Translation memory tools (TM) aid human translators in producing translations through the use of software-based databases. Many translation agencies use Trados, which allows translators to take advantage of repetition throughout the document to make translation quicker and more effective.
Documents and projects which would be good candidates for use of TM tools include those that are:
• Highly repetitive
• Technical in nature
• Large-volume translations
• Newer versions of previously translated materials
TM databases are continually growing entities which work best the more the translator uses them. Because all previous translations are stored in the software, any time a phrase or sentence recurs in a text, the TM tool produces either a 100% match or a “fuzzy” match (one that is close but not exact). The translator can either accept the match or manually translate the phrase or sentence.
Trados, one of the most popular TM tools, is especially effective if a document has many repetitions. Trados is also useful in creating consistency among various translations with similar language and phrasing. If the client has a large volume translation that many different translators will work on, using Trados also allows for consistency among the sections that each is translating.
What are the benefits to a client?
If the client has established a relationship with one particular translation agency, and that agency uses TM software, the translators will be able to more quickly produce accurate, consistent translations because the client’s previous translations are already in the database. Subsequent translations will all be similar in tone and phrasing as those done first. Some translation agencies will charge less for a document if there is a lot of repeated content across various documents.
A client can also benefit if an agency uses Trados to capture repeated content within large-volume translations. If the agency gives discounts for translation of text with many repetitions, a client can lower costs and save money.
Translation agencies which use Trados and offer discounts for repetitive large volume texts and repletion across numerous different texts would be the best choice for clients who have a constant need for consistent, high-quality translations.
Our understanding of 100% match words extracted from Trados means that those words do not need to be translated at all but we are still being charged by translators for that. If that is so, how could Trados maintain cost savinfgs for the end users.
“Many translation agencies use Trados, which allows translators to take advantage of repetition throughout the document to make translation quicker and more effective.”
You’re right, the documents that can most take advantage of Trados are technical documents and other dry, repetitive texts. Natural language translation involving turns of phrase and slang is much, much more difficult to achieve accurately.