The translation industry has always been a pioneer in implementing new technologies. From CAT tools to translation management systems and machine translation, translators and language service providers have been utilizing the latest advancements in their daily work for over half a century.
In this article, we will explore how technological innovations have impacted the translation sector and what tools a translator or translation agency can use today.
CAT Tools, TMS Systems, and Machine Translation: What Are They and What Functions Do They Perform?
The most critical tools supporting the translation industry are:
- Computer-Aided Translation (CAT) Software
- Translation Management Systems (TMS)
- Machine Translation (MT)
Let’s delve into what these programs are and how they improve the work of translators and the overall translation process.
CAT Tools
CAT tools are software applications that streamline the translation of texts by storing translations and terminology in databases and automating parts of the translation process. This allows translators to work faster and more efficiently, with better control over text quality. A key feature of CAT tools is their ability to translate files in various formats without manual intervention, reducing the risk of file damage.
How Do CAT Tools Work?
CAT software operates based on three main functions: translation memories, terminology management, and quality management.
- Translation Memory (TM): CAT programs store translations and their original language equivalents in a database. When working on a new project, the software searches for similar or identical text fragments in the translation memory and suggests translations. This significantly speeds up the process, especially for repetitive or similar phrases.
- Term Bases (TB): CAT tools create and store terminology bases, which are collections of terms and their equivalents in other languages. These bases may also include definitions or usage instructions, ensuring the use of appropriate terminology across various projects.
- Quality Assurance (QA) Control: CAT tools facilitate quality control of translated text by checking spelling, grammar, punctuation, formatting compliance, terminological consistency, and identifying untranslated text fragments.
Machine Translation: What Is It and How Does It Differ from CAT Tools?
Machine translation (MT) is often confused with CAT tools but represents a distinct technology. MT involves automatically converting text from one language to another using computer programs and algorithms, unlike translations done by human translators. MT systems are based on advanced natural language processing (NLP) techniques and artificial intelligence, learning to translate text from large datasets. The best-known MT systems include Google Translate, Microsoft Translator, DeepL, and Amazon Translate.
While AI enables faster and more efficient translations, it does not always guarantee perfect quality, especially for complex texts or cultural contexts. Effectiveness can vary across language pairs due to data availability for training the machine engines.
Translation Management Systems: What Do TMSs Do?
Translation management systems (TMS) are comprehensive platforms that integrate various tools to optimize translation workflows. Key functionalities of TMSs include:
- Project Management: They assist in managing translation projects by assigning tasks, tracking progress, and coordinating workflow.
- Collaboration: They facilitate teamwork among translators, project managers, and clients through real-time commenting, version control, and centralized document storage.
- Automation: TMS platforms automate repetitive tasks like file preparation, project setup, and quality checks. They can also integrate with other systems, such as content management systems (CMS) or customer relationship management (CRM) software.
Contemporary Systems: Combining CAT, TMS, and MT
Today’s technology solutions often combine all the functionalities mentioned above. Leading companies in the language technology market offer sophisticated translation management platforms that integrate CAT tools with machine translation engines. Before discussing the latest tools, let’s briefly review the history of software supporting the translation industry.
A Brief History: The Evolution of CAT Tools and Machine Translation
The use of information technology in translation dates back to the 1950s. In 1953, researchers at Georgetown University, in collaboration with IBM, conducted an experiment using machine translation in practice for the first time. This system, based on pre-programmed rules and lexicography (rule-based machine translation), marked a milestone in translation technology development.
1980s: First Electronic Dictionaries and Translation Databases
The 1980s saw the creation of the first electronic dictionaries and terminology databases, paving the way for CAT tools as we know them today. These tools stored previously entered text fragments and their translations for reuse in subsequent projects. The introduction of the Trados system in 1984 marked the commercialization of translation memory-based systems.
Popularization of CAT Programs and the Beginnings of SMT
The 1990s witnessed the growing popularity of CAT tools, becoming more powerful with increased computing capabilities. Companies like SDL Trados and memoQ introduced user-friendly interfaces and innovative features, streamlining the translation process.
The 1990s also marked the start of modern machine translation with Statistical Machine Translation (SMT), which uses statistical models to translate text. SMT models are trained on large parallel datasets, determining the most likely translation for a given text fragment. SMT became the foundation for popular online translators like Google Translate.
Integration of CAT and Machine Translation Tools
The 2000s saw the first integrations of CAT software with machine translation engines, allowing CAT tools to suggest automatic translations alongside database snippets. Despite initial skepticism due to accuracy issues, hybrid approaches combining MT with human verification gained popularity, offering a balance between efficiency and quality. Translators’ roles began to shift towards post-editing machine translations.
AI Revolution and Cloud Solutions
The AI revolution, driven by deep learning and increased computing power, significantly impacted all business sectors, including translation. Around 2016-2017, neural network-based machine translation revolutionized automated translation quality.
Cloud solutions also became prevalent, with translation technology providers offering cloud-based software. Although some CAT tools still function as traditional installed software, online CAT tools are becoming dominant, offering scalable solutions for real-time collaboration, project management, and language resource sharing.
Translation Technology Today: An Overview of the Latest Solutions
According to a recent report by Nimdzi Insights, there are over a thousand programs and tools in the translation technology market. Their Language Technology Atlas lists 920 solutions divided into ten categories:
- TMS (Translation Management Systems)
- TBMS (Translation Company Management Systems)
- Speech Recognition
- Multilingual Content Generators
- Audiovisual Translation
- Quality Management
- Marketplaces and Translation Platforms
- Interpreting Systems
- Machine Translation
- Integrators
Our article will focus primarily on TMS solutions, CAT tools, and machine translation.
