Computer Aided Translation (CAT) Tools

What are CAT tools and what they do?

CAT stands for computer assisted translation. A CAT tool is a software or program that assists a translator in managing one’s translation on a computer, making it more efficient and easier to perform the task.

The several aspects of a CAT tool are, retaining a memory of the translation, dividing the text into logical segments, presenting the segments on screen for ease of viewing, and so on.

What CAT tools will NOT do:

• Translate automatically

What CAT tools WILL do

• Divide the text into coherent units, phrases, or sentences, known as segments,
• Make it easier to view each segment by highlighting and spacing it out,
• Save the translation made by a translator and store it in the translation memory (TM),

In short, a took automates tasks related to translation.

In this way the translation process can be made more efficient. Hence a CAT tool does not actually perform the translation, but simply provides local and technical features that support the translator to make the translation easier to manage, and to maintain a database for future reference.

Segmentation and translation memory are by far the most significant aspect of a CAT tool. The more segments we translate, the more translation memory is available for automatic retrieval and re-use. This makes the work faster more consistent and therefore more efficient.

Machine translation vs. computer-assisted translation – Differences

Machine Translation is a process of automatic translation without human intervention, using artificial intelligence. Google Translate, Bing Translator, and Yandex Translate are some leading names in this sector. Nowadays, translation memories are being used as collective memories of MT tools and this is significantly improving the quality of MT. When humans review, check and edit
machine translation, it is called machine translation post edit (MTPE). This is increasing in popularity today.

Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT), one the other hand, refers to software that automates the translation process, helping them in retaining memory, improve productivity, efficiency and consistency. They do and cannot replace a translator as the primary task of translation is performed by the translators themselves.

List of CAT tools

The following are two lists of paid and free CAT tools in the market today.

Paid CAT tools

• SDL Trados Studio
• MemoQ
• Wordfast (Classic & Pro)
• XTM Cloud
• Star Transit
• Poedit
• Meta Texis
• Pairapharase

Free CAT tools

• CafeTran Espresso
• OmegaT
• Wordfast Anywhere
• MateCat
• SmartCAT
• Virtaal
• Pootle
• Lokalize

Advantages

Translation memories reduce time and increase consistency in translation. The various automating and supporting tools make translation efficient and easier to execute. Translation memories further help in reducing the cost of translation.

Apart from the TM, other databases such as glossaries and style guides are also generated and maintained with the help of CAT tools. These continue to develop over time and serve as a future reference for the same or similar projects.