GC: n
CT: At this stage it is important to make a distinction between two terms that are closely related and that tend to confuse non-specialists: machine translation (MT) and computer-assisted translation (CAT). These two technologies are the consequence of different approaches. They do not produce the same results, and are used in distinct contexts. MT aims at assembling all the information necessary for translation in one program so that a text can be translated without human intervention. It exploits the computer’s capacity to calculate in order to analyze the structure of a statement or sentence in the source language, break it down into easily translatable elements and then create a statement with the same structure in the target language. It uses huge plurilingual dictionaries, as well as corpora of texts that have already been translated. As mentioned, in the 1980s MT held great promises, but it has been steadily losing ground to computer-assisted translation because the latter responds more realistically to actual needs.
CAT uses a number of tools to help the translator work accurately and quickly, the most important of which are terminology databases and translation memories. In effect, the computer offers a new way of approaching text processing of both the source and target text. Working with a digital document gives us non-sequential access to information so that we can use it according to our needs. It becomes easy to analyze the sentences of the source text, to verify the context in which a word or a text is used, or to create an inventory of terms, for example. Likewise, any part of the target text can be modified at any moment and parallel versions can be produced for comparison and evaluation. All these aspects have profound implications for translation, especially in terms of assessing the results, since the translator can work in a more relaxed way because of the greater freedom to make changes at any time while the work is in progress.
It is important to stress that automatic translation systems are not yet capable of producing an immediately useable text, as languages are highly dependant on context and on the different denotations and connotations of words and word combinations. It is not always possible to provide full context within the text itself, so that machine translation is limited to concrete situations and is considered to be primarily a means of saving time, rather than a replacement for human activity. It requires post-editing in order to yield a quality target text.
S: TJ – http://translationjournal.net/journal/29computers.htm (last access: 27 December 2014)
N: 1. The origin of computer-assisted translation (CAT) technology can be traced back to the 1970s. At this stage, computer technology had just begun to be applied in the field of translation, mainly focusing on rule-based methods. Early CAT tools mainly relied on pre- set grammatical and lexical rules for translation. These tools were capable of handling some simple translation tasks but had limitations in dealing with complex sentences and maintaining contextual accuracy. For example, early systems like the predecessor of Trados were mainly rule-based translation memory banks, which achieved translation through manually coded rules and dictionaries.
2. Computer-assisted translation software, commonly known as CAT tools, provide a range of features to help translators convert the meaning of text from one language into another consistently and with speed.
3. Translation and Interpretation; Computer Processing of Language Data; Applications of Automation: computer-aided translation or CAT; computer-assisted translation or CAT; machine-aided translation or MAT; machine-assisted translation or MAT, machine-aided human translation or MAHT; machine-assisted human translation or MAHT
- [The] part of [a] translation workflow … in which a variety of software applications are used to support the task of human translation.
4. Focusing on Computer-Assisted Translation
Computer-assisted translation, also known as CAT, relies on a translation memory to provide translators with suggestions from previous translations to help them work at a faster pace. CAT is crucial in the world of translating content. The technology aids the translation process by supplying the ability to edit, merge, and store translations. With the features of this computer-assisted technology, it facilitates a perfect mix of automation and human efforts.
When looking at the difference between machine translation and CAT, one of the major factors that differentiates the two is that CAT acts similar to a database, as these tools are not fully capable programs that can translate content themselves. Computer-assisted translation enhances user translation by giving assistance from a software tool. By using CAT, you are able to enhance and improve your natural abilities.
S: 1. Etymonline (last access: 1 June 2025); IJAAS (last access: 1 June 2025). 2. RWS (last access: 1 June 2025). 3. TERMIUM PLUS (last access: 1 June 2025). 4. Kent.edu (last access: 1 June 2025).
SYN: computer-aided translation, CAT, machine-aided translation, machine-assisted translation, MAT, machine-aided human translation, machine-assisted human translation, MAHT.
S: TERMIUM PLUS (last access: 1 June 2025)
CR: computer science, machine translation, post-editing, translation, translation technology.
