How to prepare a glossary for technical document translation
A short, reviewed list of source terms and preferred translations can help keep a technical document consistent. Here is how to build one, use it in Polyverto, and check where human judgment is still needed.
Updated 25 October 20261. Choose one language pair and a clear scope
Start with the source and target languages for the document. Decide whether the glossary is for one project, a product line, or a set of documents that share the same terminology. In Polyverto, a saved glossary can have source and target languages; a language mismatch is flagged when you select it for a translation.
2. Add terms that need consistent treatment
Prioritize product names, component names, abbreviations, standards, and words that have a specific meaning in your field. Ordinary words usually do not need an entry unless the document uses them in a specialized way. Keep the list small enough for someone familiar with the subject to review.
3. Record the preferred term, not just a rough synonym
Enter a source term and its approved target-language equivalent. Use the same capitalization and spelling you want in the translated file. If a name should remain unchanged, use the same text in both columns. For a term whose meaning depends on context, add a document-specific instruction in the translation form as well.
| English source term | Preferred German term | Context to review |
|---|---|---|
| bearing | Lager | Use for a mechanical component. |
| shaft | Welle | Use for the rotating machine part. |
| drive shaft | Antriebswelle | Keep the compound term together. |
| Polyverto | Polyverto | Keep the product name unchanged. |
These are illustrative entries. Have a subject-matter reviewer confirm the preferred translation for your own document and audience.
4. Keep language-specific notes in the instructions
A term pair provides a preferred equivalent; it does not carry a full definition or usage rule. Use the additional-instructions field for concise guidance such as “In this manual, ‘bearing’ means the rotating mechanical component.” Keep notes specific to the current document and avoid rules that conflict with the glossary.
5. Apply the glossary and review a preview
Select the saved glossary or add manual terms in the translation form. Check the displayed language pair and any mismatch warning. Preview a page before payment, then check important terms in their surrounding sentences. A useful glossary reduces avoidable variation; it does not replace review by someone who understands the document.
Build a glossary around your next document
Create reusable term pairs in your glossary library or add terms for a single translation. See the translation Help page for supported formats, previews, and limitations.