What is Computer Aided Translation and how does it work?
A Computer Assisted Translation (or CAT) program acts as a sort of interface between the original text and the translation. Basically, a translator uploads a file (such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) into a CAT program. The program then breaks down the file’s content into segments (usually sentence or phrases). It then puts the segments into a two-column table, with the original segments in the left-hand column, and a space for the translation of each segment in the right-hand column. The translator then goes through the table, translating each segment.
As the translator goes along, all segments (both the originals and their translations) are stored in a Translation Memory (or TM). For the next translation project, the CAT program can then check these segments to see if there are any matches with the new set of segments. Exact and fuzzy matches can then be automatically filled in everywhere they appear in the new project.
What are the advantage of using Computer Aided Translation?
Some of the advantages of using CAT are:
Time saving. If there are segments that repeat within the text, the CAT program automatically propagates (i.e. copies) the first appearance of the translation everywhere else it appears.
Shared translations. Some CAT programs (MemoQ among them) allow users to share a common TM. This means that if you are working on a large, multi-translator project, you will have access to the other translators’ segments.
Access to glossaries. CAT programs (including MemoQ) also allow users to create Terminology Databases (a fancy name for glossaries). These glossaries can be consulted at any time during the translation process.
Increased accuracy. The combined use of Translation Memories and glossaries can help translators increase the accuracy of the results.
Possibility of translating more file formats. By using CAT tools a translator can work on projects that normally he would not have been able of working on. Translating complex tagged formats such as HTML, XML, INX or others is as simple as translating Word files on a CAT tool.
I don’t use CAT now. Is MemoQ easy to use?
Yes. It has a very simple and intuitive interface (which is one of the reasons we chose it), and is much easier to learn than some of the other packages on the market. Training on MemoQ is provided by Lexcelera to its translators in various forms (see the Training page).
I already use CAT. How does it compare with my current tool?
If you use Trados or Wordfast, you should find MemoQ easier and more intuitive. If you use DejaVu, you will notice a great many similarities between MemoQ and DV.
How will I use MemoQ in the context of working with Lexcelera?
Bu using MemoQ your time setting up the project is reduced to a minimum since the project is prepared for you in-house. You will receive a single file that will contain a link to our Translation Memories and Term Bases in the server, the files to be translated already prepared and the projects basic information. This will allow the translator to focus on the translation and not on the technical aspects.
For projects where various translators are collaborating at the same time there is also the possibility of communicating inside the program itself in order to ensure the best quality.
How much does MemoQ cost?
Users who download MemoQ are automatically given a free, 45 day trial period. After that, the cost of a licence is 620 €, Lexcelera translators enjoy a 30% discount over any purchase.
