How are translation memory tools integrated with DITA for film production content?

November 10, 2023
|By Bryan Tipper

Integrating translation memory tools with DITA for film production content is a valuable approach to streamline the localization process and maintain consistency in translations. Translation memory tools store previously translated segments of content and reuse them when similar content appears in new projects. This is especially beneficial in film production, where certain terms and phrases may be consistent across multiple films or genres.

Integration Process

The integration typically involves exporting DITA content for translation and importing the translated content back into the DITA framework. Translation memory tools work by identifying segments of text that have been previously translated and suggesting these translations to the translator during the localization process. This helps maintain consistency by ensuring that the same terminology is used across different films and genres.

Example:

Here’s an example of how translation memory tools can be integrated with DITA:


<topic id="scene_description">
  <title>Scene Description</title>
  <body>
    <p>This topic provides a description of a scene in the film.</p>
    <p>Original English text: "The protagonist enters a dimly lit room."</p>
  </body>
</topic>

In this example, the original English text is sent for translation. If a translation memory tool has previously translated the phrase “The protagonist enters a dimly lit room” as, let’s say, “Der Protagonist betritt einen schwach beleuchteten Raum” in German, the tool can suggest this translation to the translator, ensuring consistency in translated content.