| Страници во темата: [1 2] > | Poll: Do CAT tools increase your translation output? Лице кое објавува дискусија: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do CAT tools increase your translation output?".
This poll was originally submitted by jbhatia. View the poll results »
| | | | | Yes, definitely | Oct 6, 2013 |
But I don't think in terms of output, per se.
They ensure greater consistency across multiple large documents, which helps me produce tighter and higher quality translations.
And, before we get into the muddy waters of whether or not we should use CAT tools, I must add that over 95% of my work is tech trans -- I'd be lost without 'em.
On a different note, though, haven't a large proportion of polls been about CAT tools recently?  ... See more But I don't think in terms of output, per se.
They ensure greater consistency across multiple large documents, which helps me produce tighter and higher quality translations.
And, before we get into the muddy waters of whether or not we should use CAT tools, I must add that over 95% of my work is tech trans -- I'd be lost without 'em.
On a different note, though, haven't a large proportion of polls been about CAT tools recently? 
Even I, a heavy CAT tool user, am getting tired of this. 
Well-balanced poll programming would be appreciated.
Added last line
[Edited at 2013-10-06 09:34 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Vibeke Lindstad
Норвешка
Local time: 20:54
Член (2010)
англиски на норвешки
+ ...
Today, I removed Trados from my profile here on Proz. I have had and used it for five years, but not much. What I work with really doesn't benefit from CAT. Now, I'm hoping there will be no more absurd requests from strangers/agencies telling me (I use tell, not ask - because that's what they do) I can work more or less for free for them because I paid a lot of money for my software. Really looking forward to declining CAT discount "offers" coming my way. I'm worth more than that!
| | | | | I don't use a CAT tool! | Oct 6, 2013 |
Nowadays, I translate mainly press articles, marketing material and medical certifications. Regarding the first two fields, a CAT tool is of no use, especially for more creative texts, as, by default, it splits up the text in segments based on sentence, when, in general, what I want is a fluid writing. Regarding the third field, when these texts are repetitive (and, yes, very often they are!), the only thing I have to change is the date and I do not need a CAT tool for that. I do work with 3 or ... See more Nowadays, I translate mainly press articles, marketing material and medical certifications. Regarding the first two fields, a CAT tool is of no use, especially for more creative texts, as, by default, it splits up the text in segments based on sentence, when, in general, what I want is a fluid writing. Regarding the third field, when these texts are repetitive (and, yes, very often they are!), the only thing I have to change is the date and I do not need a CAT tool for that. I do work with 3 or 4 translation agencies who demand CAT tools but as I have been working with them for some time (before CAT tools were invented) we came to an agreement that satisfied all parties…
@Julian:
I'm under the same impression that a large proportion of polls have been about CAT tools recently! ▲ Collapse
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Nicole Schnell 
Соединети Американски Држави
Local time: 11:54
англиски на германски
+ ...
Во сеќавање на | CAT tools seem to be the translation industry's laxative of choice | Oct 6, 2013 |
And are probably the only case in the history of mankind that faster and increased output comes with rebates and reduced pay.
| | | | | A little, after many years | Oct 6, 2013 |
I have always answered no to this question.
However, in the very long term, I am beginning to see that if I really concentrate, I can meet tight deadlines more comfortably. I can save a little time between starting a job and delivering it.
I regarded Trados as a means of ensuring consistency and improving my quality rather than saving time. On the contrary, I have made an effort to spend time maintaining my TMs, adding all sorts of things to Multiterm, and checking that... See more I have always answered no to this question.
However, in the very long term, I am beginning to see that if I really concentrate, I can meet tight deadlines more comfortably. I can save a little time between starting a job and delivering it.
I regarded Trados as a means of ensuring consistency and improving my quality rather than saving time. On the contrary, I have made an effort to spend time maintaining my TMs, adding all sorts of things to Multiterm, and checking that they were still up to date.
I never regard a match as carved in stone, just because it comes up from the TM. I correct or delete segments with errors, and sometimes search systematically for them, if I know they might recur, or something has been updated.
