What is Trados?

SDL Trados is a computer-assisted translation software where you can do any work that is related with translation. On this software, you can do so many things such as translating, making translation memories, building termbases, or conducting quality checks of translation. I had an opportunity to explore the software in class, Intro to Computer-Assisted Translation class. The whole process came off as an uncharted land to discover. However, my perspective changed immediately once I obtained the knowledge of this software. I would love to share some features on Trados that I know.

Main Features

1.  Translate

• Of course, the ultimate goal of using this software is to translate. You can translate all kinds of files on Trados. But you may wonder what is the advantage of translating on this software. What I loved during my translation project on Trados was I can look at the source file and target file in line at the same time. So, you can focus on translating one by one.

2. TM (Translation Memory)

• This is the most important feature. After you are done with your translation, you can align the source and the target files. Aligning means you match the translated sentences to the original sentences. When you think alignment is good enough, you should confirm the alignment. Then, here is the kicker. You can make a translation memory with the alignment. The main purpose of making a translation memory is that we can use this information when you translate the similar texts. It will automatically translate similar sentences based on TM whenever you apply it to a new text. I believe TM is incredibly helpful when a new project starts.

3. Termbase

• Termbase feature is a lot similar to TM. Basically, you accumulate terms (both in source and target language). It helps translators, editors, or proofreaders do their jobs. In particular, when translators do their jobs, they can do their jobs relatively easy with termbases. Furthermore, in the perspective of clients, they may want some words to be translated with certain terms. If that is the case, translators will apply those words to their translations.

4. QA (Quality Assurance)

• Trados can carry out quality assurance checks. This feature offers such a convenience to LSP. If you set a setting for quality assurance, the software will check specific parts on which you gave demands. I believe that this function is helpful before editors or proofreaders conduct quality assurance check themselves.

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Introduction

XTRF is a project management platform perfectly suitable for translation. I had an opportunity to learn how to utilize this platform at school. The course was specifically focused on managing projects of translations. XTRF was a perfect one to use in my class. Before I begin listing my experiences with this platform, I would like to explain the concepts in translation industry first. There are three major concepts you need to keep in mind. Project Manager, Vendor, and Client.

• Project Manager: It is called a PM for short. As it is for any industries, project managers are people who manage the whole workflow and make sure everything works out smoothly. PMs should get involved in every phase of the project (literally from the beginning to the end). It means that PMs will receive project requests from clients and start to distribute the work to vendors. When the project is completed by vendors, PMs will deliver the final product to clients.
• Vendor: Simply speaking, vendors are Language Service Provider (LSP for short) that translates, edits, proofreads. The reason why LSP is prevalently called LSP is that it is where translation takes places. They are equipped with translators, editors, proofreaders, engineers, account managers, and etc. Vendors mostly take care of all of the projects from the scratch. For example, not only do they translate but also they do desktop publishing which is to adjust the style of the products and catch bugs in the products.
• Client: Clients can be companies or individuals who request translation work to LSP (a.k.a. vendors). They ask vendors to translate their products. Products to be translated from clients can vary, ranging from leaflets, manuals, subtitles, to instructions and so on.

There are few things to know more. First, project managers can be both in client side and vendor side. But project managers I am talking about on this post belong to vendor side. Second, when clients give translation work to vendors, vendors translate the contents and make final products with targeted languages in the products.

Portals

There are diverse aspects why I love using XTRF. One of them is portals. I believe it is the factor that makes XTRF the most unique. It has separate portals for PMs, vendors, and clients respectively. Its efficiency of separate platforms exceeded my expectations. Instead of emailing to request quotes, deliver products, and so on, XTRF allows us to do everything on these portals. On client’s portals, clients can request quote on XTRF and can exchange messages. Furthermore, clients are easily able to upload their products that need to be translated. Just like this.

On PM’s portal, you can manage and overlook the whole process of the project. Project managers can also activate the potential clients. On vendor’s portal, people working on vendors’ side such as translators, editors, engineers, and DTP publishers keep up with the pace of project and exchange files at the same time.

Quote

I believe a quote is the most important step when it comes to projects. It can give an overview of how a project will proceed and approximate costs range. XTRF has an incredibly efficient system of requesting it and delivering it. Clients and vendors don’t necessarily meet up in person to talk about quotes. I believe it is particularly beneficial for clients’ side. They can request the quote conveniently on XTRF just like this.

Efficiency of Workflow

I must explain my experiences of how efficiently I could work with XTRF regarding workflow. In other programs or platforms, workflow can be challenging and even a hassle. For example, on other programs (I won’t mention the name of it), workflow direction is not flexible. Specifically speaking, when translators are done with their work, they will give the work to editor to edit. After editors, they cannot deliver the work directly to project managers. It means that editors should give back the product to the person who gave it to themelves. Then, that person should deliver the final version to project managers. How inconvenient and time-consuming is it. But XTRF is different. It allows people to exchange back and forth to whatever direction they would like to go. In this sense, XTRF deserves best compliments.

Conclusion

Without doubts, XTFR offered me a new insight into how to manage the workflow of translation better. As a student who studies translation and is about to dive into this industry, I strongly believe that I will use this platform in the future for my projects. I cannot wait to further widen my horizon with XTRF.