Introduction to CAT Tools

What is CAT?

When we talk about Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT), we immediately think of Machine Translation (MT), since both concepts are based on the use of translation tools. However, they shouldn’t be confused. Indeed, CAT is a set of technologies whose objective is to allow the translator to translate texts with the help of computer technologies. On one hand, MT is performed by the machine itself, while, on the other hand, CAT requires human intervention and skills, in addition to the help of translation tools. Moreover, MT is performed by software in which the outputs are the most probable translations of a source sentence, contained in previously implemented corpora, dictionaries and other works. In comparison, CAT goes even further. Rather than simply relying on probable statistical solutions, CAT takes advantage of the different translations contained in memories and terms contained in databases whose source is known, since they’re filled in by professional translators. Thus, CAT allows the comparison of translation occurrences of certain word groups with these tools.

The Characteristics of CAT Tools

Speaking of CAT tools, it’s important to recall their main characteristics. One of the main ones is the division of texts into sentence segments or paragraph segments to facilitate translation. It’s also possible to perform an alignment to match the segments. CAT tools save the translation and source text of each segment in a unit called a translation unit, or TU, so that it’s easy to check the translation. There are various functions to check the quality or status of the segments, such as “Translated,” “ApprovedTranslation,” “Draft,” or “100%,” “Fuzzy,” “CM” and many others. One of the main functions is to save translations in a database called translation memory. Thanks to this one, the translation units can be reused in order to provide consistent and harmonized translations. These tools have terminology databases, including automatic search, display and insertion through the “AutoSuggest” function. Finally, these tools offer other features such as formatting, import and export tools, indexing, Internet resources, quality checking, post-production tools, and many others.

The Advantages of CAT Tools

I’m fairly confident you’re a CAT tools person! And if you’re not yet, here are some advantages of CAT that make it indispensable in a translator’s life. There are many CAT tools on the translation market, and they have undeniable advantages. Indeed, CAT is really useful when it comes to translating texts in specialized fields. For example, I can mention the translation dissertation I had to do in my third year when I had to translate cooking recipes into Spanish. For translating common expressions, CAT is the best tool you can imagine. Thus, translation memories and terminology databases are useful features of CAT tools, since they save a considerable amount of time on large volumes of text to be translated.

Besides, CAT provides consistency since many texts contain specific sentences that have already been translated and revised. They can be found previously saved in the translation memory, even in other translators’ memories. In the same vein, CAT tools are ideal for technical translation. In texts, whether they’re technical, medical, financial or legal documents, there is very redundant wording and it’s easy to reuse it, as it is implemented in the translation memory.

It’s also possible to share projects with other translators via a cloud. Through this feature, translators can provide translation memories associated with translation projects for other professionals, guaranteeing the harmony of translation choices in the various documents.

Another advantage is that there are many CAT tools available and the price is well worth it! The format isn’t an issue for each CAT tool since they’re all able to offer the same benefits and features if used properly according to the translation project.

The Best CAT Tools

Of course, it’s important to adapt the tools according to our needs for our projects. Here I can give you a list of recommended CAT tools for any translator. Many of you may be familiar with SDL Trados. It’s the world leader in the market and offers different versions that are more and more sophisticated and efficient in the fields of translation, terminology management and editing. The tool is suitable for documents or website assets and is very used by translation agencies and international companies. Its main strengths lie in the use of various databases, the use of fast input functions, a spell checker and a punctuation checker. In addition, although the interface is complex, it can be quickly learned. Its price is about $2,933 for the purchase of the license, but a free trial of the software is possible.

MemoQ is another major CAT tool. It offers many similar features but also has a translation preview feature that allows translators to see the segment being translated in context. Also, memoQ has a free version that is useful for personal use or small projects. The tool is suitable for documents and marketing content, and can be used by language service providers. Moreover, the software allows you to create, edit and revise translations more efficiently. It provides project templates, a live preview and a free support and maintenance for one year. Its price is about $770.

Another CAT tool which is useful for documents and marketing content is Redokun. The software is mostly used by marketing agencies and global companies and has the advantage of being very easy to use. As a result, minimal training is required and you can organize and manage your project files using folders, like in Google Drive. Redokun allows smart and quick revisions, as well as collaboration, import and export features. In addition, a 14-day free trial period is available with a subscription of $125 per month thereafter.

Lokalise is a useful CAT tool for marketing content, website assets and app localization. It’s a web-based collaborative translation editor. This software has the distinctive feature of including branching document version control that allows you to work on different iterations of the same file and combine them after the project is completed. It’s available from $90 per month only.

As you can see, the list of available CAT tools is very extensive and their features and benefits are multiple, in order to satisfy all our needs as translators. Nothing is impossible with CAT tools!

TOURNIER Emmy – M1 TSM (2021-2022)