Translation and Localisation Glossary
From NAATI certification to transcreation, from Translation Memory to multicultural marketing, here you'll find clear, practical definitions of the terms you'll encounter when working with translation, localisation and multicultural communication services in Australia.
116 terms
A
AALC→
The Australasian Association of Language Companies (AALC) Inc. promotes the interests of language service providers in Australia and New Zealand.
Accreditation→
The process of certifying that a translator or interpreter has met specific professional standards. In Australia, NAATI is the body responsible for accrediting translation professionals.
AI in Translation→
Technology that simulates human intelligence to automate or enhance the translation process, including machine translation, neural MT, and AI-assisted quality checks.
Alignment→
A process in which translated text is aligned with the source text, often for translation memory creation or ensuring consistent terminology use across projects.
API Integration→
Connecting translation platforms with existing business systems via Application Programming Interfaces, enabling automated workflows and seamless content exchange.
Asset Localisation→
The process of adapting visual, audio, or textual assets for specific markets, ensuring they resonate with the local cultural context and audience expectations.
Audio Translation→
The process of translating spoken words in audio formats such as podcasts, audio guides, or voice-overs into another language. Also related to transcription.
AUSIT→
The Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators, the national professional association whose members adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and continuous development.
Automation→
Using technology to automate repetitive tasks in the translation process, improving efficiency and scalability through Translation Management Systems and AI-driven tools.
B
Back-Translation→
A quality assurance process where translated text is retranslated into the original language to check for accuracy, though not recommended as a sole QA method.
Bilingual→
A person proficient in two languages. In translation, bilingual experts ensure translations are accurate and culturally appropriate, bridging languages and cultures.
BLEU Score→
A metric used to evaluate machine translation quality by comparing machine-generated text to human-translated reference texts. Higher scores indicate closer alignment.
Brand Localisation→
Adapting a brand's messaging, visuals, and marketing materials to suit a specific cultural or regional context while maintaining brand consistency.
Brochure Translation→
Translating brochures and promotional materials for marketing or informational purposes, requiring attention to cultural nuances and design consistency across languages.
Business Translation→
Translation services focused on business-related content such as corporate communications, marketing materials, contracts, and internal documentation.
C
Certified Translation→
A translation service that provides an official certificate of accuracy, often required for legal, immigration, or governmental purposes in Australia.
Checking and Editing→
A two-step translation review process: checking confirms accuracy against the source text, while editing focuses on language use, grammar, and cultural appropriateness.
Closed Captions→
Text displayed on video that includes dialogue, sound effects, and speaker identification, providing accessibility for deaf or hard-of-hearing audiences across languages.
Co-creation→
A collaborative process where clients, communities, and translators create content or campaigns together, ensuring the final product reflects cultural insights of the target audience.
Co-design→
An approach involving active participation from clients, end-users, and stakeholders to shape project outcomes, ensuring cultural relevance in translation and localisation.
Collaboration→
Working with clients, translators, and stakeholders to achieve the best translation outcomes through close communication and shared understanding of project goals.
Communication Strategy→
A plan outlining how information will be conveyed to a target audience, identifying key messages, appropriate channels, and ensuring cultural relevance across languages.
Community Engagement→
Interacting with and involving community members in meaningful ways, creating content that reflects the needs and preferences of specific cultural communities.
Consecutive Interpreting→
An interpreting method where the speaker pauses after each segment, allowing the interpreter to relay the message. Used in meetings, interviews, and legal proceedings.
Consistency→
Maintaining uniformity in terminology, style, and tone across all translated content, achieved through Translation Memory and quality assurance tools.
Content Localisation→
Adapting various types of content to fit a specific region's linguistic and cultural context, including translating text, modifying visuals, and ensuring cultural appropriateness.
Cultural Adaptation→
The process of adjusting content to align with a specific culture's norms, values, and preferences, going beyond direct translation to ensure cultural resonance.
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD)→
Communities composed of people from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds. In Australia, CALD communities represent a significant portion of the population.
D
Data Security→
Protecting sensitive information during the translation process through secure servers, encryption, access controls, and ISO 27001-certified environments.
Desktop Publishing→
Creating and formatting documents using software to prepare them for print or digital distribution, essential for maintaining layout and design across translated languages.
Document Translation→
Translating written documents from one language to another while preserving meaning, context, and formatting, including contracts, marketing materials, and reports.
Domain Expertise→
Specialised knowledge in a specific field or industry, ensuring translations use industry-specific terminology correctly and meet sector requirements.
Dynamic Content→
Content that changes based on user interactions or other variables, requiring adaptable translation solutions to ensure accuracy regardless of source content changes.
E
E-Learning Localisation→
Adapting online learning content for different languages and cultures, including translating course materials, quizzes, and multimedia while maintaining instructional integrity.
Editing→
Reviewing and refining translated content to ensure clarity, coherence, and quality, including checking grammar, style consistency, and cultural appropriateness.
Education Translation→
Translating educational materials such as curricula, textbooks, enrolment documents, and parent communications for multilingual school and university communities.
