We all must have heard about CAT tools. Having many tools in the market creates a little friction when choosing one. Let’s get to know a little about these:

What is a CAT tool?

The CAT tool is a computer-aided translation tool that helps us create content more efficiently, faster, and with higher quality. It divides large multilingual documents into segments such as sentences and paragraphs. Computer-assisted translation tools have changed the way projects are translated, and it’s the only way possible in today’s world to meet customer needs on time. Nowadays, people often use CAT tools for translators and writers to speed up their work and increase their productivity.

How does computer-assisted translation work?

Computer-assisted translation tools facilitate the translation process by breaking up text into smaller, translatable chunks. It organizes these text segments in a way that facilitates the translator to translate the text efficiently and makes the translation process efficient.

Why do translators use computer-aided translation (CAT) tools? 

Many translators use CAT tools to make their job easier by letting the CAT tools do some of their work, such as maintaining accuracy and keeping technical aspects common. and consistent expertise. It allows translators to translate faster and better every day. 

CAT tools for translation

The CAT tool works or is used by breaking up the source text into smaller segments and storing all the source and translated segments in the database. They also come with a wide range of editing and   quality assurance tools like auto-suggestion, spell-checking, and more. 

Benefits of using CAT tools

Let’s take a detailed look at the main benefits of using computer-aided translation tools. 

• Helps create high-quality translations. 
• Improve translation productivity. 
• Significant savings. 
• Reduce the time and effort required to create translations. 
• Provides return on investment (ROI) 

Best CAT tools for translation

• MemoQ 
• Memsource 
• OmegaT 
• Phrase 
• Smartcat 
• STAR Transit 
• Trados Studio 

Free Computer-assisted translation tool with examples

Free computer-aided translation tools are not very effective in some cases and have limited functionality for professional translations. However, many free CAT tools have emerged since the rise of web-based software and browser-based CAT tools. Some free computer-assisted translation tools are: 

• CafeTran Espresso 
• Across 
• OmegaT 
• Wordfast Anywhere 
• SmartCAT 

Some of the best-used computer-aided translation tools

Here are some of the most commonly used computer-aided translation tools: 

1. SDL TRADOS: 

SDL Trados is translation software for computer-aided translations. We use this versatile tool for translations, term management, as well as the smoothness of the translation process. Using SDL Trados should not be confused with machine translation. 

2. MemoQ: 

MemoQ is a stable technology that provides a collaborative translation environment that facilitates and speeds up the translation process with advanced features. It has features that allow translators to collaborate on multiple projects at the same time. 

3. Memsource: 

Memsource allows users to work with multiple languages in a single project and supports many different file types, allowing them to choose what works best for them. 

4. SMART CAT: 

Smartcat is a cloud-based localization and translation platform that connects businesses, translators, and translation agencies in a single “Connected Translations” distribution ring. 

5. Matecat: 

It is an open-source software and web-enabled computer-assisted translation tool. It’s an AI-based translation tool primarily intended for translators dealing with the language industry. 

Best CAT tool for translation

SDL Trados is the most widely used CAT tool in the language industry. This is one of the complete translation software solutions to help translate, edit, manage terms and ensure language quality. 

Advantages and disadvantages 

Each tool has its pros and cons, so let’s discuss some of the main pros and cons of CAT tools. 

Advantages: 

1. Improve translation consistency 
2. Shorter delivery time 
3. The larger volume of translations in less time 
4. Better Quality Assurance capabilities 
5. Reduce costs through differential pricing. 

Disadvantages: 

1. Contextual error: 

A machine cannot yet be programmed to fully understand the context in which a given word or phrase is used. Even text strings that have been matched in translation memory must be checked by the translator for contextual accuracy. 

2. Localization ability: 

Localization is an important factor in translation. There are various metaphors, colloquialisms, and idioms in regional languages that machines cannot do correctly. 

3. Security issues: 

Leaks of confidential information can occur if the data is stored in the translation memory, so CAT tools need special attention for security. 

CAT tool companies are most sought after when a startup or multinational company expands its operations into rural areas and other parts of the country. Computer-aided translation tools help them localize their products or services to the needs of their consumers. 

Here are the other platforms that can help you. 

1. Redokun – is easy to use and requires minimal training to operate. Most marketing agencies, global companies, and translators use it and it is mainly suitable for marketing materials and content. Its subscription cost is $125 per month after a free trial. 

2. SDL TRADOS – is widely used by translation agencies and provides translations against various databases. Commonly used translators like predictive typing, spell checking, punctuation, etc. are present here. It can be obtained for a license fee of $2933 to purchase a license. 

3. Lokalise – is a web-based document versioning collaborative translation editor that allows you to work on different iterations of the same file and combine them once completed. It is mainly suitable for marketing teams, global companies, and translators. Its subscription fees start at $90 per month. 

4. Text United – uses machine translation and translation memory to speed up content localization, and also provides audio and video translation using automatic speech recognition technology. It is mostly suitable for the localization of apps, website content, and documents and charges $71 per month after a free trial. 

CONCLUSION 

CAT tools allow you to translate virtually any document format and publish the final translation with little design work. The process works by extracting text from the original file to work in the CAT tool interface. The tool not only helps in translating, and featuring but lowers the efforts of a person what they perform on task.