphic layout and into its constituent elements — names, lines have been identifi ed and concat- design, using QuarkXPress for Macin- addresses, telephone numbers and so on, enated. Much of the initial comparison tosh. Final production fi les are sent to using customized software routines. The work is done against the previous year’s the publishing company that produces White Pages component of the directory published directory, where broken lines the telephone directories in print form. contains both residential and business have already been identifi ed and fl agged entries, each of which is handled through — so this process eliminates the need A virtual project different processes. The simplest, the resi- to manually re-identify all broken line Thanks to the ubiquitous nature of the dential, consists of personal names, some entries. internet, this project has been completed (a small minority) with addresses, mostly Out of each of the three sub-processes successfully each year without face-toin the form of a house number. An inter- (residential, business and government), face meetings, even though the project esting discovery is that the Inuktitut word a subset of apparently “new” entries is partners are located in many different for house is — you guessed it — igloo (actu- ready for further analysis, cleanup and geographic areas of Canada. Northwes- ally iglu when properly transliterated for transmission to the translator. Feedback tel’s Directory Services is located in conversion to syllabics). from that function is then built into the Whitehorse, Yukon Territories. Multedata The business entries are more complex, master tables and picked up for inclusion has offi ces in two locations in Southern consisting of anything from one word or in the new directory. Ontario. Over the years the project has name to multiline entries, with one or more Data cleanup. A side benefi t for involved translators based in several dif- numbers listed within. Entries on multiple Northwestel of all of this matching ferent locations in both the Arctic and lines may be that way simply because the against tables and the previously pub- southern Canada. Desktop publishing entry is too long for one line. In these lished directory is the identifi cation and work is done in Toronto, Ontario, and cases, the lines have to be concatenated in correction of spelling errors. Entries from the publishing company that produces order to make a meaningful translation. the previous year that are not matched www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 47 Region Focus

to those in the current fi le, as described above, are simply “left behind” as redundant, so there is no further effort required to purge such entries. Creation of dictionaries of names and phrases. A master fi le of names — individual forenames and surnames — is maintained in order to ensure consistency in spelling for both Inuit and non-Inuit names. All new names that are to be included in a new directory are checked against this master fi le. Names already present can be converted to Inuktitut syllabics directly; and new names that are non-Inuit can be transliterated according to established rules. Inuit names may have to be sent to a translator to check for spelling if the name is so distorted that the underlying Inuktitut form cannot be deciphered. A separate but somewhat more complex lookup process is used for the names and phrases which describe businesses and government agencies in order to re-use translations of phrases that have already been used in previous years. Creation of new Inuktitut “names” for people moving to the north. Non-Inuktitut terms require special treatment. If a person named Jason Smithers, for example, moves to Nunavut and acquires a telephone, he will need to be represented in the Inuktitut directory. However, non-Inuit names do not follow the patterns and structures of Inuktitut, which requires only three vowels (i, u, a) and permits only certain consonant combinations. North American English pronunciation has 18 vowel sounds and 25 consonants. In many languages, such as English, what is pronounced and what is written may be quite Inuktitut directory (Blue Pages). different. In Inuktitut, like Spanish, what is pronounced is very close to the Creation of standardized spellings. not exist in English — the guttural q, symbols used for writing. Therefore, when Complications exist for Inuktitut names for example, or the representation of moving from Roman-alphabet “English” as well, since many have become estab- the vowel i which is pronounced ee, not names to syllabic Inuktitut listings, a lished in a random way that does not ai. Recently, however, some individu- “many-to-few” conversion is involved. follow the standard Roman alphabet als have gone to the trouble of legally Jason Smithers, then, would fi rst have to be spelling devised by the Inuit Cultural changing their names so that they con- converted to something such as Jaisun Institute and published in Inuktitut form to the standard spelling — Aariak Sumitaas in order to allow a conversion to Magazine in May 1983. The variations instead of Arreak, for example. the Inuit language structures on which the found have to do with diffi culties in Consistency of translations. In the syllabic writing system is based. representing Inuktitut sounds that do translation of business names and the

48 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Region Focus

Reverse directory (Purple Pages). names of government agencies, it can be same thing, and it may take some time unable to properly handle any use of “if” very challenging to maintain consistency. for one of these to become established as statements. For instance, an “if” state- A term as simple as fax line can have the preferred term. In the meantime, the ment applied to such data always results more than one translation depending on translator may be faced with a choice in a “true” state. For this reason, any the community, the dialect and the expe- of several words for the same concept analytical work on “romanized” versions rience of the translator. A standard spell- or object. of the syllabic data requires the carrying ing is arrived at for such common terms of both variants in all the intermediate through consultation with translators. Technolinguistic overview steps of the processes and, for conve- Translation of new terms. Inuktitut, Technological approach. Most of the nience, in the tables. like many other languages, has had to processing described here is done with Use of font converters, translitera- adapt to the introduction of a myriad of VBA macros and the latest version of tors, spell-checkers. Over the years lead- new terms, primarily from the English Microsoft Excel 2003 spreadsheets. The ing up to the invention of Unicode, many language. How does one create a term most frequently used functions of Excel, Inuktitut fonts were created that were for collateral damage, for example? which make it such an admirable tool “overlays of ASCII” — in other words, Unlike languages where foreign words for this work, are the powerful ﬁ ltering they were indistinguishable by software are just borrowed (as they are, for capability, the pivot table (cross-tabula- from English data. Such fonts all had example, by the hundreds and thou- tion) builder for creating consolidated different encodings, which means that a sands in Japanese), Inuktitut prefers to tables of translations, and the “Vlookup” converter is needed to move data between create words that describe the item in function for feeding data back from them. Multedata creates VBA macros to question. So the Inuktitut word for heli- these tables. Within tables, parsing and solve this problem, and these macros are copter, for example — which in English analysis work can be carried out using used extensively in the telephone direc- is borrowed from Greek — is a word that standard spreadsheet functions such as tory processing since data from individual literally means that which goes upward “if” statements and the extremely useful translators can be received in any of these in the air above itself. With so many “substitute” function. The current ver- early fonts. new names being required, however, it sion of Excel is able to display Unicode In order to cope with Inuktitut’s unique can happen that several new terms are syllabic data correctly under virtually all pair of writing systems — the Roman created in different locations for the circumstances, but is still confused and alphabet and the syllabic writing system www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 49 Region Focus

invented in the middle of the nineteenth century — Multedata Reverse directory. A fi nal step in the processing is the also had to create conversion software to convert between the creation of the Purple Pages (reverse directory listings), which two systems. This software preserves all formatting of the original is a sort by phone number followed by one line of syllabic data and allows an immediate quick fl ip from one writing system Inuktitut name information. The creation of these entries is to the other. As a result, the visual checks and analysis required a relatively simple by-product of computerization; in the during processing can be done using the Roman-alphabet ver- manual environment, creation of such a sorted listing would sions, mitigating the need to be able to read and understand have required a huge expenditure of labor. When the syllabic syllabic Inuktitut during processing. Inuktitut string that follows the phone number is processed, a A third utility created by Multedata was a “structural” spell- width calculation is done on each syllabic Inuktitut character checker that checks for legal combinations of consonants and so that as much data as possible can be “squeezed” onto the vowels. This software catches many mistakes and is a useful one line that is available. adjunct to the proofi ng process. A full spell-checker for an agglutinative language such as Inuktitut cannot be created Impact of the revised process without a full morphological analyzer accompanying it. Can- The new directory process has resulted in a signifi cant increase ada’s National Research Council has created such an analyzer, in the overall quality of the translated sections of the Nunavut but it has not yet been deployed. telephone directory. Accuracy of translation has improved, and Creation of a sorting algorithm. The sorting of syllabic the cumulative dictionary has provided increased consistency Inuktitut data is one of the most interesting parts of the process- in translations from year to year. The process is well understood ing. A traditional order has been in use for some time, just as by all participants, and the result is timely sharing of informa- there is a traditional order of the letters in the English alphabet. tion to ensure that publishing deadlines are met. Special treatment, however, is required in Collateral benefi ts include the development the sorting process for long and short vow- of an electronic database of Inuktitut English els and for the consonantal fi nals. The Uni- The new directory names and terms. This database could form code Collation Algorithm from The Unicode process has resulted in the basis for future online access in English Consortium was helpful in establishing the and Inuktitut Roman or syllabics. multi-level sort that was required. Although a signifi cant increase nearly all data is in syllabic Inuktitut, some Potential developments data — such as the name of a radio station in the overall quality of The use of technolinguistic tools to produce (CJRT) or a corporation (NMI) — may be in the translated sections the Inuktitut sections of the Nunavut tele- Roman letters. In these cases the Roman phone directory has opened the door to some letters are “forced” to sort with their closest of the Nunavut interesting possible future developments. syllabic Inuktitut symbol. Improved accuracy through community in- Font usage and sort order. The layout telephone directory. volvement. In the case of diffi culties with indi- of the fi nal product is done on Macintosh vidual names, the origin of which may have computers, using QuarkXPress 6.5. The pub- been obscured by strange spellings, it would be lishing company for the printed directory has not yet moved helpful to involve people at the community level, along with ex- to the Unicode-aware Quark 7.0, so it is necessary to use a perts in the language, to improve the quality of the spelling of each non-Unicode font called Aujaq. Using such a non-Unicode person’s name in syllabic Inuktitut. What to do about their “Eng- font — a “hacked” font that is an overlay of 7-bit ASCII — can lish” spellings is another question, since such changes have legal cause diffi culties as the data is moved between different soft- implications. There are also dialectical variations between the In- ware environments. Individual syllabic symbols run the risk of uktitut spoken in different communities. Rather than standardizing being dropped or converted to different symbols — something on just one dialect, the policy has been to retain and support sepa- that may be caught only in the fi nal proofreading step. rate dialects. This implies differences in the spelling of names and Once the various sections of the directory are completed, terms between different communities. The telephone directory community and syllabic section headers are merged in Excel, would be one such tool to be consulted. To make it more effective and VBA macros generate the various fi elds required for sorting would require a thorough quality control survey of its current con- into syllabic sequence. As Excel only supports three levels of tent along with consultation at the community level. sort, in some cases higher level sorts are “pre-prepared” and Standards for transliteration. No standard has been devel- combined into a single sort key. oped providing rules for the transliteration of non-Inuit names The software that supports syllabic sorting must keep track into syllabic Inuktitut. Such a standard is needed and would be of a number of levels. The names in the residential and business a great help throughout the territory of Nunavut in many more listings are within a sorted list of communities. Each municipal applications than just the telephone directory. The experience agency is arranged under community names. The government gained in working with the telephone directory would form a listings are arranged within topical headings. Within each level base for the development of such standards. entries are arranged in order of the syllabary, in itself a three- Online access possible in Inuktitut and English. With the level sort. For example, personal and business names interfi le advent of Unicode and the improved consistency of the Inuktitut in a single syllabic sequence under each community name. telephone directory, it is now possible to store and search Inuktitut The sorting software must also be aware of indentions since syllabic data online. Canada 411, the national internet-based indented information must be excluded from the sort and fall telephone directory, could be extended to include Inuktitut and simply after the sorted heading. other aboriginal non-Roman writing systems. M

50 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Region Focus

Developing a search engine for syllabic Inuktitut Benoit Farley & Marta Stojanovi´c

Many dialects of the Inuit language are spoken so-called “legacy” fonts such as ProSyl, Nunacom, Naamajut and by the 150,000 Inuit in Greenland, Alaska, Sibe- so on. Those fonts use the same code set as the standard fonts of ria and Canada. In Canada, approximately 25,000 Latin letters, but instead of displaying the letters A, B, C and so people claim it as their fi rst language, and there on, the codes are associated with Inuktitut syllabic characters. For M example, the code 70 in the font Nunacom represents the syllabic are several dialects in Eastern Canada alone. Inuk- character Ü; in fonts such as Times New Roman and Helvetica, titut is spoken in Nunavut, Inuttitut in Nunavik it represents the alphabetic Latin character F. This means that an (Arctic Quebec), Inuttut in Nunatsiavut (Labrador) Inuktitut word such as À¿¹ÛÜª (school) in Nunacom has a and Inuinnaqtun in the western part of Nunavut. sequence of codes that shows as wo8ix3F4 in Latin-alphabet fonts. This Inuktitut word is one of the few fortunate ones because it In their written form, some dialects use the Latin is composed entirely of alphanumeric codes that are indexed by alphabet, but Nunavut’s Inuktitut and Nunavik’s search engines. However, even though it is indexed, to search for Inuttitut, which are spoken by the majority of it the user must know that this word is searchable and what its Inuit in Canada, use syllabic characters. corresponding Latin-alphabet sequence is. Each Inuktitut legacy font has its own code-to-syllabic- In order to write syllabics in text documents on computers, character association table, and, although there may be similari- and later to display syllabics in web pages and PDF documents, ties between some fonts, most words have different code sequences new fonts had to be created. But at the time the fi rst Inuktitut in different fonts. Most differences are observed at the long-vowel syllabic fonts were designed, the technology allowed only one characters, that is, those with a dot over them. For example, a byte per character, and this implied that the limited number of word such as À¿¹ÛÜª corresponds to w6]vNw]/E/z5 when numerical codes assigned to the characters of the Latin alphabet written in Nunacom; w6>vNw>/E/z5 in Prosyl; w6¥Nw÷E/z5 in had to be reassigned to the syllabic characters. Today, as a con- Naamajut; Žñ›¶ŽÎäÍö” in Aujaq2; and w6Ïâ÷E/z5 in AiPaiNun- sequence of this reassignment of codes, thousands of web pages avik. In order to search for that word with the existing search with Inuktitut syllabic text cannot be indexed or discovered engines, one would have to search for all those fonts/code using existing search engines. The major problem is that some sequences and more — given that one knows of them, consider- syllabic characters use the same code points as ASCII punctua- ing that there are more than ten Inuktitut legacy fonts. tion, something that most search engines ignore. This article presents a search engine developed at the National Word delimiters Research Council of Canada (NRC) that permits indexing and search While words such as the Nunacom word À¿¹ÛÜª in the of syllabic Inuktitut, regardless of the font and encoding used. It example above have code sequences that can be indexed by the allows for various formats of input for the search query and also common search engines, that is not true for a great number of for the use of wildcards, which is essential when looking for words in Inuktitut. So, why an Inuktitut search engine? Marta Stojanović is an applications The reasons are many. development specialist in the IITNRCC. Benoit Farley is a research offi cer in the Institute Several different encodings for Information Technology of the NRC of Canada Originally, Inuktitut text was — and (IITNRCC) . His research currently focuses on often still is — displayed with 7-bit and 8-bit technolinguistic tools for Inuktitut. www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 51 Region Focus

Inuktitut words whose code sequences contain codes consid- lia; it could also be changed to ng or to g by other infi xes. It is ered as word delimiters by the search engines. Consequently, therefore essential to have an option of using wildcards in our such Inuktitut words are not indexed and therefore cannot be search; that way one can search for all the words that talk about retrieved with those search engines. X or that start with X by searching for X*. Few of the common Moreover, since some codes are considered as delimiters, a internet search engines support wildcards. code sequence containing those delimiter codes, when given as For all these reasons, the Inuktitut documents on the web the search expression in the input box, will be interpreted not as written in syllabics are not indexed properly, and their contents one single word but as a set of words. For example, a search with cannot be searched for. But how many documents are we talk- Google for the Nunacom Inuktitut word é©½ÓÕÒï£ with its ing about, how much content? We have determined that tens of code sequence w6]vNw]/E/z5 returns 936 hits; Yahoo! returns 538 thousands of documents on the web contain Inuktitut syllabic hits. Because the characters ] and / are considered as delimiters, the text, most of which use at least one legacy font. This means sev- pages returned are those that contain all the “words” of the code eral hundred thousand Inuktitut syllabic words, so far impossible sequence: w6, vNw, E, z5 and all their uppercase and lowercase or nearly impossible to fi nd with existing search engines. equivalents. All those pages but one are irrel- evant. For the same word, the NRC Inuktitut The Inuktitut Search Engine Search Engine returns one hit. Unlike English, Crawling. Every search engine starts by indexing a number of documents — web Case-(in)sensitivity Inuktitut has no bank pages in the case of a web search engine. The current search engines were initially of predefi ned words To fi nd the documents, we used an open- developed for European languages (primarily source web crawler called HttpTrack. Of English) that use a Latin or Latin-like alpha- collected in a dictionary course, we could not just launch a crawler bet with uppercases and lowercases where checking every document in the whole web the case does not convey any meaning at the from which to form for Inuktitut syllabic contents. In order to lexeme level. For example, sky, SKY, Sky are a sentence. reduce the number of candidate documents all the same word, and searching for any of for indexing to only those with Inuktitut those forms will result in pages containing syllabic contents, the base URLs fed to any of those forms, independently of the case. So, an input such HttpTrack were carefully chosen. This was done partly manually, as the Nunacom word À¿¹ÛÜª, which has the code sequence from a number of Inuktitut sites already known to us, partly using corresponding to wo8ix3F4, will return pages that contain not Google to search for documents containing the code sequences of only that sequence but also WO8IX3F4, Wo8iX3f4 and all the simple common Inuktitut words coded in different fonts that we other code sequences with both uppercase and lowercase letter knew could be indexed, for example ammalu, nunavut, inuit. We codes, that is, 32 different sequences. The problem is that although also used HttpTrack’s fi ltering capabilities to exclude links that those sequences may correspond to the same word in languages contain in their URL parts that suggest English or French pages: with cases, they do not in Inuktitut written with legacy fonts. For /english/, /en/, /french/, /fr/, _en, _fr and similar. We noticed that example, the letter F has the code 70, and corresponds to Ü in this language-dependent site structure is often used for Canadian Nunacom; the letter f has the code 92, which corresponds to ¦. In HTML documents. In most cases, however, pdf documents do our example above, WO8IX3F4 in Nunacom represents the Inuk- not fall under this structure. They are rather deposited in some titut word ó¿÷ÛÜª, and Wo8iX3f4, the word À¿¹Û¦ª, “library” or “publications” directory and quite often are served neither of which, obviously, is the word that was searched. from sites and pages that are not a priori Inuit. A pdf document with Inuktitut syllabics may also be the only one of its kind on Morphology of Inuktitut a non-Inuktitut site — for example, the site of some Canadian Unlike English, Inuktitut has no bank of predefi ned words government department. Our list of base URLs thus also contains collected in a dictionary from which to form a sentence. Before URLs of such directories and individual documents. Overall, the forming a sentence, one has to form words. Inuktitut is an current list contains 124 base URLs and 162 individual URLs. agglutinative language, which means that words are typically Indexing. Before proceeding to the indexation by the Apache formed by joining morphemes together: a root, which deter- Lucene search engine of the URLs returned by the crawler, the mines the theme of the word, followed by infi xes which modify contents of each document is checked for Inuktitut syllabic text that theme, and a grammatical ending. The number of possible in Unicode and in any of the following legacy fonts: Nuna- Inuktitut words is therefore unlimited. For example, the word com; ProSyl; Naamajut; Aujaq2; AujaqSyl; Aujaq; AiNunavik; igluliliarumaniralauqsimanngittunga, which means I never said AiPaiNuna; AiPaiNunavik; Tariurmiut; OldSyl; Tunngavik; I wanted to go to Igloolik, is made of 7 morphemes: the root and EmiInuktitut. Only those documents will be indexed, after igluli (Igloolik), the infi xes lia (to go to), ruma (to want to), transcoding to Unicode the legacy-font text. We support HTML, nira (to say that . . .), lauqsima (in the past), nngit (not), and pdf and DOC documents. HTML documents are parsed with the grammatical ending tunga (I). When searching for some- an in-house parser based on the HotJava parser improved to thing in Inuktitut, the grammatical ending is not signifi cant, handle HTML 4 and to handle erroneous HTML as much as pos- and several infi xes dealing with verbal tense or aspect or with sible; pdf documents are parsed with a version of PDFBox that noun adjectival qualities are no more signifi cant. But the theme we modifi ed such that the font of each element of text can be root is, and some semantic infi xes are. Moreover, the adjoining determined. DOC documents are handled with JakartaPOI. of morphemes often causes some change at the junction. For Currently, of all the URLs returned by the crawler, 31,305 were example, the fi nal k of iglulik is deleted when it is adjoined to determined to contain Inuktitut syllabics and were successfully

52 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Canada Showcase indexed. 29,932 documents, more than 95%, contain text coded in some legacy font; fewer than 5% contain text in Uni- code. More than 870,000 words have been indexed. As for the remaining documents, either they did not contain Inuktitut syllabics, or they returned an exception after The Medium trying to access them, mostly “page not Is the Message We’re Not Just Translators... found” and “unknown host.” ™ User interface. The user interface TRSB’s success has always been driven by its We Are WORDSMITHS! allows several possible input formats: philosophy and vision, in which translation is at Our team of professional translators and Unicode syllabics, Latin alphabet and syl- the service of communication, always focused project managers view our work on your behalf as labics in the most frequently used legacy on the message and its impact. While deeply fonts ProSyl, Nunacom, AiPaiNunavik an opportunity to promote your products and services entrenched in Quebec’s culture and social climate, — and Naamajut in the next version — to professionally. We can provide you with the QUALITY accommodate as many users as possible. it also has, in 20 years, earned a global perspec- required in today’s business communications. tive of the industry, enabling TRSB to accurately The search queries are then transcoded We have established our reputation on the quality and effectively address a client’s target market, all internally to Unicode before being searched of our work, our knowledge of the Canadian and for in the Unicode index. at a competitive price. international markets and the timely delivery of The wildcards * and _ are used to Translation is TRSB’s core business. To find out projects to our corporate clients. match any sequence of characters, and ? more: matches any single character in a query. Wildcards permit search expressions in FRENCH only inc./ leaving some parts of words undefi ned. TRSB in SPANISH too! Translations As already mentioned, Inuktitut words 244 Saint-Jacques Street, Suite 300 25 Rockcastle Drive are typically composed of several parts: Montréal, Québec, H2Y 1L9 Canada Toronto, Ontario, M9R 2V2 Canada the root, zero or more infi xes, and a 514-844-4682 • Fax: 514-844-5983 416-248-5648 grammatical ending that conveys infor- [email protected] • www.trsb.com [email protected] • www.translations.ca mation about the case and number of nouns, and the mood and subject and object persons of verbs. The endings are not signifi cant when searching for a word in Inuktitut. Some classes of infi xes are not signifi cant either, for example, infi xes of past or future action. There must be a way to search for words while leaving those non-signifi cant parts out. For instance, the Inuktitut stem for breastfeeding is amaamaktit- (·¶ª£-) Your Legal & Financial Connect, Communicate, which literally means “to make (-tit-) the Complete. baby suckle at the breast (amaamak-),” Translation Experts to which the infi x -si- or -ti-) may be Alpha Translations Canada Inc. offers over 12 You’ve gotten your marketing materials translated. added. Now, the stem amaamaktit- (or years’ experience in providing expert translations in Your client has responded. And now, if the two of amaamaktitsi-) is never found as a word the subject areas of law, finance, investment, energy you could just talk, the last of the details could be because it must always be followed by at and real estate. In fact, over 75% of the translations worked out. least a [verb] grammatical ending such as -juq. The wildcard search expression we provide fall within these areas of industry Get that conversation going with CanTalk!!! expertise! You can rely upon your Alpha Team to act amaamaktit* (or ·¶ª£* in syllabics), as your strategic partner. We listen to you and deliver We provide immediate over-the-phone with our current index, returns 3 docu- interpretation in over 100 languages. ments containing one or more of the customized language solutions, superior project words amaamaktittinirmut, amaamaktit- management and technically accurate translations Our full circle service includes over-the-phone tijut, amaamaktittijunik, amaamaktitti- every time. Your communication objectives are our interpretation, onsite interpretation, translation, junut and amaamaktittijun. Two of those highest priority. inbound call center services and customer service words, amaamaktittinirmut and amaa- — in any language. maktittijut, are in Unicode, in the same Alpha Translations Canada Inc. document. Although those two Unicode Suite 210, 636 King Street, P.O. Box 5226 CanTalk words can be retrieved by Google, they Spruce Grove, Alberta, T7X 3A3 Canada 400-136 Market Avenue have to be input as complete words 780-962-7821 • Fax: 780-962-6517 Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 0P4 Canada since Google does not allow wildcards. [email protected] 800-480-9686 The other words are presented in other www.alphatranslations.ca [email protected] • www.cantalk.com www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 53 Region Focus

documents with the legacy font Nuna- com that encodes amaamak as x]mm4. amaamaktittijunik is one of those words. In Nunacom, it looks like x]mm4t5tJi4 to Google and searching for this string returns nothing because the character ] is treated as a word delimiter by Google. When wildcards are used, a list of all the words that matched the query is shown. From there the user can choose specifi c words and submit them to the search engine for narrower results. The list of words can also be downloaded, which might be useful to linguists. Bool- ean operators are also allowed (similar to Google): and, or and not, as well as their equivalent in syllabics and Latin alphabet and equivalent symbols. For each document found that contains a word matching the search query, the result page shows its title, as a clickable link, a string of snippets where the matching words are shown in context in the docu- Figure 1. The interface of the NRC Inuktitut Search Engine. ment, and the URL. If the URL points to an HTML document, the user can optionally display a copy of the document where the can be retrieved with the use of wildcards, matching words are highlighted, by click- but one would have to be aware of those ing the button next to the document’s title. other possible forms, which should not be expected from all users. Instead, the user Future work interface should handle those cases. We are Some aspects of the Inuktitut Search looking at the feasibility of letting the users Engine need to be improved. To begin give as the search query a full word related with, the crawling of the web to retrieve as to what is being looked for and that would much Inuktitut syllabic contents must be come naturally to him, for example, amaa- refi ned. Better and more automated ways maktitsijuq (she breastfeeds him/her) or must be found to target more precisely and amaamaktitsiniq (breastfeeding) and then, more directly the pertinent Inuktitut docu- using the Inuktitut Morphological Analy- ments without testing every document on ser that we have developed to retrieve from the web. Identical or similar pages of the that word the meaningful parts and create same site, often accessed through URLs the appropriate wildcard expression. with arguments, like .php or .asp URLs for example, must be identifi ed in order for Conclusion the search engine to avoid returning too More than 95% of all the documents in many hits that lead to the same contents. syllabic Inuktitut on the web use a legacy The expression of the search query must font, which results in close to a million also be revisited. Although the wildcards words in that language not being properly permit very powerful expressions capable indexed and not being retrievable as Inuk- of retrieving all the words looked for, they titut words by the common search engines. might not be natural for many users. If Moreover, the morpho-phonology and the the purpose of a * at the end of a search dialectal phonologic phenomena of Inuk- query may be easily understood, it might titut raise problems that are not addressed be more diffi cult to grasp how to use that by those search engines. The NRC Inukti- wildcard inside the query. The same could tut Search Engine attempts to correct that be said of the wildcard ?. Returning to our situation. It is also a step toward providing breastfeeding example, amaamaktitsi- is the Inuit people with tools to allow them how it is said in some dialects, but it can to work with computers in their language also be seen as amaamaktitti-, amaamat- and to more fully benefi t from informa- tisi- and so on. In other dialects, due to tion technology. A number of such tools phonological phenomena such as conso- developed at NRC, including the Inuktitut nant gemination — or assimilation — and Search Engine, can be found at www consonant deletion. Those different forms .inuktitutcomputing.ca M

54 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Region Focus

Canadian translator groups: tradition and innovation Nancy A. Locke

Canada recognizes both English and French as ofﬁ cial languages, and, not surprisingly, Canada’s ofﬁ cial bilingualism has shaped the country’s lan- Cguage industry. Tradition and innovation play important roles in the rapid evolution of the sector and its representative organizations.

