Enhancing human translation with translation memory

All our mother tongue translators are methodically handpicked and regularly undertake tests and spot checks to ensure consistent high quality.

So why do we use Translation Memory?  Firstly, translation memory shouldn’t be confused with machine translation.  Translation memory enhances the human translation process by reducing the amount of sentences needing to be translated by eliminating the necessity for repeated sentences to be translated.

It saves on Desktop Publishing time as once the document has been translated, it is exported back into the source file where much of the DTP work has been completed. What remains is the need to tidy up the new output language file, which generally means extending the document or reducing fonts to accommodate the translated language, which will generally be longer than the English.

The more we translate the more you save!

For all subsequent document translations we refer to your database of translated sentences so you are only left with those sentences which are new. And as we work with you, we build upon your database for use specifically for your publications, so the more we translate, the more you save!

You can read our latest case study where we were able to make an impressive cost saving for our client by significantly reducing the translation word count from 41,000 to just 26,000 with the use of our Translation Memory.

Most translation agencies keep your translation memory as their ‘intellectual property’.  We don’t!

At the end of the first project, we end up with a database of matched translated sentences.  We deliver this translation memory database at no extra cost to our clients as part of our service. Most translation agencies keep the memory as their ‘intellectual property’, but this is really done to tie clients in.  We have been making this practice of delivering databases to clients for many years now. We keep our clients because of good communication, fair pricing and being trustworthy.

In conclusion

In addition to the cost savings, memory translation reduces turnaround times, improves the consistency of translation and tailors each translation to your specific requirements, all without sacrificing quality.

If you would like further information or to discuss the virtues of using Translation Memory please contact myself, Ann Elphick on +44 (0) 1785 255067 or email ann.elphick@fls-ltd.com

You can read a number of related blogs here:

Could your translation agency be more efficient and pass on greater savings?

Achieving consistency of terminology and costs savings in document translation

Case Study: Sontay UK ltd

Sontay are experts in a range of field controls. Established in 1974 they have gone from strength to strength utilising new technologies and widening their extensive product range. They are growing and have an ever-increasing need to provide documentation such as catalogues in foreign languages

Requirements

Initially I was contacted by Mr Alan Braybrook who had received a communication from us regarding our services.  Sontay had an English catalogue in Quark Xpress which they wanted translating into French and German. Quark Xpress is not best suited to Translation Tools and we recommended that if at all possible, the English should be converted to a different piece of software such as FrameMaker or InDesign.

Solution

We offered to convert their English Quark Xpress catalogue into InDesign and because we have a good knowledge of Language Documentation and Manuals, we were able to produce the document in our DTP office suite. We took into account that the English source book would eventually be translated into French and German as having a book laid out with the target languages in mind is a very important consideration as most languages are longer than English which could mean having a cramped translated document.

We were able to make an impressive saving on the price of translation with the whole English word count being 41,000, which we reduced to just 26,000 with the use of our Translation Tools.  This is a clear demonstration on just how important Translation Tools are for companies exporting their products.

More recently we have been converting a number of English technical data sheets into InDesign in preparation for translating them into French and realising further cost savings from utilising the translations Database we have already generated.

Dealing with Sontay has been a pleasure, liaising with Stacey Lucas at Sontay regarding work processes, we are very pleased to have this new client on board.

Stacey Lucas from Sontay Ltd comments:

We have been very happy with not only the translation work provided but the efforts to convert literature into different programs.  The initial conversion of the catalogue from Quark to Indesign saved us a great deal of time in-house for future projects and the final translations into French and German were of good quality.  We have continued to use FLS for further literature and documentation on behalf of our customers and have them to be very accommodating when changes have been requested to the format and style of the documents.  FLS provide more than a translation service they can offer a complete solution to creating documentation.