Terminology management Your terms. The same in every language.
A terminology database sets out what your specialist terms are called in every language. That way your company speaks with one voice across all texts, markets and teams. Talk to us about how you can benefit from terminology management.
Four ISO certificationsTranslation partner for demanding companies
- What it is: A maintained system that sets out what your specialist terms are called in every language, with definition and context. The tool behind it is the termbase.
- Who it's for: Companies with their own specialist language, several markets or strict rules for brand and product terms.
- What it delivers: Consistent corporate language, fewer queries and corrections, a clear brand perception over years.
- The difference: The memory stores, in hindsight, what has already been translated. Terminology management sets out, in advance, how you use your terms. More on this under translation memory.
When one term has three translations
Inconsistent language confuses customers and staff
An example: a software company offers an update. In one region it's called a "performance improvement", in another an "efficiency boost". Customers, and even your own staff, wonder whether it's the same update. Every word your company uses makes a decision. Without terminology management, chance makes it; with a termbase, you make it deliberately. As a translation agency with its own technology, tolingo makes this control a fixed part of the process.
Everyone translates differently
The same term comes out differently depending on the text.
- Product name appears in three variants
- Customers are unsure whether it's the same thing
- Every translation reopens the terminology question
- Correction loops over word choice
One term, one translation
Every term is set as binding per language.
- Every term has a defined translation
- Brand and product names stay recognisable
- Translators access the rules directly
- Fewer corrections, faster sign-off
Effort at first, then lasting savings
Why terminology management pays off
Building a termbase takes a little more time at the start than a simple translation. After that it reverses: every follow-up order gets faster and more consistent, because the terms are already fixed. The earlier you start, the sooner you reach the point where the investment pays off.
The effect is especially strong together with the translation memory: while the termbase governs the terms, the memory captures whole recurring sentences. Together they keep costs low and quality high.
Beyond word lists
A maintained system that grows with every project
This is the real difference from a simple word list. A translation memory says, in hindsight: "This is how we translated this sentence last time." Terminology management sets out, in advance: "This is what this term is called at our company, as a rule, and for this reason." A good terminology database therefore records not only how a term is translated, but also why. That way translators make the right choice, even in new texts and in localisation for new markets. For you, that means less coordination, fewer correction loops, a brand that sounds the same in every language.
The preferred term per language, plus allowed synonyms and expressly banned variants.
A short explanation of what is meant. So the translator knows which term fits which situation.
Names that must not be translated, and spellings that must always stay the same.
Guidance on how to address the reader, e.g. formal or informal, per market and audience.
We start with your existing texts, glossaries and rules. From these we build an initial set, which we agree together. The termbase then grows with every order. Existing glossaries can often be imported directly.
When terminology management counts most
Wherever terms carry meaning
The more specialist and multilingual your content, the more important defined terms become. Typical fields:
Components and functions have to be named the same across all manuals. Technical translation depends on fixed terminology.
Legal terms allow no ambiguity. In legal translation the exact term is decisive.
Specialist terms must be precise and consistent. Medical translation calls for reviewed terminology.
Claims, product names and tone shape perception. Marketing translation needs a clear brand language.
Menu items and messages have to be identical everywhere. In software localisation for the technology sector, the termbase keeps the interface consistent.
Anyone present in many languages needs a central source, so the brand sounds the same everywhere.
Part of Technology & API
The termbase governs terms, three building blocks complete it
Terminology management defines the terms. So they take effect everywhere, three further building blocks work alongside:
Stores whole sentences in hindsight, while the termbase defines terms in advance. Together they secure consistency on both levels.
For orders via the interface, the terminology applies automatically. Terms stay correct even when automated.
Connects the terminology directly to your systems, so the rules apply already at the authoring stage.
The platform where terminology, memory and API come together as a ready-made solution.
Frequently asked questions about terminology management
Distinction, setup, maintenance, benefit
What's the difference between terminology management and translation memory?
The translation memory is a store: it saves translated sentences and suggests them again automatically, it looks back. Terminology management is a maintained discipline: it sets out, in advance, how your terms are used, in every language, with definition and context. The memory ensures consistency within the sentence, terminology management a deliberately maintained company language at term level. The two work together.
How is our terminology database built?
We start with your existing texts, glossaries and rules and build an initial set from them. We agree this with you. After that the termbase grows with every order. Existing glossaries can often be imported directly.
Is it worth it for smaller companies too?
As soon as you have translations done regularly or have a recognisable specialist language, a termbase pays off. It doesn't have to start big: often the most important brand and product terms are enough, and the rest grows over time.
Who owns the terminology database?
The termbase is your property, just like your translation memory. It's managed securely to ISO 27001 and remains your linguistic asset.
Does it also work with machine translation?
Yes. The terminology can be built into machine translation and post-editing. That way your defined terms are respected even in automated orders.
Technology & API
Want to keep your language consistent for good?
Terminology, memory, API and integration mesh together. The overview shows how the building blocks work together.
Let's build your termbase.
Send us your texts or an existing glossary. We'll show you how terminology management unifies your language and saves effort.
Free assessment · ISO 27001 · Your property