Translation, interpreting and related technology -- Vocabulary

This document provides the vocabulary for translation, interpreting and related technology standards.

Traduction, interprétation et technologies apparentées -- Vocabulaire

Le présent document fournit le vocabulaire destiné aux normes relatives à la traduction, à l’interprétation et aux technologies apparentées.

Prevajanje, tolmačenje in sorodne tehnologije - Slovar

General Information

Status
Published
Public Enquiry End Date
20-Oct-2019
Publication Date
10-Feb-2021
Current Stage
6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
Start Date
28-Jan-2021
Due Date
04-Apr-2021
Completion Date
11-Feb-2021

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SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST ISO 20539:2021
01-marec-2021
Prevajanje, tolmačenje in sorodne tehnologije - Slovar
Translation, interpreting and related technology -- Vocabulary
Traduction, interprétation et technologies apparentées -- Vocabulaire
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ISO 20539:2019
ICS:
01.020 Terminologija (načela in Terminology (principles and
koordinacija) coordination)
03.080.99 Druge storitve Other services
SIST ISO 20539:2021 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
SIST ISO 20539:2021

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SIST ISO 20539:2021
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 20539
First edition
2019-12
Translation, interpreting and related
technology — Vocabulary
Traduction, interprétation et technologies apparentées —
Vocabulaire
Reference number
ISO 20539:2019(E)
©
ISO 2019

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
SIST ISO 20539:2021
ISO 20539:2019(E)

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2019
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Fax: +41 22 749 09 47
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
SIST ISO 20539:2021
ISO 20539:2019(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
3.1 Key concepts . 1
3.2 Concepts common to translation and interpreting . 2
3.3 Concepts relating to translation . 3
3.4 Concepts relating to interpreting . 5
3.5 Concepts relating to technology . 8
3.5.1 Concepts relating to translation technology . 8
3.5.2 Concepts relating to interpreting technology . 9
Bibliography .13
Alphabetical index .14
© ISO 2019 – All rights reserved iii

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
SIST ISO 20539:2021
ISO 20539:2019(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/ patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www .iso .org/
iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 37, Language and terminology,
Subcommittee SC 5, Translation, interpreting and related technology.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/ members .html.
iv © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
SIST ISO 20539:2021
ISO 20539:2019(E)

Introduction
This document is a compendium of vocabulary used in International Standards on translation,
interpreting and related technology. It was compiled with a view to coordinating usage of terms and
definitions in these standards in future. Some of the concepts in these domains are referred to in different
ways by practitioners. It is not expected that these differences will disappear in the short term; however,
it is likely that, in the long term, consistency in terms and definitions across the related ISO documents
will have a standardizing effect in practice. For example, “revision” is the preferred term in International
Standards on translation for the following concept: “examination of the entire target language content
against the source language content to ensure linguistic accuracy and faithfulness to the source language
content.” In practice, this concept is referred to interchangeably as “revision”, “editing”, “proofreading”
and “review”, yet these designate other concepts in the ISO documents for this domain.
© ISO 2019 – All rights reserved v

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SIST ISO 20539:2021

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SIST ISO 20539:2021
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 20539:2019(E)
Translation, interpreting and related technology —
Vocabulary
1 Scope
This document provides the vocabulary for translation, interpreting and related technology standards.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1 Key concepts
3.1.1
language
systematic use of sounds, characters, symbols or signs by which to communicate
3.1.2
content
information in any form
EXAMPLE Text, audio, video, etc.
3.1.3
source language
language (3.1.1) from which content (3.1.2) is translated (3.1.7) or interpreted (3.1.9)
3.1.4
target language
language (3.1.1) into which content (3.1.2) is translated (3.1.7) or interpreted (3.1.9)
3.1.5
source language content
content (3.1.2) to be translated (3.1.7) or interpreted (3.1.9)
3.1.6
target language content
content (3.1.2) that has been translated (3.1.7) or interpreted (3.1.9) from a source language (3.1.3)
3.1.7
translate
render source language content (3.1.5) into target language content (3.1.6) in written form or signed
language (3.2.3)
© ISO 2019 – All rights reserved 1

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SIST ISO 20539:2021
ISO 20539:2019(E)

3.1.8
translation
rendering source language content (3.1.5) into target language content (3.1.6) in written form or signed
language (3.2.3)
3.1.9
interpret
render spoken or signed information from a source language (3.1.3) to a target language (3.1.4) in
oral or signed form, conveying both the language register (3.2.1) and meaning of the source language
content (3.1.5)
3.1.10
interpreting
interpretation
rendering spoken or signed information from a source language (3.1.3) to a target language (3.1.4) in
oral or signed form, conveying both the language register (3.2.1) and meaning of the source language
content (3.1.5)
3.1.11
translator
person who translates (3.1.7)
3.1.12
interpreter
person who interprets (3.1.9)
3.2 Concepts common to translation and interpreting
3.2.1
language register
language (3.1.1) variety used for a particular purpose or in an event of language use, depending on the
type of situation, especially its degree of formality
Note 1 to entry: Individuals usually have more than one language register in their linguistic repertoire and can
vary their use of language register according to their perception of what is appropriate for different purposes or
domains (3.2.4).
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 20694:2018, 3.3, modified — the wording ‘An individual usually has’ has been changed
to ‘Individuals usually have’, and ‘verbal repertoire’ has been changed to ‘linguistic repertoire’.]
3.2.2
language proficiency
ability of a person to understand or communicate in a given language (3.1.1)
Note 1 to entry: Language proficiency generally refers to speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.
3.2.3
signed language
language (3.1.1) which uses a combination of hand shapes, orientation and movement of the hands,
arms or body, and facial expressions
3.2.4
domain
sphere of knowledge or activity
Note 1 to entry: A domain can have its own culture, social context and linguistic characteristics.
2 © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

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SIST ISO 20539:2021
ISO 20539:2019(E)