Tradition In one form or another, the professional orders of translators, interpreters and terminologists qualify as the oldest industry organizations in Canada. Each province boasts an order. The Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO), established in 1920, and the Ordre de traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec (OTTIAQ), founded 20 years later, joined forces in 1970 to create the Canadian Translators, Johanne Boucher and Alain Chamsi fl ank Perrin Beatty (CEO, Terminologists and Interpreters Council, an umbrella organiza- Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters) at the Annual Language tion that now includes all the provincial organizations. Industry Showcase held in Toronto on November 29, 2006. Although orders do represent their members by providing a unifi ed vision and a positive public perception of the profession, interpretation.” De Vos describes the order’s strength as the col- their offi cial mandate is to “protect the public.” How each order lective will to realize OTTIAQ’s vision “to become the reference fulfi lls that mandate varies from province to province. A recent and rallying point for translation, terminology and interpretation interview with Anne-Marie De Vos, president of OTTIAQ, focused in Québec,” even if limited resources made that goal diffi cult to on the strengths of the orders and also identifi ed some of their attain. “One of the means we could use,” she said, “is advertising.” challenges. De Vos studied translation in Belgium and focused on The last ad campaign, an expensive initiative, was undertaken two languages — Spanish and English. In Canada, she worked in- ten years ago. Despite the constraints, she said, “We are getting house for a college and then a crown corporation, but has been a better and better known.” freelancer for many years now. A long-time and active member, To become a member of OTTIAQ, a candidate must meet rigor- she says, “The OTTIAQ plays a big role in my life.” ous vetting requirements that, ideally, include a bachelor’s degree According to De Vos, OTTIAQ is the largest order in Canada in translation from an accepted university, work experience, as with approximately 1,750 members or 35% of translators well as a course in ethics offered by OTTIAQ. Failing these require- currently working in the province of Québec. ments, candidates must provide docu- OTTIAQ employs eight staff members includ- ments that attest to a proven track ing a director general and relies heavily on the record. Translators with non-Canadian volunteerism of its members. Nancy Locke is a freelance degrees who seek OTTIAQ accredita- OTTIAQ’s mission is “to ensure and promote translator, localization tion face essentially the same process. the competence and professionalism of its mem- educator and multilingual In all, candidates are grouped into fi ve bers in the fi elds of translation, terminology and desktop publishing specialist. profi les, each of which demands that

www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 55 Region Focus

specifi c criteria be met. Mentoring pro- “The international aspect of the profession, more and more. If I had a magic wand, grams also play a role in the qualifi cation I think that’s what I liked.” She admits that we would double our membership by procedures. in Canada the domestic demand generated tomorrow. She acknowledged that “it’s While the process may seem daunting, by the federal language policy overshad- not always possible to accept people,” but particularly for candidates who do not ows the international aspect. She insists, to the extent possible she wants OTTIAQ have the preferred profi le, De Vos insists however, that “that’s where the profession to be viewed as “really welcoming.” that the criteria protect and promote the should be shown as being appealing. I professionalism of translators. “We’re not think the international aspect is great.” She Innovation trying to reject people,” she says, pointing adds, “You really need to love languages. The long-time existence of professional out that no one would hire a lawyer who You don’t become a translator because orders in Canada attests to the importance hadn’t passed the bar. OTTIAQ also tries to you failed your mathematics exam.” placed on translation. Since 2003, however, educate potential employers. The order has De Vos faces a personal challenge that concrete support for the language industry asked companies to make OTTIAQ mem- she also sees as a strength. As a freelancer, in the form of funding has become an bership “an asset” in their job descriptions. no employer subsidizes her for the time she important part of federal language policy. “We are trying to make employers aware devotes to the order. On the other hand, a So, while language industry organizations of our existence,” De Vos said. majority of OTTIAQ members (60%) also elsewhere are primarily a private affair, Recent surveys of the language industry work as freelancers. De Vos says that in Canada industry organizations have not only in Canada but worldwide point to freelancers are “really happy that I am in a decidedly public fl avor, enjoying the a disturbing trend: young people are not this position and speaking on their behalf. offi cial imprimatur and budget from the choosing to become translators, and the Of course, I am speaking on the behalf of federal government. pool of translators is shrinking fast. The everyone, but I understand much better In 2003, for the fi rst time ever, the news is especially disturbing because, those members who are freelancers.” Action Plan for Offi cial Languages, which thanks to globalization, the demand for When asked what she would like to elaborates the federal language policy, translation continues to rise. When asked achieve during her mandate as the presi- acknowledged the existence of the lan- what she would say to a young person to dent of OTTIAQ, De Vos said, “My wish guage industry, defi ned it, identifi ed the sell the translation profession, De Vos says, is to really have our membership grow industry’s strengths and challenges and earmarked a grand total of $20 million (all fi gures Canadian dollars) funding for COMMUNICATION. its support. IN ANY LANGUAGE. Specifi cally, the government committed Start here $10 million to create a language technologies research center “where specialists will pool their resources and will be able to build on the cutting-edge skills necessary to ensure the development of the language industries.” Another $5 million would “help start up market promo- tion and branding initiatives in Canada and internationally” with the hope that “increased visibility for the industries will attract more new talent.” Finally, the government invested another $5 million to “establish a representative organization and fund coordination activities,” seed money that resulted in creation of the Association de l’industrie We make translation look easy. de la langue/Language Industry Associa- tion (AILIA). The stated mission of the WHEN ACCURACY COUNTS, CONVERSIS DELIVERS. new association is “to promote and in- With Conversis, choosing the right translation partner has never been easier. crease the competitiveness of the Canadian Because at Conversis, we offer much more than high-quality translations. language industry nationally and interna- You can trust us to deliver turnkey localization solutions on-time, on-target and tionally through advocacy, accreditation in-budget. Every time. That’s why you should connect with Conversis today. and information sharing.” To that end and even before AILIA took form offi cially, efforts began to test the ter- N. AMERICA (214) 443 9229 | S. AMERICA 55 (0) 12 39 137088 | U.K. 44 (0) 845 450 0805 rain and place the organization on a fi rm www.conversisglobal.com footing. A Technology Roadmap Commit- tee was formed, and an exploratory process Visit our Web site to order our free booklet “What every manager should know about translation.” Guidebooks currently available for French, German, Romanian and Bulgarian translations. (Phase I) began that included a six-city nationwide tour to consult companies as

56 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Region Focus to their needs and expectations. Based on those meetings and after the association was formally launched, AILIA went to work on examining more closely key Canadian language technology aspects of the industry: speech processing, language training, content management and translation. Three years later, AILIA is R&D: tradition and innovation redux entering Phase II of the process. In a recent interview, out-going president Johanne The offi cial bilingualism of Canada has between humans and computers.” Boucher described the work accomplished marked language technology research and The RALI’s projects fall into fi ve catego- to date and the challenges ahead for the development (R&D) as profoundly as it has ries: translation, information search tools, nascent language industry organization. the country’s language industry. R&D in information extraction, legal documenta- When Boucher became the president Canada also mirrors industry in that it pairs tion and text abstraction. When asked to of AILIA two years ago, she brought with tradition and innovation. elaborate on current projects, Macklovitch her a credible reputation for activism on focused on three. The fi rst, TransCheck, behalf of the language industry. She has Tradition: the RALI resembles a spelling checker but goes well been in leadership roles at both OTTIAQ In 1966, the Automatic Language Pro- beyond to spot omissions, prohibited trans- and Canadian Translators, Terminologists cessing Advisory Committee (ALPAC), a US lations such as false cognates using an and Interpreters Council (CTTIC). In addi- government initiative to evaluate R&D in “anti-dictionary of prohibited correspon- tion, as an in-house translator at Ameri- computational linguistics and machine trans- dences,” and terminological inconsisten- can Express, Boucher enjoyed a degree lation (MT), published a scathing report that cies. The second project, TransType, is an of objectivity that served her well during questioned the merit of MT R&D and resulted interactive computer-assisted translation in draconian cuts in funding. In 1968, as fund- tool that works much like the auto-suggest her mandate. Ensuring smooth operations ing for MT R&D labs in the United States dried feature in Word, fi lling in the blanks as a became the fi rst priority for AILIA when up in the wake of the ALPAC report, TAUM translator works and permitting the trans- Boucher took offi ce. “We wanted to make (Traduction Automatique à l’Université de lator to choose a suggested option or pro- sure that we established the operations of Montréal) was swinging into high gear. The pose a new formulation. Finally, Macklovitch the association,” she says, “that we put MT research group would put Canadian lan- described the development of a speech-to- all of our guidelines and principles and guage technology R&D on the map when, in ideogram tool undertaken in collaboration policies in place so that, again, we had 1976, it delivered on its promise to develop an with Oralys, a Montréal-based company credibility and transparency.” Once the MT tool to automatically translate weather “specializing in the development of soft- administrative tasks were under control, a bulletins. ware for individuals who have lost the signifi cant aspect being report to funding Flush with success, TAUM took on a project ability to communicate” such as hearing- agencies, she says, “We could get on to to provide a similar tool, this time to auto- impaired, dysphasic or autistic people. the important stuff.” matically translate aviation maintenance man- This last project spotlights the impor- Some of the more important tasks inc- uals, a task Elliot Macklovitch, the director of tance of collaborations with private sector the RALI (Recherche appliquée en linguistique partners. Macklovitch pointed out that the luded moving from the research emphasis informatique), likened to “asking the Wright RALI must rely on “soft money” — contracts of Phase I into an action-oriented Phase II. Brothers to fl y a man to the moon.” Ironi- and grants — since it does not enjoy a fi xed She offered the example of fi nancing for cally, TAUM fell victim to the same unat- budget. Insuffi cient funding and uncer- small companies. The fi rst phase involved tainable dream that led to the ALPAC report tainty about future funding translate into a study on how small companies could — fully-automatic quality machine translation a signifi cantly smaller staff, roughly half as identify funding sources and present them- (FAQMT) — with the same dire con sequences. large, as at the outset in 1997. The RALI selves to potential investors. The second TAUM closed for lack of funding in 1981. employs three professors who have some phase involved workshops for small busi- The lessons learned from the experience, job security due to their status as univer- ness owners. “This year,” Boucher says, “we however, lived on and informed the lan- sity employees. Job security for the three had the training for our members [based] guage technology R&D undertaken fi rst by or four researchers who work at the RALI, on the results of that study. We now have the Centre d’innovation en technologie de however, is relatively precarious. Always a tools that we give our members.” The same l’information (CITI) created in 1984 and preoccupation, fi nding a steady and suffi - then by its successor, the RALI. “We didn’t cient source of funding has become an approach is being employed in other areas want to make that same mistake,” Mack- even more pressing concern as government including exporting and human resources. lovitch said. “One of the founding principles monies have recently been diverted north Another priority for AILIA is marketing. of our program was to recognize what the to Gatineau. AILIA’s annual general meeting on limits of MT were in terms of deliverable November 29, 2006, resulted in several quality.” Innovation: Language Technologies signifi cant organizational changes. First, Created in 1997, the RALI remains true to Research Centre (LTRC) AILIA will hire a full-time executive. The this fundamental idea despite the diversity The 2003 Action Plan for Offi cial Lan- creation of the position will take some of of its research projects. Since the economic guages named inadequate funding for lan- the pressure off Alain Chamsi (CEO, Orca case for MT coupled with post-editing could guage technology R&D among the four key Development Corp.), the newly elected not be proven, Macklovitch said that the challenges facing the Canadian language president of the executive board, and his RALI decided to “maintain the focus on industry. Specifi cally, the Plan noted that successors who, like all the members of high-quality translation and what alterna- “the language industries have neither the the board, serve on a volunteer basis. The tive modes of cooperation can we envisage critical mass nor the strategic planning and www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 57 Region Focus

new executive will be responsible for day- leadership required to benefi t from R&D English <> Arabic and English <> Chinese. to-day operations, building membership investment.” To remedy the situation, the He added that his group’s contribution to and acting as an advocate for the orga- Plan earmarked $10 million (all fi gures are GALE is essentially an “application of POR- nization. “The advocacy role is mainly in Canadian dollars) to fund research. TAGE,” a project listed as “in development” towards the federal government,” Boucher As often happens, the seed money pro- by the LTRC. Also listed, this time in the says. “We want the federal government to vided by the federal government attracted “accepted projects” category, is TransCheck-2, become a model client, and we’ve got to funding from other sources. Daniel Vincent, the RALI brainchild. be there to make sure that the industry is general director of the LTRC, explained that Clarifying the roles and responsibilities of recognized, seen and heard.” the $10 million in the Plan did not go all the actors operating out of the LTRC, Isa- In part motivated by the focus on the directly to the LTRC but to the National belle stressed that the NRC and the LTRC Research Council (NRC) “with the wish that are quite separate although they may col- government, AILIA’s offi ces will move to a center would be created.” That wish was laborate on occasion. “I think that nowa- Gatineau, next door to the national capital realized when the NRC, the Translation days, people are looking for new models of in Ottawa, and share space with the Lan- Bureau and Université du Québec en Outa- cooperation, and I think that the LTRC is an guage Research Technology Centre. Collab- ouais (UQO) with the support of the City of attempt at a new model.” oration with the provincial government of Gatineau, developed a business case for the Vincent further clarifi ed the goals of Québec also entered into the decision. center and convinced both the federal and the LTRC. “Based on the needs identifi ed “We’re working with the Québec gov- provincial governments to ante up. In May in the Technology Roadmap that was ernment in setting up the Gatineau area as 2004, the federal and provincial govern- fi nanced by Industry Canada, [the goal of a ‘center of excellence,’” Boucher says, ments announced joint funding of $15.2 the LTRC is] to get some research going referring to the ACCORD Project (Action million to build the LTRC. on the projects identifi ed there as well as concertée de coopération régionale de dével- The stated mission of the LTRC is “to carry others, [and to] always try to infl uence out and promote research, development and the projects so that they have a relation- oppement, or concerted action for regional technology transfer activities in language ship with industry so that the Canadian development cooperation), a provincial technologies, as part of the collaborative industry can be more effi cient and more initiative launched by the Québec Ministry efforts between academia, government, competitive both nationally and globally.” of Economic Development, Innovation and associations and industry, in order to con- A businessman with extensive experience Export. The Ministry has identifi ed Gatin- tribute to the advancement of knowledge, in the language industry, Vincent stressed eau as one of the 14 provincial regions that and to benefi t the Canadian language the importance of commercial applica- will host a “center of excellence.” The four industry.” According to the website, the tions of R&D. If the motto in academia is sectors of economic activity targeted for newly-created LTRC hopes to “eventually Publish or perish, he said, the motto for the region include language technology. include 150 researchers and experts.” the LTRC is Demo or die. So in the future, Boucher says, “If you Pierre Isabelle, chair of the LTRC’s Scien- Vincent admits that changing people’s think language industry, think the Gatin- tifi c Committee, says all of the group’s perceptions of the NRC and the Translation researchers are employees of the NRC. Michel Bureau will be important. “[People] shy eau/Ottawa area.” Mellinger, also an employee of the NRC, han- away a little because of past relationships With membership numbers holding dles business development. Daniel Vincent, with NRC,” he says, and names intellectual steady at just over 140, building member- director general, and Francine Leduc, project property issues as a sticking point. He ship is a top priority. To that end, AILIA is offi cer, ensure the operations of the LTRC. added that the Translation Bureau “is in the process of developing a compelling Vincent further described his role as “getting viewed as a competitor.” As for researchers value proposition for potential members. the three partners to work together and to accustomed to the university environment, Boucher would like to see AILIA member- create a technological pole to attract peo- he says, “We have to get professors beyond ship as “a must” for Canadian companies. ple.” Isabelle, who has a Ph.D. in linguistics, what they’ve done in the past and more When asked what distinguishes AILIA has spent his entire professional career in the into the mode of working with industry.” from other North American industry asso- fi eld of natural language processing and MT. He adds, “It has to go beyond an idea, go to ciations, she replies, “Access to the federal In a recent interview, he admitted that the prototype.” linked and sometimes overlapping roles and Despite the impact on the RALI, Mack- government.” She admits that national responsibilities of the organizations involved lovitch has high praise for the LTRC. “The pride played a role in choosing member- in the LTRC often lead to confusion. That creation of the LTRC has been very good for ship in AILIA over other organizations. confusion becomes apparent when he dis- Canada. Pierre [Isabelle] has managed to As current funding for AILIA will end cusses key research projects. For example, bring together a terrifi c group of research- in early 2008, another priority will be fi nd- the NRC is involved in Global Autonomous ers and a critical mass that’s required to do ing new sources of funding. Although it’s Language Exploitation (GALE), a project of leading-edge research.” too early to tell, the election of Prime Min- the Defense Advanced Research Projects Despite clear differences in terms of per- ister Stephen Harper, a Conservative, may Agency (DARPA) of the US Department of spective and experience among the three have an impact on funding. “Offi cially, Defense. The stated goal of the GALE project professionals interviewed for this article, things haven’t changed,” Boucher says, but includes “eliminating the need for linguists the hope for synergistic collaboration nec- admits that AILIA’s current funding model and analysts and automatically providing essary to advance the Canadian language may not jive with the new administration’s relevant, distilled actionable information to industry forms a common thread. This com- military command and personnel in a timely mon thread and the sincere goodwill they politics. She seemed confi dent, however, fashion.” bring to what is essentially a common goal that AILIA can weather any changes that Isabelle described the project as includ- bode well for language technology R&D in do come: “[The Harper government is] very ing “speech technology, MT and information Canada. supportive of the private industry, and we extraction.” The language pairs involved are — Nancy A. Locke can work with that.” M

58 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Industry Focus

Translation from English to American Sign Language Rosalee Wolfe, John C. McDonald & Mary Jo Davidson

Imagine living in a world where no one spoke your language. You would continually be con- not simply “English on the hands.” There is no word-for-word fronted with the challenging, time-consuming correspondence to English, and its grammar is very different. task of grappling with a huge communication Note that the term deaf (lowercase d) is the audiological phe- I nomenon of lack of hearing. The term Deaf (capital D) refers to barrier. Think of the frustrations you would have the group of people who use ASL as their primary language and to have in carrying out the simple fi ve-minute who share a common culture. interactions that occur every day. It takes little Differences between English and ASL or no effort to buy a burger, mail a package ASL is different from English in several ways, partly because or drop off the dry cleaning when you can use of its visual/gestural nature. These differences include question your preferred language to communicate. But formation, verb agreement, conveying adverbial information, if the server, post offi ce clerk or dry cleaning and use of classifi ers. In English, a yes/no question uses a word order that is differ- proprietor uses a language different from your ent from the word order found in a statement. English speakers own, it would take extra time and effort to make form yes/no questions by changing the form of the verb and certain that your wishes were understood. rearranging the word order (Figure 1). Now consider situations where you need to give or receive Statement: Someone gave you a package. time-critical information, such as asking directions in order to Yes/No Question: Did someone give you a package? catch a plane, responding to a security alarm or, worse yet, telling an emergency-room receptionist that a family member Figure 1: In English, both the word order and the verb needs help. These are the sorts of challenges encountered by change when forming a yes/no question. Deaf people worldwide on a daily basis. In contrast, ASL uses the same sign order for both a statement and the corresponding yes/no question. Further, the verb American Sign Language form does not change. Instead, people signing in ASL signal a The preferred language of the Deaf in the United States is yes/no question by raising their eyebrows and tilting their heads American Sign Language (ASL). ASL, an independent natural forward. Often their shoulders will rise a bit. Compare Figure 2 language in its own right, is very different from English. ASL is and Figure 3. In both sentences, the word order is the same, but

Rosalee Wolfe is a full John C. McDonald, with a Mary Jo Davidson, Ph.D. professor at DePaul Ph.D. from Northwestern in computer science, is an University and specializes University, is an associ- adjunct member of the in non-invasive technolo- ate professor at DePaul DePaul CTI faculty special- gies for improving Deaf/ working on the graphical izing in better interfaces hearing communication. display of ASL. for using English and ASL. www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 59 Industry Focus

the facial expressions and spine change. These changes, called Another difference between the two languages appears in nonmanual signals, have specifi c meanings in ASL. Here, they adverb usage. English prose often uses adverbs to modify verbs. signify a yes/no question. In contrast, ASL rarely uses a separate sign to modify a verb’s meaning. Instead, a quality of the verb’s motion will change. For example, the difference between the ASL phrases corresponding to pass by and pass by quickly would be a change in the speed of the motion. ASL signers might also express a modifi cation to a verb through the use of nonmanual signals. To express the quality of being careless, as in drive carelessly, ASL signers use the th nonmanual signal, where the tongue protrudes slightly between Figure 2: Signing, “Someone gives you a package.” the lips while signing drive. Classifi ers are a part of ASL that has no simple correspondence to English grammar. There is a classifi er that refers to any wheeled vehicle; another for tubular objects such as cups or columns; another for a standing person; and another for a seated person. There are over a dozen classifi ers (Figure 6).

Figure 3: Signing, “Is someone giving you a package?” Because ASL is a visual language, created through use of hands, body and face, there are possibilities for expression not available to spoken languages. In spoken language, the production of words or morphemes must necessarily be sequential since they are produced a wheeled tubular object standing seated as sound. Written versions of spoken language are also sequen- vehicle person person tial. In ASL, there are no such restrictions, so multiple parts of the Figure 6: Selected classifi ers in ASL. language can appear simultaneously. This is called co-occurrence. Classifi ers are powerful constructs for conveying information Figure 3 demonstrates a co-occurrence with the sign given and the succinctly and clearly through a process of creating a visual picture. nonmanual signal asking a yes/no question. For example, to express The plant is on the right side of the high English has one instance of a co-occurrence. English speakers shelf requires only three signs — plant, shelf and a classifi er CL-A can change a statement into a question by raising the pitch of the (Figure 7). The prepositional phrase on the right side is commu- words at the end of a sentence, as in “You are giving me that.” nicated by the placement of the classifi er. To sign The plant is on ASL and English also differ in verb agreement. English the left side of the low shelf requires the same three signs, but the speakers use word order and pronoun case to convey the subject position of the classifi er changes, as shown in Figure 8. and object or indirect object. For example, in Figure 4, the word order and pronoun case identify the recipient of the money: I pay you. You pay me. Figure 4: Word order in English conveys subject and object information. In ASL, the direction and motion of many verbs can change to show subject and object agreement. In fact, for agreement verbs, it isn’t necessary to sign the subject or object explicitly in the Figure 7: The sentence, “The plant is on the sentence. If translated to ASL, each of the sentences in Figure right side of the high shelf” (ASL). 4 would be conveyed by one sign, pay. However, the beginning and ending position of the index fi nger would determine whether the sentence is “You pay me” or “I pay you” (Figure 5).

Figure 8: The sentence, “The plant is on the left side of the low shelf” (ASL). These differences between ASL and English have ramiﬁ cations for the Deaf and for communication between the Deaf and “You pay me.” “I pay you.” hearing communities in the United States. ASL, not English, is Figure 5: The motion in an agreement verb changes the preferred language of those born without hearing. English to show subject and object. is a second language.

