Although they are essential for obtaining quality content, translation tools, better known as CAT Tools, still generate uncertainty about their role in a project.

First and foremost, it warrants emphasis that such tools do not replace the work of a translator.

In other words, they are not automated translators, but rather programs that facilitate interaction between human resources and technology.

Regardless of whether or not a file is in an editable format, all material to be translated should be imported into these tools, which offer various features to support the translation process, such as glossaries and translation memories for reference.

Get to know some of the advantages of using a CAT Tool:

Agility

When translating in a specific program, all professionals involved in the project, including translators, editors and project managers, can find all of the information needed to complete the work in a single location.

Optimizing the consultation time makes it possible to streamline delivery of the finished material;

Cost-effectiveness

As CAT Tools allow for creating a translation database, phrases that have been previously translated for the same client can be reused, generating a favorable impact on the final project cost;

Quality

Constant maintenance of translation memories and effective glossary use help keep terminology consistent in all translations;

Technology in favor of humans

By running quality control checks and offering suggestions for terms and structures to be used based on translation memories and the client’s glossary, this tool helps eliminate possible human errors;

Online backup

Some CAT Tools run constant backups, ensuring that all work will be saved if any unforeseen incident occurs with the computer on which the text is being translated;

Real time management

By means of the translation tool, the Project Manager is able to monitor the progress of each project, ensuring on-time delivery;

Integrity of the final file

Files are imported directly into the tool and only exported with the translation complete; which helps eliminate the risk of overwriting any text, maintaining the integrity of translated material.

The importance of the planning stage

Before a file is imported into the translation tool, there is a fundamental first phase in the process: preparation.

In this stage, the whole file is analyzed by the Design & IT Department to detect and correct eventual technical issues that could compromise the translation.

Some of these potential problems are:

Incorrect segmentation: in translation, a segment is a unit of meaning (sentence), usually defined by delimitation marks such as periods, line breaks, semi-colons or colons.

When segmentation problems are not resolved before the material is imported into the CAT Tool, they end up affecting how the original text is interpreted and can totally change the meaning of the translation;

Files in more than one language: if the original text presents more than one language that requires translation, the text passages must be prepared separately;

Design adjustments: depending on how the document to be translated was created, its translation may generate alterations that affect the final layout.

In the preparation stage, all necessary adjustments are identified and corrected;

Image texts: when the texts shown on images require translation, they are extracted or re-created in this stage, to then be inserted into the translation tool;

Various technical corrections: the file is checked completely and any identified technical corrections are implemented.

The stages mentioned above are carried out at professional agencies, which address file preparation and importation into CAT Tools with absolute professionalism.

As such, when seeking a translation partner, try to find out the methodology used and ensure that your project has the highest standard of quality from start to finish.

About Netwire Global

Netwire Global has been a trusted name in the translation and localization industry since its inception in 2000.

As a multilingual solution enterprise, Netwire provides seamless translation and localization services into any language worldwide.

Backed by a robust infrastructure that leverages state-of-the-art technologies and the expertise of the best professionals in the field, Netwire is uniquely positioned to handle high-volume processing while maintaining exceptional quality.

With a proven track record of delivering accurate and culturally-relevant content, Netwire has solidified its reputation as a reliable partner for organizations seeking to expand their global reach.

Whether you require translation of marketing materials, website localization, or multilingual document processing, Netwire has the capabilities to exceed your expectations.