This page contains a concise list of terms related to the translation field, described the way I think is most clear. To tackle this long list, you could use the hyperlinked index entries below.

---

# A B C D E F G H I L M N O P Q R S T U V W X

Term	Description
100% Match	A translated segment that already exists in a TM.
Across	A proprietary CAT Tool from Across Systems GmbH.
Alignment	The process of matching source and target segments for the creation of a TM.
ASAP	Abbreviation for As Soon As Possible.
Back Translation	The process of translating a document from its target language back into its source language. This allows for better quality checks on the translation.
Bilingual File	(a.k.a. Unclean File) – A file that contains both the source text and the target translation. Usually refers to CAT Tool files.
CAT Tool	Abbreviation for Computer-Assisted Translation Tool. A CAT Tool is a specialized computer program that aids the translator during translation activities.
Certified Translation	A translation that has been done or reviewed by a sworn translator. This translation can be used for legal purposes.
Clean File	(a.k.a. Target File) – A file that contains only the target language translation and follows the source file’s format and layout.
Close Of Business	Indicates a specific time-frame that coincides with business closing hours.
COB	Abbreviation for Close Of Business. Indicates a specific time-frame that coincides with business closing hours.
Computer-Assisted Translation Tool	(a.k.a. CAT Tool) – A Computer-Assisted Translation Tool is a specialized computer program that aids the translator during translation activities.
Concordance	The process of searching within a TM for the existing translations of a specific word or phrase.
Consistency	The process of checking whether a segment has been translated the same way.
Context Match	(a.k.a. ICE Match, Perfect Match) – A segment that has at least a 100% Match in the TM and the preceding segment is identical in both the TM and document.
Country Code	A two or three letter code with a standardized nomenclature used to classify country names.
Déjà Vu	A proprietary CAT Tool from Atril.
Desktop Publishing	(a.k.a. DTP) – The process of preparing documentation (format and layout) for publication (print or online).
DNT	Abbreviation for Do Not Translate.
Do Not Translate	a.k.a. DNT.
DOC	Microsoft Word file format.
DOCX	Microsoft Word file format.
DTP	Desktop Publishing is the process of preparing documentation (format & layout) for publication (print or online).
End Of Business	Indicates a specific time-frame that coincides with business closing hours.
EOB	Abbreviation for End Of Business. Indicates a specific time-frame that coincides with business closing hours.
FIGS	Abbreviation for French, Italian, German and Spanish.
Fluency	A proprietary CAT Tool from Western Standard.
Fuzzy Match	A TM segment that is partially similar to the current segment being translated.
G11N	Abbreviation for Globalization. The number 11 represents the eleven characters that are between the first letter, G, and the last letter, N. Globalization is the process of adapting services or products to the global market.
Globalization	(a.k.a. G11N) – The process of adapting services or products to the global market.
Glossary	A list of specific domain terms with their definitions. A bilingual glossary contains the terms and definitions in both source and target languages.
Heartsome Translation Studio	A free CAT Tool (was proprietary) from Heartsome.
Hourly Rate	The cost of a service based on a per hour charge.
HTML	Abbreviation for HyperText Markup Language. HTML is a markup language for creating web pages.
I18N	Abbreviation for Internationalization. The number 18 represents the eighteen characters that are between the first letter, I, and the last letter, N. Internationalization is the process of designing a product from the ground-up with support for easy language adaptation (localization).
ICE Match	(a.k.a. Context Match, Perfect Match) – ICE stands for In Context Exact. An ICE Match is a segment that has at least a 100% Match in the TM and the preceding segment is identical in both the TM and document.
IDML	Abbreviation for InDesign Markup Language. An Adobe InDesign file format.
In-Country Review	The reviewing a translation by a native person of the target language who resides in the country where the text will be used.
Internationalization	(a.k.a. I18N) – The process of designing a product from the ground-up with support for easy language adaptation (localization).
INX	Abbreviation for InDesign Interchange File. An Adobe InDesign file format.
ITD	SDLX bilingual file format.
L10N	Abbreviation for Localization. The number 10 represents the ten characters that are between the first letter, L, and the last letter, N. Localization is the process of adapting services or products to a specific locale.
Language Code	A two or three letter code with a standardized nomenclature used to classify language names.
Language Pair	The working languages that a translator works with.
Language Quality Assurance	(a.k.a. LQA, QA) – The process that checks translation quality and provides procedures to identify translation quality errors.