60 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Industry Focus

There is a low rate of bilingualism of confi dentiality, and have passed a national stream of text that is a written tran- those who use ASL as a fi rst language. certifi cation process overseen by the Regis- scription of the conversation occurring Low English literacy is also a pressing try of Interpreters for the Deaf and the on screen. Closed captions are captions concern. Studies have consistently found National Association of the Deaf. In fact, that are hidden in the video signal, but that the average English reading level the Americans with Disabilities Act stipu- most televisions built after 1993 have of Deaf 17- and 18-year-olds is at the lates that businesses with more than 15 built-in decoders to display the captions fourth-grade level. Thus, deafness is not employees must provide interpreters on on the screen. Captions are either added simply a barrier of sound; it is a barrier request for Deaf clients. in post-production, after the videotaped of sound and language. session is complete, or they are added to live broadcasts by stenocaptioners, who Conventional access to English are court reporters with special train- At present, there are six main methods The Americans with ing. Consequently, a third party is still of communication between members of required for communication. the Deaf and hearing communities: Disabilities Act stipulates Closed captioning is set up to convey 1. all parties using ASL in the con- that businesses with more information from conversations taking versation place between two third parties. It was 2. lip reading than 15 employees must not designed for face-to-face interac- 3. hiring a certifi ed ASL/English inter- provide interpreters on tions. Further, since closed captioning is preter in English, it is not as effective for people 4. relying on closed captioning request for Deaf clients. who use ASL as a fi rst language. 5. calling a relay service Relay services. Teletypewriter (TTY) 6. writing with paper and pencil relay services — the culturally preferred At fi rst glance, it would appear that Scheduling an interpreter usually takes term to refer to any of the devices that there are so many alternatives that there place through an interpreter referral ag- convert text to sound-based signals is no need for additional technology for ency, and non-emergency requests need to for transmission over a telephone line facilitating Deaf/hearing communication. be made 48 hours in advance. There is typi- — facilitate phone conversations between Each of these approaches, however, has cally a two-hour minimum. Most busi- a Deaf and a hearing person. To call a limitations when attempting to use them nesses are reluctant to consider a two-hour hearing person, a Deaf person uses a in the ad hoc interaction situations men- minimum when what is needed is commu- TTY device, which has a QWERTY-style tioned previously. The next sections des- nication for a fi ve-minute interaction. typewriter keyboard and a connector cribe each method and possible problems Closed captioning. Closed captioning to a telephone or a telephone jack. The that can arise. is very helpful for people who grew up Deaf person calls a TTY relay operator, Using ASL. If both Deaf and hearing hearing and lost their hearing later in who makes a phone call to the hearing participants are fl uent in ASL, fi ve-min- life. Video captioning creates a running person. The Deaf person types text using ute ad hoc interactions are quick and easy. However, most hearing people do not know ASL. For hearing people, learning ASL is at least as challenging as learn- Human draft ing a second spoken language, and, as a result, few hearing people fi nd that they have the time and energy to learn ASL. quality from Lip reading. Lip reading is the process of discerning spoken language without hearing its sounds. A lip reader watches automated not only a speaker’s lips but also observes the facial expressions, gestures and body language. Because only 40% of spoken English is distinct on the mouth, lip read- translation ing requires great skill in making educated guesses, and even good lip readers may miss many words. Further, many Deaf software? Yes. people do not lip read at all. Certifi ed ASL/English interpreters. The most effective alternative for facilitating a face-to-face general conversa- Contact us for more information. tion between a Deaf and hearing person is interpretation by a certifi ed ASL/Eng- www.languageweaver.com/contact lish interpreter. Certifi ed interpreters are fl uent in ASL, are familiar with Deaf cul- State of the art in automated language translation +1-310-437-7300 ture, uphold a strict code of privacy and www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 61 Industry Focus

the TTY device, ending with the letters ga While it is certainly possible to use as each participant must wait for the (go ahead). The relay operator reads the relay services for a fi ve-minute inter- other to fi nish writing a legible commu- message to the hearing person and waits action, it often takes a signifi cant wait nication. Further, the writing will be in for a reply. The relay operator types the time to establish contact with a relay English and thus has the same disadvan- response, which the Deaf person reads operator. Further, relay services require tages as any other form of English-based on the display of the TTY. A hearing communication. person can also initiate a phone call Figure 9: Block diagram of Cochlear implants. Cochlear by calling the relay service. the new technology. implants are electrodes, surgically Using a TTY relay service can implanted in a part of the inner be quite time consuming because ear called the cochlea. Part of the both the relay operator and the Deaf implant includes a radio receiver caller must use a typewriter key- and magnet, which make it pos- board. Further, the conversation is sible to place a microphone and in English, not ASL. transmitter on the exterior of the Video relay services are a recent person’s skull. The microphone improvement to conventional TTY picks up sound waves, converts relay services. The Deaf person uses them to signals that are transmit- a computer, a high-speed internet ted to the internal electrode. The connection, a webcam and specialized a telephone and/or a high-speed internet electrode stimulates nerve hairs in the software to contact a video relay center, connection, which may not be available, cochlea, which in turn send a signal to where a certifi ed ASL/English interpreter depending on the physical location of the brain. places the call to the hearing person. the interaction. Implanting is a controversial topic in As the hearing person speaks, the inter- Paper and pencil. When there is no the Deaf community. Cochlear implants are preter signs in front of a webcam. The other alternative, Deaf and hearing par- not effective for all types of hearing loss, so interpreter’s signing appears on the Deaf ticipants can write notes back and forth, the technology does not mean the end of person’s computer screen. using paper and pencil. This is very slow, deafness in the foreseeable future.

References

All illustrations from The American Sign Language Project. Lane, H. & Grodin, M. (1997) “Ethical Issues in Cochlear Implant Baker-Shenk, C. & Cokely, D. (1980) American Sign Language: A Surgery: An Exploration into Disease, Disability, and the Best Interests Teacher’s Resource Text on Grammar and Culture. Washington, D.C.: of the Child.” Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal. 7(3), 231-51. Clerc Books. Lang, H. (2000) A Phone of Our Own: The Deaf Insurrection against Dion, J. (2005) “The Changing Dynamics of the Interpreting Industry Ma Bell. Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press. as Inﬂ uenced by Video Relay Services (VRS), and its Impact on the McDonald, J., Alkoby, K., Carter, R., Christopher, J., Davidson, M. J., Deaf Community.” In International Perspectives on Interpreting. J. Ethridge, D., Furst, J., Hinkle, D., Lancaster, G., Smallwood, L., Ougouag- Mole, ed. 71–83. Tiouririne, N., Toro, J., Xu, S., Wolfe, R. (2002) “A Direct Method for Driscoll, P. (2004) “Traveling plight: Tight security often means rough Positioning the Arms of a Human Model.” Proceedings of Graphics ride for deaf in airports.” San Antonio Express-News. January 4. Section Interface 2002, May 27-29, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 99-106. Metro / South Texas. 1B. Moores, D. & Martin, D., Eds. (2006) Deaf Learners: Developments in DuBow, S. (2000) Legal Rights: The Guide for Deaf and Hard-of- Curriculum and Instruction. Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press. Hearing People. Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press. Neidle, C., Kegl, J., MacLaughlin, D., Bahan, B., & Lee, R. (2000) Furst, J., Alkoby, K., Ougouag-Tiouririne, N., Carter, R., Christopher, The Syntax of American Sign Language: Functional Categories and J., Davidson, M. J., Ethridge, D., Hinkle, D., Lancaster, G., McDonald, J., Hierarchical Structure. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press. Smallwood, L., Toro, J., Xu, S., & Wolfe, R. (2002) “Making Airport Security NIDCH (2007) “Cochlear Implants.” National Institute on Deafness Accessible to the Deaf.” Proceedings of the Fifth IASTAD International and Other Communication Disorders. www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/ Conference on Computer Graphics and Imaging, Kauai, HI. 38-43. hearing/coch.htm Accessed January 30, 2007. Holt, J. A., Traxler, C. B., and Allen, T. E. (1997) Interpreting the Stewart, D., Schein, J. D., & Cartwright, B. E. (2004) Sign Language Scores: A User’s Guide to the 9th Edition Stanford Achievement Test for Interpreting: Exploring its Art and Science. 2nd. ed. Boston, MA: Allyn Educators of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students. Gallaudet Research and Bacon. Institute Technical Report 97-1. Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University. Kisor, H. (1991) What’s That Pig Outdoors? A Memoir of Deafness. Valli, C. & Lucas, C. (1995) Linguistics of American Sign Language: An New York: Penguin. Introduction. 2nd. ed. Washington, D.C.: Clerc Books. Lancaster, G., Alkoby, K., Campen, J., Carter, R., Davidson, M. J., WGBH, Boston. (2007) Caption Services at the Media Access Group, Ethridge, D., Furst, J., Hinkle, D., Kroll, B., Layesa, R., Loeding, B., WGBH. http://main.wgbh.org/wgbh/pages/mag/services/captioning McDonald, J., Ougouag, N., Schnepp, J., Smallwood, L., Srinivasan, Accessed January 30, 2007. P., Toro, J., Wolfe, R. (2003) “Voice Activated Display of American Wolfe, R., Alkoby, K., Barnett, J., Chomwong, P., Furst, J., Honda, G., Sign Language for Airport Security.” Technology and Persons with Lancaster, G., Lavoie, F., Lytinen, S., McDonald, S., Roychoudhuri, L., Disabilities Conference 2003. California State University at Northridge, Taylor, C., Tomuro, N., Toro, J. (1999) “An Interface for Transcribing Los Angeles, CA. March 17-22. www.csun.edu/cod/conf/2003/ American Sign Language.” ACM SIGGRAPH 99 Conference abstracts proceedings/103.htm Accessed January 30, 2007. and applications, 229.

62 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Industry Focus

An alternative approach To facilitate better Deaf/hearing communication, the authors have developed an alternative technology, which is a voice-activated display of ASL as three-dimensional computer animation. It runs on small computers with a headset microphone. It was designed for the short, specifi c, face-to-face fi ve-minute interactions that occur often in daily life. The goals of this approach are to decrease the stress that naturally arises when miscom- munication occurs and to reduce the amount of time required to complete an interaction. The system has three modules — voice recognition, text conversion and ASL display. To use the system, the hearing operator speaks into a microphone. Speech is converted to English text. The text conversion module changes the text into an internal format representing ASL. The fi nal module uses the internal format to display ASL on the computer monitor. See Figure 9 for a block diagram of the new technology. The speech recognition component is similar to other Figure 10: Airport security: personal search. automated voice-activated customer service systems. It needs to recognize a few phrases, but must accommodate as many voice types as possible. People using the system will not want to spend time in training a voice-recognition component. The text conversion module only needs to be able to translate sentences or phrases specifi c to a particular interaction, but it needs to do so with a high rate of accuracy. The text conversion module is confi gurable to the specifi cs of the desired interaction. The resulting system is effective for brief interactions where the conversation is predictable. Three-dimensional computer-generated animation por- trays the ASL. Computer animation is a better alternative than video clip presentation because of the changeable nature of signs. Once video is recorded, it cannot change to accommodate verb agreement or differences in classifi er placement. Today’s powerful, economic graphics proces- sors make high-quality, true-to-life computer animation a better alternative. An application: airport security Negotiating security checkpoints in airports is a stress- Figure 11: Airport security: checking carry-on luggage. ful experience for hearing people who have no problem in understanding spoken English. For a person who cannot hear directed to a different area for a more thorough search. Figure the security personnel’s questions and consequently does not 11 illustrates the second step, which occurs at the hand-check respond to their directives, the situation can rapidly deteriorate for carry-on luggage. Once the security check is complete, a from stressful to adversarial. A voice-driven display of ASL security screener could communicate this fact to the Deaf pas- would facilitate better communication, ease stress and speed senger along with wishes for a pleasant fl ight. the screening process. Such a system would provide translations at critical steps Next steps in the security check-in process. Display monitors would be The current voice recognition module responds correctly located at these locations, and security personnel would use with little training when used by male speakers, and the com- microphones to activate the system. At each step, the security puter animations have been judged by members of the Deaf guard speaks any of the requests associated with this location. community to be very clear and understandable. The fi rst step occurs just past the metal detector where an Future work includes making the system more responsive alarm may sound. Several possibilities are associated with this to female voices and incorporating more interaction scenarios. step. If the alarm sounds, the monitor would display the ASL This approach can benefi t many interactions such as hotel sign for stop. Security personnel could tell the passenger that a check-in, bank teller transactions, reception for professional personal search will occur and how to be ready for the search practices and post offi ce transactions. Field testing is planned as shown in Figure 10. Alternatively, the passenger might be in the near future. M www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 63

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Interpretation modes require multiple skill sets Katharine Allen

As with translation of the written word, oral often sits in a booth equipped with a headset and microphone. and signed interpretation is often essential for The speaker must be visible to the interpreter and his or her those who work across borders and cultures. Face- speech clearly audible. In legal and other settings, such as to-face communication between individuals who school meetings or training seminars, the interpreter will use A portable headsets or “whisper” simultaneous interpreting. For do not speak each other’s language is integral the latter, the interpreter sits near the client and whispers or to today’s global workplace, yet both the skills speaks in a low voice so as not to disturb participants who do involved and the distinct branches that make up not need interpreting services. the interpreting profession are often misunder- Sight translation. Typically, the interpreter is given a document written in one language and, after briefl y reviewing its stood. These descriptions will help the reader clar- contents, has to generate an oral interpretation of the text into ify some of these important distinctions. the second language. Sight translation — the oral translation of a written text — is widely used in health-care, legal, educational What is interpreting? and conference settings and is diffi cult to master. Excellent Interpretation and interpreting. These two terms are often reading comprehension skills in both languages are a must. used interchangeably to mean the facilitation of oral or signed communication from one language to another. This process What are the different interpreting fields? requires “understanding and analyzing a spoken or signed Conference and meeting interpretation. Usually the simul- message and re-expressing that message faithfully, accurately taneous mode is used. “Long” consecutive and its corresponding and objectively in another language, taking the cultural and note-taking skills are needed for smaller meetings and face-to- social context into account,” according to ASTM International. face dialogue. At larger international conferences, the interpreter According to the National Council on Interpreting in Health usually works in a booth that fi lters out ambient noise and has Care, a professional interpreter is a person who renders a mes- sophisticated sound equipment. Smaller venues may equip the sage spoken or signed in one language into a second language interpreter with a mobile booth or headset equipment. When no and who abides by a code of professional ethics. equipment is available, “whispering” interpreting is used. Confer- ence interpreters typically have degrees in interpretation, often What are the different modes used? interpret primarily into their native language from one or more Consecutive interpretation. The interpreter waits until a non-native languages, and must have extensive knowledge of complete statement has been spoken or signed and then begins a wide variety of subject matters. Conference interpreters — the interpreting. In this mode, only one person is speaking or sign- oldest, most formally established fi eld in interpreting — adhere to ing at a time. In “short” consecutive, the speaker pauses after a strict code of ethics and professional standards. every sentence or two and then allows the interpreter to speak. Legal/court interpreting. Interpreting at legal proceedings, The “short” mode is used most frequently in health-care and as well as “out-of-court settings such as attorney-client meet- community settings and in escort and telephonic interpreting; ings, depositions, witness preparation settings and interviews it is most appropriate when speakers are involved in a direct with court support personnel,” states the American Transla- dialogue. “Long” consecutive is used for longer speeches and tors Association’s Interpreters FAQ. Court interpreters work in requires specifi c note-taking skills. This mode is most appro- both simultaneous and consecutive mode. Unlike conference priate for conference interpretation settings and sometimes interpreters, they often must interpret simultaneously into telephonic interpreting. their non-native language. Specialized knowledge in the legal Simultaneous interpretation. The interpreter listens to and fi eld is a prerequisite. In the United States, legal interpreters speaks or signs into a second language at the same time as the can be certifi ed at the federal and state levels (by most states) speaker. He or she stays just behind the speaker; this delay or and adhere to clearly defi ned ethics and standards. Training time lag is called décalage. This mode is used most often in and educational requirements vary from state to state. Legal conference and legal interpreting, where the speaker is typically interpreting has some of the most rigid role requirements in the addressing a larger body of people than in medical or commu- profession. Legal interpreters have to stick as closely as possible nity interpreting settings. In conference settings, the interpreter to the original statement — neither adding, deleting, nor sum- marizing content — to avoid any modifi cation that could affect the legal case. They do not work in a booth with specialized Katharine Allen, a Spanish-English interpreter, sound equipment. Legal interpreting was formally established translator, trainer and consultant, is president of the as a profession in the United States in the 1980s. California Healthcare Interpreting Association and Medical/health-care interpreting. Interpreting that takes assistant administrator of ATA’s Interpreters Division. place in health-care settings of any sort, including doctor’s www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 65 Industry Focus

offi ces, clinics, hospitals, home health visits, mental health clin- delivery of a community service. Despite being one of the oldest ics, and public health presentations. Typically, the setting is an forms of interpreting and certainly the most ubiquitous, it remains interview between a health-care provider and a patient and/or the least professionalized sector of interpreting. Community inter- family members, says the National Council on Interpreting in preters often lack professional training and the fi eld has yet to Health Care. Medical interpreting is also needed in “quasi-legal adopt a standardized ethical and professional code of conduct. proceedings, such as medical-legal evaluations for workers’ compensation claims, arbitration hearings or personal injury Additional interpreting categories lawsuits, and hearings to determine employment or mental Telephonic interpreting. A form of consecutive interpreting competence, disability, eligibility of benefi ts,” according to the that is performed via a three-way or conference telephone call Interpreters FAQ. “Short” consecutive and sight translation are in a wide variety of settings, including health-care, police, busi- the primary interpreting modes used, although simultaneous ness, community and education. Interpreters can work from any is occasionally required. Medical interpreting technically falls location, both inside and outside of the country. Clients typically under the broader category of community interpreting, but is contract with a telephonic interpreting agency, and it is frequently rapidly developing into a distinct interpreting fi eld, with estab- used for languages of limited diffusion. Interpreters often trained lished professional ethics and standards. Medical interpreters and “certifi ed” by the contracting telephonic interpreting agency. must have specialized health-care knowledge and have to mas- This is a rapidly growing sector in the interpreting profession. ter a wide set of roles to facilitate communication and the best Escort interpreting. Interpreting performed for an individual possible health-care outcome for the patient. or delegation attending a conference, meeting or interview. Community interpreting. Interpreting performed in commu- Consecutive and simultaneous skills, frequent travel, the ability nity settings, mostly in consecutive and sight translation modes, to interpret a wide variety of formal and informal topics, and and is distinguished from other interpreting fi elds by its focus on good interpersonal skills are required. Escort interpreting can the outcome of the session. Here, the interpreter shares the same require formal certifi cation, as through the US State Depart- goals as the client and service provider: to facilitate the successful ment, or can be performed in less offi cial settings. M An introduction to interpretation equipment Rafael Morel Interpretation equipment is used to facilitate The second advantage is ease of setup. Since a simultaneous interpretation from one language into portable transmitter operates on batteries, all that another without interrupting the speakers or the listeners. is needed is to turn it on, plug in the interpreter’s This is achieved using a wireless signal — either FM or microphone, clip it around the waist and begin infrared — to transmit the interpreter’s voice to headphones interpreting. In such a setting, the interpreter usually worn by those who do not understand the main language listens directly to what the speaker is saying, although spoken. The key advantage of simultaneous interpretation there are ways in which the speaker’s voice can be fed over consecutive interpretation is that the interpretation is to a wireless interpreter’s headphone as well. performed in real time; hence, it does not extend the time Stationary interpretation transmitters provide a of the presentation or event. Consecutive interpretation can larger coverage area, with coverage area from 500 almost double the length of a presentation or speech. to 3,000 feet, ideal for convention centers, auditoriums, parks or any other FM wireless interpretation is by far the widest used technology and the kind of large spaces. When stationary equipment is used, it’s plugged into easiest to set up and operate. Since interpretation equipment transmits an outlet, and a portable interpreter’s cabin or booth is frequently set up wirelessly, it can be used in large venues, both indoor and outdoor, as well to reduce ambient noise for the interpreter and to isolate the interpreter’s as in very small settings such as boardrooms or conference rooms. voice so that it does not spill over into the audience. Interpreters’ booths Interpretation equipment typically consists of two main components: can be fully or partially enclosed to reduce noise accordingly. Inside the the transmitter and the receiver. The receiver is wireless, battery operated, cabin, an interpreter’s console is installed to be used by the interpreters about the size of a small pocket radio, and will work on an FM frequency working the event. The console enables interpreters to alternate who is range specially designated for Assistive Listening Devices (ALD). Therefore, interpreting without having to move. For the console to work, it has to be interference from other FM frequencies is minimal. connected to the sound system being used so that the interpreters can For transmitters, the type of event and the size of the venue will listen to the speakers and/or presentations. It should be noted that, if an determine if a stationary or portable interpretation transmitter is more area is small, a portable transmitter can be used in combination with an suitable. Stationary receivers have a larger coverage area than portable interpreter’s booth and console. An experienced technician or person is transmitters. The wireless receivers worn by the audience will work with usually needed to set up a stationary transmitter and/or booth. either a portable or stationary transmitter since it is the transmitter that Interpretation equipment can facilitate interpretation in up to a dozen determines how far the signal travels. languages in the same room or in adjacent rooms at the same time, Portable interpretation transmitters usually cover a radius of only depending on how it is set up and the frequencies used. 100 to 250 feet, but they provide two advantages. The fi rst is fl exibility Transmitters can transmit on several frequencies, while receivers vary — interpretation can take place on the move, for example at a museum, in the number of different frequencies (from one to eight can be selected) a factory tour, a courtroom or in a setting that they will easily pick up by pushing a where the interpreter needs mobility. The button or turning a knob. Newer digital interpreter can move about with or around receivers can pick up all of the FM frequencies audience members as they continue to Rafael Morel is chief project manager at Light- used within each range (72Mhz or 216Mhz) listen to the interpretation. house Translations in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico. with the push of a button. M

66 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Industry Focus

Patient diversity increases need for interpretation Michael D. Greenbaum

Late at night, a patient with little or no pro- New language data refl ect today’s population and how immi- fi ciency in speaking the English language enters grant countries of origin have changed during the last century. a hospital emergency room — obviously in pain According to the Census Bureau, when the US population hit 100 but unable to communicate what’s causing it or million in 1915, immigrants were mainly from Europe, led by L large numbers from Germany. Financial hardships at the time left when and why it started. The medical staff feels most immigrants confi ned near their ports of entry on the east helpless since no one understands the language and west coasts. By 1967, when the population grew to 200 mil- being spoken by the patient. The problem becomes lion, the largest foreign-born percentage of the population at the compounded by the fact that the only on-site time came from Italy. New immigration laws in the 1960s also afforded immigrants more opportunities for growth and prosper- interpreters have gone home for the day, and the ity in other parts of the country such as the south and midwest. anguished patient doesn’t seem to be speaking Today, most immigrants come from Mexico and Latin America any of the two or three languages offered by the (52%) as well as Asia (26%), while only 19% arrive from Europe. hospital’s staff of interpreters. This recent infl ux of immigrants has moved into even the most remote sections of the country in search of better working and The scenario is just one in a number of such moments that US living conditions. hospital caregivers meet each day. The faces of diversity are wide Meanwhile, as hospital requests for Spanish interpretation and varied, as are the languages each face represents. continue to rise, requests for German and Italian have dropped Addressing this and similar situations has hospital language off signifi cantly in recent years. More requests for Arabic are also services personnel scrambling to keep pace with the rising tide of being seen at US hospitals. Arabic was the seventh-most-requested immigration throughout America. Meanwhile, the US population language in 2004, fi fth by the end of 2005, and fourth through the passed the 300 million mark in October 2006, according to the US third quarter of 2006, according to CyraCom, while Italian dropped Census Bureau, and it’s quite possible that “number 300 million” to sixteenth in 2005. was born to immigrants or fi rst-generation-American parents. Recent census data also show that more than 12% of the US National study on impact of diversity population in 2005 was foreign born. And while it’s perhaps not CyraCom recently commissioned Roper Public Affairs to develop surprising that the number of foreign-born residents is near 40% a national study, “Talking With Thought Leaders About Increasing in major cities such as Los Angeles and New York, what is sur- Diversity: Issues and Opportunities With Providing Health Care,” prising is that Rockville, Maryland, and Boynton Beach, Florida, about diversity as it impacts the country, health-care systems, hos- have foreign-born populations of 20% or more. At the same time, pitals and caregivers. In addition to health-care leaders, the thought about 20% of the US population age fi ve years and older speaks a leaders interviewed represent think tanks, major foundations, language other than English at home. large corporations, policymakers and labor leaders. They include The nation’s many ethnicities are illus- a former secretary of Health & Human trated in the top fi ve languages most in Services; a former director of the Offi ce need of interpretation at hospitals through Michael D. Greenbaum is CEO of Consumer Affairs; the president of the the third quarter of 2006: Spanish, Russian, of the health-care language Joint Commission on Accreditation of Vietnamese, Arabic and Korean, according services company CyraCom Healthcare Organizations; and represen- to interpreting fi rm CyraCom International’s International, Inc., and is on tatives from the Brookings Institution, statistics drawn from tracking more than 900 the board of The Association Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and US hospitals and health-care facility clients. of Language Companies. the Kennedy School of Government at www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 67 Industry Focus

Harvard. The study looks at how Population Change Spanish is the most requested diversity is changing America in language nationwide, followed Population Number Percentage Leading country Year general and, of importance to mark foreign born foreign born of origin by Russian, Vietnamese, Korean hospital administrators and staff, and Arabic. Emerging languages, what this means for those who 2043 400 million* n/a n/a n/a those being asked for more fre- deal with diversity in health- 2006 300 million 34.3 million 11% Mexico quently, include Somali, Bengali care environments. The panel 1967 200 million 9.7 million 5% Italy and Haitian Creole. members’ comments included The Roper study also exam- broad thinking about diversity 1915 100 million 13.5 million 14% Germany ines the business side of diversity. and its impact. * Projected. (Source: US Census Bureau) One thought leader indicated the Defi ning what’s at stake for cost of taking care of our citizens health care, the thought leaders noted Top Five Language Interpretation shouldn’t be on our hospitals, sug- best practices and advice as well as Requests at US Hospitals gesting instead that the government warning signs that relate to hos- Rank 2006* 2005 2004 should reimburse health-care provid- pitals, recognizing that coming to ers for language access services. Others grips with language diversity means 1. Spanish Spanish Spanish offered similar views on caregivers who the difference between life and 2. Russian Russian Russian may believe they treat LEP patients the death for some patients. One likened 3. Vietnamese Vietnamese Vietnamese same as English speakers but in real- the situation of doctors who can’t ity turn a blind eye or are unwilling communicate with limited-English- 4. Arabic Korean Korean to meet the increasing diversity chal- profi ciency (LEP) patients to the 5. Korean Arabic Polish lenge. Some experts fl atly stated that practice of veterinary medicine. too many administrators aren’t making * Through third quarter 2006. Interspersed in the study is infor- (Source: CyraCom Language Index) the effort to reach out to their com- mation drawn from CyraCom’s own munities, while others decried hospital language database. It conveys the real- than 75 languages has been needed since management for not being aware that ity of what more than 900 hospitals and January 2006 in states such as Arizona, there are issues with diversity. health-care facilities deal with day to day. New Jersey and Virginia. The tidal wave of diversity fi nds the The statistics show that the number of lan- During the past three years, the percent- recent arrivals of immigrants still greatest guages needed in California hospitals from age of growth in different language requests in ports of entry in California and New 2001 through 2005 leaped 89% to nearly in the hospitals was greatest in the south at York. More recently, border states such as 100 different languages. That number rose 70% — followed closely by the midwest at Texas and Arizona have seen signifi cant past 100 as of third quarter 2006. More 67%. Much less change took place in the increases in immigration. Not surprisingly, than 100 languages are needed in New northeast and west, perhaps because of the these states have also achieved “majority- York hospitals, and interpretation for more changes in preceding years. minority” status, meaning more than 50% of the population are members of ethnic minority groups. Immigration levels since 2000 have also grown in Florida and New Jersey, where immigrants make up nearly Pain # 43: I don’t know where to start. 20% of the states’ population. The thought leaders nearly unanimously agreed that when hospitals are unable to meet this increasing diversity and related language needs, LEP patients are subject to longer wait times, less-prompt information about their treatment options and inadequate information about their discharge instructions. Diversity is changing the landscape of America in many ways and not just at traditional points of entry. Perhaps most intriguing is the signifi cance the thought leaders placed on the issue of diversity — an issue they all said needs to be reckoned with now, not some time in the future. Design by Jorge Marinho - 2tr So uções G obais Warning signs for hospitals noted by Common Sense the study’s thought leaders vary from Advisory using untrained interpreters to lack of diversity among staff to a failure to track Call +1.+1.978.275.0500 . . 0 or visit www.commonsenseadvisory.com LEP patients and to reach out to their communities. Many of the experts agreed