3.2.5
client
customer
person, or organization, who enters into a formal agreement for the provision of a service
Note 1 to entry: The formal agreement can, for example, take the form of a contract or an interdepartmental
service agreement between units of an organization.
Note 2 to entry: The client can be the end user (3.2.6), but this does not have to be the case.
3.2.6
end user
person or group of persons that ultimately uses the service delivered
3.2.7
authorization
third-party attestation of a person’s right to provide a specialized service
Note 1 to entry: Authorization for legal interpreters (3.4.20) and legal translators (3.3.22) is conferred by a
recognized authoritative body.
Note 2 to entry: In some countries, official authorization is referred to as accreditation, certification,
credentialing.
3.3 Concepts relating to translation
3.3.1
text
content (3.1.2) in written form
3.3.2
document
information and the medium on which it is contained
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015, 3.8.5, modified — the Example and the Notes to entry have been removed.]
3.3.3
translation output
result of translation (3.1.8)
3.3.4
translation service
production and delivery of target language content (3.1.6) according to client (3.2.5) specification
3.3.5
translation service provider
TSP
person or organization that performs translation service (3.3.4)
3.3.6
translation workflow
sequence of activities required to produce target language content (3.1.6)
3.3.7
review
monolingual editing
examination of the entire target language content (3.1.6) to ensure its domain (3.2.4) accuracy
3.3.8
reviewer
person who performs review (3.3.7)
© ISO 2019 – All rights reserved 3

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SIST ISO 20539:2021
ISO 20539:2019(E)

3.3.9
revision
bilingual editing
examination of the entire target language content (3.1.6) against the source language content (3.1.5) to
ensure linguistic accuracy and faithfulness to the source language content
3.3.10
reviser
person who performs revision (3.3.9)
3.3.11
check
translator’s (3.1.11) examination of target language content (3.1.6) upon completion of translation (3.1.8)
3.3.12
proofread
examine the final target language content (3.1.6) and apply corrections (3.3.15) before publication
3.3.13
proofreader
person who proofreads (3.3.12)
3.3.14
verification
action taken to determine whether specifications have been fulfilled
3.3.15
correction
action to eliminate an error
Note 1 to entry: In translation, corrections are made when errors are detected during a check (3.3.11), or when
errors are reported by a reviser (3.3.10), reviewer (3.3.8), proofreader (3.3.13) or client (3.2.5).
3.3.16
corrective action
action to eliminate the cause of a failure to comply with a requirement in the translation (3.1.8) process
(3.3.20), with a view to preventing recurrence
3.3.17
project management
planning, organizing, monitoring, controlling and reporting of all aspects of a project (3.3.19) to achieve
the project objectives
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015, 3.3.12, modified — the wording ‘and the motivation of all those involved in it’
has been deleted.]
3.3.18
project manager
PM
person responsible for project management (3.3.17)
3.3.19
project
unique process (3.3.20), consisting of a set of coordinated and controlled activities with start and
finish dates, undertaken to achieve an objective conforming to specific requirements, including the
constraints of time, cost and resources
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015, 3.4.2, modified — the Notes to entry have been deleted.]
4 © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

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SIST ISO 20539:2021
ISO 20539:2019(E)

3.3.20
process
set of interrelated and interacting activities performed in order to achieve an objective
3.3.21
product
result of a process (3.3.20)
3.3.22
legal translator
translator (3.1.11) who is qualified to provide translation services (3.3.4) related to the law
Note 1 to entry: Legal translators can be required to be authorized by law.
3.3.23
specialist field
area of expertise of a person
3.3.24
competence
ability to apply knowledge, experience and skills to achieve intended results
3.3.25
locale
geographic region in which people use specific linguistic, cultural and technical conventions
3.3.26
locale convention
accepted usage or standard practice in a locale (3.3.25), which is generally expected to apply
Note 1 to entry: This can include date or time formatting rules.
3.3.27
localization
adapting products (3.3.21) and services for distinct locales (3.3.25)
3.3.28
style guide
set of editing and formatting instructions
3.4 Concepts relating to interpreting
3.4.1
‘A’ language
primary language (3.1.1) or its strict equivalent of which the interpreter (3.1.12) has complete command
and into which the interpreter interprets (3.1.9) from all their other ‘A’ languages, ‘B’ languages (3.4.2)
or ‘C’ languages (3.4.3)
3.4.2
‘B’ language
language (3.1.1) in which the interpreter (3.1.12) is proficient, but which is not their primary language
or its strict equivalent
Note 1 to entry: An interpreter works into this language from one or more other languages.
3.4.3
‘C’ language
language (3.1.1) from which the interpreter (3.1.12) interprets (3.1.9) into their ‘A’ languages (3.4.1) or ‘B’
languages (3.4.2)
Note 1 to entry: An interpreter can have more than o
...

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 20539
First edition
2019-12
Translation, interpreting and related
technology — Vocabulary
Traduction, interprétation et technologies apparentées —
Vocabulaire
Reference number
ISO 20539:2019(E)
©
ISO 2019

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
ISO 20539:2019(E)

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2019
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Fax: +41 22 749 09 47
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
ISO 20539:2019(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
3.1 Key concepts . 1
3.2 Concepts common to translation and interpreting . 2
3.3 Concepts relating to translation . 3
3.4 Concepts relating to interpreting . 5
3.5 Concepts relating to technology . 8
3.5.1 Concepts relating to translation technology . 8
3.5.2 Concepts relating to interpreting technology . 9
Bibliography .13
Alphabetical index .14
© ISO 2019 – All rights reserved iii

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
ISO 20539:2019(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/ patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www .iso .org/
iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 37, Language and terminology,
Subcommittee SC 5, Translation, interpreting and related technology.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/ members .html.
iv © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
ISO 20539:2019(E)

