META,
February 16, 2000
The Spiritual
Translator Newsletter
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IN META TODAY
1.
TRANSLATION TECHNOLOGY
2. QUOTES
XXIII
3. TRUE STORIES
4. JESUS
5. S L O W D A N C E
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1. TRANSLATION TECHNOLOGY by Bert Esselink
This article was published this week in Tranfree. I already told you about this ezine published by Alex Eames. Make sure you get it. It is very useful to the translators. To subscribe, visit his site first. Just go to: http://www.translatortips.com
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First of all, a distinction needs to be made between machine translation (MT) tools and computer aided translation (CAT) tools. Where machine translation tries to replace a translator to a certain extent, computer aided translation tools support the translator by preventing repetitive work, automating terminology lookup activities, and recycling previously translated texts. Machine translation has not been applied much in the software localization industry mainly because, unlike in the automotive and aerospace industries, software publishers never really created their documentation in a structured way that would make machine translation successful. Even though this seems to be gradually changing, I will focus on computer aided translation tools in order to reflect current practices in the localization industry.
Computer aided translation tools, also called computer assisted translation tools, can be categorized as follows:
* Translation Memory tools
* Terminology tools
* Software Localization tools
The first two types, translation memory and terminology tools, are typically combined for translation of documentation, online help, or html text. Software localization tools are used to translate and test software user interfaces, i.e. dialog boxes, menus, and messages.
Translation Memory tools
Basically, a translation memory system is no more than a database which stores translated sentences. When a source text is imported into a translation memory tool, the text is segmented. Usually segmentation is performed at sentence level, where segments are separated by colons, commas, question marks, etc. However, it is also possible to segment texts on a paragraph basis, where segments are separated by paragraph marks. Each segment is a record in the translation memory database, and each record can store several fields, such as source text segment, translated segment, language, name of translator, date of translation, or type of text. The number of possible data fields in records differs per translation memory tool.
When text segmented by a translation memory tool is translated, all translations are automatically stored in the records containing the source segments. If identical or similar sentences occur in the source text, the translations are automatically retrieved from the database and inserted into the target text. An identical segment that is automatically translated is called a full match; a similar sentence that is automatically translated is called a fuzzy match. Obviously, fuzzy matches need to be post-edited to make them correspond to the source text. A fuzzy match is for example a sentence where only one word has changed.
On large projects, translation memory databases can be shared amongst a team of translators. This means that if translator A has translated a sentence which also occurs in the text that translator B is translating, A's translation will automatically be retrieved from the translation memory database and inserted in B's target text.
Naturally, translation memory tools are especially useful on large volume texts, which contain a lot of repetitive text and where translations can be created on a one-to-one sentence basis. Using translation memory tools to translate marketing text or adverts is not a good idea, simply because those types of texts often require many adjustments, rewrites, and other modifications.
In the software localization industry, translation memory tools have always been very popular because of the short life cycle of software products. Most software products are updated at least once a year, and re-using translations of previous versions will decrease time to market of localized versions drastically.
Examples of translation memory tools are Trados Translator's Workbench (www.trados.com), Atril Déjà Vu (www.atril.com), and STAR Transit (www.star-ag.ch).
Terminology tools
In localization, terminology management is usually dealt with in a very basic manner. Localizers typically don't create or use large multilingual terminology databases with term definitions, context, grammatical information, source, etc. Instead, in most cases only bilingual glossaries of translated terms or phrases are used, for example all translated terms from the software user interface, e.g. menu options, dialog box items, etc. For this reason, not only are professional terminology management tools used, but also basic glossary tools with search features.
Most translation memory tools come with terminology management applications which can be linked to the translation memory for automatic terminology lookup. Automatic terminology lookup means that terms in the source text which are found in the dictionary or terminology database are automatically displayed with their translations.
Examples of terminology tools are Trados Multiterm (www.trados.com), Atril TermWatch (www.atril.com) or STAR TermStar (www.star-ag.ch).
Software Localization tools
Special tools have been developed to translate graphical user interfaces of software applications, i.e. the dialog boxes, menus, and messages that are displayed on a computer screen. These tools allow translators to view their translations in context. For example translations can be entered directly in a dialog box and then saved.
Software localization tools also contain features for automatically translating updated software with previously translated versions, and for running basic tests on localized software, for example checking if no translated text has been truncated in the screens because of space restrictions.