68 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Industry Focus that a critical step to understanding and as waiting times, adherence to recom- providing care is better analysis of the mended care, ultimate health outcomes and patient population through improved and costs. As one expert in the study points more standardized recordkeeping. The out, “if we don’t do a better job of tracking idea of emergency preparedness was also these variables, how will we know if we are brought up as having far-reaching con- making progress in the future?” sequences in light of recent disasters. Pamela Dickson, health-care group dep- uty director at Robert Wood Johnson Foun- Over-the-phone interpretation dation, says, “Look at patient satisfaction Many hospitals are dealing with surveys. Require facilities to do their patient increasing patient diversity and lan- surveys and stratify it by race and ethnicity. guage needs that go beyond what on-site That would give us a clue as to how we’re interpreters can handle. One technologi- Over-the-phone interpretation is used to access performing for different segments.” And cal solution, however, is just a phone call dozens of languages quickly 24 hours a day. Chau Trinh-Shevrin, director of the New away. Over-the-phone interpretation (OPI) Language services administrators use York University Center for the Study of is used by hospitals to access dozens of a secure, intuitive, web-based interface Asian American Health, points out, “We languages quickly 24 hours a day. A to view, add and modify unique PINs for won’t be able to evaluate how well we’re dual-handset phone allows caregivers each telephone within a facility. Versatile, doing fi ve years from now if we don’t col- to communicate face to face with LEP on-demand graphs and charts automati- lect data to examine how we’re doing on patients via interpretation by a trained cally generate reports into Excel, Word or baseline.” medical interpreter. PowerPoint formats. Language interpretation in hospitals is An intricate web of technology pro- Enhanced search, sort and fi lter options an ever-growing, ever-changing part of vided by OPI services also enables hos- can be added to help administrators sys- health care that must be addressed to pro- pitals to analyze and prepare language tematically access specifi c data and sort vide quality care for all patients, no matter usage reports for cost analysis, electronic real-time statistics within each report to their language or culture. M medical recordkeeping and compliance display use levels, PIN numbers and lan- issues, improving online account manage- guages requested within a facility. Data ment and reporting. An OPI service can can be exported into a variety of formats to provide information to identify and track facilitate report sorting, graphing, analysis individual phone locations and detailed and electronic distribution. US Conference call usage by department. “It’s a fantastic tool for monitoring Recommendations Interpretation demographic shifts and the changing lan- Many experts quoted in the study agree Training Leader guage requirements of LEP patients,” says that a critical step to addressing increasing Rosanna Balistreri, language access coor- diversity in health care is using technol- Monterey Institute’s Graduate dinator and medical interpreter at Paradise ogy to gain better analysis of patient popu- School of Translation and Interpretation Valley Hospital near San Diego. Paradise lations, experiences and outcomes. They (GSTI) is the only US school offering MA Valley uses an online account manage- recommend mining standardized electronic degrees in Translation and Interpretation ment and reporting system to manage and data about race, ethnicity, language and or Conference Interpretation for English monitor OPI use. specifi c aspects of patient experiences such with Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian and/or Twelve Warning Signs Your Hospital Lacks Diversity Spanish. GSTI is one of 15 interpreta- 1. Patients bring family members and friends along to interpret. tion training programs in the world 2. Untrained or self-identifi ed bilingual staff are without language skills assessment, sensitivity to recognized by the AIIC (International HIPAA issues and medical interpretation training. Association of Conference Interpreters) 3. No written policy on language services. as meeting all/most of its recommended 4. A written policy on language services exists, but staff doesn’t know how to access services. training for conference interpreters. In 5. People who do not speak English wait longer and are served later in emergency rooms compared Fall 2008, GSTI will add Arabic as the to those who are English profi cient. eighth language program. 6. The patient population does not mirror community demographics. For more information, visit 7. Hospital medical staff is not diverse. http://translate.miis.edu 8. Hospital management is not diverse. For questions, e-mail [email protected] 9. Diversity and cultural issues are not being discussed and addressed on an ongoing basis. or call 831-647-4123 10. Medical staff and management are not trained in cultural sensitivity or improving patient communication quality and effectiveness with all patients. Graduate School of 11. Suffi cient data are not collected to track and analyze how effectively all patients are treated Translation and Interpretation (for example, wait times, admissions, outcomes), and analysis of different experiences of patients with limited English profi ciency is not provided. 12. Hospital management is not looking at demographic trends and planning for the future. Roper Public Affairs, Commissioned by CyraCom, June 2006 www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 69 I’d like to help you

install and activate Denise Baldwin Worldwide Product Support Manager, your software… SDL TRADOS Technologies Email: [email protected] “ In response to your requests, we’ve set up free, weekly installation and licensing webinars. During these live web seminars you’ll be shown how to download, install and register your SDL TRADOS software. We’ll answer all your installation and licensing questions and you’ll be up and running in a matter of minutes.

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To attend one of our free installation webinars today please visit: www.sdl.com/installation.

If you have any comments on our level of customer service, please email me at [email protected].

To improve is to change. To be perfect is to change many times.

The yea r so far anager e to my m s Ja n ua r y Esca la t la tion webina r Free in stal ry events Fe brua r y esen tation a t indust Techn ical repr Ma rch I look forward Graham Bennett Senior Support Engineer, to meeting you… SDL TRADOS Technologies Email: [email protected]

“ Your opinion is very important to us and your feedback helps improve our service to you.

Recent responses from our “Email my Manager” initiative suggest that you’d like us to provide technical and support representation at all conferences and events we attend.

That’s why you’ll have the opportunity to meet me or one of my colleagues from the Support and Training Departments at all future events, with pre-conference training and support workshops as well as technical staff on every exhibition stand.”

To find out where you can meet us please visit: www.sdl.com/events.

If you have any comments on our level of customer service, please email me at [email protected].

To improve is to change. To be perfect is to change many times.

The yea r so far Janua ry Escala te to my mana ger Free in stalla tion webina rs Februa ry Techn ical .represen tation a t industry even ts Ma rch .sdl com April ideas ExpertisExpertise.e. FlexibilitFlexibility.y.

The New: HYBRID DELIVERY MODELSM

’haha I-brbr Id/dd/d I’-l Iv-ӂ-rii//’m modod-l : A flexible mix of onshore and offshore expertise to deliver optimal results at a reduced cost. Translation

Subtitling project uses collaborative tools Lisa Fresolone

To help share the story of Nobel Prize-winner Muhammad Yunus with international viewers, the social-entrepreneurship association Ashoka T(www.ashoka.org) called upon its members around the world, as well as linguists, translators, and technology experts. The response resulted in a global collaboration on an unprecedented scale, a feat that combined human spirit with web-based translation and online sourcing technologies that had not even existed twelve months before. Ashoka completed the landmark digital translation effort in December 2006 for three fi lms about Yunus — Banker to the Poor, Creating a Poverty-Free World and Building Social Busi- ness Ventures. A fourth fi lm about Ashoka founder and CEO Bill Drayton is also available. Because Yunus himself is a founding member of Ashoka’s Muhammad Yunus: Creating a Poverty-Free World is one of four subtitled fi lms available for viewing at www.ashoka.org Global Academy, the organization had already produced the three fi lms about him. So, when the Nobel Prize Committee announced Subtitling via web browser its decision, Ashoka immediately envisioned honoring Yunus by The subtitling was made possible by dotSUB (http://dotsub making the fi lms available online in over 100 languages so that .com), a user-friendly “wiki” program that, according to its website, people around the world could understand and be inspired by his “provides free browser-based tools that allow anyone to translate journey. The current collaborative effort has completed subtitling fi lms from one language into countless other languages.” The for the fi lms in 68 languages at this writing. technology simplifi es subtitling because it does not require the end To achieve the huge task of translating and creating subtitles user to download new software. Meanwhile, it drastically reduces for each of the four fi lms, Ashoka contracted approximately the costs of subtitling. In addition, each fi lm is now available as a 300 translators. Some volunteer translators contributed only a captioned fi lm accessible to hearing-impaired viewers. few lines, and others subtitled entire documentaries in several In the past, most fi lms were not translated into many lan- different languages, for which they were offered a small hono- guages outside of the few most-spoken languages of the world rarium that many declined to accept. “The overall enthusiasm because the fi nancial and time demands of translation were for the project around the world was too extensive. Subtitling programs required heartwarming,” remarked Susan Davis, highly specialized operators and a great director of Ashoka’s Global Academy for Lisa Fresolone is a double major in journal- deal of time, which translated into cost. Social Entrepreneurship. “One contribu- ism and linguistics at New York University. With the new technology, virtually any- tor in London subtitled the documenta- Her concentration within linguistics is Ital- one can subtitle any fi lm at a much faster ries in nine languages.” ian. She will graduate next fall. pace. The program was designed with a low www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 73 Translation

learning curve and only requires that the talents of many to make such a landmark believes they’re a change-maker. Great user knows the desired language. project a reality.” The new online sourc- social entrepreneurs understand that.” Davis learned about the subtitling ing and linguist management applications “These four fi lms and the documentary technology from Michael Smolens, CEO that were used by Ashoka and dotSUB series are especially important now that of dotSUB, who had received a direct-mail are now available. many universities have begun to offer piece about the social entrepreneurship Ashoka’s purpose for producing the Social Entrepreneurship Studies,” she DVD series. Smolens was already familiar fi lms and their mass translation is two- adds, “so that students studying to enter with Ashoka through his past work in fold: fi rst, to educate as many people as the fi eld can learn from the world’s best emerging economies and with Grameen possible about social entrepreneurship social entrepreneurs, in effect, Ashoka’s Phone, founded by Yunus. They discussed and, second, to recruit as many change- Global Academy.” the opportunity to work together on this makers as possible. By propagating the project. With the fi lms already profession- work of Muhammad Yunus to all corners Viewing the films ally produced in English and the subtitling of the world using the digital translation In the fi rst documentary, Banker to technology in place, they soon afterward project, Ashoka hopes to spread hope the Poor, Yunus talks about how his life contacted Mike Kidd, executive vice presi- and information about his programs to began and how Grameen Bank evolved. dent of ProZ.com, an enabling and sourc- the world’s poorest populations. Yunus’ Beginning with the concept of micro- ing platform for language professionals, to work includes the creation of Grameen credit, he developed a system by which locate translators. Bank and its microcredit services, which a group of villagers in the developing offer small loans to the poor whom larger world can take out a small loan. With Finding the translators banks do not consider “credit-worthy.” a focus on helping those most in need ProZ.com contributed its new online Another social venture, Grameen Phone, around the world, Yunus declares in the sourcing and linguist management plat- connects poor village women to the rest fi lm, “I call credit as a human right, and form, in conjunction with its network of of the world via mobile phones. “What I’m insisting it is a human right.” 160,000 linguists who represent more better way to honor him,” Davis says, Creating a Poverty-Free World, the than 400 languages, to fi nd and manage “than to make his work accessible to next in the Yunus series, further explains hundreds of volunteer translators from people around the world?” microcredit lending and offers examples of around the world. its application in helping women become “We recognized early in this project Drawing attention entrepreneurs, which they do success- that if you do not have the right people to social entrepreneurs fully as owners and operators with a 96% to do the work, content does not get Davis believes that in comparison to success rate of paying the loan back and translated,” says Davis. “We are thankful business entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs sustaining their enterprises. Grameen’s to ProZ.com for enabling us to rapidly are virtually ignored by the media. “People businesses employ four times the number fi nd and manage many of the linguists will say Bill Gates is a great entrepreneur, of employees of the largest business in needed for this worthwhile endeavor, Donald Trump is a great entrepreneur, but Bangladesh. Each year, his programs move especially those with very specialized social entrepreneurs, such as Yunus and 200,000 people out of poverty and have language skills who translated the fi lms Drayton, have a harder time getting the increased the average lifespan in Bangla- for those in countries where Dr. Yunus’ same media attention,” she says. The four desh by more than 20 years. message may have its greatest impact.” fi lms available online are part of Ashoka’s In the third fi lm, Building Social Busi- Specifi cally, Ashoka used the online effort to compile in one place the inspir- ness Ventures, Yunus observes that “we platform’s advanced worldwide loca- ing stories of the journeys taken by other did something wrong so poverty was cre- tion-based search capabilities, precise Ashoka fellows and social entrepreneurs. ated. So, let’s do something right so that fi ltering that produced only highly Ashoka has elected more than 1,800 social poverty disappears.” relevant linguists and a one-stop “Sourc- entrepreneurs as Ashoka Fellows since Last, the documentary on Ashoka’s ing Dashboard” for managing and 1981, providing living stipends, profes- founder and CEO Bill Drayton, Nothing communicating with all the translators. sional support and access to a network More Powerful: How Social Entrepre- Ashoka was able to fi nd translators in of peers. Operating in approximately 60 neurship Works, explains how social languages including Acholi, Arabic, countries, Ashoka promotes social entre- entrepreneurs work, how together they Armenian, Belorussian, Croatian, Farsi, preneurship as a profession. The organi- are transforming how almost everything Latvian, Maltese, Slovak, Swahili, Tamil zation has produced a 16-part DVD Global works in society, and how everyone can and Tagalog, among others. Academy Social Entrepreneurship Series to contribute in different ways. “The success of this collaboration is due commemorate the organization’s twenty- The collaborative effort was funded in in part to providential timing,” says Kidd. fi fth anniversary. part by a donation from VISA International, “As it happened, we had an event worthy “It’s important for people, especially the global electronic payments network. of extraordinary effort — translating fi lms for students studying in this emerging The fi lms are available for free viewing at of Dr. Yunus’ meaningful message into fi eld, to be able to experience social www.ashoka.org/100translations. Viewers 100 languages — at a time when techno- entrepreneurs’ stories in their own lan- click on the screen shot to select a movie logical innovations — dotSUB’s subtitling guage and to understand how it is that and then use the up and down arrows on application and ProZ.com’s Sourcing and role models like Yunus got where they the right-hand side at the bottom of the Linguist Management platform — were are today,” explains Davis. “Our ultimate player until subtitling in the language of available to harness the collective human goal is to create a world where everyone choice appears. M

74 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Translation

Translators evaluate TM systems — a survey Elina Lagoudaki

Recently, the ICL Translation Mem- practices had to do with the research meth- ories Survey 2006 attempted to take ods followed during the translation process. a snapshot of users’ perspectives on According to the survey, the web fi gures in the commercially available trans- a prominent place among the most popular R resources of linguistic information. More lation memory (TM) systems. The specifi cally, translators usually look fi rst survey did not look at TM sys- in dictionaries or glossaries in CD-ROMs in tems as mere products of techno- order to fi nd or validate the translation for their source text. The second resource they logical evolution, but it was rather usually visit is online glossaries or diction- interested to review their utility aries, and then they may look in hardcopy and reveal some aspects of the rela- dictionaries or glossaries. If these resources tionship between TM systems and do not yield any results, then translators use a search engine such as Google to query their users, as well as to distill infor- their source text or a tentative translation. mation on the context within which Legacy translations were also reported as a this relationship formulates. resource that proves handy sometimes. Many The countries represented in the survey. more occasionally-used resources were listed Of the 874 translation professionals who — such as monolingual or bilingual corpora, responded to the survey, 90% were translators and 73% were work- opinion of a colleague or an expert, and so on — but the fi rst fi ve ing as freelancers. The majority (89%) held a professional qualifi - resources were considered adequate in most cases in providing the cation relevant to their work. A big part (64%) rated their general solution to a translation problem. computer usage competence as “good”; 30% rated their computer The survey revealed a high percentage (82.5%) of translation skills as “excellent.” In addition, 61% reported specializing in the professionals who use TM systems. This is obviously related to translation of technical texts, with high levels of content repeti- the profi le of the survey’s respondents, and it gives an indication tion, and all respondents confi rmed having access to the internet of the factors that stimulate the adoption of TM technology. — which was expected because the survey was carried out online. Among the most important fi ndings of the survey are the rea- The fi rst fi ndings provided information on the working routines sons for not using TM systems and especially those reasons which of translation professionals that relate to the use of TM systems such reveal missed opportunities of use — such as the fact that 16% of as the commonly used fi le formats and the common uses of the the non-users already have a TM system but they have been unable internet. One of the most interesting fi ndings regarding translators’ to learn how to use it. The promising fi nding concerning the group of non-users is their intention to try out or buy a TM system in the near future, reported by the majority (71%). Elina Lagoudaki is a translation technology Regarding the length of TM usage, it turns out that users are consultant and Ph.D. researcher at Imperial moving towards longer periods of TM usage — with 6% of users College London studying TM systems; a freelance using TM systems for over 10 years. In terms of the percentage translator partnered with the Greek Consulate; of the content processed with the help of a TM tool, a signifi cant and a consultant in translation technology and proportion of users (27%) use the systems for their entire content, translation workfl ow improvement projects. whereas another 38% use the systems for 75% to 99% of their www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 75 Translation

content. Both those fi ndings are positive in terms of the imple- One of the latest trends in adding intelligence to a TM system mentation of TM technology and provide evidence of the users’ is by implementing example-based MT techniques in the construc- realization of the benefi ts deriving from the use of these systems. tion of fuzzy matches. In order to be effective, this presupposes the The use of multiple TM systems by a large proportion of TM users existence of a lexicon/dictionary and/or a termbase incorporated (53%) is another interesting fi nding which could invite a variety into the system, and, furthermore, it requires intelligent segmenta- of speculations. The number of TM tools used appears to increase tion of the text that resides in the TM database. According to the in proportion to the length of TM usage, and company employees survey’s respondents, a TM system should allow users to defi ne seem to be the greatest user category which uses more than one TM the segmentation rules, seeing that each language calls for dif- tool (3.46 on average). The most widely used TM tools are TRADOS, ferent rules which would make it impossible for a TM system Wordfast, SDL Trados 2006 and Déjà Vu, each one appealing to dif- to include all. It is also believed that segmentation should move ferent categories of users. Computer usage competence levels seem towards translation units of smaller size — at phrase level instead to bear a strong relationship to TM tool preferences, and so does the of sentence level — so that TM systems can have more chances of choice of the computer operating system. fi nding matches. Intelligent text segmentation, though, is a chal- The single most frequently used TM tool is TRADOS with 35% lenging issue that TM developers and researchers work hard to user concentration, followed by Wordfast (17%), Déjà Vu (16%) and address. Sparse research has gone beyond defi ning the optimal size SDL Trados 2006 (15%). But although TRADOS appears to domi- of translation units and has concentrated on the granularity of lin- nate the market, Déjà Vu is the TM system which is rated highest guistic information accompanying a translation unit. But no user in the users’ evaluations. Users indicated as its main strengths the evaluation of the few systems implementing the new techniques functionality, effi ciency in speed, reliability, usability and price-to- has seen the light yet. usefulness ratio, which were all rated as exceptionally satisfactory. Coming back to the most critical function of a TM system — its In general, the evaluations of the four most popular TM systems ability to suggest correct translations for a given source text — it give the impression of four quality TM systems that have reached is understood that TM systems need to employ techniques that will an adequate level of user satisfaction. However, these evaluations enable them not only to leverage content but also to create content assert the need for improvements in all TM systems, especially with out of the translator’s stored resources. This desire is manifested regard to specifi c weaknesses exhibited by each system. so strongly in the survey responses that it is no wonder why Déjà Finally, the survey provided a number of future directions in Vu’s Assemble feature obtained so much praise from a signifi cant the development of TM systems and revealed preferences related number of TM users, even from people who reported not using the to the design of a TM system. But before listing any features and particular TM system. popular requests for future TM systems, it is important to under- But let us look at the additional features requested as an ideal stand the priority that the survey’s respondents allocated to certain complement to an already excellent performance of the core TM functionalities of TM systems, which most of the time determine functions. The following features are thought to enhance the their choice of a particular system. productivity achieved by the use of a TM system and are again prioritized from the essential ones to the potentially useful. Performance is more important than features Securing that the key functionalities of a TM system work Requests for new or improved ‘power’ features effi ciently was something which was mentioned repeatedly in the Some commercial TM software has already incorporated or survey’s responses. Users clearly prefer a TM system that is “better improved on some of the features listed below. For these systems, the and faster at suggesting all the correct translations for a given particular features prove to be the most appealing to their users. source text, than one that does everything but slowly and poorly.” Starting from issues that were mentioned more frequently in the So, users believe that before adding new functions to a system, survey, it appears that users attach great importance to the ability developers should take more care to optimize the core functions of of the system to handle the formatting of the text and especially their current products, rather than covering up poor performance the complex formatting that is typical of tables and graphs. Many with rich feature lists. TM users have frequently come across formatting corruption and But what exactly do users consider as a critical functional- therefore have expressed the need for better handling of format- ity? Apparently, they mean something more than the ability of ting or for the availability of a tool that identifi es, locates and fi xes the system to retrieve all matches from the TM database or index. any errors introduced by the system. They expect that a system should be able to retrieve not only all Another persistent issue that causes frustration to users of but also the correct matches from the database/index. In addition, multiple TM systems or to those who have clients who use differ- the system should be able to construct and suggest fuzzy matches ent systems than the translators is the defective exchange of TM by combining different words/phrases (existing in the TM or the resources. Although the TMX standard has been adopted by most termbase/lexicon) if an exact or fuzzy match cannot be found for TM system developers, TMX fi les often fail to blend together with a given source segment. the existing resources of the TM system they have been imported to It is still questionable whether existing commercial TM systems because each TM system follows different segmentation rules. This have reached a level of sophistication, but the expectations of their often results in reduced or no leverage of content from imported users certainly have. Evidently, they now expect intelligent systems TMX fi les. Improvement of the TMX standard is suggested as a that will be able to assist more effi ciently in their work. Intelligence way forward, as is the further development and adoption of a Seg- here should not be confused with automation. An intelligent sys- mented Rules eXchange (SRX) standard. tem can have or develop the ability to make choices in a similar A request that has gained great popularity since the appearance way that a human would do, but it can, nonetheless, let the user be of a couple of TM systems which have succeeded in this area is the in control of the process. ability of a system to show the context for a suggested match. And