Introduction
This document is a compendium of vocabulary used in International Standards on translation,
interpreting and related technology. It was compiled with a view to coordinating usage of terms and
definitions in these standards in future. Some of the concepts in these domains are referred to in different
ways by practitioners. It is not expected that these differences will disappear in the short term; however,
it is likely that, in the long term, consistency in terms and definitions across the related ISO documents
will have a standardizing effect in practice. For example, “revision” is the preferred term in International
Standards on translation for the following concept: “examination of the entire target language content
against the source language content to ensure linguistic accuracy and faithfulness to the source language
content.” In practice, this concept is referred to interchangeably as “revision”, “editing”, “proofreading”
and “review”, yet these designate other concepts in the ISO documents for this domain.
© ISO 2019 – All rights reserved v

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 20539:2019(E)
Translation, interpreting and related technology —
Vocabulary
1 Scope
This document provides the vocabulary for translation, interpreting and related technology standards.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1 Key concepts
3.1.1
language
systematic use of sounds, characters, symbols or signs by which to communicate
3.1.2
content
information in any form
EXAMPLE Text, audio, video, etc.
3.1.3
source language
language (3.1.1) from which content (3.1.2) is translated (3.1.7) or interpreted (3.1.9)
3.1.4
target language
language (3.1.1) into which content (3.1.2) is translated (3.1.7) or interpreted (3.1.9)
3.1.5
source language content
content (3.1.2) to be translated (3.1.7) or interpreted (3.1.9)
3.1.6
target language content
content (3.1.2) that has been translated (3.1.7) or interpreted (3.1.9) from a source language (3.1.3)
3.1.7
translate
render source language content (3.1.5) into target language content (3.1.6) in written form or signed
language (3.2.3)
© ISO 2019 – All rights reserved 1

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
ISO 20539:2019(E)

3.1.8
translation
rendering source language content (3.1.5) into target language content (3.1.6) in written form or signed
language (3.2.3)
3.1.9
interpret
render spoken or signed information from a source language (3.1.3) to a target language (3.1.4) in
oral or signed form, conveying both the language register (3.2.1) and meaning of the source language
content (3.1.5)
3.1.10
interpreting
interpretation
rendering spoken or signed information from a source language (3.1.3) to a target language (3.1.4) in
oral or signed form, conveying both the language register (3.2.1) and meaning of the source language
content (3.1.5)
3.1.11
translator
person who translates (3.1.7)
3.1.12
interpreter
person who interprets (3.1.9)
3.2 Concepts common to translation and interpreting
3.2.1
language register
language (3.1.1) variety used for a particular purpose or in an event of language use, depending on the
type of situation, especially its degree of formality
Note 1 to entry: Individuals usually have more than one language register in their linguistic repertoire and can
vary their use of language register according to their perception of what is appropriate for different purposes or
domains (3.2.4).
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 20694:2018, 3.3, modified — the wording ‘An individual usually has’ has been changed
to ‘Individuals usually have’, and ‘verbal repertoire’ has been changed to ‘linguistic repertoire’.]
3.2.2
language proficiency
ability of a person to understand or communicate in a given language (3.1.1)
Note 1 to entry: Language proficiency generally refers to speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.
3.2.3
signed language
language (3.1.1) which uses a combination of hand shapes, orientation and movement of the hands,
arms or body, and facial expressions
3.2.4
domain
sphere of knowledge or activity
Note 1 to entry: A domain can have its own culture, social context and linguistic characteristics.
2 © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------
ISO 20539:2019(E)

3.2.5
client
customer
person, or organization, who enters into a formal agreement for the provision of a service
Note 1 to entry: The formal agreement can, for example, take the form of a contract or an interdepartmental
service agreement between units of an organization.
Note 2 to entry: The client can be the end user (3.2.6), but this does not have to be the case.
3.2.6
end user
person or group of persons that ultimately uses the service delivered
3.2.7
authorization
third-party attestation of a person’s right to provide a specialized service
Note 1 to entry: Authorization for legal interpreters (3.4.20) and legal translators (3.3.22) is conferred by a
recognized authoritative body.
Note 2 to entry: In some countries, official authorization is referred to as accreditation, certification,
credentialing.
3.3 Concepts relating to translation
3.3.1
text
content (3.1.2) in written form
3.3.2
document
information and the medium on which it is contained
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015, 3.8.5, modified — the Example and the Notes to entry have been removed.]
3.3.3
translation output
result of translation (3.1.8)
3.3.4
translation service
production and delivery of target language content (3.1.6) according to client (3.2.5) specification
3.3.5
translation service provider
TSP
person or organization that performs translation service (3.3.4)
3.3.6
translation workflow
sequence of activities required to produce target language content (3.1.6)
3.3.7
review
monolingual editing
examination of the entire target language content (3.1.6) to ensure its domain (3.2.4) accuracy
3.3.8
reviewer
person who performs review (3.3.7)
© ISO 2019 – All rights reserved 3

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------
ISO 20539:2019(E)

3.3.9
revision
bilingual editing
examination of the entire target language content (3.1.6) against the source language content (3.1.5) to
ensure linguistic accuracy and faithfulness to the source language content
3.3.10
reviser
person who performs revision (3.3.9)
3.3.11
check
translator’s (3.1.11) examination of target language content (3.1.6) upon completion of translation (3.1.8)
3.3.12
proofread
examine the final target language content (3.1.6) and apply corrections (3.3.15) before publication
3.3.13
proofreader
person who proofreads (3.3.12)
3.3.14
verification
action taken to determine whether specifications have been fulfilled
3.3.15
correction
action to eliminate an error
Note 1 to entry: In translation, corrections are made when errors are detected during a check (3.3.11), or when
errors are reported by a reviser (3.3.10), reviewer (3.3.8), proofreader (3.3.13) or client (3.2.5).
3.3.16
corrective action
action to eliminate the cause of a failure to comply with a requirement in the translation (3.1.8) process
(3.3.20), with a view to preventing recurrence
3.3.17
project management
planning, organizing, monitoring, controlling and reporting of all aspects of a project (3.3.19) to achieve
the project objectives
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015, 3.3.12, modified — the wording ‘and the motivation of all those involved in it’
has been deleted.]
3.3.18
project manager
PM
person responsible for project management (3.3.17)
3.3.19
project
unique process (3.3.20), consisting of a set of coordinated and controlled activities with start and
finish dates, undertaken to achieve an objective conforming to specific requirements, including the
constraints of time, cost and resources
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015, 3.4.2, modified — the Notes to entry have been deleted.]
4 © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 9 ----------------------
ISO 20539:2019(E)

