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There’s a great deal of translation technology designed to support the work of translators, whether software which helps with the process of translation, or to organise your work as a German translator. But don't get put off by the huge variety of options on offer! | TIP! Just looking for translation software that’ll give you an instant translation of a short text? - Then try one these free translators. Or if you need instant German translation while you’re in a German-speaking country, why not try a hand-held, electronic dictionary? |
1. Translation Memory Systems (TMS)
Translation Memory Systems (TMS) are a form of CAT tool.
CAT stands for Computer-Assisted (or -Aided) Translation and includes terminology managers and databases, dictionaries, and TMS. (Apologies for all the abbreviations!)
TMS are designed to speed up the process of translation whilst ensuring high levels of terminological consistency.
| Important: Don’t confuse TM with Machine Translation which is instant translation software such as Google's translator that aims to replace human translators entirely. It has a role to play, but the quality is generally dubious and its use currently limited. |
How does a TMS work?
Basically, they work by dividing your Source Text (e.g. the original German text you want to translate) into segments. These segments are referred to as “translation units” and are usually a full sentence or a clause in length. It then compares these German translation units with German translation units from previous German texts which are stored in its terminology database in order to provide suggested translations (here English) based on previous translations.
You’ll often hear the term “fuzzy matching”, meaning the TMS will also suggest partial translations for translation units based on similar rather than exact past German texts. You can usually set your German to English translation software to defined degrees of fuzziness, e.g. 80 %.
Here is a list of the top TMS systems on the market.
TMS are clever translation tools, but do require significant input by the translator who must go through each translation, aligning the German and English text segments in order to create a terminology and phrase database. But for future related texts, the translation software makes significant time savings by automatically retrieving related segments from past German-English matches. Much translation software will also do automatic internet searches for terms, or automatically draw on terminology databases such as Google, Systran, Ultralingua etc. TMX is the universal format for exchanging translation memory files between different German to English translation software, so when you’ve invested in one TMS tool, you’ll still be able to “communicate” with others.
Obviously the translation software is only as good as the translations it uses as reference texts! I’ve received several TMS files which include a variety of translations for a set term, i.e. the consistency which is so loudly touted is flagrantly ignored/not achieved.
Today translation tools such as TMS are standard equipment in any in-house translation department or translation agency, and are commonly used by professional freelance translators. Good German to English translation software can be relatively expensive, but if you are serious about translating you’ll probably need to consider investing in one at some point. For more details on available TMS systems, click here. TMS systems are a boon for translators who work for a single client in a specific field, or for repetitive technical translations.
However, if you haven’t got a TMS, it doesn’t mean you can’t use one: agencies often send me TMS files which can be used as normal glossaries. If you don’t have the corresponding system, you can’t use its full functionality, but you can use it as a glossary (just use the Search tool).
2. Translator Software for Translation-Related Tasks
Whether you’re translating, transcribing or localising or whatever, there’s a lot of translator software out there to help make your job easier.
I’m thinking of tools such as:
Sound editing and recording software, which helps in transcribing texts (from oral recordings to the written word)
Word count and character count software when you need to do word counts on a variety of tricky file formats such as HTML or PDFs.
Localization tools which support translators in the process of localising texts. (What is localisation, you ask? Here’s an outline.)
There’s some great stuff out there, and much of it free to download.
3. Project Management Software for German Translators
You may produce the best translations in the world, but it’s also important that you work efficiently! Software can help you perform the following tasks:
Track your translation jobs: Project management software is great for keeping an overview of all your activities. Helps you assign tasks and track progress and so use your time more efficiently.
Be available - & be known to be available!: Use instant messaging and communication tools (VOIP) so that your clients can get hold of you quickly, easily and inexpensively – and you don’t miss a job.
Send and receive large files: File volumes can get much too big for your standard email mailbox, especially where graphics or video is involved, so you need systems for delivering large files.
Be a member of a professional network: Apart from being a member of a translator community, try to think “outside the box” and join one of the networks of business professionals, such as LinkedIn.com (US & UK base), Xing.com (European) or MySpace.com.
| Free! Everybody’s favourite word! Much translation technology is available free of charge. I’ve put together a list of free translation software for you here, plus the relevant links for downloading and installing. |
Translation software updates
How do you get to hear about new translation software?
Well, by keeping your eyes and ears open and staying tuned to the “translator network”. For example, YouSendIt was recommended to me by one of my agencies.
I often pick up good tips by attending local events run by the Chamber of Commerce and by meeting up regularly with other local translators. And being listed in an online directory of translators such as ProZ.com, or a professional social networking group (e.g. LinkedIn.com)is a really good way of regularly hearing what your fellow German translators are thinking and saying about various tools and technologies.
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