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when we say context, we do not mean the contextual information useful a “match as you type” feature, where the system will which should accompany a target segment, such as the subject, auto-fi ll the typing of a translation according to the matches client name, fi le name, date, folder location and so on. We rather it has retrieved. Finally, great importance is attached to the QA mean the actual context — some lines of text before and after the functions of a TM system. It would be useful if a TM system match — that will make the translator feel a greater certainty about is able to perform terminology consistency checks and other his or her choice of the right translation. checks for common mistakes such as multiple spaces, spaces We have seen how important it is for TM users to have a sys- before full-stops and so on. tem that exploits to the maximum the available stored resources. All those features sound like good ideas as long as they don’t But what if the resources are limited? Or what if they are in fi le slow the whole process down and/or make it more prone to crash- formats other than those supported by TM systems? Then we ing or being irrational. must fi nd a way to facilitate the access to and acquisition of resources so that the TM system can possess a rich pool of mate- Flexibility, simplicity and ease of use rial from which it may cleverly suggest the appropriate match. To Three system properties emerge again and again throughout the this effect, the survey’s respondents expressed the need to have survey’s responses: fl exibility, simplicity and ease of use. a single unifi ed platform for accessing and making simultaneous Flexibility is attained when the system offers the possibility use of centralized or distributed resources, whether those are TM to the user to customize and defi ne the settings for most of its databases, text fi les, dictionaries, glossaries, termbanks or elec- features. This way it can be adaptable to each user’s needs. It is also tronic dictionaries that they may have in CD-ROMs. They also achieved through the option of enabling or disabling certain fea- consider it important for a TM system to be able to use simulta- tures according to the different tasks performed by certain groups neously a limitless number of resources and to give the user the of users. Finally, a system can prove fl exible by allowing the user option to prioritize these resources or to tag some resources as to choose not to use the tool for specifi c parts of the text where it “reference/secondary” or “read-only” so that the matches can be is not required or deemed useful. better prioritized, too. Interactive batch editing selected resources Simplicity, on the other hand, can be achieved by organizing should be possible too, in order to correct or update past transla- all features under the umbrella of a single simple process that will tions quickly and consistently. support the translation workfl ow from beginning to end. A feature- In the list of popular requests for improved TM features, rich application does not necessarily mean an overbearing and terminology management was mentioned too many times to be complex one, as long as the workfl ow that ties all of the features ignored. TM users have requested customized and sophisticated together is simple. As one of the survey’s respondents observed, terminology handling features and the possibility to propagate “right now all the workfl ows that are proposed are way too techni- — automatically or not — new and updated terms. Some users cal for the translator to fully appreciate the features.” Simplicity would also like to be able to specify the order in which the sys- is also achieved through a simple software solution. A signifi cant tem lists suggested terms — that is, to assign an ordinal rather majority of survey respondents (75%) indicated a preference for a than only having the choice of chronological order or reverse single TM software solution instead of multiple applications that chronological order. But what appears even more important for may be linked together. many is the automatic building of a bilingual glossary after Finally, TM users “would like the software to be user friendly, a translation project is complete, through an intelligent and so you don’t have to attend seminars to use it.” Indeed, an intui- robust terminology extraction facility. As a survey respondent tive and user-friendly interface gives many bonus points to a TM quotes, “this extraction of terms should not be based only on system, as the survey discovered. the number of occurrences of a term in a text, but on the ‘tech- Overall, the survey revealed a great number of needs that nicity’ of the term (which may appear only once or twice but are not met yet by most, if not all, of the existing TM systems. will require a lot of research to fi nd the appropriate equivalent Some respondents formed their requests out of their current in the target language). The existing tools right now only make problems. Others visualized the future of TM systems by thinking up lists of ‘frequently found’ terms, which 99% of the time are what would make their job easier. Others dared to go further and not technical terms related to a specifi c technical topic.” dreamed of capabilities — such as systems that could seamlessly interact with the internet — that now seem to them practically Other desirable features impossible to implement. Many more requests have been ex pressed through the TM sur- But impossible is nothing. Software engineering is evolving at vey. Some emerge repeatedly from a number of respondents, and a rapid pace, surmounting programming limitations of the past. others refl ect the opinion of a single individual. The question at the moment is not whether some features are Some of these other features are the support for additional possible to develop but whether they would bring any real ben- fi le formats — such as those produced by OpenOffi ce, Lotus efi t to the daily work of the average translation professional and Notes, InCopy and so on — and support for many more lan- therefore would justify the development efforts. This is some- guages that are not yet supported. The possibility of extracting thing that TM developers need to fi nd out through a careful and text from graphics and PDF documents is also thought to be systematic requirements-engineering process, carried out in close important because the specifi c fi le types are frequently being cooperation with the end users of their products. M dealt with by translators with a certain amount of apprehen- sion. Many TM users have also expressed the desire to see many more cross-platform TM systems in the future, which will not The full Translation Memories Survey 2006 report is available at bind them to use a specifi c operating system that they may http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/portal/pls/portallive/docs/1/ not like after all. Furthermore, some respondents would fi nd 7307707.pdf

78 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Translation

Culture affects technical writing in a second language Diana Karel

How many translators have said, “This text courses. Are those French post-graduates able to produce tech- wasn’t written by a native speaker!”? Because nical texts in an English-native sounding way? English is the dominant economic language, What “errors” are French people making when writing in the most common source language for techni- English, and how can we explain them? In this article, by com- H paring French and English writing, we will see how language cal documentation is English. Therefore, trans- — and even technical language — is infl uenced by our culture, lation from English is easier and less expensive society, environment and education. The problem lies in the than translation from other languages. Push- stylistic little things which make a difference. ing fi nancial considerations even further, many Stylistic ‘little things’ French companies have decided to have their Comparative stylistics is not a new subject. The professional English documentation produced in India, China French translator’s bedside reading is probably Stylistique com- or Taiwan, or by in-house French writers. parée du français et de l’anglais by Jean-Paul Vinay and Jean Darbelnet, published in 1958. This book does not deal with tech- People think that in order to write technical documentation, nical writing, but gives the most important differences between the writer only has to understand the subject matter and to mas- French and English writing. The main cultural difference lies ter the terminology. Many French managers are convinced that in the fact that French is an abstract language whereas English anyone equipped with a good bilingual dictionary could write is very concrete. French people are indeed all educated to be technical documentation. But saving money at the expense of analytically minded, and France is the only European country quality is not the best solution. Companies are becoming aware where philosophy is a mandatory course part of the A-level that poor source texts have resulted in increased localization program. costs, delayed time-to-market and loss in sales. French culture vs. Anglo-Saxon culture Technical writing in France As an obvious result of their education, French people French universities offer a professional master’s degree in translate an action using nominal forms revealing their ana- technical writing, a fi ve-year diploma with intensive English lytic and Cartesian minds. They attach more importance to conceptual notions. On the other hand, Anglo-Saxons are pragmatic thinkers. They rather use verb forms to chronologi- cally describe an action, which shows that they value facts. This leads to a whole series of consequences. English has short Diana Karel is a project manager at WhP, sentences and simple syntax using anaphoric elements, that based in France. She recently passed a research is, the repetition of a word or a group of words (using pro- master’s degree in English for Specifi c Purposes nouns such as it, they, this, that and so on) at the beginning at the University of Bordeaux. of several consecutive sentences. French usually has long and www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 79 Translation

syntax-complicated sentences, which words behave in texts. The number of sounding less natural than when writ- involves the use of relative clauses occurrences of a word or expression in ten by a native-speaker. (subordination) and also a lot of con- both native and non-native sets were As to punctuation, we could observe nectors, unlike English. identifi ed and counted. The fi nal results great differences in the use of the comma However, for this preliminary study, were obtained with the application of which is twice as much used in the native we limited our research to four main statistical calculations and tests. set than in the non-native set. This dif- axes: the general aspect of the sentence ference can be explained by the fact that — length and punctuation; the use of a comma is usually used in English to relative clauses as subordination vs. separate sequences of three digits (deci- coordination, a common parallel in Imprecise English mal separator). But this case is not the French vs. English comparative stylistics; most frequent in our set of manuals. We the use of logical connectors as French grammar handbooks then explored two more possibilities: the is known to use more connectors than for French learners use of the comma before and and before English; and the use of time connectors. which. We could observe that in 50% This last research orientation is based make the problem of the cases, French writers forgot the on the assumption that time and space comma before and in a list of more than approach is different in both French and even more three elements. They also omit, in the Anglo-Saxon cultures. disconcerting. same proportions, the comma before the How the study was conducted: relative pronoun which when it intro- method and tools. An effi cient way duces a non-restrictive clause. Unlike to determine the effect of culture on the restrictive clause, the removal of a language is to conduct a stylistic analy- Sentence length non-restrictive clause doesn’t alter the sis. We therefore compared the way and punctuation meaning of the sentence. certain terms or expressions were used The fi rst results showed that in both Punctuation is quite delicate to use in two sets of manuals. The native set set of manuals, there were no signifi - in French as well as in English, but containing English technical manuals cant differences as to the length of the imprecise English grammar handbooks written by English native-speakers was sentences. Non-native sentences even for French learners make the problem thus compared to the non-native set tend to be a bit shorter than native even more disconcerting. Most gram- containing English technical manuals sentences. This can be explained by the mar handbooks say that the use of the written by French technical writers. fact that technical writing is dominated comma is less frequent in English than Both sets of manuals contained around by its own rules. Technical documenta- in French. French writers fi nally think 100,000 words. This amount of words tion should contain short and clear sen- that punctuation is not that important in was a necessary condition for a relevant tences for the users to easily understand English, and they end up by forgetting study. The texts were then analyzed by the instructions and processes. French it or simplifying it — incorrectly! In this an integrated suite of programs that technical writers seem to apply this case, it is not a cultural but rather an showed through statistical data how rule very strictly. The sentences end by educational issue.

80 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Translation Society for Technical Communication

Relative pronouns and clauses writers end up using the wrong words in The results showed that there were wrong places. no signiﬁ cant differences in the total number of relative pronouns (that, who, Time connectors whom, which, whose). This is reassuring The following time connectors were as we previously said that the sentence submitted to this study: as, as long as, length is quite the same in both native as soon as, after, before, once, until, and non-native sets of manuals. The when and while. The total number of main difference lies however in the use (time and logical) connectors is, as pre- of the following pronouns: which, that dicted, slightly higher in the non-native and whose. than in the native set. French, as men- May 12-16, 2007 English writers very frequently use tioned before, contains more connectors Minneapolis Convention Center that, unlike French writers, who rather because of its analytic formulations. The Minneapolis, Minnesota use which. This can be explained by the main differences lie, however, in the use fact that English is a descriptive and of the following time connectors: when REGISTER TODAY! chronologic language. It follows a linear and once are rather used by French scheme and is therefore dominated by writers, whereas until, before and after www.stc.org the use of anaphora and of correspond- are more commonly used by English ing anaphoric elements, such as pro- native speakers. Highlights of the Summit: nouns (it, this, that and so on) or relative This all can be explained by the dif- A choice of 5 Certificate Programs. By clauses beginning with that — in fact, in ferent way English and French people NEW! English, who/whom and which are often apprehend time. As we said before, Eng- participating in these intensive two-day replaced by that in restrictive clauses. lish is a linear and chronologic descriptive pre-conference workshops, combined with But French learners of English seem to language: a juxtaposition of clauses with a selection of conference sessions, attendees earn a Certificate of Completion. Workshop ignore this rule as well as the difference the use of the connector and is predomi- registration includes full-conference for a between which and that. And since one nant in English discourse. The use of once single low price! of the main characteristics of the French breaks this linearity. That’s why English language is the use of subordination, native speakers don’t use it very often. NEW! Specialized tracks within the confer- French writers rather use the pronoun When once is used in the native set of ence, designed by leading authorities to which that seems to better correspond manuals, we could notice that linearity give you in-depth knowledge on the topics to the use of a restrictive clause for a is respected as the connector appeared at and issues that affect your everyday work. French writer. the beginning of the sentence, or the sen- I Over 100 technical sessions in 6 topic areas: Whose is rarely used by English tence is formulated in such a way that the native speakers, whereas it appears natural order of the action is respected. • Designing and Assessing User Experiences quite a few times in the non-native set The use of until allows the linearity to be • Developing and Delivering Content of manuals. The results showed that in respected, too. That’s why it is more com- • Producing and Publishing Information the native set whose is exclusively used monly used in the native set of manuals. • Management after an animate object (that is, a per- French people are known to have a less • Developing Your Skills and Promoting son, an animal or a plant); moreover, precise approach of time. That is why they Your Profession an expression using with would be used rather use when. When is not as accurate • Applying Research and Theory to Practice. rather than the pronoun whose (as in as before and after, which are preferably I The tree with the yellow leaves is higher used by English native-speakers. Those A choice of 4 one-day, Pre-Conference than the house). In the non-native set connectors bring more information about Workshops. however — written by French writers time order. I Evaluation Workshops with experienced — whose could be found several times This analysis revealed deeper cultural professionals to evaluate your manuals, after an inanimate element (a thing). inﬂ uences: the fact that French people online help, tutorials, and indexes. Once again, this error can be explained are very analytic and use many con- by imprecise and incomplete English nectors but also different perceptions of I Keynote presentations by high-tech humorist grammar handbooks aimed at French the world in French and Anglo-Saxon Ze Frank and internationally renowned learners. Some of these books say that culture. Here we highlighted the differ- science communicator—and 2007 STC the use of the pronoun whose is allowed ences in the approach of time order but Honorary Fellow—Simon Singh. after an inanimate object, but not in IT a further study of, for example, adverbs I The profession’s largest EXPO—the latest technical documentation! Unfortunately of place (here, where and so on) would products and services in the field. the handbook doesn’t say anything reveal other cultural differences. about the context. In conclusion, French writers tend to Logical connectors For the latest information simplify English grammar by applying For this part, we studied the following about the conference, exhibiting, French models in English sentences, and logical connectors: contrast connectors sponsorship opportunities, the inaccurate grammar handbooks make (although, but, however, on the other or to register online, visit it even easier to get it wrong. French hand, though, whereas), cause connectors www.stc.org www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 81 Translation

(because, as, since) and consequence con- the other contrast connectors. This can rather not use the connector although nectors (so, therefore, thus). The results be explained by the fact that the French because they, once again, apply the scheme mainly revealed differences in the use of apply the scheme of the short French word of the French expression bien que which contrast and cause connectors. mais that sounds shorter and simpler, but requires a more complicated syntax form The three contrast connectors but, also less formal. Moreover, the writer with the use of the French subjunctive. although and however are used in about seems not to know the slight sense dif- The results showed that the cause con- the same proportions in the native set ference between but and however. But is nector because is very commonly used by of manuals, whereas French writers tend more moderated while however expresses English native-speakers. Here again, we to exclusively use but at the expense of a stronger contrast. French writers would can say that French writers are applying their mother-tongue models when they use because, but also, since and as. A parallel was drawn between because and parce que, which is less elegant in French texts compared to their equivalents (puisque IT’S THE and comme). This assumption is highlighted by the fact that in the non-native LEADING (French) set, we very rarely fi nd because at the beginning of a sentence — unlike in the native set. In fact, French pupils have GLOBAL always learned that using the French because (parce que) at the beginning of CONTENT a sentence is not elegant at all! The use of since and as will therefore sound more LIFECYCLE formal and elegant to the French ears! Conclusion SOLUTION From this study we may conclude that French writers tend to exaggerat- YOUR edly apply the rules they fi nd in the guide books to technical writing as well BUSINESS as in the unfortunately often incomplete and inaccurate grammar handbooks for French learners. They also tend to apply NEEDS. the scheme of their mother tongue when writing English, which often makes their texts sound unnatural to native speak- UNLESS YOU NEED ers. French writers are deeply infl uenced by their culture and education when CONTENT REDUNDANCY. writing in English and don’t seem to be aware of it. This study also showed the evidence The world’s most complete XML content of cultural and educational infl uences authoring, globalization, publishing and throughout the discourse, such as the use of pronouns, connectors and punctuation. XML-Based Content Lifecycle Solutions management solution. Period. In the study, we concentrated on those Efficiently managing global content is serious small stylistic elements which shows how business. With XMetaL software and services, you get the power to putting each of those little imperfections publish directly from XML, manage and translate content as objects, all together in one text could make it and store it in any CMS. For your bottom line, that means less content sound unnatural to a native speaker. redundancy, reduced localization and publishing costs, and faster This article doesn’t aim at answering time to market. Find out more today 1-866-793-1542. questions such as whether it makes sense to outsource technical writing to low cost countries. Profound cultural and educational differences cannot easily be overcome. This article is a modest contri- Find out about the financial impact of XML bution to understanding the complexity and DITA on content creation and globalization. of language and to better understand Download our white paper why, even after a long and intense at www.xmetal.com/info/mc linguistic training, we cannot hide our culture and education. M

82 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Translation

Translation management systems and subcategories Benjamin Sargent

We have heard the same lament from con- States, they address very different problems. Compare Germa- tent management and IT professionals for years: ny’s across with Canada’s Clay Tablet, and you’ll become quite “Multilingual content is just content, isn’t it? perplexed. Common Sense Advisory decided it was time to clear up the WShouldn’t my CMS be able to manage foreign confusion. Last year, the research fi rm set out to study commer- language content? Why do I need a separate cial software solutions to 1) see if there was any reason for them tool to manage my Chinese and French web- to exist and, if yes, 2) to determine the structure of this emerging sites and document farms?” That’s a good set of market. What it found was surprising and changed its analysts’ opinions about how technology has evolved in professional questions that nearly 10 years translation environments. ago led venture capitalists to This article provides an over- fund companies such as eTrans- view of the capabilities Common Sense Advisory found in transla- late (sold in 2002 for pennies on tion management systems (TMS) the dollar to Translations.com), and the characteristics of three GlobalSight (sold in 2005 for a basic system types employed tiny fraction of the VC invest- to manage the various business activities in and around trans- ment), Idiom, and Uniscape (sold lation workfl ow. The analysis to TRADOS, which managed to derives from Common Sense break the selling-on-the-cheap Advisory’s review of over 20 curse when it sold out to SDL). commercial software products currently marketed to enterprise Over the last couple of years, Idiom Figure 1: Discrete purposeful activities give departments and language ser- and SDL picked up a bit of traction in the rise to different application types. vice providers (LSPs) to stream- marketplace, but they’re still not lighting Source: Common Sense Advisory, Inc. line tran slation operations. up the sky. In 2005 and 2006 a fl ock of new entrants crowded onto the fi eld, taking different approaches. If you compare TMS subcategories and customary features systems such as XTRF from Europe and Lingotek in the United Today there are three discrete system sub-types that arose as developers sought to underpin the respective activities of companies, workgroups or individuals. Common Sense Advi- Benjamin Sargent is a senior analyst at the trans- sory found that system designers addressing corporate activi- lation and localization research and consulting ties such as project, resource and fi nancial management created fi rm, Common Sense Advisory. He has worked for project-based TMS. Easing group activity bottlenecks led to fi rms providing language services, developing the development of workfl ow-based systems. Most recently, computer-assisted translation technology and enabling individual activities within a virtual team environ- creating global websites for large multinationals. ment gave rise to collaborative workbench systems (Figure 1). www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 83 Translation

Among the customary features within each activity class Q Financial management. This capability adds customer invoic- there is a hierarchy of needs, creating natural subcategories. ing and/or vendor purchase order tracking and will trend toward Users tend to adopt — and vendors tend to provide — primary integration with other systems. features fi rst, secondary next and tertiary features last. Process management ensures job flow Business management keeps the lights on Translation management revolves around workfl ow. Most sys- Business management includes project, resource and fi nan- tems quickly gain workfl ow capability, whether begun as simple cial management capacities such as reporting, planning, col- project management suites or collaborative translation tools. lecting monies and making payments. Q Workfl ow. Two approaches to translation workfl ow dominate the solutions we looked at. We liken the fi rst to a conveyor belt, with fi les shuttling from one worker to the next. The second, more common method leaves the data in a central repository accessible via client/server mechanisms or web services. Language workers log in via a web or WAN connection to perform their function. This “virtual workfl ow” tracks status, initiates sub-processes, and sends notifi cations while leaving the actual content or work product in a central location. Q Collaboration. This software allows participants in various functions and locations to share information in a structured, repro- ducible environment. Collaboration typically includes modules for threaded discussions, calendaring, task lists and fi le sharing. Advanced collaboration allows users to approve quotes, generate invoices, modify workfl ows and approve content. Q Content connectors. These middleware components transfer text and other digital assets such as images and code between the translation workfl ow engine and a repository that authors, Figure 2: Primacy of needs in TMS. manages and publishes source fi les. As developers add more con- Source: Common Sense Advisory, Inc. nectors, the TMS increases its scope, thus allowing collaboration Q Project management. This software plans and tracks the and workfl ow functions to move content in and out of the many duration, effort and resource information of each task such as environments that make up corporate systems of record. translation, editing and desktop publishing for each component of a project such as manuals, help or a brochure. Language management Q Resource management. These functions go a step further centralizes translation assets by managing distinct information about each resource — for TMS vendors fi nd legitimate reasons to include or not to include instance, rates and availability. a translation interface within their products, so we studied systems

Management systems and their expected life spans What it is Where it’s going Jargon life span Business processes and system software used to Essential TMS functions such as business CMS will retain CMS capture, store, manage and distribute text, images management and language management do currency for at least and other digitized information. not appear on product roadmaps. the next 5 years. Global content management (GCM) is the Multilingual content handling is required for GCMS is not useful as application of CMS technology to multilingual any CMS. But we now recognize that this a category label for and/or multinational content stores. Most major is distinct from translation management. software. It will reach GCMS systems capably store, manage and process Connectors and business partnerships will be the jargon junk heap in multilingual information and will continue to add required to bridge the gap. 2-3 years. globalization functions. Globalization management system (GMS) is the term The systems so described originally managed that suppliers used to describe the fi rst translation workfl ow and not much more – that’s a workfl ow systems. Executives assume that something valuable function, but it’s only a small part of GMS is already dead. GMS called GMS encompasses multinational marketing and globalization. These systems now control business sales for multi-currency transactions, pegged to logistics and language functions that are essential for and regulations that enable cross-border fulfi llment. translation – what we now call TMS. The 3 types of TMS systems — business management The most mature products in the category TMS is a baby-faced for translation companies, process management for already subsume all three functional areas. term just climbing out of translation workgroups, and language management New products and new approaches are coming TMS its bassinet. Estimated for centralized translation assets — cluster around the to market almost on a monthly basis. The currency 5-15 years. fulcrum point of translation workfl ow. category is positively spewing innovation.

84 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Translation that take both approaches. Before these suppliers incorporate a project management features. Then they extend their resource direct translation facility, they often add some sort of language management capabilities on one side and language tools on processing to their workfl ow. the other. Examples in this category include the veteran World- Q Integrated translation memory (TM) and transformations. Server and the new-outside-Germany across Language Server. A range of related applications comes into play, from pre- Because the defi ning characteristic of a TMS is the ability to processing and post-processing fi lters, converters and scripts organize teams and distribute work to multiple translators to grammar and spell checkers, to tag validation and other working in a virtual team, almost all products in the broader quality assurance (QA) functions. Because pre-processing and category include some workfl ow capabilities. post-processing of TM is a signifi cant task in most multilingual Q Collaborative workbench tools centralize translation workfl ows, vendors tend to build out TMS-based workfl ow by assets. More recently, systems enabling individual worker-level automating TM functions. activities within a virtual team environment gave birth to new Q Webtop translation tools. Translators use specialized soft- systems focused on language production — translation and ter- ware to perform text-based direct translation. Beyond text editing minology development. Collaborative workbench as a sub-type capabilities, these applications typically interact with both TM is relatively new. They start with the idea of centralized TM and and terminology management functions. These may complement build out a TMS from there. Examples of such systems today or replace desktop translator tools. include SDL TMS and Lingotek. Q Customer review and markup. Markup tools that integrate with the translator environment simplify the review of terminology and translation by client managers. The most advanced systems allow customer intervention within the translation workfl ow, prior to “delivery.” In summary, TMS meets the needs of fi nancial audit controls on one end of the spectrum, all the way through workfl ow and integrated TM, to client markup interfaces and automated quality reporting. The defi ning characteristic of a TMS is the ability to organize teams and distribute work to multiple translators working in a virtual team. Nearly all TMS systems provide some workfl ow capability. How a TMS evolves The patterns we recognized in the evolution of these systems helped convince us that something real was going on here. We found that vendors initially designed software to accommodate needs in one class of activity (corporate, group or individual) and then enhanced their product or suite by satisfying more Figure 3: Evolution of workfl ow-based TMS. needs and moving laterally into other categories. Each system Source: Common Sense Advisory, Inc. type evolved and continues to evolve according to a predictable The most mature TMS products display compelling features paradigm. Figure 3 shows the typical pattern of workfl ow-based in all three activity areas (business, workgroup and individual). TMS; the other types grow up and across, symmetrically, start- These comprehensive systems consolidate all translation activi- ing at the base of the left or right triangle, respectively. ties within a single system architecture. Buyers and users should be informed about how these systems came about, and what each system type is best at. Here is And don’t forget the captive systems the rundown: Given that 87% of companies outsource some or all of their Q Project-based TMS manages the business aspect of trans- translation needs, translation buyers should consider whether direct lation. These systems begin by managing tasks. Next, vendors control of translation management is a business requirement. If not, introduce workfl ow and fi nancial tools. In order to keep project Common Sense Advisory recommends leveraging this technology trains running on schedule, advanced systems eventually integrate as part of a services contract rather than through purchase or lease TM processing and portal interfaces for customer interactions. of software. This option allows translation buyers to take advantage These systems have been popular among language service proof aggressive investments in IT and training made by vendors. This viders in Europe, but LSPs in the United States are catching on. called a “blackbox” system. The vendor siphons out content, gets it Early project-based systems such as LTC Organiser or Plunet have translated using its own integrated toolsets, and then reinserts the many adherents, though more companies originally created their in-language content back into a CMS or fi le system. own rather than buy commercial off-the-shelf systems. Today, we Here are three pointers for translation buyers considering see companies trading up and looking at newer systems such as this approach: Beetext Flow or at older but more comprehensive systems such as Q For a captive system to be of interest to you, it should Idiom WorldServer. offer both reporting and interactions (upload and download) Q Process-centric, workfl ow-based systems manage complex via a portal interface. multilingual tasks. Starting with workfl ow and collaboration Q Carefully examine the level of information provided (see Figure 3), GMS vendors build multiple CMS connectors, through the portal. It’s your “window” into the blackbox work- integrate TM and other language processing routines, and add fl ow. Signifi cant value derives from data and functions that a www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 85 Translation

TMS shares back to client side participants — and by connecting Q CMS sidesteps translation tools. CMS providers resist incor- to enterprise information systems at your company via service porating server-based TM, terminology management and translator oriented architectures. workbench tools. To compete in a rapidly innovating marketplace, Q The best captive systems also allow client-side subject experts a software company would need to employ dedicated development to directly contribute knowledge using the collaborative workbench teams for these highly specialized application components. tools, for terminology development and translation markup. Because CMS excels at process management while ignoring Lionbridge, Sajan, thebigword and translations.com are the business management and sidestepping translation tools, it does most visible companies offering captive solutions. not address the demands of TMS buyers seeking deep technology support for translation and its related work processes. Given Why TMS will remain distinct from CMS their current product roadmaps and long-term “let somebody else Although there was a brief period where early TMS platforms worry about translation” attitude, do not expect enterprises or positioned themselves as replacements for CMS, the idea did not LSPs looking for a translation management platform to select a take hold. The distinctions are clear despite signifi cant overlaps: CMS instead. Q CMS excels at process management. The category lead- As both the CMS and TMS segments of the software indus- ers in enterprise content (ECM), web content and document try mature, look for a handful of companies such as Ektron management systems adequately support multilingual content and Tridion to partially bridge the gap, but the categories will workfl ow. Moreover, many successful ECM-based implementa- remain largely distinct during the next three to fi ve years. In tions employ global content management technology to man- 2007 Common Sense Advisory expects to see a continued pro- age high-volume multilingual workfl ow. liferation of TMS options, a strengthening of the feature sets Q CMS ignores business management. Project planning, associated with TMS, and increasing focus on seamless integra- translation resource planning and translation procurement do tions between CMS and TMS solutions. M not appear on the development roadmap of any CMS platform. CMS holds a defi ned place in the corporate application stack, A December 2006 report entitled “Translation Management and this does not mirror the requirements of multilingual con- Technology” is a complete discussion of the issues outlined in tent acquisition. this article and is available from Common Sense Advisory .

