Translation glossary
Plain-English definitions for the terms you will meet when buying translation and multicultural communication. No jargon about jargon.
For these terms in context, read our buyer's guide to translation services and our CALD communications guide.
Translation terms beginning with A
- AALC
- The Australasian Association of Language Companies (AALC) Inc. promotes the interests of language service providers in Australia and New Zealand.
- AI in Translation
- AI in translation is the use of technologies such as machine translation and large language models to automate or assist the conversion of content between languages. Applications include neural machine translation and AI-assisted quality checks.
- API Integration
- Translation API integration connects business systems such as a CMS, e-commerce platform or support tool directly to a translation management platform, so content can be sent for translation and returned automatically. The connection runs through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), enabling automated workflows and content exchange.
- AUSIT
- AUSIT stands for the Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators, the national professional association for translators and interpreters in Australia. Members adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and commit to continuous professional development.
- Access and Equity
- Access and Equity is the Australian Government policy framework that requires federal agencies to make their programs, services and information accessible to all Australians, whatever their cultural or language background.
- Accreditation
- In Australian translation, accreditation usually refers to NAATI's former credential system, which NAATI replaced with certification in 2018, although many people still say 'NAATI accredited'. More broadly, it's the process of certifying that a translator or interpreter has met specific professional standards.
- Alignment
- Alignment is a technical process in translation where segments of source text are matched with their corresponding translated segments, creating parallel text pairs. It's often used to build translation memory or keep terminology consistent across projects.
- Asset Localisation
- Asset localisation is the process of adapting content assets such as images, graphics, video, audio and documents so they suit a specific target market. It ensures they resonate with the local cultural context and audience expectations.
- Audio Translation
- Audio translation involves converting spoken content from one language to another, encompassing several distinct processes depending on the source material and intended output. Formats include podcasts, audio guides and voice-overs, and the work is closely related to transcription.
- Automation
- Automation in translation refers to the use of technology to streamline repetitive, time-consuming tasks within the translation workflow, improving efficiency without replacing the human expertise that drives quality. Common tools include Translation Management Systems and AI-driven tools.
Translation terms beginning with B
- BLEU Score
- The BLEU (Bilingual Evaluation Understudy) score is a metric developed by IBM in 2002 to evaluate the quality of machine-translated text by comparing it against one or more human-produced reference translations. Higher scores indicate closer alignment with the reference.
- Back-Translation
- Back-translation is a quality assurance technique where a completed translation is independently retranslated back into the source language by a second translator who has not seen the original text. It's not recommended as the only quality assurance method.
- Bilingual
- Bilingual means able to use two languages fluently, so a bilingual person can communicate in both, including nuance, cultural context and idiom. In translation, bilingual experts help bridge languages and cultures so translations are accurate and culturally appropriate.
- Brand Localisation
- Brand localisation is the strategic process of adapting a brand's identity, messaging, and marketing materials to resonate with specific cultural markets while maintaining overall brand consistency.
- Brochure Translation
- Brochure translation involves translating printed or digital brochure content from one language to another while preserving the marketing impact, visual design, and persuasive messaging of the original. It requires attention to cultural nuance and design consistency across languages.
- Business Translation
- Business translation encompasses the translation of corporate and commercial content including annual reports, corporate communications, internal policies, business correspondence, marketing materials, contracts, proposals, investor presentations, and employee-facing documents.
Translation terms beginning with C
- Certified Translation
- A certified translation in Australia is a translation accompanied by a signed statement of accuracy, usually from a NAATI certified translator, confirming it is a true and complete rendering of the original document. It's often required for legal, immigration or government purposes.
- Checking and Editing
- Checking and editing is a two-stage review process used in professional translation to ensure the final output is accurate, fluent, and fit for purpose. Checking confirms accuracy against the source text, while editing focuses on language use, grammar and cultural appropriateness.
- Closed Captions
- Closed captions are text overlays on video content that display not only spoken dialogue but also relevant non-speech audio information such as sound effects, music descriptions, and speaker identification. They provide accessibility for deaf or hard-of-hearing audiences across languages.
