CAT tools are a piece of software developed to enable translators enhance and optimize their translation processes. There are many CAT tools out there with a wide range of features to equip linguists and ensure they get the most optimal and cost-effective process.

Using a CAT tool offers many advantages since they are more than a mere work environment for translators. Translation software divide texts into segments from one sentence and structures to facilitate translators to focus on thoughts.

Getting started with CAT tools is, actually, easy. It is only a matter of time and effort. Most CAT tools offer very similar features and, therefore, they are somewhat similar. Files are divided into segments and the source text often appears before the translation. Segments are delimited by tags or unchangeable codes that determine the style of the text. They show the beginning and the end of the unit to be translated.

One of the advantages of using CAT tools is that the translator immediately notices which part of the text should be translated with the texts shown side-by-side. After inserting the translation in the window, the program will automatically save the source and the translated segments in the Translation Memory, a feature that saves translators time and effort when they face another task containing a matching text – then, the TM will show the stored translation as a reference.

Translators can set a value for Min Match and most prefer to establish it at 60% so they can consider similar segments, known as fuzzy matches. If the software recognizes a term, it will be marked and a Concordance command can be entered in order to retrieve all segments in which this term appears.

The different tools let the translator work with a wide variety of formats including Word, Excel, Java, HTML, XML, Visual Studio, PowerPoint, XML, and more without modifying the format, which is another advantage. In files that are created in a tagged language or that have one or more page breaks, the CAT tool leaves the layout unchanged, allowing the translator to direct all their efforts exclusively on the task of translating.

As a conclusion, learning to use a CAT tool is certainly not hard. It only requires some openness to new software interface, understanding some commands and special features. Want to make the most of all CAT tools have to offer? You can join TranslatorPub’s training courses.

Content composed with the free online HTML editor toolkit. Please subscribe for a membership to stop adding links to the edited documents.