Translation Memory

Blue South has invested heavily in world-class translation memory software (SDL Trados) to best serve our business translation clients by making our human translators more efficient.

Specific benefits from using translation memory software include;

• reduced time and cost for large translation projects, updates and future related projects 
• improved consistency of terminology
• creation of a translation asset for future use

Translation memory software has been developed to aid human translators via the re-use of already translated content. Translation memory software does not translate the text itself and should not be confused with machine translation tools such as those found within search engines.

Blue South Translation for Business has become the first translation company in New Zealand/Australia to be certified by SDL, the dominant global supplier of translation memory software.

To become certified, Blue South’s Project Managers have passed SDL’s advanced level exam which proves a very high level of proficiency with SDL Trados 2006.

We know how to leverage the latest Translation Technology developments to the benefit of our clients, saving time and money on large translation projects.

How it works

Translation memory software splits the source text into segments (typically sentences) and associates segments of source text with the corresponding translation entered into the software by the translator. Where a segment (or a close match to it) is to be used again, the software offers the previously used translation for this segment to the translator which allows them to decide whether it is appropriate in this context to use it again. By this process, a translation memory (TM) is built up consisting of segments of source text and corresponding translation for each language. Customers only pay full rate for new text to be translated and a substantially reduced rate for matching segments. Over time, as the TM increases in size, the benefits of this process increase.

Updates or related future projects

In the case of a document being updated or a derivative model being produced with significant similarity, the TM can be applied to the new source text and where there are matching segments, the applicable translation is automatically provided for the translator’s consideration. The matching segments can either be accepted completely or, as the context may be different, adjusted to suit. Translation content is therefore re-used thereby reducing the amount of text to be translated and paid for with the added benefit of time reduction.

Consistency

Due to the re-use of repeating segments, throughout all documentation for which the memory is being applied, consistency benefits significantly.

Glossaries

We can integrate glossaries into the translation memory software to further aid consistency and most importantly, reduce the amount of time required for external reviews.

Alternatively, we can create glossaries of terminology, using smart software to generate source language terms for each product group and work with clients to manage the production of multi-lingual glossaries which will grow with the product range.

Case studies which show how our clients have benefited from Translation Technology»

How do I get started?
To discuss how Translation Technology can save you time and money, call us on 03 349 2818 or Email Us

 

Re-importation of translated text into InDesign and Framemaker files

Traditional typesetting is quite a time consuming process involving checking, correcting, re-checking and finding the new errors which tend to be introduced in the process. 

Introducing re-import

As all companies want to reduce time to print for new documentation, Blue South has invested in a new software development which allows us to take the use of translation memory software a step further. This results in the following benefits;

• Significant cost savings compared with conventional “typesetting”
• Massive time saving compared with conventional “typesetting” – faster to print
• Reduced possibilities for “typos” occurring during typesetting (typesetting is a stage when errors are typically introduced due to human error)
• Simplified procedures for updating jobs

We can extract text to be translated directly from most Indesign and Framemaker artwork in a format which preserves the formatting data. After translation (using the full benefits of translation memory software), we can re-import the translated text into the artwork and it will automatically adopt the format of the original. This eliminates the laborious task of pasting text into the artwork which inevitably leads to multiple rounds of proof reading and corrections. Of course, the artwork will still be proof read by the original translator but the whole process has proven to be much faster.

Case studies which show how our clients have benefited from Translation Technology»

How do I get started?
To discuss how Translation Technology can save you time and money, call us on 0508 443 613 or Email Us

 

Software translation

Translating software strings presents special challenges:

1. Conventionally software strings are presented to the Translator in a long list, but the context or meaning of each element may be very difficult to determine. This complicates the translation process and often requires significant double checking and re-working in conjunction with a software engineer who speaks the language and knows the application.

2. If the translated strings are returned to the client in a list, they must then be re-imported into the application. This can be a very laborious task and presents the risk of introducing errors. Additionally, due to the expansion of foreign languages compared with English, the translated text will not fit into the space that was designed around the English content (e.g. buttons or form fields).

Introducing “Catalyst”

To overcome such problems, Blue South has invested in Catalyst, a specialist software localization tool.

