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Machine Assisted Human Translation (MAHT) (…aka “Translation Memory” or “CAT tool”). …and what it does for the translator…. Definitions:. CAT tool = Computer Aided Translation tool Translation Unit (TU) = a SL segment and its TL pendant
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Machine Assisted Human Translation (MAHT) (…aka “Translation Memory” or “CAT tool”) …and what it does for the translator…
Definitions: • CAT tool = Computer Aided Translation tool • Translation Unit (TU) = a SL segment and its TL pendant • Translation Memory = a database of Translation Units (and other relevant data)
What does a CAT tool do? • For Agencies: • It manages jobs of all sizes and degrees of complexities • For a freelancer • It makes the translation of electronic files more efficient and consistent
CAT tools usually consist of at least four elements: • Translation Memory • A database that stores translation units • Interface (Workbench): • The “translator’s workplace”
…and… • Terminology database • it might be both based on the translator’s previous work and/or provided by the commissioner • Alignment tool: • Allows you to create a Translation Memory and Term Database from your previous translations
… and various other tools, like: • “Analyse”: • How much of a job has to be translated and how much is already in your TM • Tag Editors • That make it easy to translate the right thing in html or other tagged files (…to mention only the most important ones)
The idea is to helpyou to… • analyse source files and quote for a job • manage source files and formats (e.g. PPT presentation, Html, Word doc etc.) • use existing (and provided) terminology databases and/or TMs • communicate with others in large projects (e.g. multiple translators working in different languages, or agencies sending “last changes” to the job)
So… a CAT tool is useful when: • You work with electronic source files (particularly fancy file formats) • When the client already has a glossary or term-base • You work in a specialized field (re-use your work)
CAT tools operate on two translation levels: On the term level i.e. regarding single words On the segment level …where a whole sentence is concerned
On the term-level it will… • Search and recognise “term candidates” in the source text • e.g. “thermal layer” as well as “thermal” and “layer” • Find previous translation of terms in the glossary or terminology base • Allow you to add terms and their translations while you translate…
It takes care of terminological consistency and accuracy!!! …thus, on term level…
On a segment level CAT tools can… • Index, segment and organise translation projects • Recall, suggest and use already translated TUs • TUsAlign previous translations and add the TUs to a Translation Memory
It speeds up the translation and insures complete translation!!! …thus on a segment level
Issues that arise when using a CAT tool are: • What do you charge for what? • Who owns the new TM? • …and how much does a CAT tool cost?
CAT tools are problematic because… • …you might need to adjust to working with sentence by sentence translation • …and expect that it takes a while to learn and get used to them.
But once you’re up to scratch… • you might have gained a competitive edge • you will translate faster, more accurately and more efficiently (= most likely earn more money)
Part II: Déjà Vu Translation Memory
For further investigation: Some of the TM software providers are Atril – Deja Vu SDL Trados Star - Transit Lionbridge Technologies - Foreignword Alair II - TM tool for Macintosh Catalyst - Localization tool Ecco - TM tool MetaTexis - TM tool MultiTrans - TM tool Translator's Intuition - TM tool Trans Suite 2000 - TM tool WordFast - TM tool WordFisher - Translation tools for MS Word Xerox Multilingual Memory Manager - TM tool Synthema Terminology Wizard - Terminology management tool Try searching for “Translation Memory” in Google
Summary • CAT tools help with translation • They can increase the quality of your translation • There are issues…