Professional Language Translation Memory

Translation memory tools help our language experts ensure consistent terminology on large jobs. It also allows us to flow files from one format to another, accurately and quickly, reducing layout costs by as much as 75%.

Whenever you submit a job, your project manager will analyze your source file and check your Translation Memory to see if you are eligible for a discount. Since set-up charges apply, the Translation Memory is not right for every job.

The information in your Translation Memory is for your organization only, and the phrases in your database will never be used for anyone's work but your own. It remains your property. If you need a copy, just let us know and we'll provide a file within 48 hours.

Translation Memory Technology
Translation memory tools are designed to speed the translator's work by identifying repeated word strings and automating the non-translation parts of a job that bog a translator down and interfere with accuracy and consistency (e.g., hiding text and code that should not be translated).

1-800-Translate uses translation memory tools such as Wordfast, TRADOS, and Déjà Vu to create a database. Each memory tool has unique advantages that may make it better suited for one job or another. The database, called a corpus, consists of text strings in pairs, one column in source language and one in target language, each row a particular phrase, called a text-string pair.

Before beginning a translation for a new customer, the Translation Memory operator creates a database for each target language, importing any existing glossaries and previously translated material into the database. After the database is constructed, the operator pre-translates the document, which hides those parts of the file that should not be translated, such as formatting and numbers. The pre-translation also identifies repetition within the text, so a particular passage or phrase will only be translated once. The computer will also make fuzzy matches, which are suggestions to the translator for particular word choices.

Translation Memory Tool
The translator then translates the remaining text and reviews the entire job to correct for any errors. In addition to the file provided by the Translation Memory software, the translator also has the original materials on hand for the sake of continuity and consistency.

The completed translation is then edited, proofed, and exported to the target document, which could be in any format, including FrameMaker, SGML, and HTML. It is proofed again before going to the client. A round of customer changes is then implemented as required. DTP of documents takes about 25% of the time normally required, since the memory tool does the cut and paste. Memory tools can also be integrated into database-driven publishing projects using XML or FrameMaker to automatically generate output.

Better Consistency, Lower Costs
When editors no longer have to look for dropped lines, formatting or numerical errors, and terminological consistency, they can better concentrate on style and accurate translation. Most importantly, you are not charged for any reused text!