
For those who are wondering if professional translation can be substituted by a machine or even Google translation, it may be useful to understand first of all what is machine translation and how professional translation providers use it noways.
How does machine translation work and can it replace professional translation yet?
The machine translations can be done using CAT tools, which are basically Computer Assisted Translation. The tools have both advantages and disadvantages when it comes to translating documents by professional translation companies. Over recent years these tools have become very popular with translators as it enables them to conserve time, quality and money.
How long does it take to translate is a question that has become easier to answer due to the use of these translation tools. One of the biggest advantages of these tools is the translation memory, however it does have advantages and disadvantages for the translators and only advantages for clients.
One of the biggest advantages of translation memory is that it offers a large memory capacity and this is likely to improve the consistency of work. The memory software saves pairs of text and then reproduces it whenever the same source language uses the terms and this includes other places within the same document that it is used.
This software can help to maintain the consistency of the translation and it then becomes more consistent and efficient. The stored text can then be applied to other documents where the same words are used and this is extremely helpful when it comes to the style of the document and the terminology that is used.
Research has found that terminology accounts for about seventy five per cent of the professional translation providers time. The translation memory software is able to save time when it comes to terminology because it will save it and make use of it when the same words are used. This memory software can be very useful when it comes to getting large documents translated as often terms will be repeated and after the first time these are stored in the memory.
Another advantage of the translation memory software is that it will increase the level of productivity and this is good news for the professional translation provider, as it will enable them to increase their income. Despite the advantages of this software there are disadvantages as well which means that it can only be used for technical documents, which is made up from a certain amount of repetitive text.
Overall, it can be summarized that today, machine translation can be used only as a help-tool for professional translation, not a way to get documents translated for free.