Discover what computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools are, how they work, and the key advantages they bring to professional translation projects.
From websites to MS Office documents and publishing files – CAT tools are now standard in translation. Learn why they’re indispensable. Welcome!
CAT applications (Computer Aided Translation or Computer Assisted Translation) are translation-support tools. These solutions help translators work faster, more efficiently, and more accurately.
CAT tools include Trados (now SDL Trados Studio) and Transit (Transit XV and Transit NXT), among others. Trados is widely considered the industry standard – a highly refined CAT tool with a long-standing reputation for delivering invaluable translation support.
Using CAT tools also enables more efficient translation of files and website content—a core specialty of our translation agency. More »
Most professional translators utilize computer-assisted translation software. They can’t afford reduced quality, slower turnaround times, or lower efficiency. Today’s translation work must be faster and at a higher standard—achievable only with CAT tools.
When contacting a translator or agency, always ask if the translation will be done using Trados or a comparable tool.
Our agency assigns every project to professional translators specializing in their fields. For them, both efficiency and working comfort are essential. Moreover, CAT tools offer excellent translation quality control. Their use benefits both the translator and the client.
You'll benefit from higher quality, faster turnaround, and potentially lower costs. CAT tools don’t translate for the human, but they significantly enhance the process.
A CAT tool loads the file intended for translation and splits it into smaller units (called segments). The translator then works segment by segment.
Throughout the process, the translator can revisit previously translated content to review, improve, or compare it with the current segment.
One of the key benefits of CAT tools is the translation memory. It’s typically a file or database where the CAT tool stores source text along with its translations.
When a translator encounters a segment identical or similar to one already translated, the tool automatically suggests the previous translation.
Identical segments appearing again in the text are known as repetitions. Segments that are mostly similar are called fuzzy matches.
A CAT tool can be configured to automatically apply translations stored in the translation memory whenever it detects repetitions—segments identical to those already translated.
The more repetitions and similar segments a text contains, the faster and more cost-effective the translation becomes.
Imagine a spare parts catalog listing a hundred items, each available in multiple variations. Each variant includes the part name and an additional numeric identifier.
CAT tools save time by avoiding repeated translations of recurring names, page by page.
Thanks to the use of computer-assisted translation tools, the translation process is limited to translating only the first occurrence of each name. All subsequent occurrences are automatically translated by the tool – in a matter of seconds.
As a result, translating an entire catalog costs and takes almost the same time as translating just a hundred names. The larger the catalog, the greater the benefit of using computer-assisted translation tools. It is also worth noting that all repeated terms will be translated exactly like the first occurrence – ensuring 100% consistency in the final translation.
Using CAT tools directly helps optimize the key parameters of translation, i.e., delivery time, cost, and translation quality.
The time and overall cost of translation directly depend on the number of repetitions and similar segments within the document or across multiple files in a translation project.
On the other hand, higher quality is achieved through three key features available in most CAT tools:
CAT tools ensure not only consistency in translation of identical or similar segments through the use of translation memories. Equally important is the ability to manage terminology.
Many documents have specific requirements and demand the use of specialized terminology. In such cases, it is crucial for this terminology to be used consistently throughout the document, the document set, or across successive versions of documentation, such as updated user manuals.
Computer-assisted translation applications are equipped with a special module for terminology management. You can upload a list of key terms along with their translations, so that when any of these terms appear in the source text, the translator receives a prompt suggesting the precise term to use.
This enables consistent terminology usage even when documents are translated by different translators. Each translator can be provided with a terminology list, and the tool ensures that it is followed.
In translation, quality is paramount. It depends on the translator’s knowledge and experience. Precision, diligence, and commitment are key. The result should be a faithful rendering that includes the original information and nothing more.
Inaccurate or imprecise translations with errors due to carelessness or lack of expertise are unacceptable. That is why CAT tools offer features that help ensure translation quality.
Nearly all CAT tools include a QA module (short for quality assurance). Its role is to enable multi-level translation checks.
The QA module verifies whether the entire text has been fully translated, ensuring there are no untranslated fragments, among other checks.
and many other cases defined as translation errors.
One of the undeniable advantages of using computer-assisted translation tools is a feature particularly valuable in translation – the ability to preserve the original formatting of the document.
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A CAT tool imports the source document, divides the contained text into segments, and presents them to the translator. It preserves all or most formatting information, document structure, page layout, and more.
After the translation is completed, the export translation function is launched. The program saves a file that consists of the original document loaded at the start and the completed translation, which is embedded in place of the source text.
This way, a copy of the original is created with the source text replaced by the translation done in the CAT tool. If the QA Checker (quality check module) is run before export, it ensures the translation retains the same formatting as the original text — for example, bold text in the original will also be bold in the translation.
Slavis Translation Agency has been using computer-assisted translation tools like Trados, Transit, and Wordfast for many years. These tools make the translator’s work easier and ensure excellent quality control. We use CAT tools for nearly all our translations – in all languages. We invite you to benefit from our services!
Computer-assisted translation tools are the foundation of modern translation. They enable a level of quality that was unimaginable just a few years ago.
Precision, unparalleled control options, and compliance with guidelines are invaluable. Additional benefits include significant cost savings and faster turnaround times.
Our translation agency provides translation services in accordance with ISO 17100:2015 Translation Services.