- Co-creation
- Co-creation is a collaborative method where the people a project is meant to serve help create the content, campaign or communication, rather than simply receiving it. Clients, communities and translators work together so the final product reflects the cultural insights of the target audience.
- Co-design
- Co-design is a participatory approach where community members, end users and stakeholders work as equal partners to shape communications, services or systems from concept to delivery. It helps make translation and localisation projects culturally relevant.
- Collaboration
- Collaboration in translation is the close working relationship between clients, project managers, translators, cultural consultants and community stakeholders that produces accurate, culturally appropriate communication. It relies on close communication and a shared understanding of project goals.
- Communication Strategy
- A communication strategy in the multicultural context is a comprehensive plan that defines how an organisation will convey messages to culturally and linguistically diverse audiences. It identifies key messages and appropriate channels, and ensures cultural relevance across languages.
- Community Engagement
- Community engagement in multicultural communications describes the practice of building meaningful, respectful, and ongoing relationships with culturally and linguistically diverse communities. It involves community members in creating content that reflects their needs and preferences.
- 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
- Consistency in translation refers to the uniform use of terminology, style, tone, and formatting across all translated content produced for an organisation. It's achieved through Translation Memory and quality assurance tools.
- Content Localisation
- Content localisation is the process of adapting text, images, video, audio and interactive elements for a specific regional or cultural market. It goes beyond translating text to include modifying visuals and ensuring cultural appropriateness.
- Cultural Adaptation
- Cultural adaptation in translation is the process of modifying content so it resonates with the values, norms, beliefs, and expectations of a specific cultural group. It goes beyond direct translation to achieve cultural resonance.
- Cultural Competence
- Cultural competence is the ability of an organisation, and the individuals within it, to understand, communicate with, and effectively serve people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD)
- CALD stands for culturally and linguistically diverse, the term used in Australia for people and communities whose cultural or language background differs from the English-speaking Anglo-Australian majority. CALD communities represent a significant portion of the population, with over 5.5 million people speaking a language other than English at home (2021 Census).
- Culturally and Racially Marginalised (CARM)
- CARM stands for culturally and racially marginalised, a term increasingly used in Australian policy alongside or instead of CALD to describe people who experience marginalisation because of their race, culture or ethnicity.
Translation terms beginning with D
- Data Security
- Data security in translation refers to the comprehensive measures taken to protect confidential, sensitive, and personally identifiable information throughout the translation process. Measures include secure servers, encryption, access controls and ISO 27001-certified environments.
- Desktop Publishing
- Desktop publishing (DTP) in translation is the process of laying out translated text in the original design so the finished document looks as professional as the source. DTP preserves layout and design for print or digital distribution across languages.
- Document Translation
- Document translation is the process of converting written documents from one language to another while preserving the meaning, context, formatting, and intent of the original. Common examples include contracts, marketing materials and reports.
- Domain Expertise
- Domain expertise in translation refers to a translator's specialised knowledge and experience within a particular subject area or industry. It ensures translations use industry-specific terminology correctly and meet sector requirements.
- Dynamic Content
- Dynamic content refers to website, app, or digital content that changes based on user interactions, preferences, location, behaviour, or other variables. It requires adaptable translation solutions that stay accurate as the source content changes.
Translation terms beginning with E
- E-Learning Localisation
- E-learning localisation is the process of adapting online courses, training modules and assessments for learners in other languages and cultures. It covers course materials, quizzes and multimedia while maintaining instructional integrity.
- Editing
- Editing in translation is the monolingual review of a translated text, where a reviewer checks that it reads correctly in the target language without comparing it to the source. The reviewer refines clarity, grammar, style consistency and cultural appropriateness.
- Education Translation
- Education translation encompasses the translation of materials used in educational settings, from early childhood through to tertiary education. It covers curricula, textbooks, enrolment documents and parent communications for multilingual school and university communities.
- End-to-End Solutions
- An end-to-end translation solution is a service model where one provider manages every stage of a translation or multilingual communication project, from consultation and strategy to delivery and support.
- Enterprise Solutions
- Enterprise translation solutions are scalable language services designed for large organisations with complex, high-volume, and ongoing multilingual communication needs. They include high-volume projects, multilingual communication strategies and complex, scalable workflows.
