Translation technology is not the enemy
Translation technologies are like cars. In the wrong hands, they can do damage. In the right hands they are a safe, reliable way of getting from A to B.
GAT has embraced many of these enhancements because we have the people who know how to drive them.
Our customer portal
Though technology designed by others may often suffice, sometimes one needs tailored solutions to one’s problems. As GAT’s client list expanded and translation requests flocked in, we began to notice that our old project management software was no longer the tool of choice for dealing with the increased demand. So we sought out a new means of managing the workflow.
We settled on a project management software solution that details every step of the translation process, and allows us to create an online portal through which customers can register and post their translation requests. This has greatly streamlined project management, reduced downtime and decreased our turn-arounds.
Translation memory tools
Our translation memory tool breaks down text into segments, usually sentences, by matching them to previously translated segments from prior projects. Translators then review the matches and prompt the software to insert the translated segments if appropriate.
These translation memories are invaluable, as they allow for terminological consistency within a particular project, as well as across other projects produced for the same client.
Translation Memory software must have constant upkeep. Poorly maintained TMs can greatly compromise quality and actually drive up costs. As such, our workflow allows for automatically updating TMs every time we process a new document.
What are the benefits of TM’s?
Quicker turnaround times
The translators’ ability to recycle past translations speeds up the work, especially where consistency between document versions is essential. Less time spent referring to older versions means less total time spent on jobs, thus reducing costs. Of course, the amount of translation time saved depends greatly on the nature of the document and the richness of existing memories.
Better quality and consistency
TMs improve the quality of a translation in two ways: by ensuring consistency and by preventing instances of missed text. Translations done using TMs are far more consistent thanks to features like automated glossary lookup, which gives the translator a heads-up reference to terminology and expressions. Without these, the translator is almost guaranteed to miss some terms if the list is longer than a few hundred items.
Furthermore, a common problem for translators is missed text. It is unfortunately quite easy to skip over a sentence or even an entire passage. While quality-conscious translators may carefully check a translation for omissions (preferably with at least two pairs of eyes), this takes time, and so, costs money. TMs help prevent dropped text by presenting the translator with one segment of text at a time. This helps prevent the translator inadvertently skipping over text.
Finally, unlike turnaround times, the improvements in quality are not dependent on the nature of the document or the existence of previous memories. TMs provide benefits even for documents lacking a great deal of repetition or for which vast stores of past translations don’t exist.
Reduced cost
Translation Memory software saves you money. The thinking is simple: when a previously translated segment shows up in the SDLX/Trados’ analysis of a text, all the translator has to do is determine whether the suggested translation is appropriate for the context. Given this, the cost of a 100% match of any segment is reduced. If SDLX/Trados can match it to less than 100% (a “fuzzy match” in industry lingo) the price is still reduced, though by a lesser percentage. It’s simple: the more elaborate the translation memory, the larger the match, the more money saved.
In summary, Translation Memory software can accelerate your localization process, provide enhanced service, expedite global conversation and save you money.
GAT’s secure server
More and more, technology is used to secure our most valued assets, especially in an age where a lot of those assets don’t even belong to the physical realm.
Such is the case for our banking and finance sector clients, who need to ensure their electronic files are seen only by those they’ve authorized. This is rightfully deemed an essential service, and in order to satisfy our clients’ exacting security demands, GAT has equipped itself with a TLS encryption-enabled server that handles our e-mails and the transfer of all of our documents.