86 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Basics Basic terminology

This section offers terminology, abbreviations, acronyms and other resources, especially as related to the content of this issue. For more definitions, see the Glossary section of MultiLingual’s annual Resource Directory and Index (www.multilingual.com/resourceDirectory).

American Sign Language (ASL). The dominant sign lan- Also, stylistic rules — such as not using certain verb tenses guage of the Deaf community in the United States, in the Eng- or the passive voice — can be created, depending upon the lish-speaking parts of Canada and in parts of Mexico. Although group or organization and its language usage goals. the United Kingdom and the United States share English as a Escort interpreting. An interpreter accompanies a per- spoken and written language, British Sign Language (BSL) is son or a delegation on a tour, on a visit or to a meeting or quite different from ASL and not mutually intelligible. interview. These specialists interpret on a variety of sub- Anglophone. Someone who speaks the English language jects, both on an informal basis and on a professional level, natively or by adoption. The term specifically refers to peo- and most of the interpretation is consecutive. ple whose cultural background is primarily associated with Francophone. Used to describe a French-speaking per- the English language, regardless of ethnic and geographi- son. Geopolitically, it refers to a person who speaks French cal differences. as a first language or who self-identifies with this language group. As an adjective, it means French-speaking, whether Computer-aided translation (CAT). Computer techno- referring to individuals, groups or places. logy applications that assist in the act of translating text from one language to another. Globalization (g11n). In this context, the term refers to the process that addresses business issues associated with Consecutive interpreting. The interpreter begins his or launching a product globally, such as integrating localiza- her interpretation of a complete message after the speaker tion throughout a company after proper internationaliza- has stopped producing the source utterance. At the time tion and product design. that the interpretation is rendered, the interpreter is the Globalization management system (GMS). A system only person in the communication environment who is pro- that focuses on managing the translation and localization ducing a message. Normally, in consecutive interpreting, cycles and synchronizing those with source content man- the interpreter is alongside the speaker, listening and tak- agement. Provides the capability of centralizing linguis- ing notes as the speech progresses. When the speaker has tic assets in the form of translation databases, leveraging finished or comes to a pause, the interpreter reproduces glossaries and branding standards across global content. the message in the target language, in its entirety and as though he or she were making the original speech. HTML (HyperText Markup Language). A markup language that uses tags to structure text into headings, para- Content management system (CMS). A system used to graphs, lists and links, and tells a web browser how to store and subsequently find and retrieve large amounts of display text and images on a web page. data. CMSs were not originally designed to synchronize trans- Information retrieval. The science of searching for lation and localization of content, so most of them have been information in documents, searching for documents them- partnered with globalization management systems (GMS). selves, searching for metadata which describe documents Controlled languages. Subsets of natural languages or searching within databases, whether relational stand- whose grammars and dictionaries have been restricted in alone databases or hypertext networked databases such as order to reduce or eliminate both ambiguity and complexity. the internet or intranets, for text, sound, images or data. www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 87 Basics

Internationalization (i18n). Especially in a computing understanding of the context or meaning of the source lan- context, the process of generalizing a product so that it can guage must be established in order to convey the same mes- handle multiple languages and cultural conventions (currency, sage in the target language. number separators, dates) without the need for redesign. Translation memory (TM). A special database that stores Inuktitut. The name of the varieties of the Inuit language previously translated sentences which can then be re-used spoken in Canada, including parts of the provinces of New- on a sentence-by-sentence basis. The database matches foundland and Labrador, Québec, to some extent in north- source to target language pairs. eastern Manitoba as well as the territories of Nunavut, the Translation Memory eXchange (TMX). An open stan- Northwest Territories, and traditionally on the Arctic Ocean dard, based on XML, which has been designed to simplify coast of the Yukon Territory. Inuktitut is recognized as an and automate the process of converting translation memo- official language in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. ries (TMs) from one format to another. Localization (l10n). In this context, the process of adapting Unicode. The Unicode Worldwide Character Standard (Unicode) is a character-encoding standard used to rep- a product or software to a specific international language or resent text for computer processing. Originally designed to culture so that it seems natural to that particular region. True support 65,000 characters, it now has encoding forms to localization considers language, culture, customs and the char- support more than 1,000,000 characters. acteristics of the target locale. It frequently involves changes Whispering interpreting. Also called chuchotage, the to the software’s writing system and may change keyboard use interpreter sits or stands next to the intended audience and and fonts as well as date, time and monetary formats. interprets simultaneously in a whisper. This mode does not Machine translation (MT). A technology that trans- require any equipment. Whispered interpretation is often lates text from one human language to another, using used in situations when the majority of a group speaks one terminology glossaries and advanced grammatical, syntac- language, and a limited number of people do not speak the tic and semantic analysis techniques. source language. .NET. Microsoft platform for applications that work over XML (eXtensible Markup Language). A programming lan- the internet. guage/specification. XML is a pared-down version of SGML, an international standard for the publication and delivery of elec- Open-source software. Any computer software distrib- tronic information, designed especially for web documents. uted under a license that allows users to change and/or share the software freely. End users have the right to modify and redistribute the software, as well as the right to Resources package and sell the software. ORGANIZATIONS Search engine. A program designed to help find information stored on a computer system such as the worldwide American Translators Association (ATA), www.atanet.org web or a personal computer. A search engine allows a user Fédération Internationale des Traducteurs / International to ask for content meeting specific criteria — typically those Federation of Translators, www.fit-ift.org containing a given word, phrase or name — and retrieves a Globalization and Localization Association (GALA), list of references that match those criteria. www.gala-global.org Localization Industry Standards Association (LISA), www.lisa.org Sight translation. With sight translation, the input is visual (the written word) rather than oral (the spoken word). Reading Ordre de traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec (OTTIAQ), www.ottiaq.org comprehension is an important element of sight translation. The Localization Institute, www.localizationinstitute.com Simultaneous interpreting. Occurs while the source speaker is speaking, as quickly as the interpreter can refor- PUBLICATIONS mulate the message into the target language. Normally, in MultiLingual (formerly MultiLingual Computing & Technology). simultaneous interpreting between spoken languages the Additional resources available at www.multilingual.com interpreter sits in a soundproof booth, usually with a clear The Guide to Translation and Localization, published view of the speaker, at a microphone, listening through head- by Lingo Systems, www.lingosys.com phones to the incoming message in the source language. The WEBSITES interpreter then relays the message in the target language Translation Memories Survey 2006 report, http://www3.imperial into the microphone to whosoever is listening. .ac.uk/portal/pls/portallive/docs/1/7307707.pdf Source language. A language from which text is to be Ashoka collaborative film dubbing project, www.ashoka.org/ translated into another language. 100translations Translation. The process of converting all of the text Inuktitut language sites, www.inuktitutcomputing.ca, www or words from a source language to a target language. An .livingdictionary.com

88 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] knowledge and experience and to learn from others. See our ASSOCIATIONS 89 Buyer’s Guide A SSOCIATIONS website for deta ls on upcoming and past conferences. Localization World Ltd. 319 North 1st Avenue, Sandpoint, ID 83864, AUTOMATIC TRANSLATION 89 AILIA Association de l’industrie de la 208-263-8178, Fax: 208-263-6310, E-mail: info@localizationworld langue/Language Industry Association .com, Web: www.localizationworld.com See ad on page 64 CONFERENCES 89 Description AILIA is the voice of the Canadian language CONTENT MANAGEMENT 89 industry, bringing together organizations and professionals from three sectors: translation, language technologies and ONTENT ANAGEMENT EDUCATION 89 language training. Through a single point of contact, AILIA C M members can access key resources to stimulate their growth ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS 89 around the world. INTERNAT ONALIZAT ON TOOLS 90 AILIA 65 Sherbrooke Street East, Suite 110, Montréal, Québec, Canada H2X 1C4, 514-285-6596, E-mail: [email protected], Web: LOCALIZAT ON SERVICES 90 www.ailia.ca LOCALIZAT ON TOOLS 93 XMetaL PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS 93 Windows RESEARCH 94 Languages English Description JustSystems’ XMetaL solutions for structured authoring and content collaboration TM BROKERS 94 help organizations get to market faster wth global information products. By bringing automation to managing high TRAINING & SEMINARS 94 Globalization and Localization Association volumes of content, using industry XML standards, and Description The Globalization and Localization Association TRANSLATION SERVICES 94 helping clients effectively manage the whole content life (GALA) is a fully representative, nonprofit, international in- cycle, XMetaL enables organizations to efficiently create, re- TRANSLATION TOOLS 96 dustry association for the translation, internationalization, use and manage information to publish into the languages localization and globalization industry. The association and formats customers demand. Leading organizations such gives members a common forum to discuss issues, create as Business Objects and Symantec, using XMetaL integrated product documentation. Idiom also partners with consult- innovative solutions, promote the industry, and offer clients with leading globalization management solutions, have ing firms, systems integrators and technology vendors to unique, collaborative value. improved quality of information, reduced publishing and help customers achieve high-quality results and maximize Globalization and Localization Association 23 Main Street, localization costs by 40% to 70%, and accelerated time-to- existing enterprise infrastructure. Andover, MA 01810, 206-329-2596, Fax: 815-346-2361, E-mail: market to reach simultaneous shipment goals. Idiom Technologies, Inc. 200 Fifth Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451, [email protected], Web: www.gala-global.org JustSystems, Inc. 2 Bentall Center, Suite 1800, 555 Burrard Street, 781-464-6000, Fax: 781-464-6100, E-mail: [email protected], Vancouver, BC, Canada V7X 1M9, 866-793-1542, 604-602-9928, Fax: Web: www.idiominc.com See ad on page 30 604-602-9938, E-mail: [email protected], Web: www.xmetal.com AUTOMATIC TRANSLATION See ad on page 82 ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS STAR Group Multiple Platforms Language Weaver, Inc. Languages All Description STAR is a leader in information Languages All Description Language Weaver’s statistical management, localization, internationalization and global- automated translation software is designed for companies ization solutions as well as a premier developer of language technology tools such as Transit/TermStar, WebTerm and of interested in leveraging existing translation resources to Idiom Technologies our information management system, GRIPS. For more than increase translation efficiency and productivity. Language Multiple Platforms 22 years, STAR has specialized in information management Languages More than 120 Description Idiom Technologies Weaver has proven success delivering productivity im- and publishing, multilingual processing including translation optimizes the globalization supply chain by aligning global provements and time savings to large corporations, LSPs services, terminology management, software localization/ enterprises, language service providers and translators. and translation solution providers by quickly creating cus- internationalization, software development and multimedia Award-winning WorldServer™ software solutions expand tomized translation systems using each company’s existing systems engineering. With 38 offices in 28 countries and our translated data. These systems produce high-quality transla- market reach and accelerate multilingual communication global network of pre-qualified freelance translators, STAR tions of domain specific data. Language Weaver software can with a proven platform for automating translation and lo- provides a unique combination of information management be easily integrated into customer support tools, knowledge calization processes. Idiom works with global organizations tools and services. including Adobe, Autodesk, Continental Airlines, eBay, bases and translation workflow applications for added effi- STAR Group America, LLC 5001 Mayﬁ eld Road, Suite 220, ciency. Find out how Language Weaver can meet your trans- Motorola and Travelocity to cost-effectively translate global Lyndhurst, OH 44124, 216-691-7827, 877-877-0093, Fax: 216-691- lation needs. Contact us to set up a p lot project! websites and applications, streamline software localization 8910, E-mail: [email protected], Web: www.us.star-group.net Language Weaver, Inc. 4640 Admiralty Way, Suite 1210, Marina and delivery, and speed time-to-market for international See ad on page 20 del Rey, CA 90292, 310-437-7300, Fax: 310-437-7307, E-mail: info @languageweaver.com, Web: www.languageweaver.com See ad on page 61 EDUCATION

CONFERENCES California State University, Chico Continuing Education and Research Foundation, The Globalization and Localization Association (GALA), and The Localization Institute present: The Localization Certiﬁcation Program Learn cutting edge localization skills Localization World and earn 20 ATA credits! Description Localization World conferences are dedicated Self-paced, online learning with an intensive 3-day workshop: to the language and localization industries. Our constituents Enroll today! are the people responsible for communicating across the ź April 25-27, 2007 boundaries of language and culture in the global marketplace. euromed Marseille Ecole de Management, France rce.csuchico.edu/localize International product and marketing managers participate in ź June 12-14, 2007 or call CSU, Chico Localization World from all sectors and all geographies to meet California State University, Chico, California Continuing Education language service and technology providers and to network ź Advanced Training Project Management: with their peers. Hands-on practitioners come to share their June 15-16, 2007, CSU, Chico +530-898-6105 www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 89 Buyer’s Guide

full range of services that enables clients to be successful in localization projects, regardless of text length or the software international markets, from documentation design through tools to be used. Fields of expertise are software, hardware, translation, linguistic and technical localization services, pre- telecommunications, finance, training, web and marketing. press and publication management. Serving both Fortune Binari Sonori srl Viale Fulvio Testi, 11, 20092 Cinisello Balsamo, 500 and small companies, ADAPT has gained a reputation Milano, Italy, 39-02-61866-310, Fax: 39-02-61866-313, E-mail: for quality, reliability, technological competence and a com- [email protected], Web: www.binarisonori.it See ad on page 37 XTRF Management System mitment to customer service. Fields of specialization include Multiple Platforms diagnostic and medical devices, IT/telecom and web content. Languages All Description XTRF is a global management system for translation agencies. Built-in cutting-edge Java technol- With offices in Bonn, Germany, and Stockholm, Sweden, and ogy, XTRF is a flexible, customizable and web-based software a number of certified partner companies, ADAPT is well enabling web access for a company’s suppliers and customers. suited to help clients achieve their goals in any market. It’s designed to help translation companies to streamline all ADAPT Localization Services Clemens-August-Strasse 16-18, 53115 Bonn, Germany, 49-228-98-22-60, Fax: 49-228-98-22-615, E-mail: their daily activities, and it guarantees smooth management Leading Indic Language Service Provider [email protected], Web: www.adapt-localization.com Languages Assamese, Bangla, Hindi, Gujarati, Kannada, of the company while reducing administrative costs. Project See ad on page 25 management, invoicing, quotations, ISO 9001 reports and Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Pushto, Sinhalese, Tamil, CRM are the main fields covered by the system. Designed by Telugu and Urdu Description Braahmam is a leading lan- translation and localization professionals and created by the guage service provider that specializes in technical and non- best IT team, this powerful tool will reduce the time spent on technical translation, localization of websites, multimedia, repetitive tasks and increase the company’s effectiveness. software, games, flash and audio engineering, DTP, QA and XTRF ul. Walerego Slawka 3, 30-653 Krakow, Poland, 48-12-2546- testing. Since its inception in 2000, Braahmam has earned ap- 126, Fax: 48-12-2546-122, E-mail: [email protected], Web: www.xtrf.eu preciation from clients around the globe for excellent com- Alliance Localization China, Inc. (ALC) munication, quality of work, project management and quick Languages Major Asian and European languages Descrip- turnaround time. The experts at Braahmam have helped cli- INTERNATIONALIZATION TOOLS tion ALC offers document, website and software translation ents meet their requirements in various areas of localization, and localization, desktop publishing, and interpreter services. including IT, telecom/mobile phones, finance, legal, automo- We focus on English, German and other European languages tive, marketing, education and life sciences. to and from Chinese, Japanese, Korean and other Asian lan- Braahmam Net Solutions Pvt. Ltd. G-31, Ground Floor, Sector-3, guages. We use TRADOS, CATALYST, SDLX, Transit and Noida-201301, India, 91-120-3053174, Fax: 91-120-2542287, E-mail: [email protected], Web: www.braahmam.net See ad on page 77 other CAT tools, as well as DTP tools including CorelDraw, FrameMaker, FreeHand, Illustrator, InDesign, PageMaker, across Systems GmbH Photoshop and QuarkXPress. Our customer-oriented ap- Windows proach is supported by strong project management, a team Languages All Description across Systems GmbH is a spin-off of specialists, a large knowledgebase and advanced method- of Nero AG with its world’s leading CD/DVD application. across ologies. We always provide service beyond our customers’ includes TM and terminology system as well as powerful tools expectations at a low cost and with high quality, speed, de- to support the project and workflow management of transla- pendability and flexibility. EuroGreek Translations Limited tions. Product manager, translator and proofreader all work Alliance Localization China, Inc. (ALC) Suite 609, Building B, Language Greek Description Established in 1986, EuroGreek together wthin one system, either in-house or smoothly inte- Number 10 Xing Huo Road, Fengtai Science Park, Beijing 100070, Translations Limited is Europe’s number one Greek local- P.R. China, 86-10-8368-2169, Fax: 86-10-8368-2884, E-mail: grated with translation service providers. across provides sev- izer, specializing in technical and medical translations from eral partner concepts and the Software Development K t (SDK) [email protected], Web: www.allocalization.com for system integrators and technology partners, to allow the translation desktop to be integrated directly, in order to include both preliminary and subsequent process steps. This results in more flexible and transparent processes that benefit all sides. across Systems GmbH Im Stoeckmaedle 18, D-76307 Karlsbad, Germany, 49-7248-925-425, Fax: 49-7248-925-444, E-mail: info@ across.net, Web: www.across.net See ad on page 2 Alpha CRC — Translating Excellence Languages All Description You benefit from 19 years of LOCALIZATION SERVICES experience in software localization when choosing Alpha CRC. A private company, we pride ourselves on meeting the individual needs of customers. Our in-house staff includes translators covering 17 languages plus experts in software engineering, DTP, QA and testing, voice recording and project management. This means we always have people available to discuss and deliver your requirements. When selecting Alpha, you have the added confidence of knowing that top technol- Adams Globalization ogy companies do the same. Our customers include SAP, Sun Languages All major European and Asian languages De- and Symantec. Whether you’re an experienced global player scription For over 22 years, Adams Globalization has or starting, Alpha has the solution for you. provided comprehensive turnkey solutions for globaliza- Alpha CRC Ltd. St. Andrew’s House, St. Andrew’s Road, Cambridge tion. We deliver software localization and testing, technical CB4 1DL UK, 44-1223-431011, Fax: 44-1223-461274, E-mail: translation, web globalization and desktop publishing w th [email protected], Web: www.alphacrc.com superior quality, and we do it on time. Our team of experienced and efficient project managers, technically proficient native-speaking linguists, technical experts and desktop publishers using the latest software tools and technology will work to expand your boundaries and offer you a world of possibilities. Please contact us today for a free estimate. Adams Globalization 10435 Burnet Road, Suite 125, Austin, TX 78758, 800-880-0667, 512-821-1818, Fax: 512-821-1888, E-mail: Binari Sonori [email protected], Web: www.adamsglobalization.com Languages From all European languages into Italian De- scription Binari Sonori has served the localization and translation market since 1994. Binari Sonori has been awarded a number of crucial projects and has become one of the major players in the Italian localization industry. Our goal is to guarantee high quality, timeliness and flexibility. We are accustomed to working for clients through- ADAPT Localization Services out the world who need to reach the Italian market with Languages More than 50 Description ADAPT Localization their products. Our project managers, translators and re- Services (founded in 1999 as transline Localization) offers the visers are trained to solve today’s challenges of translation/

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English into Greek and Greek into English. EuroGreek’s aim do it end-to-end — from servers to handhelds, from ERP to is to provide high-quality, turnkey solutions, encompassing a automotive solutions and from interface specifications to whole range of client needs, from plain translation to desk- legal notices. Janus is ISO 9001:2000 certified. Company ac- top/web publishing to localization development and testing. tivities including translating, localizing, DTP and linguistic Over the years, EuroGreek’s services have been extended to consulting were subjected to audit. cover most subject areas, including German and French into Janus Worldwide Inc. Derbenevskaya nab., 11B, Ofﬁ ce 113, Moscow Greek localization services. All of EuroGreek’s work is pro- 115114, Russia, 7-495-913-66-53, Fax: 7-495-913-66-53, E-mail: LocHouse Translation & DTP duced in-house by a team of 25 highly qualified specialists [email protected], Web: www.janus.ru Languages Translation: Brazilian Portuguese; DTP: All Euro- and is fully guaranteed for quality and on-time delivery. pean Description Translation, DTP and project management EuroGreek Translations Limited — this is what we do well and what we focus on doing. We London 27 Lascotts Road, London N22 8JG UK work w th experts, under strict quality control, respecting Athens EuroGreek House, 93 Karagiorga Street, Athens 16675, deadlines and offering customized services. Our translation Greece, 30-210-9605-244, Fax: 30-210-9647-077, E-mail: production@ team specializes in software, online applications, technical eurogreek.gr, Web: www.eurogreek.com See ad on page 77 documentation and e-learning. Our DTP team has proven expertise in working as a low cost center, dealing with multi- Jonckers Translation & Engineering s.a. language DTP projects under strict deadlines and w th su- Languages All Description Jonckers is focused on deliver- perior qual ty results. For more information, visit us at www ing software, e-learning and multimedia localization ser- .loc-house.com or call or e-mail us, and you have our word vices. We support the globalization strategies of industry that we will do the utmost for you to achieve success. leaders such as Adobe, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Microsoft LocHouse Translation & DTP Av. Rio Branco, 277/301, Rio de and SAP. Our service range covers the complete localization Janeiro - RJ, Brazil 20040-009, 55-21-2533-6051, E-mail: info@ iDISC Information Technologies value chain, including linguistic, publishing, engineering loc-house.com, Web: www.loc-house.com Language Spanish Description iDISC, established in 1987, and testing services. W th headquarters in Brussels, Jonckers is a leading independent localization company based in has local offices in the United Kingdom, the Czech Repub- Barcelona, Spain. Services range from localization to DTP, lic, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the People’s Republic from compiling to product testing. We are backed by a team of China. Jonckers is a founding member of LCJ EEIG and of in-house, full-time professionals and a carefully selected a Microsoft Premier Vendor. To learn more, please visit and assessed freelance database which allows us to tackle any www.jonckers.com size of project in our areas of expertise, mainly software lo- Jonckers Translation & Engineering s.a. Avenue Herrmann- Logrus International Corporation calization, technical and telecom documentation, ERP and Debroux 15a, B-1160 Brussels, Belgium, 32-2-672-80-30, Fax: 32-2- Languages EE, EA, ME, WE, rare languages Description marketing. As a single-language localization company, we 672-80-19, E-mail: [email protected], Web: www.jonckers.com Logrus offers a full set of localization and translation ser- leverage from long-time experience using TRADOS, IBM vices for various industries, including top-notch software Translation Manager and other translation tools. Highly engineering and testing and DTP for all languages, includ- technical capabilities, in-house know-how and professional ing bidi and double-byte ones. The company is proud of support are guaranteed by iDISC’s Support and Develop- ts unique problem-solving skills and minimal support ment Department. Contact us for a quote or other details. requirements. The company offers all European and Asian iDISC Information Technologies Passeig del progrés 96, 08640 languages as well as many rare languages through its offices Olesa de Montserrat, Barcelona, Spain, 34-93-778-73-00, Fax: 34- and established long-term partners. With ts production s te 93-778-35-80, E-mail: [email protected], Web: www.idisc.es Lingo Systems, Translation & Localization in Moscow, Russia, Logrus provides a winning combination Languages 100+ Description Lingo Systems, a division of of quality, experience and affordability. With over 14 years Coto Global Solutions, provides customer-focused solutions in business, the company has received multiple awards for for global companies in 100+ languages. We specialize in the excellence from its long-time customers, including IBM, translation and localization of technical documentation, soft- Microsoft, Novell, Oracle and others. ware, multimedia applications, training materials, e-learning Logrus International Corporation Suite 305, 2600 Philmont Ave- solutions and online applications. Other globalization services nue, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006, 215-947-4773, Fax: 215-947-4773, E-mail: [email protected], Web: www.logrus.ru See ad on page 35 include quality assurance testing (hardware and software), iSP — The Localization Experts integration of content management solutions, interpretation LanguagesFrom English into all major languages Description (170+ languages), cultural training and assessment and inter- iSP (international Software Products) is a distinct provider of nationalization consulting. Lingo Systems has never caused a localization services. For 20 years iSP has served ts clients w th late release. No other firm makes this claim. For a free copy the principles of honesty and customer-centric services. Not of our award-winning book, The Guide to Translation and surprisingly, first-time customers and new customers have Localization — Communicating with the Global Marketplace, Loquant Localization Services always stayed with iSP. We are dedicated to delivering the visit www.lingosys.com or call 800-878-8523. Languages English, Brazilian Portuguese Description Lo- highest quality localized products. Our flat, in-house organi- Lingo Systems 15115 SW Sequoia Parkway, Suite 200, Portland, OR zational structure means decision-making and action-taking 97224, 503-419-4856, 800-878-8523, Fax: 503-419-4873, E-mail: quant bases ts operations on the experience of its found- are quick and simple. We are located near Amsterdam, The [email protected], Web: www.lingosys.com See ad on page 16 ers and collaborators, professionals who closely follow the Netherlands, where we surround ourselves w th languages. ongoing evolution of technology and the latest processes Our services cover all aspects of localization. We are in the in internationalization and localization of information. heart of Europe. We are iSP. We are the localization experts. Adhering to rigorous processes that were developed by the iSP — international Software Products B.V. Dorpsstraat 35-37, software localization industry during the last few decades, 1191 BH Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, The Netherlands, 31-20-496- Loquant is able to prepare the most diverse products for 5271, Fax: 31-20-496-4553, E-mail: [email protected], Web: the primary world markets. To do this, Loquant counts on www.isp.nl Lionbridge Software and Content Localization the best project managers, native translators, engineers and Languages All Description Lionbridge provides globaliza- desktop publishers to guarantee a qual ty control recog- tion and offshoring services that enable clients to develop, nized internationally by the main international standards localize, test and maintain their enterprise content and tech- organizations. nology applications globally. Through its globalization ser- Loquant Localization Services Rua Luís Carlos Prestes, 410/114, vice offerings, Lionbridge adapts client products and content 22775-055, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 55-21-2104-9597, Fax: 55-21- New markets for your products and solutions to meet the linguistic, technical and cultural requirements of 2104-9597, E-mail: [email protected], Web: www.loquant.com customers, partners and employees worldwide. Lionbridge Janus Worldwide Inc. offshoring services include the development and mainte- 2G Localization Alliance Languages Russian, ex-USSR and Eastern European lan- nance of content and applications as well as testing to ensure Languages All Description m lengo Inc. is a global provider guages Description Janus provides translation, localization, the quality, interoperability, usab lity and performance of for localization, engineering and testing services for the high- DTP and linguistic consulting for Russian, Ukrainian and clients’ software, hardware, consumer technology products, tech industries. It is the largest 2nd Generation (2G) Localiza- other European languages. Our deep expertise, flexib lity, websites and content. Lionbridge offers its testing services tion Alliance in the market, formed by 16 leading localization diversity and exceptional value of services are recognized by under the VeriTest brand. Lionbridge has more than 4,000 companies located in the most important global ITC markets many industry-leading customers and partners worldwide. employees based in 25 countries worldwide. spanning Europe, the Americas and Asia. Our uniqueness is a solid team of the best professionals in Lionbridge 1050 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451, 781-434- milengo Inc. 1001 Fourth Avenue, #3200, Seattle, WA 98154, all relevant areas — localization engineers, language special- 6111, Fax: 781-434-6034, E-mail: [email protected], Web: 877-224-8740, 49-30-2248-7681, Fax: 866-203-1685, E-mail: ists, QA officers, DTP and software engineers, and more. We www.lionbridge.com See ad on page 3 [email protected], Web: www.milengo.com www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 91 Buyer’s Guide

