Translation memory (TM) is changing the way language service companies like ourselves handle projects, allowing us to do more in less time and drive down costs. This is especially important for large projects and brands that need ongoing translation services over an extended period of time.
With translation memory on our side, even the most complex of projects can be managed more efficiently and we are able to get better results than ever. To give you a better idea of how these benefits are passed down to you, here are five ways translation memory will save you time and money on every project.
#1: Translation memory cuts out the repetition
The first benefit you will notice with translation memory is that it cuts out most of the repetition commonly experienced with translating documents. Essentially, you will find yourself using the same words, phrases and often sentences or paragraphs throughout your content and the amount of repetition steadily increases with larger volumes of content.
This all adds up and large translation projects, in particular, result in high volumes of repeated translations. This means you are paying translators to do the same thing over and over again, but TM takes care of this repetition by storing your translations and automatically inserting the necessary translation when repetition occurs.
#2: Translation memory increases consistency and cuts down on editing
Repetition is not only time-consuming; it often leads to inconsistency where the same words, phrases or sentences could be translated in multiple ways. Even the same translator could translate the same language differently, depending on how much time has passed between the two jobs, their mood that particular day or various other factors.
Consistency becomes even more difficult when multiple translators are working on your project, but translation memory allows for automatic placement of consistent translations throughout your content. Your editors and reviewers still have the authority to make changes where consistency is not needed (e.g. the context around a translation requires variation), but that consistency is always there as a starting point.
#3: Translation memory can prevent tricky translation catching you out
You will often find your industry has terminology that comes with unique meanings and it is important you get the accurate translations throughout. For example, a “fork” in blockchain and cryptocurrency talk means something very different compared to the kind of fork you’ll find in bicycle maintenance guides.
Above all, you do not want the incorrect translation for a word like “fork” making its way into your documents, but you also do not want multiple translators stumbling over tricky vocabulary when the correct translation has already been found.
This is something TM takes care of as well.
#4: Translation memory can also detect missing translations in your documents
Aside from repetition, another common problem in translation projects is sentences or large chunks of content being missed by translators. While missing translations should never find their way into the final documents handed to you by a language services company, editors and reviewers have to spend a lot of time making sure every line has been translated and then make sure they have been translated accurately.
This problem largely disappears when you are using TM though, because the technology works on a line-by-line basis and any missing translation can be detected automatically.
#5: Your translators can do more in less time
Translation memory is not doing anything your translators have not already done; it simply automates the repetition of previous tasks. This means you are not paying for language experts to do the same thing multiple times, but it also allows them to achieve a higher rate of quality and consistency without constantly redoing and rechecking.
Essentially, it all comes down to empowering translators to do more in less time – but these savings are also passed on to the editors and reviewers, who get increased accuracy and consistency in the documents they receive.
More importantly, these savings are passed on to you as the client, because we are able to achieve the highest quality of translation in a shorter time-frame. This is particularly important for large-scale projects where guaranteeing consistency throughout each document can be incredibly time-consuming without translation memory.
Translation memory is all about creating a more efficient translation process, making the highest quality and accuracy achievable more quickly. In terms of the documents you receive, there should not be any obvious difference, because your team should strive for the same level of quality regardless.
However, tools like TM and other forms of translation technology can make the process of achieving this standard significantly shorter – and this means lower rates and faster turnaround times for clients like yourself.
To find out more about translation memory and how your translation projects can benefit from it, do not hesitate to get in touch with our team.