Computer Aided Translation (CAT) is a type of human translation supported by specialized software. The technology assists a translator’s tasks by providing translations for phrases or sentences that they have translated before – thereby increasing productivity. In fact, a CAT tool is one of the most critical in a translator’s arsenal.

Unlike Machine Translation (MT), which is lightning-fast but requires rigorous post-editing, CAT is a complete and accurate method that still allows for rapid turnaround. A CAT tool segments the text to be translated in sentences and presents them in a convenient way, to make translating easier and faster.

A CAT tool further reduces any chances of errors by saving the translated segments along with the source phrase. A translator can easily access any of the translated segments at any given time to ensure that the segment has been translated adequately. Computer-assisted translation tool has been developed to allow the translator to be able to quickly search and alter-if needed- a particular segment of the text. It has been programmed to assist the translator with the revision in a timely manner.

The computer-assisted translation tool saves the translated segments and source segments as distinguished translation units. It saves these segments in a translation data base, referred to as the translational memory.

Translation units stored in the translation memory can be accessed at any given time to be re-used either in the same document or a different one. Computer-assisted translation tool is equipped with special search features to allow the translator to access segments of translated fragments even when two segments do not match completely.

Besides these main functions many other functions are included in a CAT-Tool which also make translating easier and increase the productivity:

• Text search tools
• Index/concordance tools
• Quality checking through automatic watch list checking, or through applying formal rules
• Statistical tools providing information about the translation process
• Import/Export tools
• Tools for post-production (e.g. correct formatting)

CAT tools are to be used with caution. Translators must be aware of the type of text they are about to translate in order to meet their client’s requirements. In the case of novel translations, creativity and human input are essential. This is often down to cultural references, play on words and the perils of translating humour, something which machines are still unable to do convincingly as it requires an in-depth knowledge of the target culture’s sense of humour, clichés and stereotypes to name a few. If, however, the client needs a technical document translated such as a user manual, a contract, an e-commerce website or any other text which has a lot of repetitions in it, then this is definitely something to be considered in order to reduce the overall time, cost and likelihood of terminology being used inconsistent throughout.