Name: Karel Samangun

Nim: C1A119002

My Assignment: Digital translation( Computer Assisted Translation Tools)

A. What are Computer Assisted Translation tools?

CAT tools are software applications that support the translation of text from one language to
another. More specifically, CAT tools for translation are used for submitting, editing,
managing, and storing translations. Many companies doing business across geographies and
cultures use a CAT software tool as part of their global strategy to automate their translation
projects end to end.

B. What is computer-assisted translation (CAT)?

 Computer-assisted translation is the process of using software to help a human
translator transfer the meaning of written text from one language to another

C. What does a computer assisted translation tipis do?

CAT tools for translation are engineered to automate translation-related tasks. The translator
can input text into the CAT software in the source language and use the interface to divide it
into segments—a phrase, sentence, or paragraph. Meanwhile, the software saves each source
segment and its corresponding translation as an entry in a database called translation memory.
The more content you translate, the more translation matches the software will be able to
reuse. This kind of automation significantly speeds up the translation process and ensures
consistency with past translations.

1. Machine translation vs. computer-assisted translation: What is the difference?

Machine translation (MT) is the process of using artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically
translate content from one language to another without any human input. As a core
functionality in modern translation management systems (TMS), machine translation is
especially effective for translating low-tier content. This kind of content usually does not
require translation precision or copywriting skills, e.g., technical documentation or user-
generated content.
Based on algorithms and probability, MT lacks some skills that humans have, like spotting
mistakes in the source text or picking up language nuances. Nevertheless, machine translation
engines have become more advanced over time and can be increasingly trained on data with
the help of post-editors. Combining MT engines and CAT tools, human translators can
streamline the translation process to deliver accurate, efficient, and high-quality results.

D. How does a CAT tool for translation work?

CAT tool software programs are designed to help translators do their job faster and more
efficiently. A CAT tool works by breaking the source text down into smaller segments and
storing all the source and translated segments in a database. They also come with a range of
editing and quality assurance tools like autosuggest, spellcheck, and more. A computer-
assisted translation workflow would usually involve the following steps:

 The translator opens the source text in a CAT program.

 The CAT tool extracts the content that can be translated (source content with images
or other non-text elements will not appear as translatables in the user interface).
 The CAT tool splits the text into translation units—normally phrases, sentences, or
paragraphs. These units are also known as segments.
 The CAT tool displays the source text field and the translation field side by side, one
segment after another.
 The translator types translations into the empty target segments until the translation
job is complete.
 Once a translation segment has been completed, the CAT tool saves the source text
and its translation together as a pair in a translation memory. The translator can return
to this pair at any time to make changes, and the translation memory will update
accordingly.
 The CAT tool will recognize identical or similar source-text segments and auto-fill
the corresponding translations in the target column, drawing from the translation
memory.
E. Common features of modern CAT tools

CAT tools are similar to text editor programs with added features for translation. There are
many CAT products on the market today, all with different features included. Nevertheless,
modern CAT tools tend to share several common features:

2. Translation memory
A translation memory (TM) is a record of previously created translations that is aligned with
source texts. You can use the translation memory function to split large multilingual
documents into translation segments—phrases, sentences, or paragraphs—stored in a
database. As soon as the translation memory finds identical translation segments (full
matches) or similar translation segments (fuzzy matches) in a new translation project, it will
let you reuse your previous translations with or without making changes. If you deal with
technical, legal, or scientific jargon, a translation memory comes in quite handy as you can
save all previously approved translations and use them again to save time and increase
consistency.
3. Term base (translation glossary)
Term bases, also known as translation glossaries, are databases providing definitions or
specific instructions for the use of translated terminology. You can think of it as a dictionary
you use alongside the translation memory to look up terms that are relevant to the company,
organization, or institution that you translate for. It helps to ensure the accuracy and
consistency of common or specialized terminology across translation projects. If it is well
integrated with your translation memory, it enables you to translate faster day by day.

4. Real-time collaborative teamwork

With a cloud-based CAT tool, you can invite your team of translators, reviewers, managers,
customers, or members of other teams, and ask for their input on specific translation
documents. Simply pre-translate the content, share it with your chosen collaborators, and you
can decide together on aspects like wording or tone of voice—all within the CAT software.
You can also coordinate your team and assign tasks with due dates.

5. Quality assurance functionality

Much like the spelling and grammar tools on text editor software, quality assurance (QA)
functionalities, such as internal spellcheck, prevent all kinds of errors from creeping into your
translation projects. QA tools can also find missing text or tags, deviations from approved
terminologies, or numeric mismatches. You can start the QA process before a project is sent
for translation, continue throughout translation and editing, and perform final checks even
after completing the final translation version. With QA, you can rest assured that your
translated content is of the highest quality possible, time after time.
6. Machine translation capability
As explained above, machine translation (MT) relies on AI to translate text. Users input text
in their source language, select their target language, and the MT engine generates the
translation. One advantage of machine translation is that it can be used to translate large
volumes of text quickly, which would be hardly possible using traditional translation
methods. It can be used to speed up the translation process by translating entire texts without
human input, or alongside human translators who would do machine translation post-editing.

F. What are the benefits of CAT tools?

CAT tools can handle everything from editing to quality assurance, using indexing tools,
applying formal rules or style guides, correcting formatting, and standardizing terminology.
With the aid of CAT software, your translation projects will improve in many ways.

7. CAT tools foster consistency

Thanks to translation memories and termbases within CAT tools, you can translate multiple
texts with the same consistent results every time. In fact, your CAT tool will also get smarter
the more you use it, as its translation memories—or database of previously used translation
units—will keep on expanding, i.e., there will be fewer words that you will have to translate
individually.

8. CAT software increases productivity

With a CAT tool, you no longer have to copy and paste your translations into a template.
Rather than taking precious time out of your day to type, edit, and format content, you can
focus only on translating the units that need translation. Your CAT tool will handle the rest
and will even generate a clean copy of your original file in the source language once you are
done.

9. A CAT translation tool is flexible

CAT tools make it easier for you to work flexibly with a team. You can invite team members,
collaborators, clients, etc. to collaborate on your translation projects in real-time. CAT tools
are also accessible across multiple platforms—on the web, desktop, and mobile. You can use
them on your preferred device, in the office, in your cloud, and on the move.

10. A CAT tool for translation caters to quality

With a CAT tool, you will be able to deliver high-quality translations consistently and
effortlessly. If you frequently have to produce texts using technical, financial, or industry-
specific jargon, then you know just how important tone and terminologies are. By referencing
internal or external language databases integrated into a CAT tool, you can pick up these
nuances more easily and translate texts more quickly.

11. CAT language translation is less costly

Thanks to their matching technology, CAT tools let you work more quickly and efficiently
every single time. Your translators and other team members no longer have to go through the
trouble of retyping the same translation several times in similar texts. Not only is the
translation process less costly for you, but you can also pass on this benefit to your clients in
the form of price discounts. It is a win-win situation for everyone involved.