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.

The importance of localisation in translation

Due to a number of technological advances in communications and logistics, entering new foreign markets is now easier than ever before, and this ever-expanding global marketplace is proving to be very tempting for many UK companies.  However, in each new market the perception of a company’s product or service will be influenced by local language, dialects, customs, cultures and regulations, which if not addressed will remain as a significant obstacle for those companies wanting to expand into new foreign markets.

It is the process of ‘Localisation’ which addresses these barriers by modifying all associated written materials to account for linguistic and cultural differences. The objective of localisation is to make the translation as natural and transparent as possible, as if the document was originally written in the target language. Some common elements that differ greatly between countries and should be addressed during localisation can include:

• Time and date formats
• Time zone
• Keyboard usage
• Number formatting
• Currency conversion
• Paper size
• Units of measurement
• Colours
• Symbols
• Images
• Names and titles
• Regulatory compliance
• Culture/value systems
• Social norms

Translation with localisation services are critical for success as, although barriers to international trade have reduced and with their being many global brands, the world market place still remains diverse with many important differences. 

A quality document translation company should have expertise in dozens of languages and dialects, familiarity with the cultures, laws and regulations of key markets around the world, use state of-the-art translation tools and technology, have a network of mother-tongue translators who are specialists within their fields, have disciplined management procedures designed to continuously improve quality and have extensive experience in serving the needs of global companies.

If your current document translation company doesn’t have all of these qualities then contact myself, Ann Elphick on +44 (0) 1785 255067 or email ann.elphick@fls-ltd.com for a free no obligation consultation or itemised document translation quotation.

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

Are you reaping the savings of memory aided translation or is your translation agency guilty of perhaps not passing on the cost savings to you?

Most translation agencies use CAT tools (Computer Aided Translation) which involve software to recognise repetition within documents, only translating a sentence once within all documents if it is repeated.  It also creates a database of translated sentences for your future publications which utilises previously translated sentences.

Not only is the translation agency saving on translation, it also makes short work of previously heavily hands-on Desktop Publishing, saving around 70% on DTP time.

Obviously there are massive savings to be made, savings of which are then, of course, passed on to the client.  Or are they?

If you haven’t asked your translation agency whether they use memory aided translation, then maybe it is time to raise this issue? Translation memory builds a database of sentences after each translation is completed, this means the more documents you have translated the more you save. So if you’re publications require translation, then using translation memory can make significant cost savings.

In addition to the cost savings a CAT tool will also reduce turnaround times.  Other benefits of memory aided translation include improving consistency of translation and terms used in all your translated material and tailor making translations to your company’s specific requirements.

Another thought to consider, is whether your translation agency may have become complacent with the benefits of your work and not progressed with technology to even use a CAT Tool?

Even if you are happy with the quality and turnaround times of your translations, you may not be reaping all of the benefits available to you.  It may be prudent to have a conversation with your translation agency about what additional cost savings are on offer.

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

Foreign Language Services Ltd is a specialist commerce and technical translation agency based in Stafford.  It employs ten people, works with over fifty mother-tongue translators and can translate any type of document in any language combination.

Removing the language barrier to create international business opportunities

Trading internationally and exporting into new foreign markets with the current value of the pound is a credible opportunity for many businesses.

However, and perhaps because English is an internationally recognised language spoken by many European business leaders, UK businesses have in the past had a reluctance to communicate with potential customers in any language except English. 

Communicating effectively with customers or prospects in your own mother-tongue language, let alone in a foreign language, can be tough.  And the view that foreign language is a perceived barrier has been highlighted by the British Chambers of Commerce who asked almost 3,500 of its members why they did not export to Europe, to which 11 per cent cited language barriers.

There is an abundance of export opportunities for UK skills and products, many of which can be found in emerging markets that could be tapped into should a company have the ability to converse with foreign customers in their own language.  

Companies shouldn’t discount exporting because of language differences as perceived language barriers can be removed.

There are plenty of companies and organisations out there that can provide relevant services and advice to help UK companies export into new foreign markets.  Organisations such as UK Trade & Investment and, on a regional level, the Midlands World Trade Forum both have advisers who can provide information and UK Trade & Investment help organise foreign business trips.  Both organisations also hold regional networking events to provide opportunities to make business contacts with international trade specialists.

Translation, interpretation and localisation companies like Foreign Language Services can assist with getting your website, marketing materials, manuals and all your documentation translated professionally and correctly by considering localization, cultural factors, how the documentation will convert into other languages and by ensuring the target language documentation is well designed and looks professional.

I truly believe that companies shouldn’t discount exporting on the basis of language differences, as this perceived barrier can be removed with the right professional support.

We’re on the lookout for a Desktop Publishing Operator for our Stafford office

If you, or if you know of anyone wanting to join a growing and forward thinking Translation Agency, please get in contact.

Inline with our expansion plans, we are advertising for a Desktop Publishing Operator due to an increasing workload and growing client base.

Basic duties will include Desktop Publishing work and applicants must:

• Be extremely confident using computers
• Ability to use Framemaker, Indesign and Word an advantage
• Must be able to use own initiative and be a team player

No experience is necessary, as full training will be provided.  The position is fulltime (36 hours per week) starting on a temporary 6-month contract.

We work with many blue chip and high profile companies and our forward thinking approach means we are continually investing in the latest Computer Aided Technology Tools and up and coming Translation Technologies.

Please send a CV to Ann Elphick translations@fls-ltd.com

Achieving consistency of terminology and costs savings in document translation

Here at Foreign Language Services our translators use Computer Aided Translation (CAT) software to highlight repetition within a document, and to avoid translating repeated segments.

CAT software works by indexing a document in to a series of meaningful units called segments. Essentially a segment is a sentence, but in some cases it can be a phrase, heading or single word.

Once the document has been segmented, the CAT software stores the translated segments in a client specific database, which is commonly referred to as translation memory.  The client specific terminology can then be used as reference for future translations, so when the CAT software comes across the same or similar segment, it will propose the earlier translation.

CAT Software has many advantages.  It ensures translated documents are consistent by including common definitions, phrasings and terminology.  It accelerates the overall translation process and reduces costs, as translators only have to translate similar segments once.  As a client’s translation memory builds, over the course of completing numerous translation projects, the less there is to translate and pay.

As with all technology, no matter how useful and timesaving it may be, the product ultimately depends on the skill and expertise of the operator.  Technical and commercial translations require a mother-tongue translator who understands the subject matter. CAT software is not a replacement for using mother-tongue translators, it is designed to support and facilitate them in the translation process.

It should also not be confused with or compared to automatic translation software such as Google Translate. Automatic translation software uses pre-programmed dictionaries and grammar rules to convert text into a different language.   This type of software is unable to resolve ambiguities in text or decipher for grammatical idioms and as such they tend to produce documents that contain too many mistakes to be suitable for professional purposes.

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

Foreign Language Services Ltd is a specialist commerce and technical translation agency based in Stafford.  It employs eight people, works with over fifty mother-tongue translators and can translate any type of document in any language combination.