3.3.20
process
set of interrelated and interacting activities performed in order to achieve an objective
3.3.21
product
result of a process (3.3.20)
3.3.22
legal translator
translator (3.1.11) who is qualified to provide translation services (3.3.4) related to the law
Note 1 to entry: Legal translators can be required to be authorized by law.
3.3.23
specialist field
area of expertise of a person
3.3.24
competence
ability to apply knowledge, experience and skills to achieve intended results
3.3.25
locale
geographic region in which people use specific linguistic, cultural and technical conventions
3.3.26
locale convention
accepted usage or standard practice in a locale (3.3.25), which is generally expected to apply
Note 1 to entry: This can include date or time formatting rules.
3.3.27
localization
adapting products (3.3.21) and services for distinct locales (3.3.25)
3.3.28
style guide
set of editing and formatting instructions
3.4 Concepts relating to interpreting
3.4.1
‘A’ language
primary language (3.1.1) or its strict equivalent of which the interpreter (3.1.12) has complete command
and into which the interpreter interprets (3.1.9) from all their other ‘A’ languages, ‘B’ languages (3.4.2)
or ‘C’ languages (3.4.3)
3.4.2
‘B’ language
language (3.1.1) in which the interpreter (3.1.12) is proficient, but which is not their primary language
or its strict equivalent
Note 1 to entry: An interpreter works into this language from one or more other languages.
3.4.3
‘C’ language
language (3.1.1) from which the interpreter (3.1.12) interprets (3.1.9) into their ‘A’ languages (3.4.1) or ‘B’
languages (3.4.2)
Note 1 to entry: An interpreter can have more than one ‘A’, ‘B’ or ‘C’ language.
© ISO 2019 – All rights reserved 5

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ISO 20539:2019(E)

3.4.4
spoken language
language (3.1.1) expressed orally
3.4.5
spoken language interpreting
interpreting (3.1.10) between two spoken languages (3.4.4)
3.4.6
signed language interpreting
interpreting (3.1.10) between two signed languages (3.2.3) or between a signed language and a spoken
language (3.4.4)
3.4.7
communic
...

NORME ISO
INTERNATIONALE 20539
Première édition
2019-12
Traduction, interprétation et
technologies apparentées —
Vocabulaire
Translation, interpreting and related technology — Vocabulary
Numéro de référence
ISO 20539:2019(F)
©
ISO 2019

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ISO 20539:2019(F)

DOCUMENT PROTÉGÉ PAR COPYRIGHT
© ISO 2019
Tous droits réservés. Sauf prescription différente ou nécessité dans le contexte de sa mise en œuvre, aucune partie de cette
publication ne peut être reproduite ni utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique,
y compris la photocopie, ou la diffusion sur l’internet ou sur un intranet, sans autorisation écrite préalable. Une autorisation peut
être demandée à l’ISO à l’adresse ci-après ou au comité membre de l’ISO dans le pays du demandeur.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Genève
Tél.: +41 22 749 01 11
E-mail: copyright@iso.org
Web: www.iso.org
Publié en Suisse
ii © ISO 2019 – Tous droits réservés

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ISO 20539:2019(F)

Sommaire Page
Avant-propos .iv
Introduction .v
1 Domaine d’application . 1
2 Références normatives . 1
3 Termes et définitions . 1
3.1 Concepts clés . 1
3.2 Concepts communs à la traduction et à l’interprétation . 2
3.3 Concepts liés à la traduction . 3
3.4 Concepts liés à l’interprétation . 5
3.5 Concepts liés à la technologie . 8
3.5.1 Concepts liés à la technologie de traduction . 8
3.5.2 Concepts liés à la technologie d’interprétation .10
Bibliographie .14
Index alphabétique.15
© ISO 2019 – Tous droits réservés iii

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ISO 20539:2019(F)

Avant-propos
L’ISO (Organisation internationale de normalisation) est une fédération mondiale d’organismes
nationaux de normalisation (comités membres de l’ISO). L’élaboration des Normes internationales est
en général confiée aux comités techniques de l’ISO. Chaque comité membre intéressé par une étude
a le droit de faire partie du comité technique créé à cet effet. Les organisations internationales,
gouvernementales et non gouvernementales, en liaison avec l’ISO participent également aux travaux.
L’ISO collabore étroitement avec la Commission électrotechnique internationale (IEC) en ce qui
concerne la normalisation électrotechnique.
Les procédures utilisées pour élaborer le présent document et celles destinées à sa mise à jour sont
décrites dans les Directives ISO/IEC, Partie 1. Il convient, en particulier, de prendre note des différents
critères d’approbation requis pour les différents types de documents ISO. Le présent document a été
rédigé conformément aux règles de rédaction données dans les Directives ISO/IEC, Partie 2 (voir www
.iso .org/ directives).
L’attention est attirée sur le fait que certains des éléments du présent document peuvent faire l’objet de
droits de propriété intellectuelle ou de droits analogues. L’ISO ne saurait être tenue pour responsable
de ne pas avoir identifié de tels droits de propriété et averti de leur existence. Les détails concernant
les références aux droits de propriété intellectuelle ou autres droits analogues identifiés lors de
l’élaboration du document sont indiqués dans l’Introduction et/ou dans la liste des déclarations de
brevets reçues par l’ISO (voir www .iso .org/ brevets).
Les appellations commerciales éventuellement mentionnées dans le présent document sont données
pour information, par souci de commodité, à l’intention des utilisateurs et ne sauraient constituer un
engagement.
Pour une explication de la nature volontaire des normes, la signification des termes et expressions
spécifiques de l’ISO liés à l’évaluation de la conformité, ou pour toute information au sujet de l’adhésion
de l’ISO aux principes de l’Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC) concernant les obstacles
techniques au commerce (OTC), voir www .iso .org/ avant -propos.
Le présent document a été élaboré par le Comité technique ISO/TC 37, Langage et terminologie, sous-
comité SC 5, Traduction, interprétation et technologies apparentées.
Il convient que l’utilisateur adresse tout retour d’information ou toute question concernant le présent
document à l’organisme national de normalisation de son pays. Une liste exhaustive desdits organismes
se trouve à l’adresse www .iso .org/ fr/ members .html.
iv © ISO 2019 – Tous droits réservés

