Term base best practices: How to build a living terminology system

Many term bases fail due to being isolated from where actual work occurs, leading to costly terminology drift and brand inconsistency. This guide emphasizes the importance of integrating term bases into workflows, particularly within translation management systems like Lokalise, to maintain consistency across multiple languages and prevent errors before they escalate. A term base is more than a glossary; it serves as a living data model with detailed entries that include definitions, context, and approved and forbidden variants, making it an essential tool for translators, writers, and reviewers. The guide provides practical advice on automating terminology management, including intake, review, and approval processes, and highlights the significance of feeding AI with contextual data to ensure consistent and on-brand content generation. By transforming terminology into a strategic asset, businesses can reduce rework, maintain brand integrity, and scale efficiently, even as AI increases content volume.