Having spent four years as a CAT tool demonstrator, working with postgraduate translation students at the University of Leeds, I have an in-depth knowledge of some of the most widely-used Translation Memory and software localisation tools. These include Trados, SDLX, Déjà Vu, Wordfast, StarTransit, Passolo and Alchemy Catalyst.
I currently work with SDL Trados and Wordfast, but I only use Translation Memory tools at the Client's request. For further information, or if you would like to receive training in the use of a CAT tool, please contact me.
What
are CAT tools?
Computer-Assisted Translation tools are now widely-used
by translation companies and other organisations throughout the world.
As a result, translation courses such as the MA
in Applied Translation Studies at the University of Leeds devote
entire modules to the teaching of translation software. CAT tools typically
comprise Translation Memory (TM) software and Terminology Databases. But
this is NOT Machine Translation. As a translator works through a text,
every original sentence is automatically stored, along with its human
translation, in a selected TM database. This means that when the same
or a similar sentence occurs again, the previous translation is automatically
presented to the translator, who can then choose to re-use it or to make
amendments if required. The translator is also able to compile or select
one or more Terminology Databases for a particular specialised field (from
agricultural machinery to orthodontics). Entries from the chosen database
are then automatically presented to the translator when they are found
in the segment of text on which he or she is working.
What
are the advantages?
Using CAT tools can benefit both clients and translation
companies:
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Translation Memory reduces translation costs: the client pays a significantly reduced rate for repeated segments in a translation. The translation software can automatically calculate the number of repetitions in an original text, so a project can be costed accurately and fairly; |
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Translation Memory ensures the consistent use of terminology within a text or throughout a project that requires regular updates; |
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The TM and terminology database can be created specifically for your company, and remain confidential; |
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For large translation projects, a team of translators can share TM and Terminology Databases, which are updated in real-time. This enables faster delivery while maintaining consistency; |
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Clients can provide translators with their own Translation Memory. Alternatively, they can provide previous translations, with the original texts, which can be formatted into TM to be used in similar future projects; |
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Clients can provide translators with their preferred terminology, for the creation of a client-specific terminology database. |
CAT
tools are not appropriate for every job…
Some clients and, in fact, some translation companies prefer
not to use CAT tools, or they simply do not need them. Translation Memory
is not appropriate for translating works of literature or other creative
texts, which require variation throughout. Nor is it cost-effective for
translating documents which contain very little repetition. TM is most
useful for translating highly repetitive texts, such as technical manuals.
It is also invaluable for the translation of product documentation: when
a new version is released, only slight modifications will need to be made
to the existing translation.