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ISO 20539:2019(F)

Introduction
Le présent document est un recueil de vocabulaire utilisé dans les Normes internationales relatives à
la traduction, à l’interprétation et aux technologies apparentées. Il a été réalisé en vue de coordonner
l’usage des termes et définitions dans ces normes à l’avenir. Certains des concepts dans ces domaines
ont des significations différentes pour les professionnels. Il n’est pas attendu que ces différences
disparaissent à court terme, mais il est probable qu’à long terme la cohérence des termes et définitions
dans les documents ISO connexes aura un effet normalisateur dans la pratique. Par exemple, «révision»
est le terme privilégié dans les Normes internationales relatives à la traduction pour faire référence au
concept suivant: «examen de l’ensemble du contenu dans la langue cible par rapport au contenu dans la
langue source pour s’assurer de la précision linguistique et de la fidélité par rapport au contenu dans la
langue source». Dans la pratique, ce concept fait référence de manière interchangeable à la «révision»,
à l’«édition», à la «correction d’épreuves» et à la «relecture», qui désignent pourtant d’autres concepts
dans les documents ISO dans ce domaine.
© ISO 2019 – Tous droits réservés v

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NORME INTERNATIONALE ISO 20539:2019(F)
Traduction, interprétation et technologies apparentées —
Vocabulaire
1 Domaine d’application
Le présent document fournit le vocabulaire destiné aux normes relatives à la traduction, à
l’interprétation et aux technologies apparentées.
2 Références normatives
Le présent document ne contient aucune référence normative.
3 Termes et définitions
L’ISO et l’IEC tiennent à jour des bases de données terminologiques destinées à être utilisées en
normalisation, consultables aux adresses suivantes:
— ISO Online browsing platform: disponible à l’adresse https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: disponible à l’adresse https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1 Concepts clés
3.1.1
langue
utilisation systématique de sons, caractères, symboles ou signes pour communiquer
3.1.2
contenu
information sous quelque forme que ce soit
EXEMPLE Texte, audio, vidéo, etc.
3.1.3
langue source
langue (3.1.1) à partir de laquelle du contenu (3.1.2) est traduit (3.1.7) ou interprété (3.1.9)
3.1.4
langue cible
langue (3.1.1) dans laquelle du contenu (3.1.2) est traduit (3.1.7) ou interprété (3.1.9)
3.1.5
contenu dans la langue source
contenu (3.1.2) à traduire (3.1.7) ou à interpréter (3.1.9)
3.1.6
contenu dans la langue cible
contenu (3.1.2) qui a été traduit (3.1.7) ou interprété (3.1.9) à partir d’une langue source (3.1.3)
3.1.7
traduire
restituer un contenu dans la langue source (3.1.5) en un contenu dans la langue cible (3.1.6) sous forme
écrite ou en langue des signes (3.2.3)
© ISO 2019 – Tous droits réservés 1

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ISO 20539:2019(F)

3.1.8
traduction
restitution d’un contenu dans la langue source (3.1.5) en un contenu dans la langue cible (3.1.6) sous
forme écrite ou en langue des signes (3.2.3)
3.1.9
interpréter
restituer des informations parlées ou signées d’une langue source (3.1.3) dans une langue cible (3.1.4)
sous forme orale ou signée, en transmettant à la fois le registre de langue (3.2.1) et la signification du
contenu dans la langue source (3.1.5)
3.1.10
interprétation
restitution d’informations parlées ou signées d’une langue source (3.1.3) dans une langue cible (3.1.4)
sous forme orale ou signée, en transmettant à la fois le registre de langue (3.2.1) et la signification du
contenu dans la langue source (3.1.5)
3.1.11
traducteur
personne qui traduit (3.1.7)
3.1.12
interprète
personne qui interprète (3.1.9)
3.2 Concepts communs à la traduction et à l’interprétation
3.2.1
registre de langue
variété d’une langue (3.1.1) utilisée dans un but particulier ou dans le cadre d’une utilisation particulière
de la langue en fonction du type de situation, notamment du degré de formalité
Note 1 à l'article: Les individus ont en général plusieurs registres de langue dans leur répertoire linguistique et
peuvent adapter le registre de langue qu’ils utilisent en fonction de leur perception de ce qui est approprié pour
différents objectifs ou dans différents domaines (3.2.4).
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 20694:2018, 3.3, modifiée — La formulation «Un individu a en général» est devenue
«Les individus ont en général» et «répertoire verbal» a été remplacé par «répertoire linguistique».]
3.2.2
compétence linguistique
aptitude d’une personne à comprendre ou à communiquer dans une langue (3.1.1) donnée
Note 1 à l'article: La compétence linguistique fait généralement référence aux compétences en communication
orale, en compréhension, en lecture et en écriture.
3.2.3
langue des signes
langue (3.1.1) qui utilise une combinaison de formes des mains, d’orientation et de mouvement des
mains, des bras ou du corps, et d’expressions faciales
3.2.4
domaine
sphère de connaissance ou d’activité
Note 1 à l'article: Un domaine peut avoir sa propre culture, son propre contexte social et ses propres
caractéristiques linguistiques.
2 © ISO 2019 – Tous droits réservés

