Computer-assisted Translation Tools Research Articles

Terminology management in computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools MemoQ as a case study

Today, translation is the systematic thread that brings different civilizations and cultures together and brings them closer together. In the light of the considerable and rapid advances in technology, the responsibilities of the translator or of the translation companies increase on a daily basis. This led software developers to find tools to help the translator achieve those standards and enrich the translation market with new skills to handle them. Among these tools, perhaps most noteworthy is computer-assisted translation (CAT) Tools. The present paper sheds the light on one of the most important features in computer-assisted translation (CAT) Tools that is terminology management, furthermore, by taking MemoQ application as a case study, it shows a practical guide to create and use term base within this application.

The Impacts of Computer-Assisted Translation Tools on Learning Autonomy of Students in English Translation Courses

Computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools have played an important role in professional translation work. Nevertheless, integrating CAT tools in translation training effectively has remained a conundrum in educational institutions. This research investigates the impact of CAT tools on the learning autonomy of English-majored students in translation courses. Several CAT tools were employed in the training process of 64 students majoring in English translation for 10 weeks. The Learner Autonomy Perception Questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data for pre-test and post-test. Qualitative data was also collected from 15 individual interviews. Findings reveal that the integration of CAT tools has positive impacts on components of learner autonomy, including belief about teachers’ role, metacognitive knowledge, metacognitive skills, and freedom, but it has no significant influence on motivation. Furthermore, although CAT tools facilitate opportunities to foster self-confidence, independence of learning and critical thinking skills, they may cause an over-reliance on technology and a lack of creativity and sense of ownership. Accordingly, several teaching implications are drawn in this study.

The Effectiveness of Using Computer-Assisted Translation Tools for Developing Translation Skills for EFL Learners

The Effectiveness of Using Computer-Assisted Translation Tools for Developing Translation Skills for EFL Learners

A Study on How Globalization Influences Translation Practices and the Demand for Translators in Various Industries

This study investigates the impact of globalization on translation practices and the demand for translators across various industries. Utilizing a mixed-methods research design, the study combines quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with professional translators, translation agency managers, and industry experts. The findings reveal that technological advancements, particularly machine translation (MT) and computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools have significantly altered translation workflows, increasing efficiency while necessitating careful quality control. The demand for localization services has surged, especially in the tech industry, reflecting a broader trend towards culturally adapted content in global markets. Additionally, the study highlights a notable shift towards freelancing and remote work among translators, driven by the desire for flexibility but accompanied by challenges such as job stability and securing consistent work. Emerging challenges identified include maintaining translation quality amidst high workloads, adapting to rapidly evolving technologies, and navigating cultural differences to ensure culturally appropriate translations. Economic pressures, such as low rates and payment issues, further complicate the landscape for professional translators. These findings align with existing literature, emphasizing the need for continuous adaptation, professional development, and strategic approaches to address the dynamic and evolving nature of the translation industry in a globalized context. The study provides valuable insights into the current state of the translation industry, highlighting the importance of cultural competence, technological proficiency, and economic resilience for translators operating in a globalized world. Future research should explore the long-term impacts of these trends and the evolving role of translators in a rapidly changing global market.

Does Translation Technology Affect Translators' Performance? A Meta-Analysis

Translation technologies, including computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools, translation memory (TM) systems, and machine translation (MT), are increasingly utilized in professional translation workflows and training. However, the effects of these technologies on translators' performance remain inconclusive. This meta-analysis examines the overall impact of translation technologies on translator performance by synthesizing data from 12 experimental studies published between 2000 and 2023. The study investigates the effectiveness of translation technologies compared to traditional translation methods. The findings reveal a significant positive effect size, indicating that translation technologies have the potential to improve translators’ performance relative to purely human translation. The integration of advanced interactive CAT systems and post-editing MT demonstrates larger advancements compared to basic TM match retrieval. Moreover, experienced professional translators derive greater benefits from incorporating technologies than student translators, highlighting the importance of leveraging automation capabilities alongside human expertise. However, the study identifies significant heterogeneity among the studies, influenced by factors such as translation direction. Translators translating into their native language exhibit greater advancements, emphasizing the advantages of technologies that strengthen fluency in the target language.

Innovative methods for integrating translation memory and CAT tools: Enhancing intelligent support in human translation processes

This paper explores the innovative integration of Translation Memory (TM) and Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools to enhance translation efficiency, consistency, and quality in multinational organizations. By adopting a user-centric interface design, modular system architecture, and cloud-based deployment, the integrated system addresses diverse translation needs while ensuring data security and privacy. Key features include real-time translation suggestions powered by machine learning algorithms, seamless access to TM databases, and real-time collaboration tools. The paper discusses implementation strategies, challenges, and solutions, highlighting the importance of user training and continuous improvement. A case study demonstrates significant improvements in translation speed, accuracy, and user satisfaction, underscoring the potential of advanced translation technologies to transform translation workflows. The findings provide valuable insights into best practices for successful implementation and optimization of TM and CAT tools in complex, large-scale environments.