Language Service Provider	(a.k.a. LSP) – A company that provides language services, such as translation, localization, interpretation etc.
Language Sign-Off	(a.k.a. LSO) – The process of finalizing a translation that has passed LQA.
Leverage	The process of assessing and re-using previous translations in a new project.
LISA	Abbreviation for Localization Industry Standards Association.
Localization	(a.k.a. L10N) – The process of adapting services or products to a specific locale.
LQA	Abbreviation for Language Quality Assurance. The process that checks translation quality and provides procedures to identify translation quality errors.
LSO	The process of finalizing a translation that has passed LQA.
LSP	Abbreviation for Language Service Provider. A company that provides language services, such as translation, localization, interpretation etc.
Machine Translation	(a.k.a. MT) – The use of a computer software or platform to translate text without any human interaction. Do not confuse with CAT Tools.
memoQ	A proprietary CAT Tool from Kilgray.
Memsource	A proprietary CAT Tool from Memsource.
MIF	Abbreviation for Maker Interchange Format. MIF is an Adobe FrameMaker file format.
Minimum Charge	The lowest amount applicable to an offered service.
MLV	Abbreviation for Multi-Language Vendor. A company that provides multi-language services, such as translation, localization, interpretation etc.
MQXLIFF	memoQ bilingual file format.
MT	The use of a computer software or platform to translate text without any human interaction. Do not confuse with CAT Tools.
Multi-Language Vendor	(a.k.a. MLV) – A company that provides multi-language services, such as translation, localization, interpretation etc.
NDA	Abbreviation for Non-Disclosure Agreement. An NDA is a binding contract between two parties that outlines how these parties should deal with confidential material, knowledge, or information.
No Match	A segment that has no TM matches.
Non-Disclosure Agreement	(a.k.a. NDA) – A binding contract between two parties that outlines how these parties should deal with confidential material, knowledge, or information.
ODP	LibreOffice/OpenOffice file format.
ODS	LibreOffice/OpenOffice file format.
ODT	LibreOffice/OpenOffice file format.
Office Suite	A bundle of productivity software such as a Word Processor, a Spreadsheet Program, a Presentation Program etc. Examples of Office Suites are Microsoft Office and LibreOffice.
OmegaT	A free CAT Tool from open source team OmegaT.
Page Rate	The cost of a service based on a per page charge.
PDF	Abbreviation for Portable Document Format. An Adobe Acrobat file format.
Perfect Match	(a.k.a. ICE Match, Context Match) – A segment that has at least a 100% Match in the TM and the preceding segment is identical in both the TM and document.
PM	Abbreviation for Project Manager. The person responsible for planning, executing and completing a project.
PO	Abbreviation for Purchase Order. A document that indicates type, quantity, and agreed price for products or services.
POT	Abbreviation for Portable Object Type. A file format that contains software strings for translation in any text editor.
PPT	Microsoft PowerPoint file format.
PPTX	Microsoft PowerPoint file format.
PPW	(a.k.a. Word Rate) – Abbreviation for Price Per Word. The cost of a service based on a per word charge.
Pre-Translation	The process of passing files through a TM for automatic insertion of existing translations.
Price Per Word	The cost of a service based on a per word charge.
Project Manager	The person responsible for planning, executing and completing a project.
Proofreading	The process of checking a translation in terms of spelling, grammar and syntax.
Pseudo-Translation	The process of simulating a completed translation process, allowing evaluation of the resulting target documents to uncover hidden costs or bottle-necks.
Purchase Order	(a.k.a. PO) – A document that indicates type, quantity, and agreed price for products or services.
QA	Abbreviation for Quality Assurance. The process that checks translation quality and provides procedures to identify translation quality errors.
Quality Assurance	(a.k.a. QA, LQA) – The process that checks translation quality and provides procedures to identify translation quality errors.
Repetition Match	An identical, untranslated segment that repeats itself in a document.
Review	The process of checking a translation in terms of conformance with the source text.
RTF	Abbreviation for Rich Text Format. A cross-platform document file format.
SDL Trados Studio	A proprietary CAT Tool from SDL.
SDLPPX	SDL Trados Studio Project Package.
SDLRPX	SDL Trados Studio Return Package.
SDLTM	SDL Trados Studio TM.
SDLX	A proprietary, defunct CAT Tool from SDL.
