Are you tired of spending excessive time and money on translation projects? Do you want to fast-track the localization process and maintain consistency across languages? Look no further and partner up with a translation services company that knows how to use the power of CAT tools to save money.
Your money.
This blog will give you more info about Computer-Assisted Translation Tools (CAT) and how they work. We will also explore the different types of tools and workflows and how they differ from machine translation (MT).
You'll also discover the five best features of a CAT tool, from translation memory to in-context editing. This way, you can confidently ask about it during your conversations with language companies.
CAT tools benefit you, as a client, with the following:
Show your potential business partners that you've done your homework. Ask questions and dig deeper to know the real cost of your project and how much you can save.
A Computer-Assisted Translation Tool (CAT) is a software application (in-browser cloud-based, desktop, mobile app) designed to aid translators in their work. It breaks down the sorce text into smaller paragraphs and stores target language phrases in a translation memory.
When linguist encounters a similar segment in the future, the CAT tool suggests previous translations from memory, saving time and ensuring consistency.
Various types of tools are available in the market, ranging from standalone software and subscription-based to cloud-based CAT tool. Each has its own unique features and workflows, catering to different translation needs. They are common in the linguisti industry, as using them benefits all sides of the transaction.
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A CAT tool works by segmenting the source text into smaller units, such as sentences or paragraphs. These segments are then stored in a translation memory, along with their corresponding translations.
When a translator starts working on a new project, the CAT tool automatically (using AI) analyzes the source text and searches for similar segments in the translation memory. If a similar segment is found in the dictionaries, the tool suggests the previous translation, which can be used as-is or modified as needed. You can see the technical part of this process in the video below:
This process saves time and ensures consistency throughout the translated content. Translators can also add new translations to the memory, expanding it for future use.
This way, the longer you cooperate with the same language partner, the faster and more accurate translations you'll receive back. Better quality, shorter turnaround time, and at a lower cost by eliminating paying for repetitions. Too good to be true? Yet, it is.
Related content: A Guide to Understanding Translation and Localization Terminology
Translators and language companies really love CAT tools as they help create accurate translations in the client's preferred style and brand message. Unlike machine translation, which can be unreliable due to a lack of understanding of how we-people communicate. CAT tools break down the text into smaller parts and offer suggestions that fit the context. The human translator is always there to do the job.
Basically:
All terms seem similar for anyone not directly connected to the localization industry. It can be daunting to try to keep up with it. We're here to explain to you, in simple words, how you benefit as a client.
There are lots of CAT tools to choose from, like:
These tools work with different files, like HTML, PDFs, spreadsheets, and even WordPress. Speaking of file formats, translators who work with CAT tools can easily prepare any file you need, edit it, and save the correct format to send. Translation memory will give you plain text content in your desired target language. That's it. Someone still needs to proofread, edit, and prepare the files.
Can you see the savings? Because we do!
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Since this text is meant for clients, not professional linguists, let's explore the top five features of CAT tools that are total game-changers for your budget. Did someone say savings? This is where they come from.
Translation memory and glossary allow you to reuse previously translated segments and maintain consistent terminology with a centralized database of approved terms.
By taking advantage of these awesome features, translators working on your content can work faster and more efficiently, delivering high-quality translations on the first attempt. This cuts any revisions to a minimum. You get your files back faster, with fewer (or no) errors or mistakes. Pretty cool, right?
You get a guarantee of on-time translation delivery when working with a localization company as a client. Do you know why?
One thing is that you cooperate with professionals who use smart tools. Another reason is that when - for whatever reason - the linguist who started your project has to stop mid-work, another professional translator can replace the first one. You don't have to recruit someone else or move things around in your schedule.
The best part is: in the CAT tool, there's a handy collaboration functionality that allows for easy communication, resource sharing, and editing within the tool itself. With version control, everyone can work on the latest files to prevent confusion or errors. No matter who takes care of your translations.
Localization project managers assign tasks to linguists, monitor progress, and meet deadlines effectively. Collaboration features make coordination a breeze and ensure top-quality work. Again, you save time and money. Pretty neat, huh?
With terminology management in a CAT tool, translators create and maintain a database of your preferred terms and their translations. This feature allows easy access to approved translations, improving accuracy and efficiency. Translators can also add context and usage notes to the entries, providing additional guidance for consistent translations (for example, when another linguist has to finish the work started by someone else).
And you? You can rest easy knowing you are saving money without sacrificing quality.
