Translation Memory, a useful tool your translators should be using

Today, translation memory (TM) tools are everywhere.  Most translators and translation firms are using TM for contracts, legal documents and technical translation projects. 

25 years ago when the owner of Iterotext designed our own proprietary TM tool, no one else was using this.   We began creating this program due to our client’s to help save time and to increase consistency and ultimately save our clients money.

According wikipedia TM is:

“A translation memory, or TM, is a type of database that is used in software programs designed to aid human translators.  Some software programs that use translation memories are known as translation memory managers (TMM).A translation memory consists of text segments in a source language and their translations into one or more target languages. These segments can be blocks, paragraphs, sentences, or phrases. Individual words are handled by terminology bases and are not within the domain of TM.” 

One of the benefits of TM is that it ensures that the translated documents are consistent, including common definitions, phrasings and terminology.   A translation memory can help accelerating the overall translation process; since translation memories “remember” previously translated material, translators have to translate it only once. Ultimately, a TM Can reducing costs of long-term translation projects; for example the text of manuals, warning messages or series of documents needs to be translated only once and can be used several times.

Typically the segments are broken down into three areas:

New matches – which is a segment that has not been translated before and will be charged at full price.

Fuzzy matches – which is a segment that is typically 80%-99% similar to a segment that was previously translated and is translated at a discount.

100% exact matches – which  is a segment that has been translated before and only needs to be proofread for context.

There are several different programs out there.  Some are free and some you have to pay for.  We use SDLX and Trados which are now owned by the same company.  We use the professional version which has more flexibility and options.  Each translator and agency use the program and service level that is appropriate for their work and budget constraints.  Since Iterotext specializes in the work that requires TM we have spared no expense to ensure that our clients’ projects are timely, consistent and cost effective.