How to streamline translation operations? Introducing the benefits and drawbacks of representative tools.

1. What are the key points to streamline translation work?

There are three ways to streamline translation work:

■Utilizing Machine Translation and Post-editing
The use of technology using AI is becoming more widespread. AI translation, such as DeepL, is one of them, and machine translation and post-editing are essential in translation work. By introducing machine translation and post-editing, translation time can be shortened and translation costs can be reduced, regardless of the amount of text to be translated.

However, since machine translation may contain errors, it is necessary for humans to check and correct the translated text by machine translation. This process is called "post-editing". For example, if there is a need to translate a large amount of text in a short period of time, the entire text is first translated using machine translation, and then humans perform post-editing.

For more information on machine translation, please see Introduction to the History and Popular Software of AI Translation.

■Utilizing CAT Tools (Translation Support Tools)
In translation work, multiple people are involved, such as project managers (coordinators), translators, and reviewers (checkers). Among them, CAT tools are particularly used to support the work of translators and reviewers, and to improve the efficiency and quality of translation work. CAT tools have four functions: translation memory, machine translation, terminology database, and quality check. Among these, translation memory and machine translation enable the streamlining of translation work.

Translation memory is a database that stores pairs of original text and translated text that have been translated in the past. When translating for the first time, the original text and translated text are registered in the translation memory, and thereafter, by referring to the translation memory, there is no need to translate the same sentence multiple times. For sentences that do not exist in the translation memory, they are first machine-translated in collaboration with an external machine translation service and then post-edited.

For an overview of CAT tools, please see What are CAT tools? Explanation of benefits and drawbacks.

■Utilizing Translation Management System (for Project Managers)
On the other hand, the Translation Management System supports and streamlines the work of Project Managers. By implementing a Translation Management System, benefits such as centralization of information, automation of processes, and confidentiality can be obtained. Among these, centralization of information and automation of processes contribute to the efficiency of translation work.

By centralizing information, the exchange of files between project managers and translators is streamlined, resulting in shorter translation periods. Additionally, automation of processes eliminates the need for manual email exchanges between workers, further shortening translation periods.

For an overview of the translation management system, please refer to What is a Translation Management System?.

2. Types of services that can streamline translation and their respective advantages and disadvantages

■Machine Translation
Representative services include DeepL and Google Translate. Generally, DeepL is able to provide more fluent and natural translations. However, there is a higher chance of "lost in translation" occurrences where certain phrases or words from the original text are not translated. As for Google Translate, while it may not be as fluent, it is more faithful to the original text and has fewer instances of "lost in translation". Both services can improve translation speed, shorten translation time, and reduce translation costs.

For more information on the translation accuracy of DeepL and Google Translate, please see the latest trends in machine translation and a comparison between "DeepL" and "Google Translate".

■CAT Tools
Some of the representative tools include Phrase TMS (formerly known as Memsource) and Trados Studio. Generally, Phrase TMS is used through a web browser, while Trados Studio requires installation on a computer for use.

The advantage of Phrase TMS is that it can be used only with a web browser. Many companies have been forced to work from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but with just a web browser, translation work can continue. In addition, a certain number of translator accounts are included in the project manager's account contract, so translators can use Phrase TMS for free. The disadvantage is that internet connection is always required, and if the quality of the connection is low, it may affect the translation work.

The advantage of Trados Studio is that it does not require an internet connection. As long as your computer has sufficient performance, you can use it comfortably regardless of the quality of your internet connection. The disadvantage is that translators also need to pay for a license.

All CAT tools can improve translation efficiency, avoid translation omissions, streamline collaborative work, and increase reviewer productivity. For more information on Phrase TMS and Trados Studio, please see CAT Tool Comparison: What to Consider When Choosing?.

■Translation Management System
Some of our main services include Phrase TMS (formerly Memsource) and Trados GroupShare. The advantage of Phrase TMS is that it integrates both CAT tools and translation management systems, and both are available as cloud services, making it easy to use with just a web browser. Trados GroupShare offers services in both software and cloud, and if you contract the software, you will need to prepare your own server and handle the setup and management. In the case of cloud services, your own server is not necessary. The choice between Phrase TMS and Trados Studio as CAT tools will determine which translation management system you will use.

3. Summary

By implementing machine translation and post-editing, CAT tools, and translation management systems, translation tasks can be streamlined. It is common to first introduce CAT tools and then machine translation if CAT tools have not been implemented.

We will assist you in implementing Phrase TMS based on our experience as a translation company. We also offer machine translation solutions, MTrans for Phrase TMS and MTrans for Trados, which allow you to use machine translation services such as DeepL, Google, Microsoft, and NAVER Papago with Phrase TMS and Trados, as well as post-editing services. Please feel free to contact us.

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