SDLXLIFF	SDL Trados Studio bilingual file format.
Segment	(a.k.a. TU, Translation Unit) – A sentence or phrase that’s defined by an ending punctuation mark.
Single Language Vendor	(a.k.a. SLV) – A company that provides single-language services, such as translation, localization, interpretation etc.
SLV	Abbreviation for Single Language Vendor. A company that provides single-language services, such as translation, localization, interpretation etc.
SOB	Abbreviation for Start Of Business. Indicates a specific time-frame that coincides with business opening hours.
Source File	A file that contains the original text for translation in its original form.
Source Language	Original language of the text to be translated.
SRX	Abbreviation for Segmentation Rules eXchange. SRX provides a common way to describe how to segment text for translation and other language-related processes.
Star Transit	A proprietary CAT Tool from STAR Technology Solutions.
Start Of Business	(a.k.a. SOB) – Indicates a specific time-frame that coincides with business opening hours.
Strings	Usually refers to extracted software text.
Style Guide	A document describing an official way of writing or translating material by using specific style, grammar, numeric formats etc.
Tag	Special blocks of code that precede and/or follow text that include style information or descriptors pertaining to that text.
TagEditor	A proprietary tag Editor part of SDL Trados Workbench CAT Tool.
Target File	(a.k.a. Clean File) – A file that contains the translated text in the source file’s original form.
Target Language	The language in which the text will be translated.
TAT	Abbreviation for Turn Around Time.
TBD	Abbreviation for To Be Determined.
TBX	Abbreviation for TermBase eXchange. An XML standard for exchanging TermBases.
TEP	Abbreviation for Translation Editing Proofreading.
Term Extraction	The process of extracting terminology from source files using specialized software.
TermBase	Abbreviation for Terminology DataBase. A multi-lingual terminology database with terms and their definitions.
Terminology Database	(a.k.a. TermBase) – A multi-lingual terminology database with terms and their definitions.
TM	Abbreviation for Translation Memory. A database that retains all translations that are created during the translation process.
TMS	Abbreviation for Translation Management System. A program or platform that manages the full translation cycle or translation projects (file preparation, leveraging, task assigning, QA, delivery, invoicing etc.).
TMX	Abbreviation for Translation Memory eXchange. An XML standard for exchanging TMs.
Trados Workbench	A proprietary, defunct CAT Tool from SDL.
Transcreation	The process of adapting content from one language to another, while maintaining intent, style, tone and context.
Transcription	The process of transferring audio material (i.e., dialogues) into written form.
Translation Kit	A set of material which usually includes: source files, translation instructions, TM, TermBase, glossary etc.
Translation Management System	(a.k.a. TMS) – A program or platform that manages the full translation cycle or translation projects (file preparation, leveraging, task assigning, QA, delivery, invoicing etc.).
Translation Memory	(a.k.a. TM) – A database that retains all translations that are created during the translation process.
Translation Unit	(a.k.a. TU, Segment) – A sentence or phrase that’s defined by a an ending punctuation mark.
Transliteration	The process of converting text from one language to another using the corresponding character set of the target language.
TTX	Trados TagEditor bilingual file format.
TU	(a.k.a. Segment) – Abbreviation for Translation Unit. A sentence or phrase that’s defined by a an ending punctuation mark.
TXML	Wordfast bilingual file format.
Unclean File	(a.k.a. Bilingual File) – A file that contains both the source text and the target translation. Usually refers to CAT Tool files.
Vendor Manager	The person responsible for finding, assessing and hiring freelancers.
VM	Abbreviation for Vendor Manager. The person responsible for finding, assessing and hiring freelancers.
Weighted Word Count	A single word count value representing a project’s actual work volume, calculated by using the values from a TM Match Model and the TM log.
Word Count	Total number of words in a text.
Word Rate	(a.k.a. PPW) – The cost of a service based on a per word charge.
Wordfast	A proprietary CAT Tool from Wordfast.
WWC	Abbreviation for Weighted Word Count. A single word count value representing a project’s actual work volume, calculated by using the values from a TM Match Model and the TM log.
XLIFF	Abbreviation for XML Localisation Interchange File Format. An XML standard for exchanging bilingual files.
XLS	Microsoft Excel file format.
XLSX	Microsoft Excel file format.
XML	Abbreviation for EXtensible Markup Language. A markup language that defines a set of rules for encoding documents in a format which is both human-readable and machine-readable.