Studio Gambit Sp. z o.o. company providing solutions for translation, localization and Languages Central and Eastern European Description globalization needs. Ushuaia Solutions is focused on being cre- Studio Gamb t, a regional vendor of choice for many re- ative and proactive to meet tight time frames with a high-qual- nowned global companies, has helped clients to get their ty level and a cost-effective budget. Customizing its processes, message across to Central and Eastern Europe for the past Ushuaia assures project consistency and technical and linguis- Moravia Worldwide 14 years — always on time, on target and within budget. The tic accuracy, thus reducing clients’ time-to-market. Ushuaia Languages All Description Moravia Worldwide is a leading fields of our subject matter expertise include IT, life sciences, combines state-of-the-art technology with top-notch experi- globalization solution provider, enabling companies in the in- consumer electronics, financial services, automotive and en- enced native translators, editors and software engineers. Our formation technology, e-learning, life sciences and financial in- gineering industries. Streamlined ISO 9001:2000-certified mission is to work together with our clients, thereby creating a dustries to enter global markets with high-qual ty multilingual processes, advanced engineering capabilties and value-added flexible, reliable and open relationship for success. products. Moravia’s solutions include localization and product project management create a solid foundation of our services Ushuaia Solutions Rioja 919, S2000AYK Rosario, Argentina, 54-341- which go far beyond translation. We provide a full range of 4493064, Fax: 54-341-4492542, E-mail: [email protected], testing services, internationalization, multilingual publishing Web: www.ushuaiasolutions.com and technical translation. Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Microsoft, quality localization engineering and DTP services that every Oracle, Sun Microsystems and Symantec are among some of day yield tangible benefits to our customers’ bottom line. the companies that depend on Moravia Worldwide for ac- Studio Gambit Sp. z o.o. ul. Matejki 6, 80-952 Gda´nsk, Poland, 48- curate, on-time localization. Moravia Worldwide maintains 58-345-3800, Fax: 48-58-345-1909, E-mail: gambit@stgambit .com, Web: www.stgambit.com global headquarters in the Czech Republic and North Ameri- can headquarters in California, w th local offices and production centers in Ireland, China, Japan and throughout Europe. VistaTEC To learn more, please vis t www.moraviaworldwide.com Languages All Description VistaTEC is a leading provider Moravia Worldwide of globalization services and specializes in the localization USA 199 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360, and testing of enterprise, mobile and desktop applications. 805-557-1700, 800-276-1664, Fax: 805-557-1702, E-mail: info@ VistaTEC provides translation, technical consulting, engineer- moraviaworldwide.com, Web: www.moraviaworldwide.com Tek Translation International ing and testing during the design, development and market- Asia 86-25-8473-2772, E-mail: [email protected] Languages European, Scandinavian, Latin American, Mid- ing cycles of software products. VistaTEC has headquarters in Europe 420-545-552-222, E-mail: [email protected] dle Eastern, Asian Description Tek Translation has over 40 Dublin, Ireland, and satellite offices in the Un ted States. Addi- Ireland 353-1-216-4102, E-mail: [email protected] years of experience in working worldwide for the leading tional information on VistaTEC is available at www.vistatec.ie Japan 81-3-3354-3320, E-mail: [email protected] technology companies. Now, thanks to the web, we operate VistaTEC See ad on page 14 globally from one production center offering a complete Europe VistaTEC House, 700 South Circular Road, Kilmainham, translation, web and software localization service into more Dublin 8, Ireland, 353-1-416-8000, Fax: 353-1-416-8099, E-mail: than 50 languages at lower prices than our major com- [email protected], Web: www.vistatec.ie petitors. Our English-speaking project managers, specialist USA East 2706 Loma Street, Silver Spring, MD 20902, 301-649- 3012, Fax: 301-649-3032, E-mail: [email protected] translators, linguistic controllers and engineers are all con- USA West 131 Shady Lane, Monterey, CA 93940, 831-655-1717, Fax: nected via Tek’s exclusive Project Web, which provides clients 831-372-5838, E-mail: [email protected] See ad on page 15 with their latest information online, schedules and query logs PTIGlobal and allows them to keep track of their projects at all times. To Languages All commercial languages for Europe, Asia and learn more about Tek, contact: the Americas Description PTIGlobal is committed to de- Tek Translation International C/ Ochandiano 18, 28023 Madrid, veloping ongoing, long-term partnerships with its clients. Spain, 34-91-414-1111, Fax: 34-91-414-4444, E-mail: sales@ tektrans.com, Web: www.tektrans.com See ad on page 17 This means a dedication to personal service, responsiveness, high-quality output, and sensitivity to clients’ cost goals and timelines. Backed by over 25 years of experience in tech- Welocalize nical translation, PTIGlobal provides turnkey localization Languages More than 40 European, Middle Eastern and services in 27 languages simultaneously for software, web Asian languages Description Our services fulfill the transla- applications, embedded devices, wireless applications and tion, engineering, testing and cultural needs inherent in re- gaming technology. Projects are customized to fit client leasing products globally. We enable our clients to meet these needs and feature our expertise in end-to-end project man- TOIN Corporation challenges and achieve fluid international product develop- agement; internationalization consultation; glossary de- Multiple Platforms ment and faster global release cycles without increasing inter- velopment; native-language translation; mult lingual web Languages Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Japanese, national development costs. Welocalize provides localization, content management; translation memory maintenance; Korean, Malay, Thai, Vietnamese and European languages testing and translation services to leading companies, includ- localization engineering; linguistic and functionality QA; Description TOIN Corporation is a full-service localization ing AOL, Apple, Cisco Systems, Computer Associates, IBM, high-end desktop publishing, including graphics localiza- provider wth services encompassing authoring, localiza- Sun, Symantec and Xerox. The company maintains offices tion; and complete multilingual video and audio services. tion, content management and workflow/process consulting. in Frederick, Maryland; Portland, Oregon; Dublin, Ireland; PTIGlobal 9900 SW Wilshire, Suite 280, Portland, OR 97225, 888- TOIN offers global reach and exceptional strength in Asia, Wakayama, Japan; and Saarbrücken, Germany. 357-3125, Fax: 503-297-0655, E-mail: [email protected], Web: with headquarters in Tokyo and additional operations in the Welocalize 241 East 4th Street, Suite 207, Frederick, MD 21701, www.ptiglobal.com Un ted States, Europe and China. The company has more than 301-668-0330, Fax: 301-668-0335, E-mail: [email protected], 40 years’ experience helping Global 1000 companies in indus- Web: www.welocalize.com See ad on page 72 tries such as automotive, information technology, life sciences, engineering, electronics, training, publishing, software development, manufacturing, semiconductors and consumer products. TOIN has worked with clients such as IBM, Microsoft, NEC, Panasonic, SAP, Sun, Sybase, Toshiba and others. TOIN Corporation SDL International — E-nabling Global Business Japan Shiba 1-chome Building, 1-12-7 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo Languages All Description SDL International is the leader 105-0014 Japan, 81-3-3455-8764, Fax: 81-3-3455-6514, E-mail: WhP in global information management (GIM) solutions that [email protected], Web: www.to-in.com Languages All European and major Middle Eastern and Asian empower organizations to accelerate delivery of high-qual- Europe Dodaarslaan 55, 3645 JB Vinkeveen, The Netherlands, languages, including local variants Description WhP, a ma- ty multilingual content to global markets. Our enterprise 31-297-212-091, Fax: 31-297-212-086, E-mail: rene-savelsbergh@ jor supplier for the industry-leading corporations, localizes to-in.co.jp, Web: www.to-in.com software and services integrate with existing systems to software, documentation and web content. WhP has been USA P.O. Box 19407, Minneapolis, MN 55419-0407, 612-926-0201, manage global information from authoring to publication E-mail: [email protected], Web: www.to-in.com benchmarked “Best Localization Vendor” by Compaq. Clients and throughout the distributed localization supply chain. specifically appreciate WhP’s dedication to high qual ty and Global industry leaders rely on SDL to provide enterprise strict respect of deadlines and, consequently, entrust WhP with software or full outsourcing for their GIM processes. SDL their most sensitive projects. WhP also helps many fast-growing has implemented more than 150 enterprise solutions and companies to get their first localization projects smoothly off has over 130,000 software licenses deployed across the GIM the ground. WhP’s flexible and open workflow technology ecosystem. Our global services infrastructure spans over 50 adapts to any production process. WhP’s high standards sat- offices in 30 countries. isfy the most demanding globalization requirements. SDL International 5700 Granite Parkway, Suite 410, Plano, TX Ushuaia Solutions WhP Espace Beethoven BP102, F06902 Sophia Antipolis Cedex, 75024, 214-387-8500, Fax: 214-387-9120, Web: www.sdl.com See Languages Spanish (all varieties), Portuguese (Brazil) De- France, 33-493-00-40-30, Fax: 33-493-00-40-34, E-mail: info@ ads on pages 70-71, 100 scription Ushuaia Solutions is a fast-growing Latin American whp.fr, Web: www.whp.net, www.whp.fr See ad on page 86

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release of their translated applications. Corel Corporation holds a 20% equity stake in Alchemy Software Development. Alchemy Software Development Ltd. Block 2, Harcourt Business Centre, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, Ireland, 353-1-708-2800, Fax: 353-1-708-2801, E-mail: [email protected], Web: www .alchemysoftware.ie See ad on page 99 PASSOLO Version 6.0 for Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows XP WORDSTATION GmbH Languages All, including Eastern European, Asian and bi- Languages British and US English, German, French (other directional languages using Unicode support Description European languages are available upon request) Description PASSOLO offers cutting-edge localization technology for all Since its founding in 1991, WORDSTATION has become a major Windows development platforms to process Windows superior quality provider of localization services, including software, Microsoft .NET, Borland Delphi/C++ Builder, terminology work, software and documentation translation, Visual Localize Java, XML, XLIFF, HTML, text files and databases. The in- electronic publishing and film production — starting from Windows 98, NT, 2000, XP tegration of translation memory systems (for example, SDL the bytes of the software down to the final details of the docu- Languages All, including Eastern European, Asian and bidi- TRADOS), terminology databases, spell checkers and WYSI- mentation. We also conduct prototype translations to ensure rectional languages using Unicode support Description Visual WYG editors guarantees high-quality and short turn-around translatability of software and documentation. WORDSTA- Localize is a leading application that fully supports the soft- cycles. PASSOLO offers fuzzy-matching, pseudo-translation, TION is large enough to ensure security and continu ty, yet ware localization process of Microsoft Windows applications numerous check functions, statistical reports, and experts for small enough to provide numerous advantages: no admin- (including .NET applications), databases and XML files. It dra- project setup, alignment and update processes. The optional istrative overhead, short communication channels, fast and matically reduces cost, effort and complexity of software local- Layout Engine can automatically re-size Windows dialogs efficient feedback, short production cycles, high motivation ization. With its MS Explorer “look and feel,” it is user friendly and so reduces engineering costs. Automation and integra- and excellent team spirit. Updates and follow-up versions are and intuitive to use. After a very short introduction time, you tion technologies provide users the means to adapt quickly to done by the same specialists. will be able to handle all kinds of localization projects. Visual special requirements and non-standard file formats. WORDSTATION GmbH Max-Planck-Strasse 6, D-63128 Dietzen- Localize remembers all previous translati ons and thus maxi- PASS Engineering GmbH Remigiusstrasse 1, D-53111 Bonn, bach, Ge many, 49-6074-91442-0, Fax: 49-6074-91442-29, E-mail: mizes re-use. W th Visual Localize, no programming skills are Germany, 49-228-697242, Fax: 49-228-697104, E-mail: info@ [email protected], Web: www.wordstation.com required for localization. This makes it applicable for everyone. passolo.com, Web: www.passolo.com See ad on page 7 A free evaluation copy is available at www.visloc.com AIT — Applied Information Technologies AG Leitzstrasse 45, OCALIZATION OOLS D-70469 Stuttgart, Germany, 49-711-49066-431, Fax: 49-711- ROJECT ANAGEMENT OOLS L T 49066-440, E-mail: [email protected], Web: www.visloc.com P M T Projetex: Project Management Software Idiom Technologies for Translation Agencies Multiple Platforms Windows Languages More than 120 Description Idiom Technologies Language English Description Projetex 2006 is time-tested, optimizes the globalization supply chain by aligning global multiuser project management software for translation agen- enterprises, language service providers and translators. Award- cies. It is effectively used by managing directors, project man- Alchemy Software Development Ltd. winning WorldServer™ software solutions expand market agers, accountants, in-house translators, human resources Multiple Platforms reach and accelerate multilingual communication with a proven managers and sales managers in 100+ small and medium- Languages All Description Alchemy Software Development is platform for automating translation and localization processes. sized translation agencies around the world. Current deploy- the market leader in localization technology. With over 8,000 Idiom works with global organizations including Adobe, Au- ments range from 2 to 30 workstations, while Projetex Server licenses worldwide, Alchemy CATALYST is the dominant todesk, Continental Airlines, eBay, Motorola and Travelocity based on Firebird SQL platform can support up to 3,000 choice among professional development companies, local- to cost-effectively translate global websites and applications, simultaneous connections to the database without a loss in ization service providers and global technology leaders that streamline software localization and delivery, and speed time- productivity. Does not require additional components. In- need to accelerate entry into international markets. Alchemy to-market for international product documentation. Idiom cludes built-in AnyCount (word and character count soft- CATALYST 5.0 boosts localization velocity, improves qual- also partners w th consulting firms, systems integrators and ware) and CATCount (computer-assisted translation tool for ity and reduces localization cost. Supporting all Microsoft technology vendors to help customers achieve high-quality easy word count). Reasonable pricing, fast implementation platforms and development languages (VB, .NET, C++, C#), results and maximize existing enterprise infrastructure. time and free technical support. Borland C++Builder and Delphi, XML/XLIFF and databases Idiom Technologies, Inc. 200 Fifth Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451, Advanced International Translations, Ltd. Suite 1, Tolstogo 15 (Oracle, MS-SQL), t is an indispensable solution for soft- 781-464-6000, Fax: 781-464-6100, E-mail: [email protected], Street, Kyiv 01033, Ukraine, 380-44-244-41-45, Fax: 380-44-244- ware localization, helping clients achieve near-simultaneous Web: www.idiominc.com See ad on page 30 41-52, E-mail: [email protected], Web: www.projetex.com

www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 93 Buyer’s Guide

of Global Products,” “Implementing a Translation Memory RESEARCH Process” and “Introduction to Unicode.” See our website for details. Most seminars are available in-house. The Localization Institute 4513 Vernon Boulevard, Suite 11, Madison, WI 53705, 608-233-1790, Fax: 608-441-6124, E-mail: [email protected], Web: www.localizationinstitute.com See ad on page 32 Beijing E-C Translation Ltd. Languages Asian Description Beijing E-C Translation Ltd., RANSLATION ERVICES one of the largest localization and translation companies in Make Our Knowledge Your Power T S China, focuses mainly on software and website localization; Description Common Sense Advisory is a research and con- technical, financial, medical, patent and marketing transla- sulting firm committed to improving the quality of interna- tions; and desktop publishing services. We use TRADOS, SDLX, CATALYST, TTT/PC, STAR Transit, Robohelp, Frame- tional business and the efficiency of the online and offline Maker, PageMaker, InDesign, QuarkXPress, MS Office and operations that support t. We provide independent research, other graphic and DTP tools. Having more than 150 full- executive sales and management workshops, and business time employees located in Beijing, Taipei, Singapore, Seoul, consulting to help companies make informed decisions Shanghai, Hong Kong, Shenyang and Chengdu, we can han- about the technology, business services and organizational 2tr Soluções Globais dle English/German into and from Simplified Chinese/Tra- structures on which a global enterprise depends. Of course, Language Brazilian Portuguese Description Firmly com- ditional Chinese/Japanese/Korean/Thai. We guarantee that keeping abreast of the fast pace of a global economy, whether mitted to providing top-quality services, 2tr is backed by clients’ projects will be handled not only by native speakers, you are a vendor or a buyer, is difficult, at best. Get accurate the proven track record of its founders, Adriana Ferreira but also by topic specialists. Clients can expect and will receive information. Profit in a global market. Contact Common and Jorge Marinho, with over ten years’ experience in the high-quality services, on-time delivery and low cost. Sense Advisory today. localization industry. We specialize in technical translations, Beijing E-C Translation Ltd. 2nd Floor, Hua Teng Development Common Sense Advisory, Inc. 100 Merrimack Street, Suite 301, from a few words on a label to complex million-word proj- Building, No. 23, Xi Huan Bei Road, BDA, Beijing Economic- Lowell, MA 01852, 866-510-6101, E-mail: info@commonsenseadvisory ects involving TEP, DTP, QA and testing of web, mobile and Technological Development Zone, Beijing 100176, P.R. China, 86- .com, Web: www.commonsenseadvisory.com See ad on page 68 desktop applications and documentation in fields ranging 10-67868761, Fax: 86-10-67868765, E-mail: service@e-cchina .com, Web: www.e-cchina.com from IT, telecom, energy and pharmaceuticals to business, finance and legal affairs. We are fully qualified in related lo- TM BROKERS calization services, such as DTP, engineering and testing in Celer Soluciones, S.L. Western European languages. For additional information, Translation — Technology — Quality please contact us. Languages All major European languages Description Celer 2tr Soluções Globais Ltda. Rua Voluntários da Pátria, 45 Sala 401, Soluciones provides suitable solutions to ensure we meet Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22270-000, Brazil, 55-21-2266-6449, Fax: 55-21- our clients’ objectives. We study their documentation re- 2286-1694, E-mail: [email protected], Web: www.2tr.com.br quirements; produce translations that are adapted to specific markets and cultures; and prepare an end product in DTP or printed format in accordance with the demands of The Translation Memory Brokers each project. Specialized fields include software localiza- Languages All Description Central to most translation pro- tion; engineering and technology; life sciences; and insti- cesses today is the database that contains previously trans- tutional-corporate sector. Three elements of fundamental lated data: the translation memory (TM). The consistently ACP Traductera importance are developed and combined at Celer Solucio- growing size of the TM represents an ever-increasing value Languages From all the world languages to languages of nes: translation — good translation practice; technology to you as ts owner. By the same token, it becomes increas- Central and Eastern Europe Description ACP Traductera — use of suitable computer-assisted translation, file-handling and management tools; quality — quality in our cli- ingly attractive to TM buyers from the same industry to is a translation agency based in the Czech Republic. Our ent relations, qual ty of project management and quality of either jump-start a TM or complement t with proven, in- local experience in Central Europe and our strong focus on the documentation produced. dustry-specific translations. Through TM Marketplace, this appropriate language use make us the reliable partner for Celer Soluciones, S.L. Plaza de España, 12, 28008 Madrid, Spain, 34- asset can now provide an immediate return on investment providing high-quality translations into Bulgarian, Czech, Estonian, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Roma- 91-540-0540, Fax: 34-91-541-9259, E-mail: [email protected], Web: through licensing to other parties. As TM brokers, TM Mar- www.celersol.com See ad on page 15 ketplace connects corporate owners of translation assets w th nian, Russian, Slovak, Slovenian and Ukrainian. Document parties who want to license and benefit from those linguistic translation service, translation, proofreading, review, inde- resources. pendent specialist review, legal certification of translated TM Marketplace LLC 319 North 1st Avenue, Sandpoint, ID 83864, documents, webs te and software localization, localization 208-265-9465, 888-533-7886, Fax: 208-263-6310, E-mail: info@tm engineering, testing, documentation localization, graphic marketplace.com, Web: www.tmmarketplace.com See ad on page 12 design, DTP operations and pre-press review and printing. Our team of more than 1,000 professional translators, proofreaders, terminology specialists, graphic designers, IT Conversis TRAINING & SEMINARS engineers and, last but not least, experienced project man- Languages All Description Founded in 2003, Conversis is a agers is our most significant asset. UK-based leading provider of globalization, international- The Localization Institute ACP Traductera Na Vysluni 201/13, Prague 10, Czech Republic, 420- ization, localization and translation (GILT) services, tailoring 384-361-300, Fax: 420-384-361-303, E-mail: [email protected], business needs to each company’s relevant markets world- Languages All Description The Localization Institute pro- Web: www.traductera.com See ad on page 54 wide. Conversis offers a full range of global linguistic ser- vides training, seminars and conferences for the global vices, from high-quality translation of marketing collateral localization community. Best known for ts four annual and technical documentation, to localization of software and localization roundtables, the Institute’s events train local- websites. Serving clients in more than 30 markets worldwide, ization professionals and promote the sharing of experi- Conversis partners w th industry and linguistic experts to de- ence and information. Seminars include “Multilingual liver return on investment for clients’ global business needs. Websites,” “Writing and Designing for an International Conversis Bignell Park Barns, Chesterton, Bicester, Oxfordshire Audience,” “Localization Project Management,” “Advanced OX26 1TD UK, 44-845-450-0805, Fax: 44-845-450-0806, E-mail: Localization Project Management,” “Designing Interna- Technology Translations and Software Localization [email protected], Web: www.conversisglobal.com See ad tional Web and User Interfaces,” “Writing Software for Languages Chinese, Japanese, Korean and major European on page 56 Win32API,” “Introduction to Localization,” “Tools and languages Description Arial Global is a US-based localiza- Technologies for Localization/Internationalization,” “QA tion company. Since 1993, we have translated and localized technical manuals and software for some of the best-known US and European technology firms in the world, all with the greatest precision, on time and on budget. We are known for Stay current. Stay informed. our meticulous quality and uncompromising standards, and that’s why companies such as Intel have chosen to partner www.multilingual.com/ with Arial Global for more than a decade. Eriksen Translations Inc. Arial Global, LLC 1820 East River Road, Suite 106, Tucson, AZ Languages All Description Eriksen Translations Inc. is a lead- multilingualNews 85718, 307-587-2557, Fax: 307-587-7448, E-mail: globalsales@ ing provider of multilingual services, including translation, in- arialglobalreach.com, Web: www.arialglobalreach.com terpreting, typesetting, project management, web localization