End-to-End Solutions→
Comprehensive services encompassing all project stages from planning and strategy to execution and evaluation, handling the entire translation and communication process.
Enterprise Solutions→
Translation and localisation services designed for large businesses, including high-volume projects, multilingual communication strategies, and complex scalable workflows.
F
Feedback Loop→
The process of gathering feedback from clients or stakeholders to improve translation quality through ongoing adjustments, check-ins, and open communication.
Financial Translation→
Translating financial documents such as annual reports, banking materials, insurance policies, and investment documentation with industry-specific precision.
Fluency→
The ability to translate content smoothly and naturally with high language proficiency, understanding not just words but cultural context and idiomatic expressions.
Formatting→
Maintaining the visual structure and layout of documents during translation, including text alignment, font styles, and design elements across languages.
G
Globalisation→
Adapting products, services, or content for global markets, creating materials that can be easily localised to different regions and cultures. Also known as G11n.
Glossary→
A curated list of terms and definitions specific to a project, industry, or client, used to maintain consistent terminology throughout all translations.
Government Translation→
Translation services provided to government agencies and public sector organisations, requiring compliance with specific regulations, cultural sensitivity, and ISO-certified quality standards.
Grassroots Engagement→
Interacting with local communities to understand their cultural context and needs, fostering authentic connections and community involvement in communication projects.
Growth Strategy→
A strategy to expand a company's presence in new markets through multilingual marketing campaigns, localised content, and engaging diverse audiences.
H
Healthcare Translation→
Translating medical and healthcare-related content such as patient information, medical records, and clinical trial documentation with precision and regulatory compliance.
High-Volume Translation→
The ability to handle large quantities of text for translation projects, requiring scalability, efficient workflows, and technology-driven processes to meet tight deadlines.
Hospitality and Tourism Translation→
Translating content for the hospitality and tourism industry including travel guides, hotel information, and marketing materials for international visitors.
Human Resources Translation→
Translating HR content such as employee policies, training materials, and internal communications with understanding of HR terminology and compliance requirements.
Human Translation→
Translating text using professional human translators rather than automated software, providing higher accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and contextual understanding.
Hyper-Localisation→
Adapting content to very specific cultural or regional contexts, going beyond standard localisation to focus on minute details that vary from region to region.
I
Immigration Translation→
Translating documents required for immigration processes, including birth certificates, visas, educational records, and legal documents, typically requiring NAATI certification.
In-Culture Communication→
Crafting messages that resonate with a specific cultural group by reflecting their values, traditions, and social norms in the content and communication approach.
In-Language Communication→
Communication created or translated into the native language of a specific audience, emphasising clarity, engagement, and cultural relevance beyond direct translation.
Inclusive Translation→
Ensuring translated content is accessible and resonates with diverse audiences by avoiding bias, stereotypes, and language that may exclude or offend.
Internationalisation→
Designing products, content, or systems so they can be easily adapted for different languages and cultures without requiring fundamental redesign. Also known as i18n.
Interpreting→
The process of translating spoken language in real-time or consecutively during meetings, conferences, or events, requiring quick thinking and deep language proficiency.
ISO 17100 Certification→
An international standard specifying requirements for translation service providers, covering translator qualifications, project management, and quality assurance processes.
ISO 27001 Certification→
An international standard for information security management systems (ISMS), ensuring organisations protect sensitive data through rigorous risk management practices.
ISO 9001 Certification→
A globally recognised standard for quality management systems that ensures organisations consistently provide services meeting customer and regulatory requirements.
L
Language Pair→
The combination of the source language and the target language in a translation project, such as English to Mandarin or Arabic to English.
Language Service Provider→
A company that offers professional translation, interpreting, localisation, and related language services. Also known as an LSP or translation agency.
Legal Translation→
Translating legal documents such as contracts, court documents, and agreements, requiring deep understanding of legal terminology and concepts across jurisdictions.
Linguistic Quality Assurance→
A review process for translated content to ensure accuracy, consistency, and cultural appropriateness, involving error checking, terminology verification, and quality standards compliance.
Linguistic Testing→
Testing translated software, websites, or apps in context to ensure translations are accurate, fit the user interface, and function correctly in the target language.
Localisation→
The process of adapting content for a specific region, culture, or language, going beyond translation to include cultural adjustments, idiomatic expressions, and regional variations.
M
Machine Translation→
The use of automated software to translate text from one language to another, offering speed and efficiency but often lacking cultural nuance and contextual accuracy.
Machine Translation Post-Editing→
The process of reviewing and improving machine-generated translations by human linguists. MTPE combines AI speed with human quality for cost-effective results.
Marketing Translation→
Translating marketing and advertising content while preserving brand messaging, persuasive elements, and emotional impact for target market audiences.
Medical Translation→
Translating medical content including clinical trials, patient information leaflets, pharmaceutical documentation, and regulatory submissions with specialist accuracy.
Multicultural Marketing→
Creating marketing campaigns that resonate with diverse cultural groups by understanding each group's unique values, traditions, and communication preferences.
