WordFly Language Services

Compared to the highly dangerous automatic translators, CAT (acronym for Computer-assisted translation, or computer-aided translation) tools, the instruments which electronically assist in translation, are really helpful.

It is a focused software, conceived in order to provide support to the translator, who can create a specialist glossary (or make use of an already existing one) regarding the specific field in which he/she is working. A data bank (thanks to Translation Memory Software) which is highly precious in general and even fundamental specifically, that is, when one translates a text for which there already exist writings produced beforehand in the same sphere (one can consider amendments to a law, from the updating of an encyclopaedic work, of a scientific tract or “simply” an instruction manual, to the critical reading of a work which has already been translated, of which, therefore, there exists an official translation in a given language) and reference to which is indispensable. As is fitting, this “virtuous circle” fuels itself without end, with a view to the construction of a translation memory which is potentially infinite and which, with each new translation job, continues to grow, contributing therefore, in an ever increasing manner, to subsequent results.

In the inauspicious case, on the other hand, where within the text one used a new term for the same word or expression already translated officially in a different fashion, one would risk generating confusion in the “best” of hypotheses, and much more often, problems of a graver nature.

This procedure, which is technically defined as harmonisation, requires an extremely high degree of ability and attention, qualities for which in the past it was not possible to depend on mechanical support and which required of the translator an enormous amount of time in terms of research and verification. Today, however, it is possible to draw upon one’s own glossaries (or those made available by the client) in such a fashion as to produce results which are pertinent, fitting homogenous and tuned to the already existing texts.

This is one of the main tasks carried out by CAT tools, which are flanked by many others, all aimed at mitigating the more “rational” role of the translator, who can thus concentrate more deeply on the stylistic and structural processing of the text, and therefore on the creative context (too often underestimated by non insiders to the profession), in the knowledge that s/he can depend on the software, which continuously proposes to the translator what already exists in its memory.

Every choice, every final decision, rests, however, with the translator, who may include or exclude that which is proposed, on the basis of his/her competence, sensibility, experience and full knowledge of the facts.

All characteristics, these, which not even the most perfectible of softwares will ever be able to possess.