How to Build a Multilingual Glossary for Your Business

Ever noticed how one translator writes “client” while another says “customer”? Or how a slogan sounds slightly different in every brochure?That inconsistency isn’t just a stylistic issue… it can confuse customers, weaken your brand identity, and even cause compliance problems in regulated industries.

A multilingual glossary prevents that. It’s a central reference that ensures everyone, from translators to marketing teams, uses the same approved terminology across all languages.Here’s how to create one that supports your business, boosts translation quality, and saves you money in the long run.

1. What Is a Multilingual Glossary?

A multilingual glossary is a curated list of your company’s key terms… product names, slogans, abbreviations, and technical vocabulary with their approved translations in each target language.

It’s more than just a dictionary. It defines your brand language, ensuring tone, terminology, and meaning stay consistent in every market.

✅ Example entries might include:

Term	English	French	German	Notes
App login	Login screen	Écran de connexion	Anmeldebildschirm	Keep lowercase
Eco mode	Energy-saving mode	Mode éco	Energiesparmodus	Consistency across packaging
Customer	Client	Client	Kunde	Use “client” for B2B contexts

2. Why Your Business Needs One

• Consistency: Keeps translations uniform across documents, websites, and marketing campaigns.

• Efficiency: Reduces back-and-forth between translators and reviewers.

• Cost Savings: Speeds up translation projects, especially when integrated with translation memory tools.

• Brand Protection: Prevents errors or misinterpretations that could harm your reputation.

If you use multiple translators or work with external agencies, a glossary is the easiest way to maintain control of your brand voice worldwide.

3. Identify Key Terms to Include

Start by listing the most commonly used terms in your materials, especially those that are:

• Industry-specific (e.g., “pharmacovigilance,” “compliance testing”)

• Product-related (e.g., “Eco Mode,” “SmartLink”)

• Brand phrases (e.g., “We speak your language”)

• Abbreviations or acronyms (e.g., “ISO,” “API,” “KPI”)

You can extract these automatically using translation software or keyword analysis tools, or manually gather them from brochures, websites, and product manuals.

4. Collaborate Across Departments

Your glossary shouldn’t be built by translators alone. It should reflect input from:

• Marketing teams (for tone and slogans)

• Technical experts (for product accuracy)

• Legal teams (for compliance wording)

Once compiled, these departments can jointly review and approve each term to ensure linguistic and factual accuracy before it’s shared with translators.

5. Choose the Right Format

You can create a glossary in Excel, Google Sheets, or dedicated tools like SDL MultiTerm, MemoQ TermBase, or Smartcat.

✅ Include columns for:

• Source term

• Part of speech (noun, verb, etc.)

• Definition/context

• Approved translations per language

• Notes or usage instructions

• Date of last update

Keep it simple and structured. Consistency and accessibility matter more than design.

6. Integrate with Translation Workflows

The real power of a glossary appears when it’s linked to your translation memory (TM) or CAT tools.This means translators automatically see your approved terms as they work, ensuring accuracy without slowing the process.

At Tongue Tied (NW), we help clients integrate glossaries into TM systems, so every translation project, from marketing materials to product manuals, stays aligned with brand language and tone.

7. Keep It Updated

A glossary is a living document. Schedule regular reviews to:

• Add new product names or phrases.

• Remove outdated terminology.

• Verify translations still align with brand messaging.

• Confirm new translators are using the latest version.

Many businesses tie glossary updates to product launches or quarterly marketing reviews.

8. Train Teams to Use It

A glossary only works if people use it. Educate your internal staff, translators, and agencies on how to apply it correctly.

✅ Quick checklist for rollout:

• Share a link to the latest version.

• Include glossary training in onboarding.

• Enforce glossary compliance in quality checks.

• Encourage feedback to improve clarity.

FAQs

1. How many terms should my glossary include?

   
   

   Start with 50–100 core terms, then expand over time as you discover recurring phrases.

   
   

2. Can AI generate a multilingual glossary?

   
   

   AI can extract term candidates, but human review is vital to ensure context and accuracy.

   
   

3. What’s the difference between a glossary and translation memory?

   
   

   A glossary manages key terms, while translation memory stores entire sentences or segments from previous translations. Both work best together.

One Voice Across Every Language

A multilingual glossary is one of the simplest yet most powerful tools for improving translation quality. It aligns teams, protects your brand, and saves time across every market you serve.

At Tongue Tied, we help UK businesses create and maintain multilingual glossaries that strengthen global communication and consistency.

👉 Contact our team today to build your glossary and keep your brand voice strong… in every language.