Quality » Technology » CAT Tools
Computer Aided Translation (CAT) software supports the work of translators and proofreaders. CAT Tools are based on Translation Memory, which is a database of all the texts translated by a particular company. CAT programmes are used for analysis and control, building translation databases and specialist glossaries that are created for particular clients.
At the document analysis level, CAT Tools assess the source text volume, in turn providing character and word counts. Next, the entire original text is divided into sections and any repeats are sought. Finally, each translated sentence, alongside its original counterpart, is stored in the Translation Memory. It is in this way that a collection of translation units (the original text fragments and their corresponding translations) is created; this is a starting point for any further projects. The programme searches the Translation Memory for any previously translated segments, which thereby significantly improves the translator’s work and ensures language coherence across the document.
CAT Tools also support the creation of specialist glossaries, which are individually prepared and approved for each client. Glossaries enable the collection of key terms and phrases that are important to particular customers. In specialist literature, we often come across terms that need to be used in order for the document to be comprehensible for the respective readers, as well as consistent with the nomenclature of a particular company or sector. Glossaries ensure terminological consistency across all the projects carried out for particular clients.
The use of CAT Tools significantly improves the quality of the translated text and enables independence from one single translator. Translation Memory and glossaries that are created especially for particular clients constitute detailed reference material, which is passed on to each subcontractor working on the project. Therefore, we can guarantee full cohesion and coherence across all the translations performed.
LIDO-LANG Technical Translations utilises the following CAT Tools:
- Trados
- SDLX
- XTM
- Transit
- Wordfast
- Deja Vu