Translation terms beginning with F
- Feedback Loop
- A feedback loop in translation is a structured process for gathering, documenting, and incorporating client and stakeholder input to continuously improve translation quality over time. It works through ongoing adjustments, check-ins and open communication.
- Financial Translation
- Financial translation involves converting financial documents, reports, and communications from one language to another with the precision and regulatory awareness that the financial sector demands. Typical documents include annual reports, banking materials, insurance policies and investment documentation.
- Fluency
- Fluency in translation refers to how naturally and smoothly a translation reads in the target language. A fluent translation reflects high language proficiency and an understanding of cultural context and idiomatic expressions, not just words.
- Formatting
- Formatting in translation refers to preserving or adapting the visual layout, structure, and design elements of a document when its content is translated into another language. This includes text alignment, font styles and design elements across languages.
- Free Translating Service
- The Free Translating Service (FTS) is a free Australian Government document translation program, delivered by TIS National, for holders of eligible permanent and selected temporary visas who are in Australia. It translates up to 10 eligible personal documents into English within two years of the visa grant.
Translation terms beginning with G
- Globalisation
- Globalisation (often abbreviated as G11n) in the language industry refers to the overarching process of preparing products, content, and business operations for international markets. It creates materials that can be easily localised for different regions and cultures.
- Glossary
- A glossary in translation is a curated list of approved terms and their translations, created and maintained to ensure consistent terminology across all translated content for a specific client, project, or subject domain.
- Government Translation
- Government translation services encompass the translation of documents, communications, and materials produced by or for government agencies at federal, state, and local levels. It requires compliance with specific regulations, cultural sensitivity and ISO-certified quality standards.
- Grassroots Engagement
- Grassroots engagement is a bottom-up approach to community communication that prioritises direct, on-the-ground interaction with community members rather than top-down institutional messaging. It builds authentic connections and community involvement in communication projects.
- Growth Strategy
- A growth strategy in the multilingual context refers to a planned approach for expanding an organisation's reach, revenue, and impact through effective communication with new language markets and cultural audiences. It draws on multilingual marketing campaigns and localised content.
Translation terms beginning with H
- Healthcare Translation
- Healthcare translation is the translation of medical and health-related content, such as patient information, consent forms, public health campaigns and discharge instructions. It demands precision and regulatory compliance, including for medical records and clinical trial documentation.
- High-Volume Translation
- High-volume translation is the translation of large quantities of content to a fixed deadline while keeping quality and terminology consistent across the whole output. It requires scalability, efficient workflows and technology-driven processes.
- Hospitality and Tourism Translation
- Hospitality and tourism translation covers the translation and localisation of content for the travel, accommodation, food and beverage, and tourism sectors. Examples include travel guides, hotel information and marketing materials for international visitors.
- Human Resources Translation
- Human resources translation is the translation of HR content for multilingual workforces, such as employee handbooks, workplace policies, safety documentation, training and employment contracts. It requires an understanding of HR terminology and compliance requirements.
- Human Translation
- Human translation is the process of converting content from one language to another using a qualified human translator, as distinct from machine translation (MT) produced by automated software. It offers higher accuracy, cultural sensitivity and contextual understanding.
- Hyper-Localisation
- Hyper-localisation takes standard localisation a step further by adapting content for very specific sub-regional, community-level, or demographic contexts rather than broad national or language-level markets. It focuses on small details that vary from region to region.
Translation terms beginning with I
- ISO 17100 Certification
- ISO 17100 is the international standard that sets requirements for translation services, including translator competence, revision of every translation by a second linguist and documented project processes. It covers translator qualifications, project management and quality assurance processes.
- ISO 27001 Certification
- ISO 27001 is the international standard for information security management systems (ISMS), setting out how an organisation protects the information it handles. It requires rigorous risk management practices to protect sensitive data.
- ISO 9001 Certification
- ISO 9001 is the international standard for quality management systems (QMS), setting out how an organisation consistently delivers services that meet customer requirements. It's a globally recognised standard that also covers regulatory requirements.
- Immigration Translation
- Immigration translation involves translating documents required for visa applications, citizenship processes, and other immigration procedures in Australia. Documents such as birth certificates, visas, educational records and legal documents typically require NAATI certification.
