Translation Memory Systems
Through the use of highly developed translation memory systems, such as Across, Trados, Déjà Vu and Transit, KERN can incorporate databases into the translation process.
What is a translation memory?
A translation memory system is a program that saves source text segments and the corresponding translations by KERN specialist translators in pairs and allows the reuse of these translated text segments for repeated text passages. The translation of the text and the saving of the source and target text segments in a translation memory form the basis for the translation of a similar future translation.
A translation memory thus resembles a linguistic suggestion system and forms a sort of “memory extension”. This must in no way be confused with machine translation in which the translation is automatically generated with a computer program. Particularly promising is the use of translation memories in the translation of texts with a high update frequency, with reoccurring sentences or similarities with other texts.
Examples of suitable translation projects:
- Technical handbooks and product catalogs
- Operation instructions
- Websites, software and help files
- Documentation on different product varieties produced by a manufacturer or on similar products produced by different manufacturers
- Legal documents
In order to use a translation memory system, it is essential that the text that is to be translated is available in a machine-readable format and can be opened by the editor that is to be used. The team from KERN then checks whether processing your texts with a translation memory system is advisable and prepares the documents for the appropriate processing.
The KERN team can also carry out an retrospective analysis of available translations which were not translated with the help of a TMS via an alignment. The goal here is also to build a translation memory database for future translation projects and obtain the highest level of consistency possible regarding future translations.
Benefits of a TM system
Uniform company language
With the use of TM systems in different company areas, the development of a uniform company language is supported. This contributes noticeably to the communicative impression left by your company, both internally and externally. Preservation of your corporate identity is thus guaranteed.
Securing of a company's expertise
Alongside the development of uniform company language, the linguistic and technical knowledge of individual employees across the company is also gathered and stored.
Better quality – simplified approval
TM systems guarantee the use of company-specific wording and terms across the board in different document types. In the case of early participation of your national offices in building a TM database, the approval of a translated text from another national office is simplified due to a high level of linguistic consistency.
Increased linguistic consistency
When using several translators or when processing different documents, a TM guarantees that the translated texts will be uniformly worded. It also removes the necessity for laborious and time-consuming subsequent checks for consistency of the terminology.
Quicker delivery times
With the optimization of the translation process, working time is saved. In this way, the translation capacity per time unit is increased and the time needed for your product launch is significantly reduced.
KERN Global Language Services can also create a plan for you for using translation memory systems to optimize the translation processes in your company.
Inquiries and advice
Do you want more information about our translation memory systems? Get in touch!
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