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However, that means my TMs are fairly reliable, and after more than ten years in some cases, they are quite extensive.
Trados Studio is able to work with more than two TMs and several glossaries if required, so I can link up a whole arsenal if I think it will be useful, and save it as a template to start quickly another time.
What really makes a difference is the AutoSuggest feature, which actually speeds up my typing. It might not make any difference to a fast and accurate typist, but coupled with the more sensible short cut for moving on to the next segment, it is a help to a hopeless typist like me.
I still spend a lot of time checking and looking up new terminology, but I am finding the effort of collecting reliable TMs and glossaries really does pay off.
However, I do not see the large percentages that some people claim. These only apply to very repetitive texts or updated texts where a similar, earlier version has already been translated and added to the TM. ▲ Collapse
| | | | macimovic
Холандија
Local time: 20:54
англиски на српски
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| I don't use it | Oct 6, 2013 |
Well, at least not often since my clients have almost never asked me to. I sometimes use it for technical translations with my own TM, but in most cases it just doesn't turn out to be useful.
Maybe it all depends of the subject field. For web pages, I realized I can easily pull out 5000 words with no fuss, with max 7000 in a day (in a vast, general field of course, and not every day).
Recently I've been doing a lot of webpage translations in a Cloud environment so the ... See more Well, at least not often since my clients have almost never asked me to. I sometimes use it for technical translations with my own TM, but in most cases it just doesn't turn out to be useful.
Maybe it all depends of the subject field. For web pages, I realized I can easily pull out 5000 words with no fuss, with max 7000 in a day (in a vast, general field of course, and not every day).
Recently I've been doing a lot of webpage translations in a Cloud environment so the whole CAT part is skipped. Also, I can easily touch-type and a CAT usually interferes with that habit. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Output a little, consistency definitely... remuneration? | Oct 6, 2013 |
Fairly obviously, I tend to use my CAT tool when there is a high probability of being able to re-use previously-translated material and vocabulary. On some jobs it increases output marginally but, as I have mentioned in this forum many times, the chief advantages to me are consistency of terminology and the easy to read interface. The downside of course is that agencies who "insist" on it are almost always using it as a means of reducing your payment per word by 30 - 40%. This is a Bad Thing and... See more Fairly obviously, I tend to use my CAT tool when there is a high probability of being able to re-use previously-translated material and vocabulary. On some jobs it increases output marginally but, as I have mentioned in this forum many times, the chief advantages to me are consistency of terminology and the easy to read interface. The downside of course is that agencies who "insist" on it are almost always using it as a means of reducing your payment per word by 30 - 40%. This is a Bad Thing and should be most strenuously resisted.
Steve K. ▲ Collapse
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Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 14:54
англиски на шпански
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| Voice of reason | Oct 6, 2013 |
Julian Holmes wrote:
But I don't think in terms of output, per se.
They ensure greater consistency across multiple large documents, which helps me produce tighter and higher quality translations.
And, before we get into the muddy waters of whether or not we should use CAT tools, I must add that over 95% of my work is tech trans -- I'd be lost without 'em.
On a different note, though, haven't a large proportion of polls been about CAT tools recently?
Even I, a heavy CAT tool user, am getting tired of this.
Well-balanced poll programming would be appreciated.
Added last line [Edited at 2013-10-06 09:34 GMT]
Agree with Julian on the last half of this posting. I guess building or retrofitting a website component to make it dynamic (like a modern tech support question box) is too expensive for this site.
One thing though: if you use CAT tools, make sure you know the ins and outs and not jump to update your tool every single time (your wallet output will increase otherwise). For example:
a) I use Deja Vu X2 all the time but Í'm staying with the 8.0.555 release due to well-documented problems with spell checking.
b) I use SDL Trados Freelance 2009 on occasion (as in once a year) but I refuse to upgrade it because I don't need the extra bells and whistles.
| | | | Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 14:54
англиски на шпански
+ ...
| Want to turn the tables? | Oct 6, 2013 |
Steve Kerry wrote:
Fairly obviously, I tend to use my CAT tool when there is a high probability of being able to re-use previously-translated material and vocabulary. On some jobs it increases output marginally but, as I have mentioned in this forum many times, the chief advantages to me are consistency of terminology and the easy to read interface. The downside of course is that agencies who "insist" on it are almost always using it as a means of reducing your payment per word by 30 - 40%. This is a Bad Thing and should be most strenuously resisted.
