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Contents
What are translation memory tools?
How do they work?
What types of texts do translation memory tools work
with?
What are the benefits?
What commercial translation memory packages
are there?
What are translation memory tools?
Translation memory tools are software packages designed to add efficiency
to the translation process by making it easier to deal with chunks
of text which are repeated or reoccur in different variations throughout
the document. However, translation memory is only useful for certain
types of text.
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How do they work?
Translation memory tools work by storing "segments" of
text in a memory as the translator translates them. If a segment reoccurs
elsewhere in the text, the translator can summon its previous translation
from the memory instead of having to re-translate or search for the
segment in question. If a segment similar to a previous one occurs,
the translator can summon a partial (or "fuzzy") match from
the memory for editing.
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What types of texts do translation memory tools work
with?
The source document must be available in electronic format, for example
as a text or word processor file. Translation memory tools work best
with materials which contain a large proportion of repeated or partially
repeated text, such as;
- Instruction and operator manuals
- Software specifications, help files etc.
- Commercial websites
However, translation memory tools are also useful for documents that
do not necessarily contain repetitions, but are updated periodically
based around the same content e.g. monthly reports presenting the same
data each month, contracts which are modified periodically.
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What are the benefits?
There are benefits for both client and translator;
- Cost: The client saves money by paying only partial fees for repetitions
and "fuzzy" matches. Typically clients are charged 100%
of the translation cost for translating the first instance of a segment's
occurrence and then 60% for fuzzy matches and only 30% for pure repetitions.
- Time: Larger documents can be translated and delivered more quickly.
- Consistency: It is easier for the translator to maintain consistency,
especially over large documents .
- Portability: The translation memory files are provided to the client
on delivery, giving the client the flexibility of using different
translators in the future without detriment to consistency.
- Localisation: Translation Memory tools can be a very useful tool
for aiding the localisation of HTML and other software files
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What commercial translation memory packages
are there?
Some of the most popular translation memory tools include Trados,
DéjàVu and SDLX.
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