- In-Culture Communication
- In-culture communication is an approach to multicultural marketing and engagement that goes beyond language translation to create content that authentically reflects the cultural worldview, values, and lived experience of the target audience.
- In-Language Communication
- In-language communication refers to the practice of creating or delivering content in the native or preferred language of the target audience, rather than relying on English as the default communication medium. It emphasises clarity, engagement and cultural relevance beyond direct translation.
- Inclusive Translation
- Inclusive translation is an approach that makes translated content accessible, respectful and relevant to everyone in the target audience, including people marginalised by exclusionary language. It avoids bias, stereotypes and language that may exclude or offend.
- Internationalisation
- Internationalisation (i18n) is the process of designing products, content and systems so they can be adapted for different languages, regions and cultures without redesign.
- Interpreting
- The process of translating spoken language in real-time or consecutively during meetings, conferences, or events, requiring quick thinking and deep language proficiency.
Translation terms beginning with K
- Keyword Localisation
- Keyword localisation is the process of adapting search engine keywords and search terms for different languages and markets to ensure that localised content ranks effectively in local search engine results. It's a core part of multilingual SEO.
Translation terms beginning with L
- LOTE (Language Other Than English)
- LOTE stands for Language Other Than English, the term Australian government, education and policy bodies use for any language spoken in Australia other than English.
- Language Access
- Language access is the set of policies, services and systems that let people with limited English use information and essential services such as government, health, legal and education services. It also supports their participation in public life.
- Language Pair
- A language pair refers to the combination of the source language and the target language in a translation project. Examples include English to Mandarin or Arabic to English.
- Language Service Provider
- A Language Service Provider (LSP) is a company that offers professional translation, interpreting, localisation, and related language services to organisations and individuals. An LSP is also known as a translation agency.
- Legal Translation
- Legal translation is the translation of documents and content used in legal contexts, including contracts, court documents, legislation, patents, intellectual property filings, regulatory documents, legal correspondence, witness statements, and legal opinions. It requires deep understanding of legal terminology and concepts across jurisdictions.
- Linguistic Quality Assurance
- Linguistic Quality Assurance (LQA) is a structured evaluation process that measures translation quality against defined criteria, providing quantifiable data on accuracy, fluency, terminology, and adherence to style guidelines. It includes error checking, terminology verification and cultural appropriateness review.
- Linguistic Testing
- Linguistic testing is the review of translated software, websites or apps in their live interface to check that translations are accurate, fit the layout and work as intended. It checks translations in context, in the target language.
- Localisation
- Localisation (L10n, spelt localization in US English) is the process of adapting content, products or services for a specific region, culture or language community. It goes beyond translation to include cultural adjustments, idiomatic expressions and regional variations.
Translation terms beginning with M
- Machine Translation
- Machine translation (MT) is the use of automated software to translate text from one language to another without direct human involvement in the translation process. MT offers speed and efficiency but often lacks cultural nuance and contextual accuracy.
- Machine Translation Post-Editing
- Machine Translation Post-Editing (MTPE) is a workflow where machine-generated translation is reviewed and refined by a qualified human linguist to achieve the required quality standard. MTPE combines AI speed with human quality for cost-effective results.
- Marketing Translation
- Marketing translation is the translation of advertising, promotional, and brand content while preserving the persuasive impact, emotional resonance, and brand voice of the original.
- Medical Translation
- Medical translation is a specialised branch of translation dealing with clinical, pharmaceutical, healthcare, and biomedical content. It covers clinical trials, patient information leaflets, pharmaceutical documentation and regulatory submissions, and requires specialist accuracy.
- Multicultural Communication
- Multicultural communication is the discipline of reaching culturally and linguistically diverse communities with messages built for them: the right promise, language, channel and messenger. It covers strategy, creative, in-language content, community engagement and distribution, not only translating an English campaign.
- Multicultural Marketing
- Multicultural marketing is the strategic practice of developing marketing campaigns that acknowledge, respect, and authentically engage with the cultural diversity of the target audience. It draws on each group's values, traditions and communication preferences.
