The language services industry has seen incredible advances in technology in the last few years. Computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools, software designed to aid translation and localization by breaking the text down into small segments, have been around for decades. They’ve grown significantly in popularity, helping translators accelerate their processes and ultimately ensuring businesses share information across different languages and cultures. Let’s explore the benefits that CAT is bringing to the world of localization.
Ensuring Consistency Throughout the Text
Regardless of what type of content is being translated, your organization wants consistency throughout the text. Whether it’s abbreviations, names, or terms, they should be used consistently throughout your organization and everything it publishes. An essential function of CAT tools is translation memory (TM). TM helps by suggesting previously translated strings of text. These phrases are stored within the TM’s database over time, helping accelerate the translation process by automatically suggesting recurring phrases and words and eliminating the need to retype them.
The larger the TM, the faster the process. Before the translation begins, the document’s content is analyzed against existing TM to calculate the word count and costs. Incorporating TM into the translation process passes cost savings along to your organization because it cuts down on time required to complete the translation.
Reducing Translation Time
One of the most significant advantages of CAT is it saves time and increases output. The software helps translators quickly translate text in less time than a manual process. Additionally, its ability to scan for repeated terms and phrases cuts back on time required for the translation process. The software’s ability to cross-reference previously translated documents also leads to faster turnaround times for your organization.
Improving Accuracy
Manual processes are known for leading to increased errors. With CAT software, translators minimize mistakes thanks to the database of previously translated content. Many CAT tools also have a built-in quality-assurance feature, which helps to auto-correct typos, and identify grammatical errors, inconsistencies, missing translations, and more. Since CAT stores text in segments, it also enables the translator to easily search for saved segments and replace copy without manually making edits later in the process.
Overall, CAT is an essential resource enabling translators to improve efficiency, accuracy, and consistency in the translation and localization process. Not only does it help ensure quality for your organization’s localized copy, but it also streamlines the workflow, in this way ultimately cutting back on the time needed to complete translations, and all without sacrificing quality.
TrueLanguage is an SDL-certified partner that’s there to provide your organization with accurate, thorough, reliable, and cost-effective translation and localization. Our services are designed to make expanding your brand and your reach possible. If you’re ready for localization that speaks volumes, reach out to one of our experts to receive your free quote.