Did you know that quality assurance is a super helpful feature in CAT tools? It helps identify any potential errors like missing translations or inconsistencies in terminology, which ultimately helps maintain high-quality standards and enhances the overall translation process.
With spell-checking, grammar checking, and terms management, the accuracy of text is improved. There's also no need for manual proofreading, aka the time and money is saved. By using these features, translators focus more on the creative aspects of translation.
QA feature in CAT tools helps to curb cost by limiting revisions to a minimum. Now, that's something!
Have you heard about in-context editing? It's a pretty cool feature that lets translators view and modify their work directly within the source text's context. This means they can quickly spot errors or inconsistencies in their translations and fix them.
And the best part? It improves accuracy and consistency throughout the whole document or project! No more switching between different software programs or desktop windows: the work gets done faster and with limited distractions. With in-context editing, linguists get a visual representation of how their translations seamlessly integrate into the final deliverable. It's a game-changer for your budget savings.
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Using a CAT tool impacts your translation budget and comes with several advantages. Besides saving time and money, you get the following:
All of that without compromising on quality or incurring unnecessary expenses.
With features like translation memories and glossaries, these tools help your business partner work faster while maintaining quality and consistency. Plus, they make collaboration with your language agency even easier.
And money?
Let's see an example of how CAT tools calculate savings.
Here is the number of words that are to be translated, together with the number of repetitions that the translation software detected within the text.
When the content is analyzed against the TM, which comes from previously delivered assignments for this project, it completely changes the situation. The translated segments stored in the TM allow us to reduce the client’s cost of translation with no damage to the translation quality.
This gives us 50.8% savings compared to the cost of the same text translated without the TM, and without the use of translation software.
The localization process can be optimized and made more efficient by using computer-assisted translation tools. These tools automate repetitive tasks, improve productivity, and ensure translation consistency. Translation memories stored in CAT tools allow translators to reuse previously translated segments, saving time and maintaining accuracy across projects.
Improved collaboration among translators is essential in the translation process, and a CAT tool can significantly facilitate this aspect. Multiple translators can seamlessly collaborate on projects in real time. A resource-sharing option makes sending files easier. Centralized database stores previously translated content. Collaborative features within CAT tools promote error reduction and improve the quality of translations through peer review and constructive feedback.
Automating repetitive translation tasks is a key feature of CAT tools. Translators save valuable time and increase their efficiency. These tools also come equipped with useful features like glossaries and terminology management, further enhancing translation accuracy. By automating repetitive tasks, CAT tools minimize the risk of human errors.
Creating a terminology database with a CAT tool is crucial for maintaining translation consistency and accuracy. This feature lets your language partner store and manage commonly used terms specific to your industry or company department. With a well-maintained database, translators access approved translations instantly, saving time on manual lookups. The more terms in the database to reuse, the lower the cost of your translation projects.
Consistency is key in translation, especially when using a CAT tool. Translators can ensure accuracy and maintain a consistent tone and style. With features like in-context editing and quality assurance checks, CAT tools provide a user-friendly interface for translators to improve their workflow, thus reducing the cost for the client.
Related content: How Does Translation Memory Affect Your Budget?
While looking for your long-term localization partner, ensure they have access to CAT tools and use them.
Don't just take the word for it. Ask to provide calculations based on your expected project scope and word count. Monitor your rates regularly. Insist on using translation memory and glossaries.
Invest time to communicate with your language company and provide them with all the necessary context that they need. Request your localization service provider to create translation termbase, specifically for your project, and make sure you get updated files with the latest version regularly.
CAT tools revolutionize the translation process by increasing efficiency, accuracy, and collaboration among translators. This is good news for you, the client. Provided that your language partner has access and uses the tools on. a daily basis.
CAT tools are a game changer for your budget! Your language partner works using them and you reap the rewards.
With features like translation memory, terminology management, and quality assurance checks, CAT tools streamline the localization process and ensure consistency across languages. But that's not all! Using CAT tools can also save you time and money, automate repetitive tasks, and create terminology databases to maximize your translation budget. Who wouldn't want that?
So, if you're looking to take your translation game to the next level and get the most out of your budget, partner up with localization agency that's already using CAT tools. Trust us, you won't regret it!
And to make things even easier, we can guide you and help to maximize your translation budget with CAT tools. Contact us now to set up virtual meeting. We'll talk about your translation needs and expectations and set up a plan to save your hard-earned dollars and to make the most out of your translation budget!
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