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ISO 20539:2019(F)

3.2.5
client
personne ou organisation qui conclut un accord formel pour la prestation d’un service
Note 1 à l'article: L’accord formel peut, par exemple, prendre la forme d’un contrat ou d’un accord de service
interdépartemental entre les entités d’une organisation.
Note 2 à l'article: Le client peut être l’utilisateur final (3.2.6), mais cela n’est pas obligatoirement le cas.
3.2.6
utilisateur final
personne ou groupe de personnes qui au final bénéficie du service fourni
3.2.7
autorisation
attestation par une tierce partie du droit d’une personne à fournir un service spécialisé
Note 1 à l'article: L’autorisation pour des interprètes juridiques (3.4.20) et des traducteurs juridiques (3.3.22) est
conférée par un organisme compétent reconnu.
Note 2 à l'article: Dans certains pays, une autorisation officielle est appelée accréditation ou certification.
3.3 Concepts liés à la traduction
3.3.1
texte
contenu (3.1.2) sous forme écrite
3.3.2
document
support d’information et l’information qu’il contient
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015, 3.8.5, modifiée — L’exemple et les notes à l’article ont été supprimés.]
3.3.3
résultat de traduction
résultat d’une traduction (3.1.8)
3.3.4
service de traduction
production et livraison d’un contenu dans la langue cible (3.1.6) selon les spécifications du client (3.2.5)
3.3.5
prestataire de services de traduction
PST
personne ou organisation qui fournit un service de traduction (3.3.4)
3.3.6
flux de traduction
séquence des activités requises pour produire un contenu dans la langue cible (3.1.6)
3.3.7
relecture
édition unilingue
examen de l’ensemble du contenu dans la langue cible (3.1.6) pour s’assurer de sa précision par rapport
au domaine (3.2.4)
3.3.8
relecteur
personne qui réalise une relecture (3.3.7)
© ISO 2019 – Tous droits réservés 3

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ISO 20539:2019(F)

3.3.9
révision
édition bilingue
examen de l’ensemble du contenu dans la langue cible (3.1.6) par rapport au contenu dans la langue source
(3.1.5) pour s’assurer de la précision linguistique et de la fidélité par rapport au contenu dans la langue
source
3.3.10
réviseur
personne qui réalise une révision (3.3.9)
3.3.11
contrôle
examen par le traducteur (3.1.11) du contenu dans la langue cible (3.1.6) après la réalisation de la
traduction (3.1.8)
3.3.12
correction d’épreuves
examen du contenu dans la langue cible (3.1.6) final et application des corrections (3.3.15) avant
publication
3.3.13
correcteur d’épreuves
personne qui réalise la correction d’épreuves (3.3.12)
3.3.14
vérification
action entreprise pour déterminer si les spécifications ont été remplies
3.3.15
correction
action consistant à éliminer une erreur
Note 1 à l'article: En traduction, des corrections sont faites lorsque des erreurs sont détectées au cours d’un
contrôle (3.3.11) ou lorsque des erreurs sont signalées par un réviseur (3.3.10), un relecteur (3.3.8), un correcteur
d’épreuves (3.3.13) ou le client (3.2.5).
3.3.16
action corrective
action consistant à éliminer la cause du non-respect d’une exigence au cours du processus (3.3.20) de
traduction (3.1.8), en vue d’empêcher sa récurrence
3.3.17
gestion de projet
planification, organisation, surveillance, contrôle et compte rendu de tous les aspects d’un projet
(3.3.19) pour atteindre les objectifs du projet
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015, 3.3.12, modifiée — La formulation «et de la motivation des personnes
impliquées» a été supprimée.]
3.3.18
chef de projet
PM (de l’anglais Project Manager)
personne responsable de la gestion de projet (3.3.17)
4 © ISO 2019 – Tous droits réservés

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ISO 20539:2019(F)

3.3.19
projet
processus (3.3.20) unique qui consiste en un ensemble d’activités coordonnées et maîtrisées comportant
des dates de début et de fin, entrepris dans le but d’atteindre un objectif conforme à des exigences
spécifiques, incluant les contraintes de délais, de coûts et de ressources
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015, 3.4.2, modifiée — Les notes à l’article ont été supprimées.]
3.3.20
processus
ensemble d’activités interdépendantes et imbriquées réalisées afin d’atteindre un objectif
3.3.21
produit
résultat d’un processus (3.3.20)
3.3.22
traducteur juridique
traducteur (3.1.11) qui est qualifié pour fournir des services de traduction (3.3.4) liés au droit
Note 1 à l'article: Les traducteurs juridiques peuvent devoir être habilités par la loi.
3.3.23
domaine de spécialisation
domaine d’expertise d’une personne
3.3.24
compétence
aptitude à utiliser ses connaissances, son expérience et ses compétences pour atteindre des résultats
prévus
3.3.25
lieu
zone géographique dans laquelle les personnes utilisent des conventions linguistiques, culturelles et
techniques spécifiques
3.3.26
convention locale
usage accepté ou pratique courante dans un lieu (3.3.25), que l’on est généralement tenu d’appliquer
Note 1 à l'article: Cela peut inclure les règles de formatage de la date ou de l’heure.
3.3.27
localisation
adaptation des produits (3.3.21) et services à des lieux (3.3.25) distincts
3.3.28
guide de style
ensemble des instructions d’édition et de formatage
3.4 Concepts liés à l’interprétation
3.4.1
langue «A»
langue (3.1.1) maternelle ou son strict équivalent, entièrement maîtrisée par l’interprète (3.1.12) ou
dans laquelle l’interprète interprète (3.1.9) à partir de toutes ses autres langues «A», langues «B» (3.4.2)
ou langues «C» (3.4.3)
© ISO 2019 – Tous droits réservés 5

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ISO 20539:2019(F)

