The ATA Chronicle - September/October 2024 - 22

Patient records
translation is
a world where
precision meets
chaos and
ancient wisdom
finds its way
into modern
technology!
An internal server-based
solution, for example, may
require the assistance of
IT staff while file-based or
cloud-based termbases from
CAT tool providers may come
as ready-to-use solutions
and even include predefined
termbase templates that can
be customized as needed.
Some CAT tool providers
even specialize in offering
customized solutions based
on a company's linguistic
needs. These solutions only
serve a very specific purpose.
Aside from any technical
aspects and what languages
to include, the time and
effort it takes to manage a
termbase may also be an
important factor to consider
along with what type of
term information to record
to achieve consistency
throughout the termbase
entries. This is especially true
if multiple terminologists
manage the termbase and
make changes to the entries
on a more regular basis when
new information becomes
available.
Termbase Structure
In its simplest form, a
bilingual glossary includes
a source term and a target
term in alphabetical order
and maybe a few notes on
usage. While helpful, this
format doesn't provide the
full picture. On the other
hand, termbases, which often
have a multi-level " treelike "
structure, can provide
so much more information
that can aid in selecting the
correct terms for a specific
context.
CAT tool termbase
templates may seem overly
complex to new users. As
such, these users may not
realize that guidelines
22 The ATA Chronicle | September/October 2024
established by reputable
organizations around the
world have found their way
into these templates since
terminology as a science
(and an art!) offers many
theoretical and practical
approaches and solutions.
Terminology work in its
most basic form includes
the identification of terms
in context, but this can
mean different things to
different people, not only
for terminology research but
also for recording terms in a
termbase.
One common termbase
structure, the default
structure in Trados Studio,
for example, includes an
entry level, an index level,
and a term level. All these
levels allow for various
additional descriptive fields
that can be useful not only
for a translation-oriented
termbase intended to guide
and assist the translator in
the translation process by
providing information on a
term's meaning and usage,
but also for additional review
and verification steps. A
well-planned termbase can
reduce terminology errors
and ensure consistency.
Termbase Entry Level:
At the entry level, most
termbase templates include
an entry identifier, a field to
specify the subject area, and
options such as the term's
source, the term's status,
and a notes field in the
event it becomes necessary
to provide additional
information about the
concept at hand at the entry
level (e.g., for other users).
In general, a termbase
creator can choose between
different descriptive field
options, such as picklists, text
fields, number fields, calendar
features, Boolean parameters,
and so on, for various fields at
all termbase levels.
In addition to following a
concept-based approach at
the entry level, in an online
or server-based termbase
this section can also serve as
an opportunity for effective
communication not only
with the translators through
clearly establishing the
relationship between terms
and a concept based on the
medical specialty, but also
with other stakeholders
who may assist with the
recording of terms. By default,
templates may have a notes
field or another way of leaving
comments, but thinking about
additional fields that can be
used solely to communicate
with other parties can
streamline terminology work
and bridge time zone and
location differences.
A term status field, for
example, allows for the
creation of filters. This can
be helpful for filtering terms
that need to be reviewed by
a second terminologist, for
example. Other useful options
can include time stamps that
clearly show at a glance when
a term was last updated.
Sometimes, certain metadata
is recorded automatically
for retrieval later on, but in
other instances, it makes
sense to adjust basic formats
according to one's more
immediate needs, such as
clearly highlighting who has
made changes to an existing
term entry.
Concept Fields at the Entry
Level: Concept fields, such as
definitions or concept notes,
can either be included at the
entry level or at the index
or language level depending
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The ATA Chronicle - September/October 2024

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