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Use of CAT tools

We use CAT tools on some of our translations. CAT is an abbreviation of Computer Aided Translation (Computer-Aided Translation), i.e. translation using special software. These are database programmes for professional translators and not translation machines. The most widespread CAT programme at present is TRADOS.

Three advantages of CAT tools

  1. Translation memory: if sentences are repeated in the text to be translated (100 % repetition or repetition with slight variations), the CAT programme recognises these and offers the translator the previous version translated. This makes the translation process quicker and cheaper. A significantly lower price is charged for repeated sentences.
  2. Terminological database: the programme ensures terminological uniformity, principally for large-scale or long-term projects (even if a number of translators are working on the translation).
  3. Localisation: the simple translation of websites, XML and SGML documents, and files from DTP studios (Adobe FrameMaker, Adobe PageMaker, QuarkXpress, QuickSilver, etc.). This process saves costs on returning the translation to HTML or to DTP typesetting.

We will be glad to create a translation memory and terminological dictionary for you. We are also able to create a translation memory from older translations on which CAT tools were not used.

When are CAT programmes used?