What is Continuous Translation?

Continuous Translation synchronizes software development and translation management.

Unlike traditional software translation processes, continuous translation allows a smooth, seamless localization process that goes hand-in-hand with development.

Basics of Continuous Translations

What we mean by continuous translation is that the process does not stop because you need to send off text to translators and wait for it to come back. Continuous translation means a tight and seamless integration of this process with the rest of the product process.

One of the benefits of Continuous translation as opposed to the traditional process is that the number of target languages for localization do not influence the prolongation of the overall process significantly. All localisations can happen simultaneously and speed up the process.

Continuous Translation is the counterpart to traditional translation cycles. The following key differences lead to faster releases and a more productive setup.

Continuous Translation relies on several approaches for success:

Translation Management Tool

Selecting a proper translation management tool is the cornerstone of Continuous translation. It should be a tool that can unite the translation and development team, providing a simple-to-use but powerful feature.

Machine Translation

Machine Translation drastically increases the speed of translation. Generally speaking, machine translation engines provide substantial support to translators, or even in some cases where a simpler translation is needed - even come close to making human translators obsolete.

Translation Memory

Translation Memory (TM) functions as a database filled with previous translations which then uses the existing data to search, analyze and match according source and target text segments. Ideally, Translation Memory learns what was once translated and eliminates the need for the actual process of re-translation.Translation Memory can be enhanced by introducing Term Bases and specialized project-oriented glossaries.

Real-time quality checks

Real-time quality checks, especially the ones which were created specifically for a project or set of projects, provide a significant boost to the localization process. As quality assurance is embedded into the development and localization process, all steps of a traditional translation process are happening simultaneously.

Repository integrations

Repository integrations are the red ribbon that ties the process in. Connecting the repository/development systems and translation management tool translatable content is automatically transferred. Once translations are approved they can be immediately published. All at the push of a button.

The Continuous Translation Process

As for any successful localization process, the continuous translation process depends greatly on proper preparation. This is the standard for localization that we use in LingoHub:

Internationalization (i18n)

Internationalization includes preparation of the product for localization, ensuring world-readiness of the product and creating a localization-friendly content.

Internationalization includes separating content and communications from the actual code. This way, content can be localized without influencing the inner structure of a product.

Basically, the credo of internationalization is: One base code to rule all locales.

Localization (i10n)

Localization is the adaptation of the product to specified locales. It includes the adaptation of following content:

Localization includes adaptation of visual adaptation of elements such as symbols and colors; how information such as measurements and currency is presented or for example, which date format should be used: dd/mm/yyyy or mm/dd/yyyy. Localization takes care of the tone and politeness level of the text, and how punctuation is handled.

All in all, localization makes sure the product is perceived not as translated but as tailor-made for the target market by native speakers of the language.

Quality Assurance

QA is a must regardless which localization approach you choose - Machine Translation, CAT, or human translation. With Continuous Translation, the Translation Quality Assurance (TQA) process has been synchronized.

Quality assurance, checks and tests happen in real time, as translation progresses. Never sacrifice quality for speed again.