- Multilingual
- Multilingual means using or involving several languages, and can describe a person who speaks more than two languages or content and services offered in multiple languages. Multilingual content reaches broader audiences and builds trust across cultural communities.
- Multilingual SEO
- Multilingual SEO is the practice of optimising a website so that its content ranks effectively in search engine results across multiple languages and markets. Each language version should rank effectively in its target market.
- Multimedia Localisation
- Multimedia localisation is the process of adapting video, audio, animation, and interactive media content for different languages and cultural markets. It includes translating subtitles, voice-overs and visual elements.
Translation terms beginning with N
- NAATI Certified Translation
- A NAATI certified translation is a translation produced and certified by a translator who holds current certification from NAATI, the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. It's the official standard for translation accuracy and quality in Australia.
- NAATI LSP Endorsement
- NAATI LSP Endorsement is a formal organisation-level recognition confirming a language service provider meets standards set by Australian governments.
- Native Experience Marketing
- Native Experience (NX) Marketing is LEXIGO's proprietary framework for developing multicultural communications that authentically reflect the cultural worldview of the target audience. It emphasises culturally sensitive communication and authentic marketing that reflects community values.
- Neural Machine Translation
- Neural machine translation (NMT) is an approach to automated translation that uses deep learning neural networks to generate translations. It produces more fluent and contextually accurate translations than earlier statistical methods.
- Non-English Speaking Background (NESB)
- NESB stands for non-English speaking background, a former Australian government classification for people whose first language was not English, now largely replaced by CALD.
- Notarised Translation
- A notarised translation is a translation that has been witnessed and authenticated by a notary public or, in some Australian contexts, a Justice of the Peace (JP). It confirms the translator's identity and the document's authenticity for legal or official use.
Translation terms beginning with O
- On-Demand Translation
- On-demand translation is translation delivered immediately or within very short timeframes, typically through a technology platform backed by a pre-vetted translator network. It's suited to urgent projects.
- Outreach
- Community outreach in multicultural communications is the active process of reaching culturally and linguistically diverse communities that mainstream channels often miss. It uses culturally appropriate communication strategies and channels.
Translation terms beginning with P
- Plain Language
- Plain language, often called plain English in Australia, is a way of writing that makes content clear and easy to understand on first reading. It avoids jargon and complex sentence structures, which makes it essential for accessible translations across literacy levels.
- Post-Editing
- Post-editing (formally Post-Editing of Machine Translation, or PEMT) is the process of reviewing and improving machine-translated content to bring it to a specified quality level. It combines the speed of machine translation with human linguistic expertise.
- Project Management
- Translation project management is the coordination of resources, timelines, workflows and quality controls needed to deliver translation projects on time, on budget and to the required standard. It covers timelines, budgets, resources and quality control.
- Proofreading
- Proofreading in translation is the final review step before delivery, focused on catching any remaining surface-level errors in the translated text. It checks grammar, punctuation, spelling and formatting as a critical step in quality assurance.
- Publishing Translation
- Publishing translation is the translation of content intended for formal publication, including books, journals, magazines, digital publications, white papers, and thought leadership content. It preserves the author's voice, style and intent.
Translation terms beginning with Q
- Quality Assurance
- Quality assurance (QA) in translation is the systematic set of processes, checks, and standards applied to ensure that translated content meets defined accuracy, consistency, and quality requirements before delivery. It also checks that translations are culturally appropriate.
Translation terms beginning with R
- Regulatory Compliance
- Regulatory compliance in translation refers to ensuring that translated content meets the legal, regulatory, and industry-specific requirements that govern how content must be produced, reviewed, and distributed in regulated sectors. It's critical in healthcare, legal, government and financial sectors.
- Return on Investment
- Return on investment (ROI) in translation and localisation measures the financial value generated from investment in multilingual communication relative to the cost of that investment. Returns include increased market reach, customer engagement and revenue growth.
- Right-to-Left Languages
- Right-to-left (RTL) languages are languages that are written and read from right to left, as opposed to the left-to-right (LTR) direction used by English and most European languages. Examples include Arabic, Hebrew and Farsi, which need specific layout and design considerations in translation and localisation.
Translation terms beginning with S
- Scope of Work
- A scope of work (SOW) for translation is a document that defines a project's deliverables, languages, timelines and quality requirements before work begins. It also specifies the word count.