3.4.2
langue «B»
langue (3.1.1) maîtrisée par l’interprète (3.1.12) mais qui n’est pas sa langue maternelle ou son strict
équivalent
Note 1 à l'article: Un interprète travaille dans cette langue à partir d’une ou plusieurs autres langues.
3.4.3
langue «C»
langue (3.1.1) à partir de laquelle l’interprète (3.1.12) interprète (3.1.9) dans ses langues «A» (3.4.1) ou
langues «B» (3.4.2)
Note 1 à l'article: Un interprète peut avoir plusieurs langues «A», «B» ou «C».
3.4.4
langue orale
langue (3.1.1) exprimée oralement
3.4.5
interprétation en langue orale
interprétation (3.1.10) entre deux langues orales (3.4.4)
3.4.6
interprétation en langue des signes
interprétation (3.1.10) entre deux langues des signes (3.2.3) ou entre une langue des signes et une langue
orale (3.4.4)
3.4.7
contex
...

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST ISO/DIS 20539:2019
01-oktober-2019
Prevajanje, tolmačenje in sorodne tehnologije - Slovar
Translation, interpreting and related technology -- Vocabulary
Traduction, interprétation et technologies apparentées -- Vocabulaire
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ISO/DIS 20539:2019
ICS:
01.020 Terminologija (načela in Terminology (principles and
koordinacija) coordination)
03.080.99 Druge storitve Other services
oSIST ISO/DIS 20539:2019 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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oSIST ISO/DIS 20539:2019

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oSIST ISO/DIS 20539:2019
DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD
ISO/DIS 20539
ISO/TC 37/SC 5 Secretariat: ASI
Voting begins on: Voting terminates on:
2019-01-18 2019-04-12
Translation, interpreting and related technology —
Vocabulary
Traduction, interprétation et technologies apparentées — Vocabulaire
ICS: 01.020; 01.040.01
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENT AND APPROVAL. IT IS
THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND MAY
NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD UNTIL PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
This document is circulated as received from the committee secretariat.
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
Reference number
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO/DIS 20539:2019(E)
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
©
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION. ISO 2019

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oSIST ISO/DIS 20539:2019
ISO/DIS 20539:2019(E)

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2019
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Fax: +41 22 749 09 47
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

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oSIST ISO/DIS 20539:2019
ISO/DIS 20539:2019(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
3.1 Key Concepts . 1
3.2 Concepts common to translation and interpreting . 2
3.3 Concepts relating to translation . 3
3.4 3.4 .
Concepts relating to interpreting . 6
3.5 Concepts relating to technology . 9
3.5.1 Concepts relating to translation technology . 9
3.5.2 Concepts relating to interpreting technology .10
Bibliography .14
© ISO 2019 – All rights reserved iii

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oSIST ISO/DIS 20539:2019
ISO/DIS 20539:2019(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International
Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting.
Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies
casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 20539 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 037, Language and Terminology, Subcommittee
SC 05, Translation, interpreting and related technology.
iv © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

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oSIST ISO/DIS 20539:2019
ISO/DIS 20539:2019(E)

Introduction
This document is a compendium of vocabulary used in translation, interpreting and related technology
standards, compiled with a view to coordinating usage of terminology. Some of the concepts which
exist in this domain are referred to in different ways by practitioners and, whilst it is not expected
that these differences will change significantly in the short term, it is likely that consistency in the use
of the terminology adopted by this vocabulary across the related International Standards will have
a standardizing effect on the terms and definitions used in practice in the long term. For example,
“revision” is the preferred term of the ISO standards for the concept defined as the “examination of the
entire target language content () against the source language content () in order to ensure linguistic
accuracy and faithfulness to the source language content ()” whereas in practice this concept is referred
to interchangeably as “revision”, “editing”, “proofreading” and “review”, all of which are applied to other
concepts in the ISO documents for this domain.
© ISO 2019 – All rights reserved v

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oSIST ISO/DIS 20539:2019

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oSIST ISO/DIS 20539:2019
DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO/DIS 20539:2019(E)
Translation, interpreting and related technology —
Vocabulary
1 Scope
This document provides the vocabulary for translation, interpreting and related technology standards.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1 Key Concepts
3.1.1
language
systematic use of sounds, characters, symbols or signs by which to communicate
3.1.2
content
information in any form
EXAMPLE Text, audio, video, etc.
3.1.3
source language
language (3.1.1) from which content (3.1.2) is translated (3.1.7) or interpreted (3.1.9)
3.1.4
target language
language (3.1.1) into which content (3.1.2) is translated (3.1.7) or interpreted (3.1.9)
3.1.5
source language content
content (3.1.2) to be interpreted (3.1.9) or translated (3.1.7)
3.1.6
target language content
content (3.1.2) that has been interpreted (3.1.9) or translated (3.1.7) from a source language (3.1.3)
3.1.7
translate
render source language content (3.1.5) into target language content (3.1.6) in written form
3.1.8
translation
rendering source language content (3.1.5) into target language content (3.1.6) in written form
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3.1.9
interpret
render spoken or signed information from a source language (3.1.3) to a target language (3.1.4) in
oral or signed form, conveying both the language register (3.2.1) and meaning of the source language
content (3.1.5)
3.1.10
interpreting
interpretation
rendering spoken or signed information from a source language (3.1.3) to a target language (3.1.4) in
oral or signed form, conveying both the language register (3.2.1) and meaning of the source language
content (3.1.5)
3.1.11
translator
person who translates (3.1.7)
3.1.12
interpreter
person who interprets (3.1.9)
3.2 Concepts common to translation and interpreting
3.2.1
language register
language (3.1.1) variety used for a particular purpose or in an event of language use, depending on the
type of situation, especially its degree of formality
Note 1 to entry: An individual usually has more than one language register in their verbal repertoire and can
vary their use of register according to their perception of what is appropriate for different purposes or domains
(3.2.3).
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 20694:2018, 3.3]
3.2.2
language proficiency
ability of a person to understand or communicate in a specified language (3.1.1)
Note 1 to entry: Language proficiency generally refers to speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.
3.2.3
domain
sphere of knowledge or activity
Note 1 to entry: A domain can have its own culture, social context and linguistic characteristics.
3.2.4
‘A’ language

