Plenty of linguists, including the team here at ABC Translations, rely on translation memory (TM) tools to back up their work. But what does a TM system actually do, and what is it for?
What Is a Translation Memory System, and How Does It Work?
At its core, a TM system is a database with smart search and storage built in, letting the translator pull up terms or phrases they have rendered before. Whatever sits inside the memory acts as reference, offered up for reuse whenever new text looks the same or close to it. So a phrase, segment, or term already handled once does not need fresh work; the translator simply reviews the suggestion and accepts it. Every stored segment was written by a human linguist in the first place. That is the key difference from machine translation: a memory only assists; it never replaces the person doing the job.
What Are the Benefits of Working With a Translation Memory System?
TM tools are popular with freelance linguists for good reason. They pay off for you and for the translator in several ways. To start, leaning on stored phrases and terms cuts turnaround time and lifts efficiency, since the linguist can pull from earlier work. Consistency improves too, because the right specialist vocabulary is easier to keep steady from one sentence to the next. There is a cost angle as well: these systems flag repeated wording across a document, and at our agency the client's final price drops once repetition crosses a set threshold.
The 6 Most Popular Translation Memory Systems
The market holds a number of TM providers, and most of them deliver much the same thing with only minor differences between them. Picking one is really up to the individual linguist. Even so, a handful show up again and again:
- Trados Studio
- Déjà Vu
- MemoQ
- WordFast
- Across
- Alchemy Catalyst
To repeat the point from earlier, none of these databases work like a Google Translate-style machine. The actual translating is always carried out by a qualified human, who simply draws on the memory for backup. The linguist stays fully in charge and chooses, segment by segment, whether to take a suggestion, change it, or set it aside.
Which Translation Projects Suit a TM Best?
You can put a translation memory to use on nearly any kind of project. It shines, though, on long documents loaded with specialist vocabulary. Think technical manuals and product catalogs, plus websites, apps, and online stores. In fields like law, medicine, engineering, and business, keeping the right terms accurate and steady really matters, which is exactly why TM tools see so much use there. As for language coverage, there is almost no limit to where a memory can help, and ABC works across 120+ languages.
Have a question about translation memory, or a document that needs a professional translation? Reach out whenever it suits you. Give us a call or drop us an e-mail, and we will talk through your specific project together.