Examples of software localization tools are Corel Catalyst (catalyst.corel.ie) and Passolo (www.passolo.com).
The Next Generation
Even though many translators still need to get acquainted with traditional translation technology such as translation memory, the next generation translation tools have already been introduced. Companies like e-Translate and Uniscape offer automated internet-based translation workflow solutions that automate many steps in translation projects. Texts are not only transferred automatically through each translation and review phase, but databases containing the source text are linked to translation technology that detects changed content and then first pre-translates it using a combination of translation memory and machine translation before it is forwarded to a human translator for post-editing.
These so-called translation portals and internet-based translation management solutions are especially designed to deal with frequently changing content, such as text published on daily updated web sites. For more information about these types of translation technology, visit www.uniscape.com or www.e-translate.com.
Technology and the web will totally change the way translations have been done for many centuries. Frequently updated content, geographically distributed resources, and pressure to keep prices down will result in further integration of technology and workflow automation in translation processes. Undoubtedly the tools can be developed quickly, but the real challenge will be to keep producing quality translations and to still enjoy translating.
2. QUOTES
XXIII
"In
classical music, you never know what will happen next. Sometimes the musicians
stop completely in the middle of the song, thereby causing the average Joe, who
is hoping that the song is over, to start clapping, whereupon the deceased
audience members come back to life and give him dirty looks, and he feels like
a big dope. It would help if there were an electronic basketball-style clock
hanging from the conductor's back, indicating how much time is left in the
song." - Dave Barry
Classic movie
quote: "Gentlemen, there will be no fighting in here. This is the War
Room." - Stanley Kubrick's 'Dr. Strangelove'
"Natives
who beat drums to drive off evil spirits are objects of scorn to smart
Americans who blow horns to break up traffic jams." - Mary Ellen Kelly
"I tell
ya, sex is getting harder all the time. Me and my wife were trying to have sex
for hours last night and I finally gave up. I asked her, 'What, you can't think
of anybody either?'" - Rodney
Dangerfield
"I once
tried to commit suicide by jumping off a building...I changed my mind at the
last minute, so I just flipped over and landed on my feet. Two little kittens
nearby saw what happened and one turned to the other and said, 'See, that's how
it's done.'" - Steven Wright
"Thanks
to the invention of the telescope, planets that are 100 billion miles away look
to be only 50 billion miles away."
- John Wagner
"Scientists
were excited this week at having isolated a brief sound which occurred
immediately before the Big Bang. Apparently, that sound was 'uh oh.'" - Unknown
"I read
somewhere that 77 per cent of all the mentally ill live in poverty. Actually,
I'm more intrigued by the 23 per cent who are apparently doing quite well for
themselves." - Emo Philips
"In
Italy, I ate many wonderful meals in the Italian style, wherein they keep
bringing you more courses, and when you finally stagger away from the table,
they follow you to your room and stuff food into your mouth while you
sleep." - Dave Barry
"My
mother always told me I wouldn't amount to anything because I procrastinate. I
said, 'Just wait.'"
- Judy Tenuta
"A
top-secret government study indicates that we wouldn't be any worse off if we
let the economists predict the weather and the meteorologists predict the
economy." - Paul Harwitz, "Wall Street
Journal"
"I
walked in on my wife and the milkman, the first thing she says is, 'Don't tell
the butcher!'" - Rodney
Dangerfield
"With
every passing hour our solar system comes forty-three thousand miles closer to
globular cluster M13 in the constellation Hercules, and still there are some
misfits who continue to insist that there is no such thing as
progress." - Ransom K. Ferm
"If you
lose your job, your marriage and your mind all in one week, try to lose your
mind first, because then the other stuff won't matter that much." - Jack Handey
"If the
automobile had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a
Rolls-Royce would today cost $100, get a million miles per gallon, and explode
once a year, killing everyone inside."
- Robert X. Cringely, InfoWorld
"Instead
of getting married again, I'm going to find a woman I don't like and give her a
house." - Lewis Grizzard
"As for
evolution, I have a hard time believing that billions of years ago two
protozoan bumped into each other under a volcanic cesspool and evolved into
Cindy Crawford." - Robert G.
