Localization/CAT Tools

General concepts

Computer Assisted Translation Tool helps to pipeline the localization process. It is an all-in-one tool that integrates project management, MT integration, terminology management, string alignment, scope analysis, look up and other functions. CAT Tool improves consistency and productivity by making recycling and terminology maintenance easier. There are many sophisticated tools in the marketing designed for different type of tasks (i.e. UA CAT tool/SW CAT tool). For more information on Computer Assisted Translation, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer-assisted_translation

Editor

CAT tool's Editor is where you can translate, review and edit the target text. Any robust CAT tool will have a side-by-side view for the source and target text with TM search and Termbase result displaying to make the translation and review process as efficient and smooth as possible. Some CAT tools have a pop-up window for a preview of the translated document which can be useful especially when the layout is important. Translatable source texts will be displayed in segments and each segment will contain either sentences or paragraphs according to the setting. Once a translation is complete for a segment, it can be finalized or locked to prevent unintentional edit and track the progress of the translation. Also, if there's any TM exists associated with a segment, the CAT tool will display that result denoting the match type(100%, Fuzzy Match, No Match, Repetition, In-Context Match) which often reduces the translation time.

Additional read about Segmentation

TM

TM aka Translation Memory is a linguistic database that enables you to use your translations for the future work. It stores the source language and the corresponding translation in segments, also known as translation units (TU), that can be as long as a paragraph, sentence, phrase, or simply a string of words. The program looks for fuzzy matches in the source text between the new and the previous tasks, providing suggestions of translation accordingly. It is a major function of many CAT tools. For more information on TM, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Translation_memory.

Termbase

A terminology database, or termbase, is an integrated module within a CAT tool that serves as a compilation of terminology and may also contain associated information regarding defined words or phrases. Types of information contained within a termbase for entries include source and target language terminology, definitions, usage examples, and metadata. Termbase entries are useful to assign to terms, words, or phrases that are potentially ambiguous in meaning, are product specific (marketing/branding), technical, or that can possibly be translated into a forbidden or taboo expression. Pre-organized termbases and glossaries may be imported into CAT tools, but may also be organized and edited by the user. Utilizing a pre-organized termbase can enable a translation project to maintain consistent standards as well as a consistent message, as suggested or mandated target language terminology for specified words or phrases are clearly defined for the user. Projects containing multiple assigned translators will have a uniform degree of quality if adherence to data contained in the termbase is followed. Examples of termbases:

• United Nations Terminology Database
• Microsoft termbase

Some common tools

• MemoQ, Memsource, Trados, WorldServer, Smartling.....

SW CAT Tool: Microsoft Locstudio, SDL Passolo, Alchemy Catalyst

UA CAT Tool: SDL TRADOS, OmegaT, CafeTran ESPRESSO