Catalyst enables the Translator to work directly with the software files (see Formats below):

1. The strings are presented to the Translator exactly as they will be used within the application.

2. A representation of the screen interface can be seen by the Translator so the context of the strings is readily apparent.

3. Strings are grouped just as they are within the application, e.g. dialog boxes, icons etc, enabling the Translator to work through the application tree.

4. The space available for each string is visible to the Translator, who may have to use shorter words or abbreviations, or resize text boxes or buttons (with the client’s agreement).

5. The translated text is entered directly into the software files by the Translator, and the completed application is returned to the client for final recompilation and checking. This removes the need for any double handling, “cut-and-paste” or re-formatting by the client. 

The following screenshot of the Catalyst translator interface shows the visual representation of the applicable strings;

Language Expansion: When English is translated into most European languages the space required tends to expand. This causes difficulties in many software applications due to space limitations.

With Catalyst, an initial dummy translation can be run based on an estimated expansion for the target language. This identifies where major difficulties may occur.

During the translation process, the space available for each string is clearly visible to the Translator. In cases where it is impossible to find a suitable shorter word or abbreviation, text boxes/buttons for the application can be re-sized within the application (after agreement with the customer). This saves considerable time compared with re-visiting strings to shorten/find abbreviations.

Duplicate Strings: Catalyst identifies any strings which are duplicated throughout the application, so that these need only be translated once. This reduces the translation work and ensures consistency.

Catalyst identifies if any space for the duplicated strings may be too small, as the available space or formatting may differ throughout the application.

Validation: After translation, a validation tool within Catalyst checks for problems such as invalid ampersand position, mismatched or empty strings etc.

Text which is not to be translated can be locked. Similarly, display parameters can be locked to avoid unwanted changes being made.

Translation Memory Software: Catalyst is compatible with the world-class “SDL Trados Translation Memory Software” which is employed by Blue South. This software can create a memory of translated text for subsequent reuse, thus reducing the translation workload and ensuring consistency.

1. A memory created while translating software strings may be reused when working on subsequent documentation such as help files to ensure consistent use of terminology.

2. An existing Translation Memory can be imported into Catalyst and applied to a new related software translation, again reducing the translation requirement and ensuring consistency.
More about translation memory>>

Software Updates: For updates to software previously translated using Catalyst, a comparison can be made between old and new versions. This identifies each change and presents only the new text for translation.

Supported languages: The pseudo-translation function in Catalyst can also help us determine if the software application can support the language(s) it will be translated into. Depending on the character set and encoding used, some applications do not support accented letters and/or Asian characters. By running a dummy translation and extracting the files back into their original format, before even localizing the application properly, we can immediately see if the new languages are supported, If not, the client can make all the necessary changes to get the application ready for localization.

Supported Formats:

• All Microsoft Desktop Development Platforms: 9x, NT, 2000, XP, Win32, Winx64, RC, RESX, .NET Binaries (1.x and 2.0), Visual Basic.NET
• Mobile Computing Platforms: Windows CE, Symbian, EPOC
• Java Platforms: J2EE, J2SE, J2ME
• Content Files: MS Excel, HTML (and all derivatives PHP, ASP, JSP), XHTML, XML (including derivative ASP.NET, ASP, JSP and XSL)
• Data sources: All Microsoft DB technologies, Oracle 8/9/10 and IBM DB2

How do I get started?
To discuss your software translation requirements call us on 03 349 2818 or Email Us

Alignment of existing translations – convert legacy translations into money saving translation memories.
 

As a result of a new software tool, Blue South is now able to efficiently convert existing translated material into a translation memory, a process known as alignment. Up to 80% of existing translated material into a useable translation memory at minimal cost.

Previously, this was an unrealistically expensive process as it involved too much manual intervention by translators. The new software tool requires no manual intervention as the few segments which do not align are excluded.

With the new software tool, previously translated content can be leveraged to reduce the cost of new translations when using translation memory software.

The yield possible depends upon the format available. File formats supported are .doc, .htm (xml), .html, .rtf, txt, .wpd

Talk to us to discuss how we can turn your legacy translations into money saving translation memories.

How do I get started?
To discuss how Translation Technology can save you time and money, call us on 03 349 2818 or Email Us