Translating your website into just 8 languages enables you to reach 80% of the online purchasing power globally. This is the impact of translating your content for a global audience.
Fortunately, you don't have to handle all of this manually.
In fact, nearly 88% of professional translators rely on at least one computer-assisted translation (CAT) tool to facilitate their work. The reason is simple: CAT tools not only save time but also streamline the translation process, leading to more accurate results.
Our guide will walk you through how to effectively use CAT tools to their full potential and maximize the impact of these resources.
But first, let's cover the basics.
Computer-assisted translation (CAT) or computer-aided human translation involves the use of specialized software to assist and support human translators in their work. In this approach, human translators are primarily responsible for the translation process, while computers play a supportive role, helping to reduce the time and effort required for translation.
CAT differs from machine translation (MT), which focuses on automating translation using computer algorithms. More on this later.
Most CAT tools available in the market come with features such as:
CAT tools can be extremely useful in empowering translators to do their work more efficiently and effectively.
Here’s a streamlined overview of a typical workflow when using CAT tools:
Translators agree that using translation software like CAT tools increases their productivity by at least 30%.
And here’s why:
Before exploring CAT tools further, it’s important to understand how they differ from other machine translation (MT) tools on the market.
As we said in the beginning, computer-assisted translation and machine translation work differently and serve distinct purposes. Here’s how.
MT automatically analyzes the source text and generates a translation in the target language. While this method is effective for straightforward content, it often falls short when it comes to capturing cultural nuances. As a result, human post-editing is usually necessary to ensure quality.
In essence, although MT tools aim to streamline the translation process, they frequently lack the level of quality that human translators can provide.
In contrast, CAT tools do not automate the translation process; instead, they enhance the capabilities of human translators through features like translation memory (TM) and terminology management. This approach boosts workflow efficiency while allowing human oversight throughout the process.
In some cases, these tools may also incorporate MT capabilities to further improve productivity.
With recent technological advancements, many organizations have moved towards a more integrated localization strategy. This approach blends the speed of MT with the accuracy and consistency offered by CAT tools, typically utilizing a cloud-based solution known as a Translation Management System (TMS).
A Translation Management System (TMS) is an all-inclusive platform that integrates machine and computer-aided translations with project management functionalities. It complements your CMS or code repository, supporting multilingual content creation.
To put it simply, TMS is not a standalone software. Instead, it has built-in localization features, including CAT features, and/or integrates with such tools to implement the end-to-end translation process.
For instance, Transifex is an all-in-one AI-driven platform for managing your translations and localization. It’s packed with all the necessary CAT-tool features like TM, QA features, and integrated glossaries, as well as powerful localization features and integrations into a central AI-powered hub to support you throughout the project lifecycle.
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Using the right software can help you cut translation costs by 90%, which would otherwise be spent on manual processes, database searches, or costly human translation.
But with so many CAT and MT tools in the market, choosing the one that best suits your business needs can be overwhelming. You must also figure out which features matter for your business and the tool’s limitations.
This is where Transifex can help with its end-to-end localization solution. The AI-powered localization platform removes the need for separate CAT tools, and external MTs through its all-in-one TMS solution.
Outperforming over 30 competitors and ranked as the #1 translation and localization software by G2, here are the top Transifex features that make it stand out:
As we mentioned earlier, Transifex has powerful CAT features, one of which is Translation Memory (TM).
Transifex TM stores your translations as phrases or words. And when it comes across another phrase that is 100% identical, it automatically fills up the translation for you. However, if a phrase is 1% inaccurate, the tool provides you with TM suggestions instead of an automatic fill-up.
You can easily enable the TM “Fill Up” option to automate the process or keep it disabled if you want to review the available suggestions before adding the final translation.
But it’s not just about the translation accuracy. The context of your translated content plays an equally important role. To help with this, Transifex’s TM also provides a “Context Matching” option.
Simply enable the option from the settings and start adding context to phrases by using the editor while translating. This ensures your content conveys the intended message in all target languages.
To grow a global business, you must build a consistent brand image that transcends borders. This is where glossaries and style guides can come in handy.
Transifex allows you to easily link your project to any existing glossaries. You can also create your unique style guides and assign them to projects. All your industry-specific terms and brand voice guidelines are now available within a single interface.
