Translation memory

A translation memory never forgets

The translation memory (TM) is a key component of any CAT tool – the systems used for computer-assisted translation. Every sentence translated in the CAT tool is stored in the TM’s database. This allowes translators to maintain consistency in future projects. And it saves time, effort and costs.

How do CAT tools and translation memories work?

CAT tools help make the translation process reliable and consistent. How does this work? The source text appears on the left of the screen, with space for the translator to enter the translation on the right. The target text is then automatically generated in the same format and layout as the original. SDL Trados Studio, Across, memoQ and STAR are some of the most widely used programmes on the market. By the way, documents you send us via the client portal or our API are automatically converted into CAT-compatible files for translation. This applies regardless of whether it is a traditional human translation or an AI translation. Even in the age of artificial intelligence, CAT tools and their TMs remain key components of language projects.

What is the role of translation memory in CAT tools?

As the term “memory” suggests, the TM ensures that the CAT tool stores each translation exactly as it was created in its database. If similar sentences appear in future translations (even years later), the translation memory shows the saved translations along with a percentage match indicating how closely they correspond to the current sentence. The translator can then decide to use the previous translation, adapt it, or ignore it if it doesn’t fit the current text. This not only saves time, but is also crucial for terminology consistency, ensuring standard sentences are always translated consistently, and outdated wording can be easily updated or removed. Translation memories can also provide valuable contextual information. A new sentence may initially resemble a stored one, but the context might require a different wording. Even in the age of AI, it’s often invaluable to have a human make the final decisions.

Expertise

Would you like to learn more about computer-assisted translation?

Everyone is talking about AI these days (including us), but well-managed CAT tools and TMs remain key to achieving high-quality AI translations. We would be happy to advise you on TMs in AI translation and much more. Bruno Ciola, Head of Language Technology, looks forward to hearing from you – and is sure to have the right solution for your company.

beratung@diction.ch
+41 81 750 53 33

Cost savings through the use of your TM

We store translations in your translation memory. If similar or identical segments appear in a later translation, the TM will display a match based on the previously translated text. This is great for ensuring consistency and clarity in your communication, and it’s practical for both sides: it saves us time – and saves you money.

Context match

These are 100% matches between the TM and the new segment. The segments will also have the same context.

Perfect match

A type of context match where the text to be translated is compared with a previous bilingual document rather than the TM.

Fuzzy match

In this case, the target text segment and TM segment will display a match of 75% to 99%. The segments will still be relatively similar.

What are the most widely used CAT tools?

We almost always use the CAT tools Trados Studio and Across for translation. Most clients do not have a preference in this regard, but if you would like to use a specific CAT tool (such as MemoQ or STAR Transit) for your projects, please let us know.

Trados Studio
Trados Studio is one of the most widely used translation programs in the world. It uses translation memories to store translations, includes project management tools for large multilingual projects, and offers terminology management functions. Unless you request otherwise, we always translate texts using Trados Studio. Every one of our translators uses this software daily. And if your documents have very complex formatting, we can also configure our CAT tools to suit your needs.

Across
Some of our clients use Across. The Across Language Server is a CAT software platform that uses modules for project and terminology management. Its core functionality is similar to Trados Studio and other systems – it stores translation segments and terminology (depending on project settings) in a local or central MSSQL database. Most clients using Across have their own licence and platform, which we access to manage their translation projects. Please feel free to contact us if this is of interest to your team.