CAT tools — smarter, faster, more consistent translations

CAT stands for computer-assisted translation. It is a software programme that helps translators work faster and more consistently by using translation memory, terminology databases, and quality checks. It is the industry standard for individual translators and translation agencies alike. Just like any good tool, a CAT tool still needs a human quality assessor.

No. CAT tools are not to be confused with machine translation, which is the process of using artificial intelligence to automatically translate texts from one language to another without any human involvement. A CAT tool assists a qualified human translator — it does not replace them. The translator makes every decision about accuracy, tone, and meaning.

A translation memory is a database of previously translated segments — sentences and clauses — that a CAT tool stores and reuses. These are not merely series of sentences that have been translated before, but can be used for translating parallel passages, thus increasing the consistency of all documents relating to a certain company or institution. The memory grows with every project, becoming more valuable over time.

A repetition is a translation unit that appears more than once within a source document. A 100% match is a segment identical to one already in the translation memory. A fuzzy match is a segment that is similar but not identical — sentences that differ only minimally. In all cases, the CAT tool suggests appropriate translations, requiring only a few changes, which is much faster than translating from scratch.

Prices are set based on an analysis of the source text. The result depends not only on the number of words but also on whether we can use an existing translation memory or need to create a new one. The analysis determines the proportion of unique segments and repetitions. Whether matches are perfect or fuzzy, CAT tools contribute to reducing the scope of work and the expenditure, and to increasing consistency.

Documents with the highest number of repetitions benefit most: user manuals, descriptions of procedures, agreements, and financial statements. The most suitable texts are standard texts in the fields of law, business and finance, and technical texts. However, there are no real restrictions — any translation tool remains a cost-effective choice, especially for a large number of similar documents over time.

A CAT tool cannot be used if the source text is handwritten (it must first be transferred into an editable version, usually by hand) or if the source text is in a non-editable format that is difficult or impossible to convert, even with optical character recognition software. Nevertheless, modern CAT tools support most existing file formats, making these exceptions increasingly rare.

Normally, a new translation memory needs to be created only for new clients or projects, although an existing translation memory may also be available at that time. Once created, your translation memory grows with each project, compounding cost savings and consistency. We maintain your memory as a long-term asset for all future translations.