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Poll: How often do you use CAT tools? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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...that I translate.
They are invaluable for technical texts with repetitions, but I also prefer them for any kind of translation as they ensure that you don't miss any sentences out and I find the glossary functions very useful.
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Blanka Salkova 
Czech Republic
Local time: 03:37
Member (2007)
English to Czech
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Catherine Knight wrote:
...that I translate.
They are invaluable for technical texts with repetitions, but I also prefer them for any kind of translation as they ensure that you don't miss any sentences out and I find the glossary functions very useful.
Absolutely, I have the same opinion.
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Sebastian Witte
Germany
Local time: 03:37
Member (2004)
English to German
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| TEnTs make sure the layout of editable files is mostly kept in the translation process | Jan 6, 2010 |
They're also good at ensuring terminological consistency (using the Concordance feature in the case of Trados).
This is why I use them whenever possible (some files are so corrupted that they don't lend themselves to being translated using a TEnT/translation environment tool).
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Giles Watson
Italy
Local time: 03:37
Italian to English
In memoriam
While CATs offer immense advantages in managing texts, organising terminology and ensuring consistency, they impose a workflow that feels uncomfortable if you are used to translating with pen and paper or a word processor.
Some fellow Prozians say they have tried CATs and decided they can make a living without one but once you've sorted out the new workflow, it's difficult to go back.
Giles
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I love my CAT (both kinds;) )
I wouldn't know how to work without it. I translate all my files using a CAT, even if it's only a couple of words.
Maartje
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Life is unimaginable without them. As important as.. may be MS Office
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DZiW (X)
Ukraine
English to Russian
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but surely not for pretty simple and short texts)
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Diego Carpio (X)
Argentina
Local time: 22:37
English to Spanish
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In creative translation they are completely useless. I wonder if these programs are an attempt to create the "cyborg translator". - all due respect to my colleagues who work in technical fields and find them useful. -
Greetings and happy 2010
Diego.
[Edited at 2010-01-06 20:40 GMT]
[Edited at 2010-01-06 20:41 GMT]
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| CAT tools reduce formatting time significantly | Jan 6, 2010 |
I agree with the above. In addition using a CAT tool (I use Wordfast Pro) means that the formatting is dealt with automatically, though the cleaned file should always be checked. In the old days, ensuring formatting was identical took some time.
Quite a few agencies request that CAT tools are used. I rarely receive a TM (Translation Memory) for a job, but some clients do request the uncleaned translated file as well as the cleaned file.
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Jocelyne S
France
Local time: 03:37
French to English
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Diego Carpio wrote: In creative translation they are completely useless. I wonder if this programs are are an attempt to create the "cyborg translator". - all due respect to my colleagues who work in technical fields and find them useful. - Greetings and happy 2010 Diego.
I never work on repetitive or technical texts and yet I am very grateful for my CAT tool for many of the reasons mentioned above, notably context searches which allow you to see how you have translated tricky bits before (and how different terms have been translated in different contexts).
As Giles mentioned, CAT tools surely take some getting used to for those accustomed to translating without them, but there is frankly nothing inherent to them which impedes the creative process.
I have translated using a CAT tool (mainly for segmentation, context search, and formatting purposes) since I began translating professionally and I certainly find it much more convenient than the few times I've translated without it.
Best,
Jocelyne
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Nikki Graham
United Kingdom
Local time: 02:37
Spanish to English
A couple of years ago, I wondered why people bothered using CATs. Now I wonder how anyone can work without them.
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| Post removed: This post was hidden by a moderator or staff member for the following reason: Empty post |
Amy Duncan (X)
Brazil
Local time: 22:37
Portuguese to English
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Diego Carpio wrote: In creative translation they are completely useless. I wonder if this programs are are an attempt to create the "cyborg translator". - all due respect to my colleagues who work in technical fields and find them useful. -
You took the words right out of my mouth, Diego! I worked with Trados for two years on documents that didn't need it (the agency used it for everything) and disliked it. I haven't used a CAT tool since and sincerely hope I never have to. With all due respect...
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| Most of the time! | Jan 6, 2010 |
I feel completely lost when I get a smudged, illegible PDF with medical records full of broken letters and typos... and no chance of using Multiterm or the concordance!
The great blessing is that nowadays they get scanned before they have been through five different faxes, so they are just about legible, and some agencies can even produce an OCR Word file that helps, so after checking the spelling I can use Trados after all.
I CAN still make out terminology lists in Wor... See more
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