Translation Memory Technology

Translation Memory is a type of database system where a sentence is compared to existing translations and a “match” or percentile coincidence is found.

There are several benefits for clients and users of translation memory systems. One is that translators can produce cheaper translations as buyers of translation services do not need to pay for repetitions and they also get a discount for similar sentences.

For example a new sentence like.

“Professional translators use translation memory systems in order to be more efficient”

would be compared to a database containing all previous data. Let’s assume a similar sentence is found

“Professional translators use translation memory systems in order to be faster”

A translation memory system would offer both the new sentence and the old sentence and a % match. In this case, the level of coincidence would be calculated as follows:

new sentence = 12 words
old sentence = 10 identical words, 1 different.

A Translation Memory Database

Different Computer Assisted Tools (CAT) would calculate percentages differently, but as a general rule, we would be looking at a very high level of coincidence between 90% to 92%. After all, a translator only needs to change “more efficient” by “faster”. A client would only pay 10% of the nominal translation rate in this case. Also, the translator would benefit by having the suggested sentence copied and pasted into the translation tool, therefore saving valuable thinking and typing time.
But there are also several more advantages. By using a translation memory, new translators have access to previously translated material and can follow the same style and terminology. This guarantees more consistent texts to publishers that need long-term consistency in their multilingual publications.
Pangeanic runs all projects using either a

private translation memory system internally at our offices, when privacy is required or when Pangeanic uses internal staff for fast translation services, or
within a cloud-based server environment that makes use of centralized key terminology databases and translation memory (TM).

Every linguist working on the project can see the same information, which is updated in real time. Pangeanic also utilizes state-of-the-art translation management systems to ensure consistent use of your preferred and validated terms and also the reuse of your previous translations. Translation memory systems became popular in the middle and late 90’s and have been helping corporations and companies to publish more content faster and at more affordable costs. Providing high quality translation services and maintaining the consistency of your brand globally, as well as achieving the highest reuse of previous translation are Pangeanic’s highest priority.

Maximum Leverage from Previous Translations

Every time you complete a translation project (and even live if we are using our cloud-based systems), the translated text is stored in a translation memory database. That particular sentence can be used again next time you translate content or within seconds… depending on your type of project and urgency, Pangeanic can have several translators working on your project simultaneously – with a Project Manager overseeing that the translation project runs smoothly and a proofreader checks and verifies it will read as if written originally in the translated language. A translation memory and a terminology database are often referred to as “language assets”.

To optimize the reuse of already translated text (or TM leverage as it is called in the translation world), you need a partner that sets up a translation memory system if this is the first time you translate, or an experienced partner that can clean and optimize your translation assets and keep them consistent with current company style guides.

Having a reliable translation company as your multilingual publishing partner is important because as your language assets grow, they will need to:
• Delete errors or old translations that no longer apply
• When the translation memory becomes too large, you can divide it in smaller, separate TMs by product groups, product or knowledge areas. By keeping all technical or training translations separate from legal translations, for example, you will obtain a higher leverage for both areas
• Delete inconsistencies or similar translations for the same phrase

Pangeanic has processes and tools to manage all the steps in this process.

Terminology: Brand Recognition Across the Globe

Terminology and a consistent use of your product names and technologies will help your product identification. It will help you to build a solid brand image. Several factors help protect your brand when you go global, and having a distinct terminology is one very important factor. We have built in the following considerations in all our projects.
• Consistent use of terminology, which we control in each of our projects
• Adherence to the global and local language style guides, incorporating local distributor’s comments and feedback when necessary.
• Compliance with global brand toolkit and guidelines
Pangeanic will help you expand internationally while maintaining your brand identity.

Style Guides and Terminology Strategy

Working together, our team of expert translators will identify key terms, establish client-validated multilingual glossaries (with your in-country distributors if necessary) and create client and locale specific style guides. Do this before the start of any translation and localization project, and you will avoid delays and checks when the project is running and improductive exchanges after translation. If changes are needed during the project, Pangeanic has a clearly defined process for requesting these changes. We make sure you are always in control and your translated versions help you build an international brand.

Terminology Database Maintenance

Once a project is completed, the terminology database is updated. In the case of online translation projects, this can also happen on the fly. This step guarantees the highest translation quality and consistency for each future translation project, because we will use validated terms to communicate your brand image to in all translations, even if it is the same language with a different flavor (or “locale”, like European French or Canadian French, or French for Africa, the several flavors of Latin American Spanish and European Spanish, etc).

Get a Free Quote

Contact Pangeanic today to receive a free quote for your translation project and learn how we can start new translation memories for your translation projects or leverage your existing translation memories to save your company time and money.

Further reading: Why a Digital Publisher Needs a Translation company as a Partner