Translation memory systems

A translation memory system (TMS) is an innovative software solution widely used in the translation services industry. It is a powerful tool for making translation processes more efficient and consistent.

Essentially, a TMS stores pairs of source text segments and their corresponding translations in a database. These saved segments are then used in the translation of new texts to automatically identify and re-use previously translated content. This eliminates the need to manually search for and insert previously translated text, saving time and improving the consistency of the translations.

Another important aspect of translation memory systems is their ability to make context-sensitive translation suggestions. The system analyses the context in which a text segment appears and suggests the most suitable translation to the translator. This improves the quality of the translations while also increasing efficiency.
 

Translation memory systems (TMS) systems are highly versatile and can be used in a variety of areas and industries. Some of the most common types of content translated with a TMS are:

• Technical manuals and product catalogues: These contain detailed instructions, technical specifications and product descriptions that need to be updated frequently as new products enter the market or as changes are made.
• User manuals: User manuals for products such as electronic devices, household appliances and machines require precise and easy-to-understand translations to ensure safety and user-friendliness.
• Websites, software and help files: Localising a website, software or help files often requires translating large amounts of text that must be updated regularly to keep up with the latest product versions or changes in content.
• Documentation on multiple product variants or similar products from multiple manufacturers: Companies that manufacture or distribute a variety of products need translations for product variants or similar products to ensure the consistency of corporate claims and product information.
• Legal documents: Contracts, legal notices and other legal documents require highly accurate translations to ensure legal clarity and accuracy.

By using a translation memory system, companies in these and other areas can benefit from increased efficiency, consistency and quality in their translation projects.
 

In order to use translation memory systems effectively, it is a basic requirement that the text requiring translation is in electronic form and in an editable file format. This allows the system to analyse and save the text segments and make them available for future translation projects. The KERN UK Ltd. team carefully checks the availability and quality of the electronic texts to ensure that they meet the requirements for the use of translation memory systems. A thorough analysis will then be conducted to determine whether it makes sense to use a translation memory system. If so, the documents will be prepared appropriately to optimise the translation process and ensure maximum efficiency.

The experienced KERN language team plays a critical role in the management of translation memory databases. Through an alignment method, already existing translations, which have not been translated with the aid of a translation memory system, are subsequently processed and integrated into the database. The goal of this process is to create an extensive translation memory database that can be a valuable resource for future translation projects. By continually updating and expanding the database, the KERN language team strives for maximum consistency and quality in the translations. This enables future translation projects to be completed more efficiently, saving time and ensuring consistency. 

• Uniform corporate language: Translation memory systems support the development of a uniform corporate language, which makes a significant contribution to the communications image of your company, both internally and externally. This ensures the maintenance of the corporate identity.
• Securing a company's know-how: Translation memory systems help individual employees to develop and retain linguistic and technical knowledge throughout the company, thus improving the efficiency and quality of the translation processes.
• Improved quality – simplified approval: By using company-specific wording and terms, it makes it easier to approve translated texts. Involving your national offices early on in the building up of a translation memory database will increase linguistic consistency and speed up the approval process.
• Increased linguistic consistency: Translation memory ensures that translated texts are worded consistently, even when multiple translators are deployed or different documents are processed. This eliminates the need for time-consuming post-verification of linguistic consistency.
• Shorter delivery times: Optimisation of the translation process through translation memory systems saves time. This enables higher translation capacity per unit time and significantly shortens the time needed for product launch.