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A translation memory (TM) is a database that stores "segments", which can be sentences, paragraphs or sentence-like units (headings, titles or elements in a list) that have previously been translated, in order to aid human translators. The translation memory stores the source text and its corresponding translation in language pairs called “translation units”. Individual words are handled by terminology bases and are not within the domain of TM.
➊ How does a translation memory work
Translation memories are databases in which sentences and phrases from the source and target languages are stored together. When translating, the database is searched to check if a sentence or a word has already been translated. If that is the case, the translation can be reused.
➋ Translation Memory ≠ Machine Translation
A translation memory is not the same as a machine translation, like the kinds you get from Google Translate. That kind of translation is done entirely by a computer. A translation memory must be seen as a sort of prompter for the translator. It copies over the previously translated text, but also takes the context into account because this could differ.
THE BENEFITS OF USING A TRANSLATION MEMORY
Time-Saving
The more sentences that have already been translated and can be retrieved from the database, the sooner the translation is ready.
More Consistent
Words and sentences that were previously translated are translated in exactly the same way in updates or new versions of the document when the translations are retrieved from the database.
Increased Revenue
Because TM can reference past translations, the amount of time it would typically take to work on material is decreased. there is a more advantageous rate for words and/or sentences that have already been translated.
Improved Quality
When translators receive big projects, translation memory helps ensure that every piece of the copy will be translated which helps to produce high-quality translations.