- 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
- Software localisation is the process of adapting software applications for use in different languages, regions, and cultural contexts. It includes translating user interfaces, error messages and documentation while ensuring cultural appropriateness.
- Source Language
- The source language is the language of the original content that is to be translated. The content itself is known as the source text or original text from which the translation is produced.
- Style Guide
- A translation style guide is a document that sets the preferred style, tone, terminology and formatting for a client's translations so they stay consistent. It covers brand voice across all translated content for a specific client or project.
- Subtitles
- Subtitles are on-screen text showing the dialogue and narration of a video, either translated into another language or transcribed in the original language. Subtitle translation requires accurate translation with precise timing and readability.
- Sworn Translation
- A sworn translation is a translation produced by a translator officially authorised or sworn in by a court or legal authority; Australia has no sworn translator system, and NAATI certified translation fills that role.
Translation terms beginning with T
- TIS National
- The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is an Australian Government service administered by the Department of Home Affairs, providing language services nationally.
- Target Language
- The target language is the language into which content is being translated from the source language. It determines the cultural and linguistic adaptations required.
- Technical Translation
- Technical translation is the translation of specialised technical content, such as engineering documentation, user manuals, product specifications, patents and safety data sheets. It also covers scientific papers and IT documentation, and requires subject matter expertise.
- Telephone Interpreting
- Interpreting services delivered via telephone, providing immediate access to language support for conversations, appointments, and customer interactions.
- Terminology Management
- Terminology management is the systematic process of identifying, defining, approving, and maintaining consistent terminology across translation projects and languages. It ensures industry-specific terms and jargon are used correctly and uniformly.
- Transcreation
- Transcreation is the creative adaptation of a message from one language and culture to another, keeping its intent, tone and emotional impact rather than its literal wording. It blends translation with creative adaptation so content stays culturally relevant for a new audience.
- Transcription
- Transcription is the process of converting spoken language from audio or video recordings into written text. It's often the first step before translating multimedia or spoken content.
- Translation
- Translation is the process of converting written text from one language (the source language) into another language (the target language) while preserving the original meaning, context, tone, and intent.
- Translation Management System
- A Translation Management System (TMS) is a software platform that centralises and automates the management of translation workflows, from project initiation through to delivery. It includes project tracking, resource allocation, translation memory and quality assurance tools.
- Translation Memory
- Translation Memory (TM) is a database technology that stores segments of previously translated content (typically sentences or sentence-like units) in paired source-language and target-language entries. They're reused in future projects to maintain consistency and speed up translation.
- Turnaround Time
- Turnaround time (TAT) in translation refers to the elapsed time from when a project is submitted to when the completed translation is delivered. It's influenced by word count, complexity, language pair and quality requirements.
Translation terms beginning with U
- User Experience Localisation
- UX localisation is the process of adapting digital products such as websites, apps and software so users in other language and cultural markets experience them as native. That includes intuitive navigation and culturally appropriate design choices.
Translation terms beginning with V
- Video Localisation
- Video localisation is the process of adapting video for other language and cultural markets through subtitling, voice-over, on-screen text and cultural changes.
- 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
- Voice-over is a production technique where translated spoken narration is recorded and layered over the original audio in a video or multimedia production. It's used in marketing videos, e-learning, documentaries and corporate presentations.
Translation terms beginning with W
- Website Localisation
- Website localisation is the process of adapting a website for a specific language, culture, and market so that it feels native to users in that target audience. It includes translating text, modifying images and adjusting layout.
- Word Count
- Word count is the total number of words in a document or content set to be translated. It's typically the primary metric for estimating translation costs and project timelines.
Translation terms beginning with X
- XLIFF Files
- An XLIFF file (XML Localisation Interchange File Format) is a standard file format for exchanging translatable content between translation tools, content management systems and other localisation software. It passes localisable data between tools during translation without corrupting code or layout.
Translation terms beginning with Z
- Zero Translation
- Zero translation (also known as do-not-translate or DNT) refers to instances where a term, phrase, or content element is intentionally left untranslated in the target language. This is common for globally recognised brand names, technical terms and cultural concepts.