Note that glossary terms are automatically underlined inside the Transifex Editor so that translators can refer to the Glossary for that string in real-time. You can also refer to the Style Guide from the editor's header.
The latest upgrade to Transifex is the addition of artificial intelligence (AI). It leverages your glossaries, company profile, labeled data, TM, and our human experts to provide automated, context-based translations that speak your unique voice.
With 75% fewer manual tasks and 10x faster time-to-market, Transifex’s AI engine allows you to:
Unlike third-party ML engines, Transifex’s AI-powered localization platform incorporates your company's unique context into translation and integrates with your workflow.
Transifex AI produces over 65% of translations that require minimal to no edits.
But don’t just take our word for it, Sign Up for a 15-day free trial and see it for yourself.
Transifex provides advanced collaboration tools so that you can bring developers, translators, marketers, and product managers together in one place. You can also customize your workflow according to your unique needs.
It features an easy-to-use dashboard that allows you to track your progress and translation status at a glance. This way, you can quickly identify which content has been translated, what remains unfinished, and any outstanding issues that need attention..
Alternatively, you can view your project progress and status as per the assigned team tasks.
The right translation or localization solution must be compatible with your current tech stack and meet your individual needs.
Transifex brings multiple such features to help simplify integrating the platform into your workflow, including:
Want to try out the tool for your translation project? Get a 15-day free trial or Book a demo.
Choosing the right CAT tool is crucial; it should align with your needs and integrate smoothly with your team's workflow. After all, the goal is to enhance your productivity, not complicate things further.
Here’s a simple guide to choosing the right CAT tool for your business:
Once you have selected a CAT tool, implement it into your workflow using the following steps:
The first step to a smooth implementation is to provide comprehensive training and onboarding for your team members.
Offer tutorials, documentation, and hands-on practice sessions to familiarize them with the tool's interface and functionalities. Ensure everyone understands how to use key features such as translation memory, glossaries, and quality assurance checks.
Now it’s time to customize the CAT tool's workflows to fit your organization's unique requirements. Start by defining processes for translation, review, and approval.
Don’t forget to establish guidelines for using features such as translation memory, glossaries, and style guides. Always ensure that workflows are clear and well-distributed among the team members.
Once you have defined all prerequisites, integrate the CAT tool with your existing systems.
Ensure your CAT tool is compatible with your CMS, VCS, and other platforms in your workflow. Configure settings and permissions to facilitate collaboration and data sharing across the platforms.
When you start a new translation project, you’ll import the document you are translating (the source text) into your CAT tool. Most tools can handle different file formats, so no need to worry if it's a Word doc, PDF, or something else.
CAT tools segment the document you translate into smaller, more manageable pieces. As you translate each segment, the CAT tool checks its TM to see if it remembers translating something similar.
If it finds a match, it suggests the translation. You can now accept the suggested translation, edit it a little if needed, or skip it altogether if the context is different.
However, don't just rely on the TM's suggestions. CAT tools also have QA features to help you catch typos, mistakes, or anything that sounds irrelevant.
Continuously assess the performance of your CAT tool to pinpoint improvement areas. Gather feedback from team members and clients to ensure their satisfaction and address any challenges or issues.
You can also use the built-in analytics and reporting features to track key metrics such as translation speed, quality, and cost savings.
So, you have chosen your CAT tool and integrated it into your workflow. Now, you are ready to translate.
Here are some bonus tips to get the most out of your CAT tools:
No matter if you opt for a dedicated CAT tool or an integrated solution like Transifex, implementing the strategies mentioned will significantly enhance your global strategy.
To experience the benefits of Transifex firsthand get a 15-min demo today!
CAT tools offer freelance translators and translation agencies numerous benefits, including increased productivity, translation consistency, and efficient workflow management.
Freelancers can use CAT tools to provide faster output and easily manage different projects. On the other hand, agencies can use them to coordinate larger translation projects with multiple team members.
CAT tools can automate certain aspects of the translation process, however, they typically require human input to produce accurate and contextually appropriate translations.
So, while they facilitate the translation process, they do not translate entire documents automatically without human oversight.
Several free translation memory (CAT) software options are available, each with its strengths and limitations. However, the "best" software depends on individual preferences, project requirements, and familiarity with the tool's interface and features.
One of the leading translation and localization solutions in the market – Transifex, though not free, comes with a 15-day free trial to test the software for your project.