Translation

1. '''Using a translation memory'''. My view has been, for quite some time now, not to repeat my work - so if I have translated a phrase once, why do it a second time if it's the same phrase? The answer is 'translation memory'. There are two well-known forms of this available, one 'at cost' the other free. I have used a relatively simple set of macros called Wordfast. It sounds like a programme but it's not - it's a set of macros bundled together which you add to MSWord. It offers two benefits. One is translation memory. The other is a glossary facility which works on single words or phrases. When I run Wordfast over a new text, e.g. a homily of the RM which he wants in English, the TM doesn't help if it is a 'new' homily, but the reality is he uses many of the same words each time. A TM on the other hand is very particular - one single character out of order means it won't be recognised as a TM, but a Glossary picks up repeated words and phrases. The result is half of the homily is already translated before I start. Now, that has to be a help, don't you agree? Mind you, Wordfast at something like €250 for a licence, is only for someone who has sufficient translation to do to warrant that cost. Another that I use is OmegaT, which is completely free. It works very effectively for Translation Memory purposes (and its 'memories' are compatible with Wordfast or Trados, a really high-end programme). But it has no glossary function, at least does not replace glossary items - it will show a glossary list if you 'feed' it with one. I use OmegaT more often than Wordfast these days, because I do not rely so much on glossary assistance, and I prefer to work with free and open source software such as OmegaT.