09/11/2017
Why business terminology matters…
Every SDL Trados Road Show not only presents fantastic information about its products but also gives lots of food for thought. This time I was amazed (not in a good way though) by these numbers:
70% is how often different terms are used for the same concept.
85% of employees often use a different term to their colleagues in other departments, whilst referring to the sane concept.
50% of employees do not understand terms in the product they are documenting.
Terminology management account for 40% of the time required to produce content.
Terminology is required for about 4%-6% of the total number of words in a text.
Up to 70% of errors in technical documentation are due to use of wrong terminology.
Very often use of certain words could be very obvious, but what would you go for in these cases? –
Transport unit or Transporter unit
Anti theft wheel lock or Locking wheel bolt
Danger or Warning or Caution or Notice
Which word to go for? How to be sure you are using the right one? No doubt, this moment requires lots of knowledge, attention and accuracy. And again, I am thinking about teacher’s words: “A translator needs to know everything!”
