Glossary creation the process
When localizing computer software, especially into
languages where IT terminology is not available, new IT terms need to be
created. If a glossary of computer tems does not exist in that language,
then one needs to be created as these terms stand as a 'backbone' in the
translation work.
The process of creating new term involves joint work of
linguistic and computer science experts. The development of new IT terms
requires that the linguistic expert fully understands the meaning of the IT
term and its context before trying to match or extend the meaning of a word
in the destination language.
In the words of Alberto. "After completing our first Swahili IT Glossary of
700 terms we understood
very quickly two things: the first is that the glossary of 700 terms requires
to be extended constantly and second the extended glossary requires a constant
and fluent communication between our technical team and Swahili linguistic
experts. Oral communication was never an option since answers were required
promtly. Email was not suitalbe either, since we wanted all participants to
have the possibility to take part in the deveopment of all new tems, which
would lead to an enormous amount of mails sent back and fourth between the
projects participants. We needed an online communication tool that would
facilitate the communication, and therefore, KiPot was developed."