Everyone who is into the translation world knows that Translation Memory has given a major boost to the translation process. Nearly every field of translation can benefit from a TM. Due to its value, Translation Memory has become a basic element for any translation company or freelance translator.
If you’re a rookie translator or a client who struggles to understand how a TM works, please read through the article and let us know if you have any further questions!
What is Translation Memory?
A Translation Memory is a well-known function of Computer-Assisted Translation, also known as CAT tools, that eases the translation process. A TM stores all of the segments that a translator already translated. They can reuse any segment if the same segment, or a very similar one, appears on any document. In other words, it’s a database that collects all the translator’s work.
This saves translators valuable time, erasing the need to look back for terminology and references. It solidifies the use of industry-specific terminology and phrases for individual clients.
How does it work?
A new translation project arrives and is imported into a CAT tool. The CAT tool allows the translators to pre-translate the document. Pre-translation is where the CAT tool takes a client’s TM, that has been created by a human translator, and applies it to a new project. The TM will take the memorized segments and search through the new project. If there are matches, the TM will automatically input the translations from the TM. The CAT tool provides a breakdown of how accurate these memorized segments are.
Why is a Translation Memory useful?
- A TM leads to cost savings based on how accurate the pre-translation is.
- The time this saves translators is what leads to cost savings, it leads to more proofreading and less translation work.
- It ensures consistency of terminology, definitions, and phrases in a translation (which is incredibly important in technical translation).
- It allows translators to work in a wide set of formats.
Should I use one for every translation?
Surprisingly, there are a few instances where you would not want to use a TM. If your client is a one-off, and they don’t have any segments saved, there is no point in using a TM as they do not have any terminology for pre-translation. If they don’t anticipate needing many documents translated or think it will only be a one-time event the trouble of making a TM for them is not worth it as there will be no cost savings.
We hope that you understand a little bit more about this essential part of a CAT tool. Nevertheless, if you have any question that we did not cover, please feel free to contact us!