primary language (3.1.1) or its strict equivalent of which the interpreter (3.1.12) has complete command
and into which the interpreter interprets (3.1.9) from all his/her other ‘A’ languages, ‘B’ languages
(3.2.5) or ‘C’ languages (3.2.6)

primary language (3.1.1) or its strict equivalent of which the translator (3.1.11) has complete com-
mand and into which the translator translates (3.1.7) from all his/her other ‘A’ languages, ‘B’ languages
(3.2.5) or ‘C’ languages (3.2.6)
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3.2.5
‘B’ language

language (3.1.1) in which the interpreter (3.1.12) is proficient, but which is not his/her primary
language or its strict equivalent
Note 1 to entry: An interpreter works into this language from one or more other languages.

language (3.1.1) in which the translator (3.1.11) is proficient, but which is not his/her primary language or its
strict equivalent
3.2.6
‘C’ language

language (3.1.1) from which the interpreter (3.1.12) interprets (3.1.9) into his/her ‘A’ languages (3.2.4)
or ‘B’ languages (3.2.5)
Note 1 to entry: An interpreter can have more than one ‘A’, ‘B’ or ‘C’ language.

language (3.1.1) from which the translator (3.1.11) translates (3.1.7) into his/her ‘A’ languages (3.2.4) or ‘B’
languages (3.2.5)
3.2.7
client
customer
person, or organization, who enters into a formal agreement for the provision of a service
Note 1 to entry: The formal agreement can, for example, take the form of a contract or an interdepartmental
service agreement between units of an organization.
Note 2 to entry: The client can be the end user (3.2.8), but this does not have to be the case.
3.2.8
end user
person or group of persons that ultimately uses the service delivered
3.2.9
authorization
third-party attestation of a person’s right to provide a specialized service
Note 1 to entry: Authorization for legal interpreters (3.4.17) and legal translators (3.3.22) should be conferred by
a recognized authoritative body.
Note 2 to entry: In some countries state/official authorization is referred to as accreditation, certification,
credentialing.
3.3 Concepts relating to translation
3.3.1
text
content (3.1.2) in written form
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3.3.2
document
information and the medium on which it is contained
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015, 3.8.5, modified – notes have been removed]
3.3.3
translation output
result of translation (3.1.8)
3.3.4
translation service
production and delivery of target language content (3.1.6) according to client (3.2.7) specification
3.3.5
translation service provider
TSP
person or organization that performs translation service (3.3.4)
3.3.6
translation workflow
sequence of activities required in order to produce target language content (3.1.6)
3.3.7
review
monolingual editing
examination of the entire target language content (3.1.6) in order to ensure its domain (3.2.3) accuracy
3.3.8
reviewer
person who performs review (3.3.7)
3.3.9
revision
bilingual editing
examination of the entire target language content (3.1.6) against the source language content (3.1.5) in
order to ensure linguistic accuracy and faithfulness to the source language content
3.3.10
reviser
person who performs revision (3.3.9)
3.3.11
check
translator’s (3.1.11) examination of target language content (3.1.6) upon completion of translation (3.1.8)
3.3.12
proofread
examine the final target language content (3.1.6) and apply corrections (3.3.15) before publication
3.3.13
proofreader
person who proofreads (3.3.12)
3.3.14
verification
action taken to determine whether specifications have been fulfilled
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3.3.15
correction
action to eliminate an error in target language content (3.1.6)
Note 1 to entry: Corrections are made when errors are detected during the translator’s (3.1.11) check (3.3.11)
of the target language content (3.1.6), or when errors are reported by a reviser (3.3.10), reviewer (3.3.8),
proofreader (3.3.13) or client (3.2.7).
3.3.16
corrective action
action to eliminate the cause of a failure to comply with a requirements in the translation (3.1.8) process
(3.3.20), with a view to preventing recurrence
3.3.17
project management
planning, organizing, monitoring, controlling and reporting of all aspects of a project (3.3.19) to achieve
the project objectives
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015 modified – the wording ‘and the motivation of all those involved in it’ has been
deleted.]
3.3.18
project manager
PM
person responsible for project management (3.3.17)
3.3.19
project
unique process (3.3.20), consisting of a set of coordinated and controlled activities with start and
finish dates, undertaken to achieve an objective conforming to specific requirements, including the
constraints of time, cost and resources
[SOURCE: ISO 9000:2015, 3.4.2 modified – the notes have been deleted.]
3.3.20
process
set of interrelated and interacting activities performed in order to achieve a stated objective
3.3.21
product
result of process (3.3.20)
3.3.22
legal translator
translator (3.1.11) who is qualified to provide translation services (3.3.4) related to the law
Note 1 to entry: Legal translators can be required to be authorized by law.
3.3.23
specialist field
area of expertise of a person
3.3.24
competence
ability to apply knowledge, experience and skills to achieve intended results
3.3.25
locale
geographic region in which people use specific linguistic, cultural and technical conventions
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3.3.26
locale convention
accepted usage or standard practice in a locale (3.3.25), which is generally expected to apply
Note 1 to entry: This may include date or time formatting rules.
3.3.27
localization
adapting products (3.3.21) and services for distinct locales (3.3.25)
3.3.28
style guide
set of editing and formatting instructions
3.4 3.4 Concepts relating to interpreting
3.4.1
spoken language
language (3.1.1) expressed orally
3.4.2
sign language
signed language
language (3.1.1) which uses a combination of hand shapes, orientation and movement of the hands,
arms or body, and facial expressions
Note 1 to entry: Sign language can be a regional, national or international language with or without legal status;
or an informal sign language with any number of use
...

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