Steve K.
Real-life instance #1: a California client wanted me to use a CAT tool for a project, and asked what “Trados discounts” I was willing to provide. Instead, I offered a single rate for the entire wordcount, which was a compromise between my regular rate and the rate for 80% fuzzy matches. Client accepted and everybody was happy.
Real-life instance #2: forget the Trados staggered pricing scheme and charge by the hour. That's what I do for a client in California. Some days, I translate more words, some days, I translate less, but I get paid the same amount of hours.
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Mario Chavez wrote:
Steve Kerry wrote:
Fairly obviously, I tend to use my CAT tool when there is a high probability of being able to re-use previously-translated material and vocabulary. On some jobs it increases output marginally but, as I have mentioned in this forum many times, the chief advantages to me are consistency of terminology and the easy to read interface. The downside of course is that agencies who "insist" on it are almost always using it as a means of reducing your payment per word by 30 - 40%. This is a Bad Thing and should be most strenuously resisted.
Steve K.
Real-life instance #1: a California client wanted me to use a CAT tool for a project, and asked what “Trados discounts” I was willing to provide. Instead, I offered a single rate for the entire wordcount, which was a compromise between my regular rate and the rate for 80% fuzzy matches. Client accepted and everybody was happy.
Real-life instance #2: forget the Trados staggered pricing scheme and charge by the hour. That's what I do for a client in California. Some days, I translate more words, some days, I translate less, but I get paid the same amount of hours.
Hi Mario,
I am not against discounts per se when the amount of duplication merits it. However, like yourself, I would negotiate such discounts on an individual job basis, rather than on the basis of an imposed grid. As you imply, the push can come from either end and an amicable compromise is usually possible.
Steve K.
| | | | Triston Goodwin
Соединети Американски Држави
Local time: 12:54
шпански на англиски
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I have several tools and programs that I use that help me translate, like speech recognition software, glossaries/dictionaries and administrative software. I would be lost without them.
I've tried wordfast and trados, not to mention a long list of proprietary tools from different customers, and, generally speaking, I haven't noticed any increase in productivity. Of course, since I don't use them very often or consistently, I don't really have any memories built up. I do like the in... See more I have several tools and programs that I use that help me translate, like speech recognition software, glossaries/dictionaries and administrative software. I would be lost without them.
I've tried wordfast and trados, not to mention a long list of proprietary tools from different customers, and, generally speaking, I haven't noticed any increase in productivity. Of course, since I don't use them very often or consistently, I don't really have any memories built up. I do like the interfaces though. ▲ Collapse
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Henry Hinds
Соединети Американски Држави
Local time: 12:54
англиски на шпански
+ ...
Во сеќавање на
And I am sure they would decrease my output which now is quite good.
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I could not work without my CAT tools anymore.
Like Julian, my work is mainly technical in nature and the CAT tools help retain consistency and provide useful assistance. They also allow me to work far less and earn more money! What could be better?
Like all tools, no input = no output. So for many translators I can image they would not be very useful, but I just love to see the repetitions and 99% matches scroll across my monitor ... See more I could not work without my CAT tools anymore.
Like Julian, my work is mainly technical in nature and the CAT tools help retain consistency and provide useful assistance. They also allow me to work far less and earn more money! What could be better?
Like all tools, no input = no output. So for many translators I can image they would not be very useful, but I just love to see the repetitions and 99% matches scroll across my monitor
Getting paid for sitting here and changing an occasional word whilst sipping my coffee is rather nice.....
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Heather McCrae wrote:
Getting paid for sitting here and changing an occasional word whilst sipping my coffee is rather nice.....
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