At last! Or Gift to Translators from IT Guys…

Innovations in the area of IT did not pass by such human activity as translations. Today there is a huge variety of software products designed to make the translation easier. These include electronic dictionaries, computer translations and automated translation systems.

Electronic dictionaries

Electronic dictionaries are a great find for a modern translator. These applications help to find quickly possible versions of word translations in various contexts.

Computer translations

Today computer programs cannot replace a live translator in full, as none of them has a “sense of language”, i.e. it does not incorporate dissimilarities of languages and information which is out of context. Therefore, the Translation Agency “April” does not use any computer translation programs because they produce translations which represent a disconnected set of words that cannot be further edited.

Computer-assisted translation

At a glance, automated translation systems are very similar to computer translations: a smart computer automatically provides options of already translated words and word-combinations. But there is a big difference between them. Today, the most popular automated translation programs are Trados, Deja Vu, OmegaT, SDLX, Star Transit, Wordfast.

These software products work using the principle of translation memory which can store pieces of text and their translated versions and then prompts a ready option of translation to a translator.

This helps to keep a unified style and lexicon in translations of one-type texts, for example operation manuals for different models of washing machines of the same producer, and to save the time for translation and, sometimes, money of customer.

Notwithstanding that promising automation, a decisive word when operating such program with rest with a translator who will eventually make a final decision to use an option suggested by computer or not.