Multilingual→
Involving, available in, or able to communicate in multiple languages. Multilingual content reaches broader audiences and builds trust across cultural communities.
Multimedia Localisation→
Adapting multimedia content like videos, audio, and graphics for different languages and cultures, including translating subtitles, voice-overs, and visual elements.
N
NAATI-Certified Translation→
Translation certified by Australia's National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI), the official standard for translation accuracy and quality in Australia.
Native Experience Marketing→
LEXIGO's proprietary NX framework emphasising culturally sensitive communication and authentic marketing strategies that reflect community values and preferences.
Neural Machine Translation→
An advanced approach to machine translation using artificial neural networks to produce more fluent and contextually accurate translations than earlier statistical methods.
Notarised Translation→
A translation that has been certified by a notary public, confirming the translator's identity and the document's authenticity for legal or official use.
O
On-Demand Translation→
Translation services available immediately or within very short timeframes, enabled by technology platforms and pre-vetted translator networks for urgent projects.
Outreach→
Activities aimed at reaching and engaging target communities, particularly diverse cultural groups, through culturally appropriate communication strategies and channels.
P
Plain Language→
Writing that is clear, concise, and easy to understand, avoiding jargon and complex sentence structures. Essential for accessible translations across literacy levels.
Post-Editing→
Reviewing and correcting machine-translated content to improve quality and accuracy, combining the speed of machine translation with human linguistic expertise.
Project Management→
Coordinating all aspects of a translation project including timelines, budgets, resources, and quality control to ensure smooth delivery and client satisfaction.
Proofreading→
Reviewing translated text for grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting errors as a critical step in the quality assurance process.
Publishing Translation→
Translating published materials such as books, magazines, journals, and digital publications while preserving the author's voice, style, and intent.
R
Regulatory Compliance→
Adhering to laws, regulations, and industry standards governing translated content, particularly in healthcare, legal, government, and financial sectors.
Return on Investment→
Measuring the financial value generated from translation and localisation investments, including increased market reach, customer engagement, and revenue growth.
Right-to-Left Languages→
Languages written and read from right to left, such as Arabic, Hebrew, and Farsi, requiring specific layout and design considerations in translation and localisation.
S
Scope of Work→
A detailed description of a translation project's requirements including deliverables, timelines, languages, word count, and quality standards agreed upon before work begins.
Simultaneous Interpreting→
Real-time interpreting where the interpreter translates at the same time as the speaker, commonly used in conferences, large events, and broadcast settings.
Software Localisation→
Adapting software applications for different languages and cultures, including translating user interfaces, error messages, and documentation while ensuring cultural appropriateness.
Source Language→
The original language of the content to be translated. Also known as the source text or original text from which the translation is produced.
Style Guide→
A set of guidelines ensuring consistency in tone, terminology, formatting, and brand voice across all translated content for a specific client or project.
Subtitles→
Translated text displayed on screen during video or film to provide translation for non-native speakers, requiring accurate translation with precise timing and readability.
Sworn Translation→
A translation that carries legal weight, produced by a translator authorised to certify translations for official use in courts, government agencies, and legal proceedings.
T
Target Language→
The language into which the source content is being translated. The target language determines the cultural and linguistic adaptations required.
Technical Translation→
Translating specialised technical content such as engineering documents, user manuals, scientific papers, and IT documentation requiring subject matter expertise.
Telephone Interpreting→
Interpreting services delivered via telephone, providing immediate access to language support for conversations, appointments, and customer interactions.
Terminology Management→
Maintaining a consistent set of terms and vocabulary used across translation projects to ensure industry-specific terminology and jargon are used correctly and uniformly.
Transcreation→
A blend of translation and creative adaptation that maintains the original intent, emotion, and cultural relevance of content for a new audience.
Transcription→
Converting spoken language from audio or video recordings into written text, often the first step before translation of multimedia or spoken content.
Translation→
The process of converting written text from one language to another while maintaining the original meaning, context, tone, and cultural nuances.
Translation Management System→
A software platform that facilitates the management of translation projects, including project tracking, resource allocation, translation memory, and quality assurance tools.
Translation Memory→
Technology that stores segments of previously translated content for reuse in future projects, maintaining consistency and speeding up the translation process.
Turnaround Time→
The time required to complete a translation project from submission to delivery, influenced by word count, complexity, language pair, and quality requirements.
V
Video Localisation→
Translating and adapting video content for specific languages and cultures, including subtitles, voice-overs, on-screen text, and visual elements.
Video Remote Interpreting→
Interpreting delivered via video call, combining the convenience of remote access with visual cues important for sign language interpreting and face-to-face communication.
Voice-Over→
Recording spoken language over video or audio content in a target language, used in marketing videos, e-learning, documentaries, and corporate presentations.
W
Website Localisation→
Adapting a website's content and design to be culturally and linguistically suitable for specific target markets, including translating text, modifying images, and adjusting layout.
Word Count→
The total number of words in a document to be translated, typically the primary metric used for estimating translation costs and project timelines.