CAT: Computer Aided Translation

What is CAT?
If you require the regular translation of new versions of existing documents, such as instruction manuals, legal documents or advertising leaflets, CAT is the solution for you.
It produces work more quickly, guarantees better results and gives you the opportunity to cut costs.

How does it work?
The principles of CAT really are simple. Every time a sentence is repeated in your texts, the computer saves it along with the translation. If the same sentence comes along later in the text, or in another document, the computer will recognise it and automatically retrieve the saved sentence. Don’t worry: the computer doesn’t do any of the translating. It re-uses only sentences already translated by human hand (or rather, by an experienced professional).



Terminology
All CAT systems have ‘on-line dictionary’ functions, i.e. an auxiliary database filled with your preferred terminology, which works as a ‘prompter’ when translating new texts. Whenever a recognised term comes up, the programme brings up its translation in a separate window and with a simple click of the mouse the translator can insert the approved wording into the text.
This guarantees consistent use of terminology.


CAT is suitable for
● Manuals, instructions for use, technical descriptions, technical
   specifications etc.
● Legal documents, such as summonses, company articles, results of a
   company search at the chamber of commerce, contracts etc.
● Financial overviews, profit and loss accounts, balances etc.
● Advertising brochures for similar products, corporate descriptions
   requiring annual revision, etc.

CAT is not suitable for
● Very short texts.
● Texts that require a full re-write each time.

How you benefit

● Quicker
   Only a few seconds are needed for your computer to find previously
   translated segments. A long document can therefore be processed in a
   much shorter period of time. The result? The translation will be back with
   you sooner than ever.

● Better
   Once you or your foreign importer has approved a translation, errors
   can no longer occur in repeated segments. Thanks to the ‘on-line
   dictionary’ function, terminological consistency is assured at all times.

● Cheaper
   You’ll never pay twice for the same translation. What has once been
   translated can be used over and over again In addition, you only need to
   check repetitions once. That saves you time, and therefore saves you
   money.

   A sentence once translated can be used again and again. Once a
   sentence is checked and approved, you never need to check it again.
   This will save you time and costs.

● Reliable
   Don’t worry: the computer can do nothing of its own accord. All
   ‘automatic’ translations have to be confirmed by the translator. This all
   happens very quickly, while offering an important safeguard against
   misunderstandings. It is often essential to place the sentence to be
   translated in its context. How, for example, would you translate this
   sentence:

   "The peasants are revolting."

     


Straight down to business?
At present, there are many CAT systems on the market. AVANTI works with most of these and can advise you on the best solution for your specific situation. All systems can be directly applied to your translation.
Without investment. Without obligation. Without preparation.

What about your old translations?
If you wish, we can analyse your completed translations and import them directly into a CAT system. This means that you can profit straight away from all the texts we have translated for you in the past.