You are currently working on UAT 

Same string, different context

Say I have a simple string like "License". In one case, it's a driving license and in another it's the license plate of a car. I can add comments so that it gets translated properly. But, my translation vendor is saying that, in the future the strings might get changed as the TM will see that there are 2 translations for this string and possibly apply the wrong one in the future. 

Some background:

We send full files, so, 99%+ of the strings are not new. But we send them all, expecting to get back previous translations for old strings and leveraged/manual translations for the new ones. We do  not expect old strings to flip between different possibilities every time we re-submit them. But, since the TM does not record the context (the context being the ID of the string), but rather just records the English (source) and the translated strings, having a source with 2 different translations means the TM could pick either translation and thus change strings that we are already set on. 

Our vendor is not using Trados.

Are my expectations reasonable? Do I need a new vendor or does the vendor need a better TM? Or, is this reality correct - you cannot have the same source string with 2 different translations as the TM does not record the context?

Parents
  • Hi

    I would say your expectations are reasonable.  A few things to consider:

    • if the files are translated with Trados you will store some context in the TM to help ensure the correct pre-translation next time.  It's not infallible, but it will be correct for the most part
    • if they used Trados they could retain the SDLXLIFF files for all your work and then use Perfect Match if you send an update. This would be more likely to provide the correct translation all the time
    • If they used SDL Passolo for the files then it would be the most foolproof method as this can use the String IDs to ensure you get consistent results when translating

    If they are not using Trados as you say then what tools are they using?  Some other tools also have mechanisms for storing context.

    Paul Filkin | RWS

    Design your own training!
    You've done the courses and still need to go a little further, or still not clear? 
    Tell us what you need in our Community Solutions Hub

Reply
  • Hi

    I would say your expectations are reasonable.  A few things to consider:

    • if the files are translated with Trados you will store some context in the TM to help ensure the correct pre-translation next time.  It's not infallible, but it will be correct for the most part
    • if they used Trados they could retain the SDLXLIFF files for all your work and then use Perfect Match if you send an update. This would be more likely to provide the correct translation all the time
    • If they used SDL Passolo for the files then it would be the most foolproof method as this can use the String IDs to ensure you get consistent results when translating

    If they are not using Trados as you say then what tools are they using?  Some other tools also have mechanisms for storing context.

    Paul Filkin | RWS

    Design your own training!
    You've done the courses and still need to go a little further, or still not clear? 
    Tell us what you need in our Community Solutions Hub

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