Computer-assisted translation (CAT) systems are the most widely used translation tools worldwide. But how do you choose the right one for your business? How can you ensure that your select device will work best for your needs, no matter what your industry is? You don’t need to be fluent in the language you are translating into – even if that’s the focus of the translation process for your company. These are just some things you should know about these popular translation tools:
Microsoft Office: The most widely used Windows-based program for various languages, including English, Spanish, French and German, MS Office has a built-in translation memory that makes it easy to remember translations as you go along. Suppose you need to translate a small project into a different language. In that case, all you need to do is start a new Word document, open up the file in MS Office and add the missing parts – then start the translation memory and allow the software to “spit out” the changes you made. Translation memory is available on all Windows operating systems, though a newer version of Windows Vista requires that you upgrade to the latest version first. To use the built-in translation memory, open the Start menu and select “Words,” or “English (general)”, or “English (international).”
MS Word: One of the best-known and widely used MS Office programs, Word is an excellent choice for simple translations and glossary entries. It offers a handy dictionary for instant access to commonly used terms. The “translations” tool lets you specify the desired languages that you want to have the translations of your documents automatically inserted. You can also set the preferred language for all your documents, and MS Word provides several convenient features for managing the workflow. MS Word’s powerful features also make it a good program for creating, editing, storing databases and additional information such as translations. You can use the Microsoft language portal for learning more about the tools available to you.
Zendex: This popular translation tool is easy to learn, with simple interfaces and comprehensive features that enable you to translate between several different language pairs quickly. It includes a vocabulary manager to help you identify words and phrases in your document that may require translation. In addition, the built-in translator allows you to make simple edits, like inserting numbers or replacing words. You can also translate between different language pairs using the built-in generators.
Google Translate: Google Translate is an online service offered by the search giant that enables users to translate text from any English-speaking computer to any other English-reading computer. To use Google Translate, you first need an account – which is free — then register your product, service or business in the Google international language. After that, you can create documents and have them translated online through Google Translate. Google Translate can be used by itself or combined with other translation tools for even more convenience.
MemoQ: Similar to Google Translate, MemoQ offers online access to its database of over one hundred languages. You can also use this database to back up your files if some hard copies get lost or damaged. Once registered, you can begin translating text from your file using the translation memory feature and then choose the English or the preferred languages to be solved. The MemoQ tool automatically detects and downloads the most appropriate translations for the files you are translating.