What makes a medical translator?

Advancements in healthcare and the rise of patient-centredness have increased workloads for professional medical translators. In parallel, new and emerging technologies are impacting translators’ output and workflows, though investigations into the medical translation domain remain scarce. This article presents the results of an international survey on 165 professional medical translators to identify trends concerning their socio-demographic and professional profiles, the textual- and process-related challenges of translating medical texts aimed at patients as laypersons, and their use of technology, specifically Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools and Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR). Results show that the medical translators surveyed have decades-long experience in translation and come primarily from a linguistic background. They find specialised terminology and delivery deadlines as most challenging when translating patient-facing medical texts. Finally, most medical translators in our survey use CAT tools when translating or post-editing, although a small minority also integrate ASR tools into their workflows.

Measuring the Efficiency of Post-Edited Text Generated by CAT Tools: An Experimental Study

Motivated by the technological advancements in computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools and the notable lack of academic research regarding their application in the Arabic-translation context, this study aims to investigate the differences in translators’ performance when comparing traditional human translation and post-edited CAT tool-generated text in terms of speed and effort. This study investigates the performance of professional translators in Saudi Arabia through traditional translation from scratch (TFS) and post-editing (PE) approaches. Data was collected from nine translators with 5–12 years of experience who had exposure to CAT tools. The participants translated an Arabic educational article into English using both methods. This study utilized Phrase CAT and Translog-II software to analyze the participants’ time and keystrokes. The results indicate that PE was significantly faster than TFS, with PE requiring 65.1% less time. PE also demanded significantly fewer keystrokes, suggesting lower technical effort. Correlations between keystrokes and time indicate a strong positive relationship in PE, implying that more technical effort correlates with increased temporal effort. These findings emphasize the efficiency of PE in enhancing productivity and suggest the importance of CAT tools and PE training for translators to meet industry demands effectively. Furthermore, this study underscores the need for continuous updates in CAT tool courses and the integration of PE training to prepare translators for constantly evolving technological landscapes.

Factors Affecting Acceptance of Cloud-Based Computer-Assisted Translation Tools Among Translation Students

Translation technology is a fundamental aspect of the translation profession. Cloud-based computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools are becoming popular among translators because of their simplicity and usability. However, studies on the factors affecting the use of cloud-based CAT tools by translators and translation students are scarce. Therefore, this study explores the factors that influence the acceptance and use of such tools among translation students using the technology acceptance model (TAM). The hypothesized model is empirically validated using a survey of 181 participants. Using structural equation modeling, data analysis suggests that translation students' intention to use cloud-based CAT tools and their perceived usefulness are key adoption factors, while actual use is less significant. The simplicity of cloud-based CAT tools is also an important consideration, particularly for translation students with limited information technology experience. The implications for tool developers and translation instructors are discussed considering these findings.

CAT Tools: The Rise of a New Era of Machine Translation or the End of the Translator?

Translation is a tool for bringing civilizations and cultures together, and in light of the tremendous and rapid progress of technologies, the work of the translator has become very difficult as he is no longer required not only quality and accuracy, but speed has become one of the most important criteria of his work as well as the need to know several disciplines and carry out research that enables him to achieve these standards, which led software developers to look for the development of programs that help the translator in his work, perhaps the most prominent of which are computer-assisted translation tools (CAT) Tools. What are the CAT tools and what impact do they have on translation field and translation quality? What are the pros and cons of translation aids? What are their types and methods of control? Is recognizing the importance of adopting those tools an abolition of the role of the translator and a reduction of his part of work?All of these questions we will try to answer through this intervention by adopting an analytical approach and a translational approach that enables us to reach practical results that serve translation in different disciplines

The Impact of Technology on Human Translators and Translation Quality: A Study on Machine Translation and Computer-Assisted Translation Tools

This paper explores the influence of technology, especially computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools, on human translators and the quality of translated texts. the development of machine translation is reviewed, including advancements in neural machine translation (NMT), and various types of CAT tools such as translation memory (TM) systems and terminology management tools. The impact of technology on human translators is analysed, highlighting their evolving role in the digital age, and the effects on translation quality is examined. The article addresses the advantages and challenges associated with technology in translation, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that combines the strengths of technology with the expertise of human translators.

