Businesses are creating and updating content for target audiences who speak different languages. How can this be done more quickly and accurately? One great option is Computer-Assisted Translation (also called Computer-Aided Translation).
What is Computer-Assisted Translation?
Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) is a software application used in website translation workflows, helping to automate the process. This translation tool allows translators and reviewers to handle translation and revision tasks faster, efficiently, and consistently.
CAT tools are commonly used by Language Service Providers (LSPs) and translation and localization companies. However, they are also commonly used by freelance translators and bilingual workers in organizations with significant localization needs.
How Do CAT Tools Work?
CAT tools automate tasks that a linguist would otherwise have to carry out manually. These tasks include managing translated content for submitting and editing. It first breaks down source content into translation units, often referred to as segments, usually phrases or paragraphs.
Essentially, CAT tools help translators work faster, more precisely, and in line with previous translations. This is especially helpful for niche translators who focus their translation skills on specialized areas or industries.
Computer-assisted translation is different from automated translation like Google Translate. It is important to understand this distinction. This technology do not replicate or replace a human's unique ability to interpret meaning.
Instead, computer-assisted translation augments human capabilities by doing what computers do best: comparing, storing, and retrieving data. Understanding how these tools work provides insight into the process for important translation and localization projects.
How Does Computer-Assisted Translation Work?
At the beginning of a translation project, a linguist or translator puts documents into a CAT tool. The tool shows the texts in a two-column table with sentences or text segments. The source appears in one column, and the target translation space appears in the other. These tools filter out formatting and other tags (such as HTML, XML, or tags used by design programs like Adobe InDesign), which simplifies the project for the translator by presenting only the translatable text.
It also protects the tags and code for documents, designs, software strings, or webpages. This function allows the linguist to export the translated content with the original formatting intact. Additional CAT tools include:
Translation Memory Tools
TM tools, including terminology databases, store language pairs, glossaries, or style guides in multiple languages. These tools allow a user to draw from past translations, so they don't need to produce the same translation more than once manually. Translation memory is especially effective for repetitive text like owners guides, NDA’s, and patent applications.
Terminology Managers
These tools help translators maintain consistent terminology throughout translations. Terminology managers enable a human translator to maintain consistent use of company-approved language by storing an uploaded glossary. This is vital to the proper translation of technical, scientific, and legal texts, which require a high degree of consistency and accuracy.
In-Context Translation
The "live preview" lets translators see their translation before publishing, a helpful feature that can change the game for them. An HTML preview pane shows how a current translation would look once exported to the existing website and makes for an easy review of the text within the user interface. This reduces the chances that a human translator will miss an error during the post-editing process and promotes high quality translations.
Desktop Publishing (DTP)
DTP is the redesign of a translated document using page layout software. After a translation is complete, the project goes to the DTP specialist, who will import the translated text and work on the design to mirror the original document's formatting. They also look at numerical formats and ensure they reflect the local currency, time, and date.
Computer-Assisted Translation vs. Machine Translation
People often use Computer-Assisted Translation and Machine Translation (MT) interchangeably, but they have several differences in translation. Machine translation software completely translates source texts using computer algorithms, with no humans involved throughout the process. With computer-assisted translation software, a professional translator uses different translation tools and apps to speed up the translation process.
The advantages of MT include reduced cost since computers can process a large amount of text almost instantly. Human post-editing is often necessary to ensure the accuracy of translated text and involves checking and making corrections to the translated text. This step helps to guarantee that the final version is accurate and error-free.
Machine learning and artificial intelligence are a whole different beast. Learn more about those here.
CAT Tools vs. Translation Management Systems (TMS)
Another advantage of CAT tools is that they can be integrated into translation management systems (TMS). Both computer-assisted translation and TMS tools are specialized translation solutions. TMS helps manage translation workflow but doesn't perform translations itself.
CAT tools can work within TMS to support translation workflow. If you try to use CAT tools and TMS separately, you may be doing the same tasks twice over.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Computer-Assisted Translation Tools
CAT tools are robust applications that feature both pros and cons. Some advantages and disadvantages of using computer-assisted translation and related tools include:
Speed/efficiency: Project turn-around time is a universal priority. This is where computer-assisted translation makes the most significant impact. Translation memory eliminates the need to translate the same words or phrases multiple times. This can save time and money in translation costs.
Consistency: Consistency is vital throughout all content, regardless of whether it's a brochure, website, or manual that's being translated. CAT tools retain and reuse information, allowing translators to keep on top of phrases and terms they have previously translated. This is also important during the review process to continue maintaining consistency.
There are also some disadvantages to utilizing CAT, as well:
Content is not localized: Since CAT programs are computer-led and offer word-for-word translation, programs don't understand nuanced translations. This is important for localizing websites or other content that needs contextually relevant information for a target audience.
Confidentiality/Security: CAT tools are web-based programs limiting information security. Entrusting sensitive corporate or personal information can be risky.
CAT Alone Won’t Cut It!
CAT tools include indispensable language search engines, translation memory, terminology management software, and spelling and grammar checkers. Of course, the quality of translated materials, even with CAT tools, depends significantly on the human translator. If you're looking to use CAT in-house, you'll need an internal team of translators, proofreaders and editors, quality assurance managers, and project managers.
One of the best qualities of CAT is adaptability. CAT tools are flexible and offer an opportunity to work quickly, efficiently, and accurately on a single, multiple, or mixed project simultaneously. Using computer assisted translation software with a website translation service offers you the chance to move your business toward your multilingual translation and localization goals.
Last updated on April 25, 2022
