Translation Technologies

Machine translation or Free Translation

Machine translation or web based "free translation" have computer algorithms that process syntax to create what is essentially only a rough redition of the source language. This technology is over 30 years old and every year new claims are made about the capability of newer and faster programs. In practise the machine language application is extremely limited and to date it has has been shown to be slightly more useful than an online dictionary. There are numerous humourous language bloopers attributed to human translation, machine translation however excels in the IT maxim of "rubbish in rubbsh out" The nature of language insists on human intervention for its correct rendering. CTC only provides professional translation services and does not provide machine translation/ free translation services.

Unlike machine translation, Computer-Aided Translation (CAT) supports the translator and increases his/her productivity.

CAT tools aid the translator in the following ways:

• Prevents repetitive work,
• Automates terminology look-up activities,
• Leverages previously translated texts.

» Translation Memory tools

Like a piggy bank, the more you put into a translation database, the more beneficial it becomes. Here's how it works:

When a source text is opened with a translation memory tool, the text is divided into segments. Each segment is stored as a record in the database. During the translation process, the source/target segments are automatically stored in the memory.
If identical or similar sentences occur in the source text, the translations are automatically retrieved from the database and inserted into the target text. If the sentence produced is identical to the source sentence found in the memory, it is automatically retrieved and is called a “full match”. A similar sentence is called a “fuzzy match” (for example, a sentence where only one word has changed). Fuzzy matches are then edited to correspond to the source text.

» Terminology tools

Most translation memory tools also have terminology applications (glossaries) which interact with the translation memory and automatically look up terminology during the translation process.

Terminology databases can be built up gradually during the translation process or can be generated from any existing glossary in Excel format – importing a glossary with thousands of entries into a terminology database takes less than a minute.
The participation of the client is encouraged, and most terminology databases are created in collaboration with the client. When glossaries for each client are prepared or updated, they are submitted to the nominated 'expert' representative for approval. In this way the database stays up-to-date and is readily accessible to the translation teams for consistency each and every time.

» Software Localisation tools

Software localisation tools have been developed for translators to help automate the process of localising software applications for international markets. These tools translate graphical user interfaces and allow translators to view their translations in context. For example, translations can be entered directly into a dialog box and then saved.

Software localisation tools also contain features for automatically translating updated software with previously translated versions, and for running basic tests on localised software – for example by checking if no translated text has been truncated in the screens because of space restrictions.

CTC has 15 years of experience in Computer-Aided Translation tools and project managemet. If you have any questions please or would like to discuss your oncoming project please call or send an email to a CTC office nearest to you.

 

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