94 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Buyer’s Guide

and cultural consulting. For 20 years, Eriksen has helped a chemical, IT and financial services industries. To learn more broad range of organizations in both the public and private about us, please visit www.e-kern.com sectors excel across print, desktop and web environments KERN Global Language Services in the domestic and global marketplace. With a worldwide USA 230 Park Avenue, Suite 1517, New York, NY 10169, 212-953- network of over 5,000 linguists, a commitment to leading 2070, Fax: 212-953-2073, E-mail: [email protected] technologies, and an in-house staff dedicated to tailoring our Europe Kurfuerstenstrasse 1, 60486 Frankfurt/Main, Germany, 49- proven project management process to the individual needs Hermes Traducciones y 69-7560730, Fax: 49-69-751353, E-mail: [email protected] of each client, Eriksen is your globalization partner. Servicios Lingüísticos, S.L. China Right Emperor Commercial Building, Unit B, 11/F, 122-126 Eriksen Translations Inc. 32 Court Street, 20th Floor, Brooklyn, Languages Spanish, Portuguese (Continental and Braz lian), Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, SAR China, 852-2850-4455, NY 11201, 718-802-9010, Fax: 718-802-0041, E-mail: info@er ksen English, French, Italian, German and other languages on Fax: 852-2850-4466, E-mail: info@e-ke n.com, Web: www.e-kern.com inc.com, Web: www.erikseninc.com demand Description Established in 1991, Hermes Traduc- ciones is a leading Spanish translation company, specializing in software and hardware localization and also undertaking a broad range of other translation projects. Comprehensive in-house translation teams include translators, reviewers and linguists w th an expertise in Spanish and Portuguese, a knowledge of CAT tools, and a commitment to deliver cost-efficient, reliable and high-qual ty services to customers. Lido-Lang Technical Translations EuroGreek Translations Limited Hermes Traducciones is a member of the International Com- Languages All Description Established in Poland in 1991, Language Greek Description EuroGreek Translations Lim- mittee for the creation of the European Quality Standard for Lido-Lang has expertise in technical translations into Central ted is Europe’s number one Greek production house, spe- Translation Services. Hermes Traducciones also organizes and Eastern European languages. We also possess in-depth ex- cializing in technical and medical translations from English university courses on localization and translation. perience in the following fields: economics, law, medicine and into Greek and from Greek into English. EuroGreek’s aim is Hermes Traducciones y Servicios Lingüísticos, S.L. C/ Cólquide, 6 IT, providing translations in nearly all European and Asian lan- to provide high-qual ty, turnkey solutions, encompassing a - planta 2 - 3.oI, Ediﬁ cio “Prisma”, 28230 Las Rozas, Madrid, Spain, 34- guage combinations. Our global network of more than 1,000 whole range of client needs, from plain translation to desk- 916-407640, Fax: 34-916-378023, E-mail: hermestr@hermestrans approved and highly qualified translators, our comprehen- top/web publishing to localization development and testing. .com, Web: www.hermestrans.com See ad on page 29 sive project management processes which cover translations, Over the years, EuroGreek’s services have been extended to proofreading, editing and desktop publishing (QuarkXPress, cover most subject areas, including German and French into ISO 9001:2000 Certified Translation Services InDesign, PageMaker, FrameMaker), and our experience with Greek translation services. All of EuroGreek’s work is proof- Languages All major languages Description Idem Transla- CAT Tools (TRADOS, SDLX) allow us to provide a premium read by a second in-house specialist and is fully guaranteed tions, Inc., is a full-service translation/localization company, quality service in accordance with the provisions of ISO for quality and on-time delivery. specializing in the life sciences, legal and IT industries since 9001:2000 standard to which we were certified in May 2005. EuroGreek Translations Limited 1983. Our expert translation teams combine linguistic excel- Lido-Lang Technical Translations ul. Walerego Slawka 3, 30-653 London 27 Lascotts Road, London N22 8JG UK lence with strong backgrounds in a variety of fields. We main- Krakow, Poland, 48-2-2546-123, Fax: 48-12-2546-122, E-mail: Athens EuroGreek House, 93 Karagiorga Street, Athens 16675, tain specialized client glossaries and memory databases to ofﬁ [email protected], Web: www.lidolang.com Greece, 30-210-9605-244, Fax: 30-210-9647-077, E-mail: production@ ensure consistent terminology. Our ISO 9001:2000-certified eurogreek.gr, Web: www.eurogreek.com See ad on page 77 translation and quality processes guarantee a service that meets the highest industry standards. We offer a unique combination of industry-specific experience, knowledgeable translation teams and friendly, client-oriented service. Idem Translations, Inc. 550 California Avenue, Suite 310, Palo Alto, CA 94306, 650-858-4336, Fax: 650-858-4339, E-mail: info@idem LinguaLinx Language Solutions, Inc. translations.com, Web: www.idemtranslations.com See ad on page 77 Languages All Description LinguaLinx is a full-service trans- Follow-Up Translation Services lation and localization agency specializing in the adaptation Languages English, Brazilian Portuguese, Latin American of marketing and communications material into most of the Spanish Description Wth more than 17 years of experience, world’s languages. Our enterprise language solutions range we know exactly how to help your products and docu- from glossary development and maintenance to translation ments penetrate South American markets faster and more memory deployment and global content management. In efficiently. Trust our expertise and leave your software/web- International Communication by Design, Inc. today’s highly competitive, global environment, t is becoming site localization with us. Follow-Up gathers a select group Languages All major languages, including double-byte increasingly difficult to differentiate one translation agency of translation, localization, DTP, engineering and project Description An ATA member, ICD delivers accurate from another. We stand apart by taking the most proactive management specialists to always exceed your company’s translation and localization of manuals, websites and bro- approach to quality in the industry, ut lizing stringent project requirements of high quality and time-to-market. Our areas chures. With over 15 years’ experience, ICD provides 100% management procedures, offering one of the most aggressive of expertise include IT, telecom, finance, ERP, marketing, reliability, quality and on-time delivery. Our team includes rate structures available and applying a sincere dedication to medicine and pharmaceuticals. ATA-accredited translators who are native speakers, subject providing the best possible service. Follow-Up Av. Presidente Wilson 165, Sala 1308, Rio de Janeiro, matter experts and project managers. Using the latest tools, LinguaLinx Language Solutions, Inc. 650 Franklin Street, Suite 502, Schenectady, NY 12305, 518-388-9000, Fax: 518-388-0066, E-mail: RJ 20030-020 Brazil, 55-21-2524-2994, Fax: 55-21-2210-5472, ICD maintains translation memories that shorten project E-mail: [email protected], Web: www.follow-up.com.br See [email protected], Web: www.lingualinx.com ad on page 80 cycles and improve product consistency. ICD — translating your company into a global success. International Communication by Design, Inc. 1726 North 1st Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212, 414-265-2171, Fax: 414-265-2101, E-mail: [email protected], Web: www.icdtranslation.com

ForeignExchange Translations McElroy Translation Languages 42 languages and growing Description ForeignEx- Languages All Description If you could design one, what change is the global leader in providing translation services would your ideal translation vendor be like? Your ideal trans- to life sciences companies. We work with many of the biggest lation vendor would, above all, give you more peace of mind pharmaceutical companies, medical-device manufacturers, KERN Global Language Services at the end of the day. Maybe your ideal translation vendor biotech companies and CROs. Our proprietary Mult lingual Your language partner focuses on helping you use translation to achieve a competi- Compliance Process combines expert linguists, best-of-breed Languages All Description KERN Global Language Services tive advantage in the global marketplace by improving turn- technology and measurable translation quality in a process is a leading provider in the area of global communication around times, cost savings, communication, product quality that is both robust and completely scalable, ensuring your with over 35 offices worldwide. W th more than 30 years of and workflow processes? McElroy empowers you to design projects are finished on time and within budget. For more in- experience, our services include translation and interpret- communication and processes around schedules and proj- formation on how we can help meet your translation require- ing in all languages; software, multimedia and website lo- ect benchmarks that optimally meet your needs. McElroy’s ments or for a quote on your next translation project, please calization; terminology management; multilingual desktop clients have found their expectations met and exceeded for contact us directly or visit our website at www.fxtrans.com publishing; and individual and corporate language train- almost 40 years. Now, that’s peace of mind. ForeignExchange Translations 411 Waverley Oaks Road, Suite 315, ing in all major languages. KERN has established itself as McElroy Translation 910 West Avenue, Austin, TX 78701, 800- Waltham, MA 02452, 866-398-7267, 781-893-0013, Fax: 781- a preferred insourcing and outsourcing solution provider 531-9977, 512-472-6753, Fax: 512-472-4591, E-mail: quotes@ 893-0012, E-mail: [email protected], Web: www.fxtrans.com for language services. We serve clients in all industry sec- mcelroytranslation.com, Web: www.mcelroytranslation.com See ad See ad on page 19 tors, including the automotive, medical, pharmaceutical, on page 10 www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 95 Buyer’s Guide

regulatory affairs and communication departments of health care companies. The documents that we regularly deal with include marketing authorization applications, SPCs, product monographs, clinical trial protocols, SOPs, technical reports, manufacturing guides, scientific publications and medical devices, among others. Major European pharmaceutical Medical Translations Only companies have come to depend on the quality of our ser- Syntes Language Group, Inc. Languages All European languages and Japanese Description vices when looking for language solutions, from translating Languages All Description Syntes Language Group is a MediLingua is one of the few medical translation special- documents to creating audiovisual products, and for techni- leading qual ty provider of customized language solutions ists in Europe. We only do medical. We provide all European cal management of conferences. The quality of our services to business, government and professional clients. We de- languages (31 today and counting) and Japanese as well as has been certified under ISO 9001:2000. liver a full line of services in translation, interpreting and translation-related services to manufacturers of medical de- Nova Language Services c/ Còrsega, 371, planta 5ª, 08037 conference coordination; product, software and webste vices, instruments, in vitro diagnostics and software; pharma- Barcelona, Spain, 34-93-4126500, Fax: 34-93-3175625, E-mail: localization; desktop publishing; multimedia production ceutical and biotechnology companies; medical publishers; [email protected], Web: www.nova-transnet.com See ad and voiceovers; and consultation in both project-specific national and international medical organizations; and other on page 11 and long-term planning for the incorporation of foreign customers in the medical sector. Projects include the translation language elements into your business. For 19 years, we’ve of documentation for medical devices, surgical instruments, offered proven expertise in all major fields of industry, hosp tal equipment and medical software; medical information delivered by accomplished, experienced professionals. All of for patients, medical students and physicians; scientific articles; this means that you get the ultimate in customer care and the press releases; product launches; clinical trial documentation; best value for your project dollars. medical news; and articles from medical journals. Syntes Language Group, Inc. 7465 East Peakview Avenue, Centen- MediLingua Medical Translations BV Poortgebouw, Rijnsbur- One Planet nial, CO 80111, 888-779-1288, 303-779-1288, Fax: 303-779-1232, gerweg 10, 2333 AA Leiden, The Netherlands, 31-71-5680862, Fax: Languages All Description What makes One Planet differ- E-mail: [email protected], Web: www.syntes.com 31-71-5234660, E-mail: [email protected], Web: ent? A deep understanding of corporate culture. Our clients www.medilingua.com See ad on page 77 require accuracy, measurable productivty and excellence in communication. How can one firm specialize in areas such as high technology, medical products and technical manufacturing? By blazing the path in translation since 1979, we utilize knowledgeable translators in the United States, Europe the medical information company and Asia in every field and every specialty. Services include technical translation, software localization and multilingual TripleInk Multilingual Communications mt-g — the medical information company website development. Our customers from Ametek to Unisys Languages All major commercial languages Description As a Languages All Description mt-g is the leading provider of like the fact that we function as an extension of their teams. mult lingual communications agency, TripleInk has provided translations and global information services dedicated to the One Planet 820 Evergreen Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15209, 888- industrial and consumer products companies with precise medical science. We specialize primarily in medical technol- 677-1010, Fax: 412-632-1071, E-mail: [email protected], Web: translation and multilingual production services for audio- ogy and diagnostics, regulatory affairs, dental medicine and www.one-planet.net visual, online and print media since 1991. Our experience in other specialist medical fields. We offer a range of professional adapting technical documentation and marketing communi- services covering translation, information production, global cation materials covers a wide range of industries, including information management and XML documentation applica- biomedical and health care; bulding and construction; finan- tions. At ts head office in Ulm and ts branch in Munich, 31 cial services; food and agriculture; high-tech and manufactur- salaried staff deliver solutions for information processes in ing; and hosp tality and leisure, as well as government and medical science. More than 450 medical and pharmaceutical nonprofit organizations. Using a total qual ty management process and state-of-the-art software and equipment, our team experts in over 100 countries are engaged in translating, pro- Translation and localization into Polish ducing, managing and documenting medical information. of foreign language professionals delivers the highest quality Language Polish Description Ryszard Jarza Translations is an mt-g medical translation GmbH & Co. KG Eberhard-Finckh- translations in a cost-effective and time-efficient manner. Strasse 55, 89075 Ulm, Germany, 49-731-17-63-97-0, Fax: 49-731- established provider of specialized Polish translation, local- TripleInk 60 South 6th Street, Suite 2600, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 17-63-97-50, E-mail: [email protected], Web: www.mt-g.com ization and DTP services, primarily for life sciences, IT, auto- 612-342-9800, 800-632-1388, Fax: 612-342-9745, E-mail: info@ motive, refrigeration and other technology sectors. We work tripleink.com, Web: www.tripleink.com with multilanguage vendors and directly with documentation departments of large multinational customers. Our in-house team (12 full-time specialists) is comprised of experienced RANSLATION OOLS linguists with medical, engineering and IT backgrounds. We T T guarantee a high standard of quality while maintaining flexibility, unparalleled responsiveness and reliabilty. NCS Enterprises, L.L.C. Ryszard Jarza Translations ul. Barlickiego 23/22, 50-324 Wroclaw, Languages All Description Wth NCS you’ll find that the focus Poland, 48-601-728018, Fax: 48-71-3414441, E-mail: info@jarza is on our clients and their translation projects. From the small- .com.pl, Web: www.jarza.com.pl See ad on page 77 est product label requiring desktop publishing to the largest, mult lingual, online help text, our project managers w ll make Applications Technology, Inc. the process smooth and painless. We find the right team of Multiple Platforms native-speaker professional translators and editors w th indus- Languages All Description Machine Translation (MT) sys- try-specific knowledge for each project. Our working knowl- tems (TranSphere): Fully automated (parsing + statistics), edge of all types of software makes sure the translations are special-domain dictionary stacking/update. Language pairs: delivered as required. Even with being ISO 9001:2000-com- Skrivanek Translation Services English, Arabic, Turkish, Persian, Dari, Pashto, Korean, Chi- pliant and using the latest technology, t’s about the people, Languages All, with a focus on Central and Eastern Europe nese, Japanese, Hebrew, German, French, Italian, Spanish, communication and commitment to service. Call us at 412- Description Skrivanek is a world leader in the provision of Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Ukrainian and Dutch. Cross 278-4590 to see how this translates into quality. language services, specifically translations spanning a mul- language pairs new releases: Arabic-French/Arabic-German/ NCS Enterprises, L.L.C. 1222 Hope Hollow Road, 2nd Floor, titude of languages and the localization of products for Turkish-German. Translation Memory: Statistical paral- Carnegie, PA 15106, 412-278-4590, Fax: 412-278-4595, E-mail: maximum effect and achievement on international mar- lel corpora-based system decoupled/integrated w th MT. [email protected], Web: www.ncs-pubs.com kets. Established in the Czech Republic in 1994, it quickly Webtrans: Web page translation — target language page dominated the Central European translation market, creat- reconstructed with hyperlinks, images, applets, objects and ing a network of outlets stretching across 51 cities around embedded scripts. MT API: For MT system integration (all the world. Its staff of professional translators, experienced languages with various solutions). NameFinder: Proper project managers and dedicated software engineers and pronoun detection (languages w th no capitalization). MLIR grammers have enabled Skrivanek to provide translation and (Multilingual Information Retrieval): retrieval of multilin- localization services in any conceivable language, building gual content, including query translation, morphological up, in the process, an enviable clientele. Skrivanek’s quality of and thematic searches (geographic, personal, corporate) Nova Language Services service is backed by EN ISO 9001:2001 certification. name/event combinations. Languages All Description Located in Spain, Nova Language Skrivanek Translation Services, Ltd. Nad Zaloznou 499/6, 180 00 Applications Technology, Inc. 6867 Elm Street, Suite 300, Services provides translation and interpreting services fo- Prague 8, Czech Republic, 420-233-320-560, Fax: 420-224-321- McLean, VA 22101, 703-821-5000, Fax: 703-821-5001, E-mail: cusing on health sciences, especially for medical, technical, 556, E-mail: [email protected], Web: www.skrivanek.com [email protected], Web: www.apptek.com

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Quality Assurance Software for Translations creating very large TextBase TMs and extracting relevant termi- domains. W th over three decades of expertise, research and Windows nology. MultiTrans 4 deploys linguistic assets through desktop development, SYSTRAN’s software is the choice of leading Languages All/Unicode Description ErrorSpy, a quality as- and centralized enterprise applications for authors, project global corporations, portals and public agencies. Use of SYS- surance software for translations, generates automatically a managers, in-house translators and revisors, LSPs and freelanc- TRAN products and solutions enhances multilingual commu- list of potential errors (terminology, numbers, completeness, ers. MultiTrans 4 is a value-added alternative to conventional nication and increases user productivity and time-savings for tags, consistency and so on). The formats supported are bi- TM and is widely adopted by corporations, institutions, gov- B2E, B2B and B2C markets as they deliver real-time language lingual files, all Trados formats, TMX (translation memories) ernments, LSPs and freelancers in over 30 countries, including solutions for search, content management, online customer and Transit. An evaluation report of the translation quality the Translation Bureau of the Government of Canada, several support, intra-company communications, and e-commerce. can be customized. ErrorSpy is also available as a server-based Un ted Nations’ organizations, Ford, Pfizer and Kraft. SYSTRAN version and can be integrated into individual workflows. MultiCorpora 102-490 St. Joseph Boulevard, Gatineau, QC, J8Y 3Y7 North America 9333 Genesee Avenue, Plaza Level, Suite PL1, San D.O.G. Dokumentation ohne Grenzen GmbH Neue Ramtelstrasse Canada, 819-778-7070, 877-725-7070, Fax: 819-778-0801, E-mail: Diego, CA 92121, 858-457-1900, Fax: 858-457-0648 12, D-71299 Leonberg, Germany, 49-7152-354-11, Fax: 49-7152- [email protected], Web: www.multicorpora.com See ad on page 40 Europe Paroi Nord - La Grande Arche, 1, Parvis de la Défense, 92044 354-11, E-mail: [email protected], Web: www Paris La Défense Cedex, France, 33-825-80-10-80, Fax: 33-1-46-98- .multilingual-products.com See ad on page 18 00-59, E-mail: [email protected], Web: www.systransoft.com See ad on page 13 Idiom Technologies Multiple Platforms Languages More than 120 Description Idiom Technologies optimizes the globalization supply chain by aligning global enterprises, language service providers and translators. Award- SDL TRADOS Technologies winning WorldServer™ software solutions expand market Languages All Description SDL TRADOS Technologies, reach and accelerate multilingual communication with a proven a division of SDL International, is the world’s largest pro- platform for automating translation and localization processes. vider of trusted technology solutions for global information Solutions for Terminology, Idiom works with global organizations including Adobe, Au- management (GIM), which benefit corporations and insti- Full-text and Bitext Management todesk, Continental Airlines, eBay, Motorola and Travelocity tutions, language service providers and freelance translators Windows and Web to cost-effectively translate global webs tes and applications, worldwide. SDL has over 130,000 software licenses deployed Languages Windows: All Roman alphabet; LogiTermWeb- streamline software localization and delivery, and speed time- across the translation supply chain and has demonstrated Plus: Unicode Description A single software package to to-market for international product documentation. Idiom proven ROI in over 150 enterprise solution installations. manage your terminology and databanks. Efficient and also partners w th consulting firms, systems integrators and SDL delivers innovative software products that accelerate effective consultation of terms and texts. The most robust technology vendors to help customers achieve high-quality global content delivery and maximize language translation alignment tool on the market. More consistent use of ter- results and maximize existing enterprise infrastructure. productivty. The new launch of SDL Trados Synergy 2006 minology and phraseology in-house and by freelancers. In- Idiom Technologies, Inc. 200 Fifth Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451, empowers enterprises to efficiently manage translation proj- ternal and external repetition detection and pretranslation. 781-464-6000, Fax: 781-464-6100, E-mail: [email protected], ects across multiple suppliers and ensures total visibility of all The web version allows access to your terminology, bitexts Web: www.idiominc.com See ad on page 30 project elements across the entire translation supply chain. and documents by translators, writers and subcontractors SDL International 5700 Granite Parkway, Suite 410, Plano, TX from anywhere in the world. 75024, 904-683-9259, Fax: 904-683-9259, E-mail: productsales@ Terminotix Inc. 240 Bank Street, Suite 600, Ottawa, ON, K2P 1X4 sdl.com, Web: www.sdl.com See ads on pages 70-71, 100 Canada, 613-233-8465, Fax: 613-233-3995, E-mail: termino@ terminotix.com, Web: www.terminotix.com See ads on pages 47, 77

The best of both worlds… MultiLingual TextBase meets Translation Memory Multiple Platforms SYSTRAN 2007 Resource Directory Languages All Unicode languages Description MultiTrans 4 Multiple Platforms is an innovative software solution integrating TextBase Trans- Languages 52 language combinations Description SYSTRAN available at www.multilingual.com lation Memory (TM) w th best-in-class terminology manage- is the market leading provider of language translation software ment. The unique and revolutionary text alignment capab lities products and for the desktop, enterprise and internet that fa- /resourceDirectory of the TextBase TM allow unlocking linguistic assets by rapidly cilitate communication in 52 language combinations and in 20

ADVERTISER INDEX

ACP Traductera 54 ForeignExchange Translations 19 MultiLingual Press 23 across Systems GmbH 2 Hermes Traducciones 29 Nova Language Services 11 ADAPT Localization Services 25 Idem Translations, Inc. 77 PASS Engineering GmbH 7 Alchemy Software Development Ltd. 99 Idiom Technologies, Inc. 30 Ryszard Jarza Translations 77 Alpha Translations Canada Inc. 53 in FRENCH only inc./in SPANISH too! 53 Schaudin.com 93 Binari Sonori srl 37 JustSystems, Inc. 82 SDL International 70-71, 100 Braahmam Net Solutions Pvt. Ltd. 77 Language Weaver, Inc. 61 Society for Technical Communication 81 California State University, Chico 89 Lingo Systems 16 STAR Group America, LLC 20 CanTalk 53 Lionbridge 3 SYSTRAN 13 Celer Soluciones 15 The Localization Institute 32 Tek Translation International 17 Common Sense Advisory, Inc. 68 Localization World Ltd. 64 Terminotix Inc. 47, 77 Conversis 56 Logrus International Corporation 35 TM Marketplace 12 Dokumentation ohne Grenzen GmbH 18 McElroy Translation 10 TRSB 53 E4NET 90 MediLingua BV 77 VistaTEC 15 EuroGreek Translations Limited 77 Monterey Institute of Int’l Studies 69 Welocalize 72 European Text Analytics Summit 28 Moravia Worldwide 14 WhP 86 Follow-Up 80 MultiCorpora 40 Yamagata Europe 4 www.multilingual.com March 2007 MultiLingual | 97 Liam Gallagher

Translation industry challenges in Brazil Takeaway

Teddy Bengtsson’s recent “Takeaway” (MultiLin- expression that you can have it done quickly, cheaply and well, gual #84, December 2006) about the translation but only two of these apply at any one time. market in Argentina set me thinking about the The bottom line to all of this is that the Brazilian industry is Brazilian market, where estimates for translation an extremely fragmented one with little, if any, contact or ex- T change of ideas among the main players. Perhaps what we need projects are traditionally quoted in laudas, not is a kind of GALA-like body, bringing the major players together word count. Ah! I hear you ask, “What is a lauda?” not only to discuss the state of the industry and its future, the Well, that depends. In today’s amorphous Brazil- standards, metrics, quality and technology being applied, but also to drive the message home to translation purchasers that ian translation industry, a lauda can be anywhere translation is a mixture of art and science, requiring skills, care from 1,000 to 1,200 characters. So where is all this and quality control, and that for these reasons it comes at a leading? There are three main issues here. price. So far, any attempts in this direction have made little contribution either to defending the industry’s interests or First, the Brazilian translation industry is law unto itself, promoting a united front to the buyer/user market. The seeds of although the myriad of agencies and freelancers comprising it such good intentions invariably fall on stony ground, while the are like ships that pass in the night. Try fi nding out the size of major players in the industry seem quite content to pursue their the industry in terms of global billings. Second, with tradition- divide-and-rule existence, fi ercely defending their customer ally few challengers on their own turf, Brazilian agencies have portfolios, reluctant to exchange ideas with each other for fear carved out their territories — like medieval lords — and there is that Agency B might end up stealing Customer 1 from Agency plenty for everyone, so why rock the boat? Perhaps it is time for A. To use one of Don DePalma’s expressions, the industry is as the winds of change or, better still, of consolidation/acquisition happy as the day’s long inside its comfort zone. to blow across the heartland. When I was a boy in Ireland, my father used to say that you Third, one of the Brazilian translation industry’s greatest couldn’t teach an old dog new tricks. Were he alive today, he challenges is price elasticity. The agencies stress their high- would probably appreciate the wisdom behind those words as volume capability, international quality standards and fast they apply to the local translation industry. Oh yes, some of turnaround times, but for many end-users translation is just our business practices need to be hauled into the twenty-fi rst another element in the corporate cost chain. I fi nd it diffi cult century. For example, with whom do we benchmark? It is to be to accept that a purchasing manager responsible for general regretted that the Brazilian translation industry tends to adopt offi ce supplies — let’s say paperclips and such — may be the the ostrich posture in the face of new challenges, thus exposing same person who obtains quotes for a translation project. our fragmentation even further. Certainly consolidation and/or Yes, translation has become a commodity in Brazil, too, where acquisitions and mergers are unlikely to occur on the initiative quality is all too readily sacrifi ced on the altar of skimpy, “if- of the main local players. Rather, I suspect and expect that it will we-don’t-spend-it-we-lose-it” translation budgets. The old require a sudden move by a large international player to rudely adage “If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys” was never truer waken our translation industry out of its slumber. M than when applied to translation work, and I have witnessed situations where projects had to be re-hashed or even started Liam Gallagher is international business development manager for from scratch because some client foolishly believed he or she the Brazil-based localization company All Tasks Traduções Técnicas. could get the job done cheaply and well in a 24-hour turnaround period — while the translation agency foolishly agreed with him or her and, worse, took upon itself the task of actually Takeaway is an opportunity to comment on language-industry issues. meeting that deadline. They were obviously unfamiliar with the Contributions are welcome. Send them to [email protected]

98 | MultiLingual March 2007 [email protected] Announcing Alchemy CATALYST 6.0 Total Visual Localization

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With over 120 new features inside Alchemy CATALYST 6.0, it’s With over 12,000 licenses shipped and chosen by industry leading impossible to list all the finer points of our total visual localization technology partners such as Siemens and Business Objects for its solution. high productivity and visual localization solutions, Alchemy Software Development is a trusted software vendor. More Features. More Productivity. More Flexibility. Find out more. Visit our web site for free online demonstrations, Providing complete control of your localization process, Alchemy tutorials and evaluation software at www.AlchemySoftware.ie. CATALYST 6.0 is an ideal solution for developers seeking efficient integration of their localization process with their product development To buy now, call +1 503 362 9372 (Europe:+353 1 708 2808), visit our life cycle. online store at http://www.alchemysoftware.ie/products, or contact your local reseller. Alchemy CATALYST 6.0 is a reliable, scalable and secure technology (C) 2005 Alchemy Software Development Ltd. All rights reserved. Alchemy Software Development that is an excellent starting point for developers who need a total visual and Alchemy CATALYST are trademarks or registered trademarks of Alchemy Software Development Ltd. All other trademarks or registered trademarks referenced are the property of localization platform that can grow with the demands of their business. their respective owners.

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Alchemy Software Development has its headquarters at Block 2, Ha nter, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, Ireland Introducing: The new way of working faster easier more powerful www.sdltrados.com/2007