Trados (formerly SDL Trados)
Trados is a well-known name in the translation market. The German company Trados created the first CAT tool in the 1980s, Trados Studio, which remains popular today. Currently, Trados includes several solutions: Trados Studio, Trados Enterprise, Trados Accelerate, and Trados Team.
Translation Management Tools: Enterprise, Accelerate, Team
Trados Enterprise, Accelerate, and Team are cloud-based TMS systems for localization teams. Trados Accelerate features a client portal, quote generator, automated workflow templates, translation provider management, translation quality assessment, and extensive reporting capabilities. Trados Enterprise offers all Accelerate features plus custom workflows and advanced AI capabilities. Trados Team is designed for small to medium-sized teams, providing centralized translation memory, terminology, and machine translation with basic project management features.
CAT Translator Programs: Trados Studio
Trados Studio, the best-known CAT tool, provides a comprehensive solution for editing, reviewing, and managing translation projects. The latest version, Trados 2022, combines traditional and cloud-based work, supports numerous file formats, and allows functionality extensions via the RWS Appstore. RWS plans to launch Trados Studio 2024, featuring AI-based innovations like Trados Copilot and improved cloud integration and accessibility.
memoQ
MemoQ is another established technology company, known for its CAT tools popular among freelance translators and SMEs.
memoQ TMS and Translator Pro
MemoQ offers memoQ translator pro, a CAT tool, and memoQ TMS for managing translation activities. These systems feature desktop and cloud solutions, automated project management, AI-assisted translation, and various integrations.
New Products from memoQ
MemoQ’s 2023 release, the memoQ RFP platform, streamlines responses to requests for proposals using technology similar to translation memory and generative AI. MemoQ AGT (Adaptive Generative Translation) is another upcoming product, combining MT and terminology databases for higher translation quality.
Fastest Growing Companies: Crowdin and WeGlot
According to a survey conducted by Konstantin Dranch & Jourik Ciesielski, WeGlot and Crowdin are the fastest-growing companies among translation management system providers in 2023【Source: Linkedin Pulse: TMS 2024 – Bigger Than Ever】.
Crowdin currently offers a comprehensive platform for managing the translation and localization of software, websites, mobile apps, marketing content, and more. Key features of Crowdin’s system include the use of LLM-based machine translation and the largest number of integrations in the market, allowing connections to more than 600 applications. This extensive integration capability makes Crowdin a versatile and powerful tool for various translation and localization needs.
WeGlot, on the other hand, positions itself primarily as a localization tool for websites and applications. Unlike more elaborate and complex systems that manage every aspect of the translation process, WeGlot offers an easy-to-use solution tailored for marketers and website owners. Its main advantage lies in its seamless integration with existing ecosystems, such as CMS platforms, enabling users to apply translations directly to their websites. This simplicity and ease of use make WeGlot an attractive option for those looking to efficiently manage website translations without extensive technical know-how.
3 Trends in Translation Technology
Three main trends dominate current translation technology:
LLM: In CAT programs, machine translation will increasingly rely on large language models (LLMs). Today’s artificial intelligence is not only used for translating text but also for automating and streamlining various processes and analyzing data. This advancement in AI technology will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of translation tools, making them more intelligent and capable of handling complex tasks.
Cloud Solutions: The majority of CAT tools and TMS systems now operate as cloud or hybrid solutions. This trend is expected to accelerate as companies strive to offer seamless programs that enable users to work from any location, on any device, and collaborate with other software users. Additionally, with the growing awareness of cybersecurity issues, technology service providers are developing features to ensure the security of data stored on external servers. Cloud-based solutions provide scalability, flexibility, and enhanced collaboration capabilities, making them a preferred choice for translation agencies and freelancers.
Integrations: Ubiquitous integrations are another significant trend in the development of translation tools. Increasingly, technology solutions in the translation industry are designed as connector boxes, allowing CAT and TMS programs to integrate with various other applications and systems. Today, no translation support system can function in isolation. It must enable collaboration with machine translation engines, cloud storage services, CMS content management systems, e-commerce platforms, project and task management platforms, graphics programs, and more. This interconnectedness enhances the functionality and versatility of translation tools, making them more adaptable to diverse workflows and business needs.
The Impact of Technology on Translation Work
Technology has significantly eased the work of translators and translation agencies, although not all aspects of technological change are entirely positive. CAT tools, TMS systems, and machine translation have increased efficiency and automated many processes, allowing for faster and more accurate translations. However, the rapid development of technology also presents challenges.
One of the primary concerns is the risk of over-reliance on automation, which can affect the quality of translations. While large language models are powerful, they can still generate errors or inaccuracies, particularly in complex texts or contexts that require cultural sensitivity. Moreover, cloud solutions, despite their benefits, pose data security risks that must be managed carefully.
Integrations between different systems, while facilitating collaboration and streamlining workflows, can also lead to complications and compatibility issues. Ensuring smooth interoperability between various tools and platforms requires careful planning and management.
As always, the human factor remains crucial. Even the most advanced technologies need to be overseen by skilled and intelligent users. Translators must apply their expertise and judgment to ensure the quality and accuracy of translations. Therefore, while embracing technological advancements, it is essential to use these tools wisely and maintain a balance between automation and human oversight.