Best Automated Translation Tools (CAT)
Regardless of whether you are a professional or a rookie translator, the following translation tools will help you achieve better results in less time and with the same quality.
When we hear about translation tools, many might think that it is an assisted translation software, which could quickly lead to negative thoughts about the results of this practice. However, although many of these tools will help us translate a document with artificial intelligence, there are also others that will help us with format changes or obtaining information, among other features.
On the other hand, it is important to know that automated translation tools are not bad, as they do work easier. However, the misuse that some professionals give them has caused the reputation of these practices to be increasingly damaged, making the good translators who use them also poorly viewed in the eyes of the community.
What is an Automated Translation Tool?
An automated translation tool, also called CAT tools (Computer-Aided Translation), is a way in which professionals can translate information from one language to another through artificial intelligence. CAT tools allow users to translate texts section by section, store and edit translations, maintaining the format and adding quality control.
Generally, these translations offer a final product with some errors, which are generated by the cultural gaps between languages. However, with the use of quality control, human translators can correct any mistakes using their knowledge of the language and target culture.
Within the computer-assisted translation software available in the current market, there are many with different functions, although they always offer two specific actions: translate and store. Likewise, you can also find options to install on your computer and work on the device where you have it, or translate in the cloud, accessing information as long as you have an internet connection.
What are the Best Translation Tools?
As mentioned before, translation tools are not limited to assisted translation, so you will find different ones to help you in the following list:
- Linguee
- Interactive Terminology for Europe
- Word Counter
- MemoQ
- MateCat
- PDF to Word Converter
Linguee
Linguee is a fantastic tool that is useful to translate and search for the equivalences of the most common phrases from one language to another. This platform combines a vast dictionary with an excellent search engine. With this translation tool, you can search for text, words, and expressions in different languages.
Additionally, Linguee helps you verify meanings and translations depending on the context, making it easier to find the correct expression in the target language. On this platform, you will also have the opportunity to browse the web to search for translated documents that are relevant to your research.
Interactive Terminology for Europe
This excellent translation tool was launched in 1999 and is the interinstitutional terminological database of the European Union. This is a very useful resource that guarantees the coherence and quality of all written communications related to the European Union, as well as communications with other foreign entities.
Likewise, its vast database plays a fundamental role for translators and language professionals, as it covers the 23 official languages of the EU, with 8.4 million specific terms, 540,000 abbreviations, and 130,000 phrases. With this, you can obtain great reliability for your translations, as they are terms that language, translation, and terminology experts from the EU introduce into the database.
Word Counter
Like Linguee, this is a free online tool that you can use to calculate the number of words in the text. With Word Counter, you will make it easier to count repetitions of phrases and words on a website, including any image located within the site, which will save you time and effort. Additionally, it shows you a number of keywords that you could use to optimize your translation.
Its use is straightforward, as you only need to enter the URL of the website you are interested in, and that’s it. With this excellent tool, you can better organize your time, give an estimated deadline for your translations, and make a quicker quote for your clients in just a few seconds.
MemoQ
MemoQ is an automated translation tool that was designed for independent translators, especially, but it can also be used in companies. This software offers a series of interesting functions that allow you to reuse phrases or words from previous translations you have worked on, thanks to the memory of artificial intelligence.
On the other hand, it also has features to help improve the quality of the final product, check coherence, and guarantee the use of the correct terminology with a control tool. One of the best attributes of its 2015 version is the possibility of making a spell check more quickly. Therefore, if you want to know if it is the right tool for you, you can use the free 45-day trial.
MateCat
Regarding more automated translation tools, MateCat is a free tool that uses open source for freelance translators and companies. One of its great features is that there is no limit on projects or users. In addition, although it has a paid version, you can use this platform in the cloud for free and download the information in a format to use on another platform.
However, MateCat has some disadvantages, as it has limited functionality in the free version and its translation memories are stored in the cloud for public use by default. This means that if you are working with confidential documents from your clients, you must ensure that your translation memories are private. Nevertheless, you can also use other users’ translation memories to help you.
PDF to Word Converter
If you are not a technology expert and need to transfer information from a PDF document to Word or Google Docs, this tool will be very useful in your daily life as a translator. With the PDF to Word converter, you can attach any file you want to convert in PDF, PowerPoint, Word, JPEG, PNG, and TXT formats, or you can also convert the information directly from a URL.
Translation tools are widely used nowadays to make your work easier and improve delivery times. However, they must be used responsibly, using previous knowledge of translation or linguistics to deliver a good final product to clients.
Ideally, it is recommended to try different translation tools before choosing the one that suits you best. There are many options that are free, but you could also take advantage of the free trial periods that some of them offer. And once you have found the best ones for you, you will be ready to give your work a boost.
