Apr 5, 2013 08:28
11 yrs ago
2 viewers *
Japanese term

連携ソフトウェア

Japanese to English Tech/Engineering IT (Information Technology)
I guess this may refer to a software that collaborate with the main software for the full operation of something.
The problem is that, I don't know the exact terminology in English. Can anybody help me? Thank you so much in advance!

Discussion

Marc Brunet Apr 18, 2013:
to sum up (2/2)
4/ But we have an additional problem on our hands here, though: the text uses a single term for both functions when supplying its definition (「連携ソフトウェア」とは), and we cannot use the benefit of the definition given to translate a term still to be defined by that very definition! What a teaser of a translation material! :-)

So, based on these considerations, how to deal with the 2nd sentence supplied?
Here is a try. Feel free to improve it:

'In this contract, "association related software" means both the 'add-on application' working in tandem with the primary software, and 'the middleware' [needed to ensure the seamless linkage between the former two applications mentioned].
Marc Brunet Apr 18, 2013:
to sum up... (1/2) Thank you, Kobach, for the additional context supplied. Please consider the following points:

1/ since the text is a contract, what is required here is(are) formal descriptive term(s) rather than the informal techy' terms suggested by yours truly, even if either of these is also used in the contract recital (and one is, but in quotes). In other words, the places where 連携ソフトウェーア are used is discrete and important.

2/ the 2nd original quote provides the solution to the problem last raised: it covers the possibility for both an 'associated' application (e.g. a bilingual glossary inserting the target term automatically in the primary application) AND an 'associating' application (i.e. the "middleware' required to establish a seamless link between 'primary app' and 'app to be associated with that host', and this, in cases where there is a marginal compatibility problem to be bridged.

3/ So in the latter case, the phrases that might be required are: 'the application to be associated' AND 'the associating application'.
(Cont'd...)
nhalenguyenanh (asker) Apr 18, 2013:
Another programmer suggests using the term "associating software", as he believes that the author's intention to use 連携する may refer to 'associate" in an active voice.
Nathan Takase Apr 6, 2013:
Indeed I am aware of the component issue (although it is usually "software component" in English, so that should help create a distinction). The same type of issue exists for integrated/integration software. There are established terms that may make it confusing. But the term is defined within the contract, so that shouldn't be a problem. Okada-san's "associated software" could work, as well. Again, this would normally bring up various images, but since you're defining it there shouldn't be a problem.
Nathan Takase Apr 5, 2013:
See my addition. Based on this context, I made an addition. I think a number of the suggestions made are usable since you are defining the term, though.
nhalenguyenanh (asker) Apr 5, 2013:
This is the context:
甲が、対象ソフトウェアと連携する汎用的に利用されるソフトウェア(以下「連携ソフトウェア」という)を開発し販売する取引に関し、以下のとおり合意する。
and
本契約において「連携ソフトウェア」とは、対象ソフトウェアと連携して稼動する「アドオンアプリケーション」及び「ミドルウェア」をいう

Proposed translations

+2
42 mins
Selected

works with/compatible/integration

Without context it's hard to give you a specific answer. This term can mean a lot of things, and a number of translations would be appropriate depending on that context, including leaving the term out of the translation in some cases. For example, for ツイッター連携ソフト something like "software with Twitter integration" would be appropriate. For 連携ソフト that works with a device, simply "software for use with..." would work, and leaving the term out could work as well (e.g. <device> software). The term also sometimes simply refers to other software that work well with the main software, in which case terms like "compatible" or "works with", etc. There are other possibilities, as well. If you can provide more context perhaps we can provide a better answer.

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Note added at 6 hrs (2013-04-05 15:14:56 GMT)
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Considering your context, perhaps something like "component software" would fit your needs. Add-ons and middleware can both be considered components. I don't think these two are normally grouped together, so as long as you choose a terms that is reasonable, it should be okay since you are defining it.

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Note added at 12 days (2013-04-18 05:59:18 GMT)
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Like I mentioned before, you are defining the term, so it will not mean exactly what you want it to from the start. All of the following terms are other possibilities. They would likely be confusing without your definition, but it's a contract and the term is clearly defined, which nullifies this problem.

linking software
interlinking software
interfacing software
connecting software
interacting software

If you are determined to use a term that matches your definition, you can always use "associated and associating software," although I still don't think this is all that great since "associated software" could denote a very weak association that may not even have to do with the actual code. But again, it's defined in the contract, so you don't need to worry so much about the meaning of the term outside of the contract as long as it is reasonable and doesn't make you wonder why on earth they would have picked that word.
Note from asker:
But in Japanese, there is also コンポーネントソフトウェア (component software).
Peer comment(s):

agree Minoru Kuwahara : good advice. -
5 hrs
Thanks!
agree MariyaN (X)
81 days
Thank you!
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."
-1
3 mins

Collaboration Software

IBM has a solution called "collaboration software":
http://www-01.ibm.com/software/jp/lotus/
Peer comment(s):

disagree Nathan Takase : Sorry, but this "collaboration" refers to collaboration between people and is not relevant to this question.
40 mins
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1 hr

Connectivity and integration software

http://www.dcl.hpi.uni-potsdam.de/LV/Components04/VL1/02_mid...
Middleware is connectivity software that consists of a set of
enabling services that allow multiple processes running on one or
more machines to interact across a network.
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2 hrs

companion software

In the given context, I would call it "companion" to refer middlewares, add-ons, and may be plug-ins.
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5 hrs

associated software

Or parasite software...冗談ですよ、これは!
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19 hrs

add-in/ plug-in software

These technical terms refer to accessory applications that can be run either as stand alone, or in tandem from within a master application such as any from the Office suite of your preference, for instance.
So such add-in/plug-in apps can for instance be a CAT extension (like an old edition of Trados or else WordFast), or a proofreading and grammar and style editing software (Like Antidote or Grammarly).

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Note added at 2 days16 hrs (2013-04-08 00:50:22 GMT)
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in the above explanation, "master application" is not exactly right.
"primary application" would be the proper term, in this case.
Example sentence:

Learn how Grammarly MS Office add-in works : Grammarly Supports...

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8 days

collaborative software

According to the context given by the asker, the term "連携ソフトウェア" includes add-on apps and middleware. Having read that, those apps/programs appear to actually collaborate with the main software. In addition, this seems to be a contract that the owner of the main software wants those of "連携ソフトウェア" to sign. The phrase "collaborative software" could add somewhat gracious nuance for the second party as well.

>This is the context:
>甲が、対象ソフトウェアと連携する汎用的に利用されるソフトウェア(以下「連携ソフトウェア」という)を開発し販売する取引に関し、以下のとおり合意する。
>and
>本契約において「連携ソフトウェア」とは、対象ソフトウェアと連携して稼動する「アドオンアプリケーション」及び「ミドルウェア」をいう

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Note added at 8 days (2013-04-14 07:12:49 GMT)
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I had an idea about a word "affiliated", but this sound too master-servant'ish for the context. It defines those add-on apps and middleware as "汎用的に利用される", so this shouldn't be a case...
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Reference comments

4 hrs
Reference:

Glue software

"Glue" or "glue software" are terms that can be widely used to reference small programs or scripts needed to integrate applications or tie subsystems together...
www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,1237,t=glue&i=43820,00.as...
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