The Effect of using the Connectivist Approach on Developing Secondary Stage Students’ Cross-cultural Awareness and Translation Performance

The present study attempted to examine the effect of using the connectivist approach on developing secondary-stage students' cross-cultural awareness and translation performance. The study comprised thirty-two first-year secondary stage students enrolled in El-Jalawea Institute, Sohag Governorate. The study adopted the quasi-experimental design. Thirty-two participants were randomly assigned to one group, and they were taught through a suggested web-based program. Data were gathered and analysed using both quantitative and qualitative instruments. A pre-post online translation and cross-cultural awareness test, an online questionnaire, and a web-based training program/blog were used in the study. Findings indicated that participants showed significantly higher levels of translation performance samples in the areas of reading comprehension, writing fluency, Computer-assisted Translation (CAT) tool usage, text analysis, and terminology search. Findings also showed significantly higher levels of cross-cultural awareness in both cognitive and affective aspects compared to students' achievement before the treatment. Participants also showed evidence of transition from word-for-word to meaning-for-meaning translation. The development of the students' performance was demonstrated by multiple measures that imply that the suggested web-based program is effective for developing secondary-stage students' translation performance and cross-cultural awareness skills.

Enhancing CAT education: the significance of teaching the right skills in the right time

This article explores the dynamic landscape of Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools, aiming to identify the key skills employed by language professionals and the essential competencies students should acquire. Employing a survey methodology, responses from a diverse pool of translators shed light on CAT tool preferences, termbase utilization, and automation practices. RWS Trados and memoQ emerge as frontrunners, underlining the versatility required in contemporary translation workflows. While over 80% adopt quality assurance features and ensure precise tag transfers, challenges persist in reusing termbases across projects.ile conversion skills, particularly.tmx conversions, prove significant for translation memory management. Automation practices such as term extraction and pretranslation reveal varied adoption, signaling opportunities for tailored education. Despite limited current usage, machine translation plug-ins and AI present strategic advantages for translators in training, with the emergence of technologies like ChatGPT anticipated to drive a surge in usage Encouragingly, the article concludes that the emergence of AI does not diminish CAT tool usage, positioning them as integral to the evolving language services landscape.

Optimizing Multilingual Communication with Computer-Assisted Translation Tools

Optimizing Multilingual Communication with Computer-Assisted Translation Tools

Utilization of Computer-Assisted Translation Tools Among Arab Translators: Scope, Challenges, and Solutions

The study aims at investigating the utilization of computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools by Arab translators with a particular focus on the challenges that they face. It also suggests potential solutions that can help Arab translators increase their translation efficiency and productivity. The author followed the quantitative and qualitative methods with an analytical descriptive approach in conducting the current study. To achieve the objectives of the study, a questionnaire consisting of 67 items was designed to identify the utilization of CAT tools, the scope of their use, and the challenges that Arab translators encounter while using CAT tools. The questionnaire was given to 104 Arab translators from various Arab countries. An interview was also used to achieve the objectives of this study; it aimed to collect data about finding solutions to the challenges that Arab translators face while using CAT tools from the perspective of 20 translators. Additionally, the SPSS program and other statistical tests were used for data analysis purposes. The findings showed that only a few types of CAT tools were used by Arab translators and even those they used were not utilized very much. The results indicated that only 19.03% of the total number of participants used CAT tools. That means Arab translators confronted many challenges while using CAT tools from the viewpoints of the participants. These challenges were related to translators, CAT tools, translation memory (TM), and technical issues. Additionally, a list of solutions was proposed to overcome the challenges that Arab translators face while using CAT tools from the perspectives of those interviewed.

Lost in Translation: The Vital Role of Medical Translation in Global Medical Communications

In today's globalized world, translating scientific and medical content is vital to bridging language barriers and facilitating communication among diverse audiences. This article dives deep into the importance of medical translation and provides key best practices to ensure accurate and high-quality translations.
 Effective medical translators must possess strong writing skills in both the source and target languages to accurately convey the intended message while maintaining the tone and style of the original document. Developing and finalizing content in one language before translation streamlines the process and enhances the quality of the translation.
 Translators should seek clarification and ask questions during the translation process to deliver an error-free final version. Understanding medical terminology in both source and target languages is crucial, and staying updated with the latest terminology is essential for accurate translations. Utilizing a bilingual glossary or creating one in collaboration with the client helps ensure translation accuracy.
 While machine translations have limitations, computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools like SDL Trados, MemoQ, Wordfast, and OmegaT improve efficiency and consistency. These tools, equipped with translation memory and terminology management features, support human translators in their work.
 Medical translation plays a significant role in global medical communication, alongside regulatory writing, scientific publications, health communication, professional education, promotional writing, and grant writing. It is essential for effective communication and accurate information exchange in the scientific community.
 In conclusion, accurate medical translation is crucial for effective communication and collaboration in the global scientific community. Adhering to best practices ensures precise and high-quality translations, facilitating the sharing of scientific knowledge across languages.