Lee
"If
swimming's so good for you, how do you explain whales?" - Jerry Seinfeld
"I don't
like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the
people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down.'" - Bob Newhart
3. TRUE
STORIES
"Quality
Control Department"
Last week a friend went to a seminar. He gave an example of a coping skill or job stress which I would like to share with you. When you have had one of those TAKE THIS JOB AND SHOVE IT days, try this. On your way home after work, stop at your pharmacy and go to the section where they have thermometers. You will need to purchase a rectal thermometer made by *Q-Tip. Be very sure that you get this brand. When you get home, lock your doors, draw the drapes, and disconnect the phone so you will not be disturbed during your therapy. Change to very comfortable clothing, such as a sweat suit and lie down on your bed. Open the package containing the thermometer and remove the thermometer and carefully place it on the bedside table so that it will not become chipped or broken. Take the written material that accompanies the thermometer and as you read it you will notice in small print the statement that "every rectal thermometer made by Q-Tip is PERSONALLY tested." Now close your eyes and say out loud
five times, "I am so glad that I do not work in quality control at the Q-Tip Company."
Contribution Marianne Ajana
(Denmark)
"Newspaper
Clippings"
---------------- Who Was That Masked Man -------------------
BILLINGS, Montana - A man after spending two years in prison for bank robbery filed an appeal for wrongful imprisonment. He claimed innocence even though his partner in crime clearly identified him. He had a unique defense which proved fatal to his cause. Transcripts of the appeal revealed a clever, if unconvincing argument. He thought that the tellers could not have possibly identified him correctly. Among his more unforgettable quotes were, "How could the people in the bank have identified me? I had a mask on when I did the job." His appeal was denied. [In America a man is innocent until proven to be a complete idiot.]
----------- Man Gets Ticket For Eating A Peanut ------------
LINCOLN, Nebraska - A truck driver who cracked opened a one cent peanut at a grocery store and ate it has been ticketed for theft. Xavier Ocampo admitted to eating the peanut and offered to pay the store the penny. But employees refused payment and called police instead. [The last time I drove through Nebraska I took some little jelly tubs from a roadside dinner. I wonder what the locals would have done if they found that out?]
-------------------- Once Is Not Enough --------------------
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania - Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to be shot? Well Phil Horner did and wanted to do something about it, so he took a gun and shot himself in the shoulder. While this may sound bizarre, it gets even more weird. Recently a 911 call came in to dispatch and an ambulance was once again sent to the Horner residence. It seems that he shot himself one more time. The reason? In his own words, "I wanted to see if it hurt as much as it did the first time."
----- Junior Entrepreneur Nabbed In Prostitution Ring ------
LONDON, England - A 13-year-old boy has been convicted of operating a prostitution ring at his local school. He recruited seven girls from the school and explained what he wanted them to do. After recruiting his "ladies", this enterprising little pimp recruited the little "Johns," also from his school. He charged them 10 pounds ($25) each for an hour. [If this had happened in Nevada the local Chamber of Commerce would have given him a citation.]
---------------- Man Pays $67,000 For Shave ----------------
BEIRUT, Lebanon - Sami Shour may have been looking to get a free shave when he traded a half share of his $3.30 lottery ticket to his barber, but when the ticket won $134,000 Shour was as good as his word. The construction worker and his barber, Abu Fares Tafla, split the prize money for $67,000 each.
Contribution Marie-Claude Courtet
(Switzerland)
4. JESUS
There was an atheist couple who had a child. The couple never told their daughter anything about the Lord. One night when the little girl was 5 years old, the parents fought with each other, and the dad shot the mom, right in front of the child. Then, the dad shot himself. The little girl watched it all.
She was sent to a foster home after the death of her parents.
The foster mother was a Christian and took the child to church. On the first day of Sunday School, the foster mother told the teacher that the girl had never heard of Jesus, and to have patience with her.
The teacher held up a picture of Jesus and said, "Does anyone know who this is?"
The little girl said, "I do; that's the man who was holding me the night my parents died."
Contribution Maria Eugenia Olivares
(Peru)
5. S L O W D A
N C E
Have you ever watched kids
on a merry-go-round
Or listened to the rain
slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down
Don't dance so fast
Time is short
The music won't last
Do you run through each day on the fly
When you ask "How are you?"
do you hear the reply?
When the day is done,
do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast
Time is short
The music won't last
Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow
And in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
'Cause you never had time
to call and say "Hi"?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast
Time is short
The music won't last
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift
Thrown away...
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.
......................................................................
Contribution Maria Eugenia Olivares
(Peru)