What is a Translation Memory?

A translation memory is a database that stores sentences, paragraphs or segments of text that have been translated before.

Each entry, or segment, in the translation memory includes the original language, known as the "source" and its translation, known as the "target".  These pairs are called translation units, or "TUs".

Translation memories (commonly known as a "TM") are used with translation software, such as Trados Studio, and automatically suggests stored identical or similar matches as new documents are translated. This means sentences, paragraphs or segments of text that have been previously translated never need to be translated again.

Translation memories support the localization process, dramatically improving the quality, speed, consistency and efficiency of every translation job.

Resources
Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

How does a translation memory work?

Translation memories work as part of a computer-assisted translation (CAT) tool, such as Trados Studio. When you open the document you want to translate (the source file), the translation memory checks to see whether any of the content has been translated before, and looks for any "100% matches" (identical matches) or "fuzzy matches" (similar, but not exact matches) that appear in the new source file. Any previously-saved translated text is instantly placed within the corresponding target segment within the Editor window of the CAT tool.

As you work your way through the source file, any suggestions from the translation memory can be either accepted or overridden with new alternatives. If a translation “unit” (a segment of source and target text) is manually updated, it can be saved to the translation memory for future use. In a similar way, all segments in the target file without a match would need to be translated manually. Once translated, these can then be added to the ever-growing translation memory.

When would I use a translation memory?

Translation memories are perfect for anyone who localizes content from one language into another. When a translator's jobs regularly contain the same kinds of phrases and sentences, a translation memory will significantly increase the speed and quality of the translation.

Translation memories are very helpful when translating content out of context. An increasing number of organizations rely on Content Management Systems (CMS) to manage their information. A CMS allows individual blocks of text, rather than entire documents, to be created/edited and then published in a variety of different formats. A translation memory helps to make this process quicker and more consistent.

How does a translation memory differ from a termbase?

A translation memory stores segments of text as translation units. A segment can consist of a sentence or paragraph. The TM holds both the original and translated version of each segment for reuse.

Like a translation memory, a termbase is a searchable database. However a termbase contains a list of multilingual terms and rules regarding their usage. Terms can be anything specific to a company, such as the way that brand names or product names are translated, or indeed, should never be translated.

Translators typically use both a translation memory and a termbase within Trados Studio.

Does Trados Studio come with a ready-made translation memory?

Translation memories are created from the completed translations of a translator, and are not pre-packaged with Trados Studio. By translating within Studio, or analysing previously translated content, a translation is built using a translator’s own work.

Can I make a translation memory using my previous translations?

If you already have documents that you have translated, you can make a translation memory from these files using a feature in Trados Studio called Alignment. This is a simple process and allows you to leverage all of the work you’ve translated before, even if you have never used Studio or another CAT tool.

Translation 101 videos: TMs explained

These are SDL Limited videos that are now part of the RWS Group.

What is a segment?
Watch our video to understand what a segment is in relation to a translation memory.