Utilizing Computer-Aided Translation Tools in Saudi Translation Agencies

This quantitative study aims at measuring the extent to which Saudi translation agencies use Computer-Assisted Translation Tools. It gives researchers and other people who look forward to working in Saudi translation marked a clear picture of the status of using Computer-Assisted Translation Tools. Two questions control the study: 1)to what extent are CAT tools used in Saudi translation agencies? 2) to what extent are Saudi translation agencies aware of the features of CAT tools? The study used a questionnaire distributed among 11 Saudi translation agencies for data collection. The data were analyzed by frequency distribution tables illustrating each response’s percentage. The results showed that there is still a lack of translation technology, including the use of CAT Tools, in Saudi translation agencies, even with the noticeable increase in adopting these tools. More than half of the participants show unawareness of these tools or their features. Therefore, they have negative expectations for their future. This study contributes to translation studies, highlighting the importance of integrating CAT tools into the Saudi translation market and university programs.

Incorporating Collaborative and Active Learning Strategies in the Design and Deployment of a Master Course on Computer-Assisted Scientific Translation

This research aims to address the current gaps in computer-assisted translation (CAT) courses offered in bachelor’s and master’s programmes in scientific and technical translation (STT). A multi-framework course design methodology is proposed to support CAT teachers from the computer engineering field, improve student engagement, and promote computer-supported education, together with a balanced coverage of the most relevant topics in the CAT domain. STT is currently in high demand in many fields, requiring translators with sector-specific language skills and considerable computer literacy in order to manage translation projects with complex structures, and format heterogeneity. However, many STT curricula often lag behind current market demands, focusing primarily on language and translation theory, with less emphasis on CAT technologies and tools. Moreover, the lack of shared course design guidelines hinders the introduction of innovative teaching approaches based on collaborative learning. A novel multi-framework CAT course design methodology, named CATDeM, is proposed, based on the integration between an official European translation competence framework, real-life-mimicking laboratorial activities, and computer-supported collaborative learning, enriched with discussion case studies and role-playing experiences. A real-life case study is examined to illustrate and evaluate the implementation of CATDeM in two consecutive editions (2020/2021 and 2021/2022) of a one-semester compulsory CAT course in a M.A. degree in STT at the University of Salento (Italy). Students’ perceptions of translation technology and role-plays, as well as their attitudes towards the proposed CAT course are evaluated through a post-grading self-assessment questionnaire. Achieved results indicated successful student engagement and self-assessed improvement in translation, technical, and interpersonal skills. The importance given by students to role-playing experiences mimicking professional scenarios was also highlighted, paving the way for CATDeM to be adopted in similar contexts.

Translators' Perceptions on Open Source Translation Tools: Trados and OmegaT

In the last century, great technological development has changed the working principles and methods of institutions and professions worldwide and has started a radical innovation process. While it eliminated those who could not keep up with this innovation, it raised those who did to be the best in their fields. One of the professions affected by this change is undoubtedly translation. Translation technology systems are widely used by translators all over the world today and have a large market. Translators' use of translation technologies more effectively and accurately ensures that their translations are carried out more accurately and in a faster time, and it has become the indispensable equipment of a good translator in the historical process. This has given vital meaning to translation technologies such as translation memories and machine translations. The benefits of translation technologies to the translator are many. Although many studies have been conducted on the problems experienced by translators and the limitations and advantages of translation technologies in general, there are very few studies on the problems experienced by translators individually about the use of translation technologies, the problems they experience and their attitudes. The aim of this article is to identify the various problems that translators experience while using computer-assisted translation tools, to reveal the reasons for using the programs they frequently use, and to get the comments of the translators who use alternative options. By employing a document analysis approach to collect data, the article presents a descriptive analysis of opinions. This analysis is between the paid Trados program, which is known to all translators, and the free alternative program OmegaT. The user comments of the Proz forum, which is known worldwide by translators, are used in the analysis. An analysis is presented by listing the positive and negative opinions about both computer-aided translation tools. The article presents some suggestions regarding translation education based on the findings.

Translation under the guidance of translation variation technique: the case of written advertising

ABSTRACT This paper sought to study the strategies of variation in translating advertisements from English to Chinese and vice versa. For this, an analysis of a sample of 28 advertisements, logos, and headlines was conducted, among which 8 samples having English-Chinese and Chinese-English variation translation alternatives were selected for further examination. Their discourse analysis showed that the average number of possible variation translations per material unit (message, headline, logo) was 1–2, whereas for literal translation, only 1 variant was available. The success of variation translation was achieved through grammatical transformation, omission, approximation, addition, lexical units’ relocation and substitution, synonymisation, and paraphrasing. The comparative analysis showed that the literal translation was less effective than the variation, as it was not always possible to achieve the maximum effect from the advertising and influence the reader. The collected findings may add to further research in the field of linguistics, translation, marketing, and copywriting, as they provide useful data on the linguistic strategies of modern brand advertising campaigns. They could also be used in the subsequent studies focusing on machine or computer-assisted translation tools or evaluating the quality of translation and its impact on consumers.