Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: How dependent are you on CAT tools? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
|
This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How dependent are you on CAT tools?".
View the poll results »
| | | The question doesn't match the answers | Dec 17, 2014 |
I use Wordfast most of the time but I am in no way dependent on it. I have now tried Studio 2014 and it's better than it used to be but it still makes you do extra things you don't want or need to do. You'd have thought translation software would be geared towards the needs of, um, translators, but no. | | |
I’m not at all CAT tool dependent! I’m pretty sure that I'm dependent on coffee in the sense that I drink it every day and that I'd hate to give it up…By the way, it’s time for an espresso, what else? | | | Mike Sadler (X) United Kingdom Local time: 22:43 Spanish to English + ... Studio drives me mad but I wouldn't be without it | Dec 17, 2014 |
There is so much I really dislike about Trados software, but it also massively increases my productivity, hence earnings. I feel a bit like I'm caught in a trap of my own making as I have invested so much time in learning how to use the software that I am reluctant to switch to anything else, even though what I've got is so fragile and unreliable. | |
|
|
Tim Drayton Cyprus Local time: 00:43 Turkish to English + ... I use them rarely/never | Dec 17, 2014 |
Never. I have a pretty good translation memory inside my skull. | | | Non sequitur | Dec 17, 2014 |
Chris S wrote: I use Wordfast most of the time but I am in no way dependent on it. Definitely! I use WordFast Classic most of the time, because it preserves formatting in MS Word. Anyone who has ever used a decent DTP app (or even a decent word processor) knows that proper formatting in Word is an uphill battle (often on slippery ground). Most of my jobs have less than 5% repeats, and NO fuzzy matches. If the number of repeated segments is higher, I simply don't charge for them, they are no-brainers. However I am not at all dependent on CAT tools. Evidence of that is that I delete all my TMs after use, unless it's a recurring client that demands consistency over time. The kind of "dependency" i see being asked here is the same I've seen in many drivers who are truly dependent on automatic transmission. They wouldn't be able to use a stickshift & clutch to move a vehicle out of a driveway. | | |
I use my CAT as much as possible, and quite like it. But if the client sends me a 'dead' PDF or a handwritten text, then provided I can read it, I simply translate without the CAT. It's a tool. It has its uses. But I am the translator. Sometimes I think people are getting dependent in an addictive way to CATs, TMs and mechanised aids. There are some things in industry that machines do better than humans, especially when it comes to highly repetitive precis... See more I use my CAT as much as possible, and quite like it. But if the client sends me a 'dead' PDF or a handwritten text, then provided I can read it, I simply translate without the CAT. It's a tool. It has its uses. But I am the translator. Sometimes I think people are getting dependent in an addictive way to CATs, TMs and mechanised aids. There are some things in industry that machines do better than humans, especially when it comes to highly repetitive precision work. Translation is not nearly as repetitive as many people imagine, and while consistency is a good thing, repetitions should always be checked in context. That is what humans do far better than computers. We do not simply weigh up the odds. We react to the situation as well as the words: person, tone of voice, body language, or all sorts of things we can 'read between the lines' of a text, which a computer cannot. I would hate to be without a lot of my dictionaries and resources - that is why I spend good money on them. But I am more dependent on the Internet to deliver my texts and keep in contact with clients. I can do without any of the others if I have to. ▲ Collapse | | | I use Wordfast Pro most of the time | Dec 17, 2014 |
and I really appreciate it a lot - as mentioned before, not least for the automatic formating. But dependence is not the right word; of course we can do without it if necessary, but why should we?
[Edited at 2014-12-17 10:34 GMT] | |
|
|
Thayenga Germany Local time: 23:43 Member (2009) English to German + ... Most of the time | Dec 17, 2014 |
Yetta J Bogarde wrote: and I really appreciate it a lot - as mentioned before, not least for the automatic formating. But dependence is not the right word; of course we can do without it if necessary, but why should we?
[Edited at 2014-12-17 10:34 GMT] I agree with Yetta. It makes work a lot easier, especially the formatting. The only time I don't use WordFast Pro is for some of the creative work. | | | 564354352 (X) Denmark Local time: 23:43 Danish to English + ... Not in the least dependent | Dec 17, 2014 |
But I work with Studio 2014 on practically all my translations... It's just a tool, though, I am quite capable of translating WITHOUT a CAT tool. | | | Don't have - don't use | Dec 17, 2014 |
That option was entirely absent in the poll. The alternative of "rarely / never" distorts the issue, because if one rarely or never uses them, one presumably would still have one. Were the nature of my work to change, I would also change how I work, including using a CAT tool. Some new variants have been brought out that interest me, since they may in fact meet my needs. | | | Anthony Baldwin United States Local time: 18:43 Portuguese to English + ... WI use mine whenever possible | Dec 17, 2014 |
Basically, anything that I can run through OmegaT, I do, often for the simple fact that it spits out a target file that looks like (is formatted according to) the source file, generally without any further effort on my part whatsoever, if not for the automatic translation of repetitions and other features. Honestly, I rarely find myself using the glossaries and other terminology management facets of anything. TMs are moderately useful, as is... See more Basically, anything that I can run through OmegaT, I do, often for the simple fact that it spits out a target file that looks like (is formatted according to) the source file, generally without any further effort on my part whatsoever, if not for the automatic translation of repetitions and other features. Honestly, I rarely find myself using the glossaries and other terminology management facets of anything. TMs are moderately useful, as is the built-in MT option. But my favorite part is the creation of an identical target document, while allowing me to translate without having to even look at, much less worry about, formatting the darned thing. edit: It should be said, however, that I'm perfectly capable of formatting documents, doing extensive DTP, etc., just, it's tedious and time consuming, and if I can avoid it, I do. Clearly, when I receive PDF files from scanned documents that are not editable or OCR-able, I reconstruct those documents by hand as I translate them, so I'm not literally (in the literal sense of that word) dependent upon the CAT software, but I sure do depend on it, frequently.
[Edited at 2014-12-17 13:36 GMT] ▲ Collapse | |
|
|
Eleonora Chyc United Kingdom Local time: 22:43 Russian to Ukrainian + ...
I don't use any CATs as I am mostly busy with interpreting,but following different and quite informative fora on Proz,I might use them in the future. Off-topic : Thank you very much,my dear fellow linguists,for your inspiration on my way to the top (hopefully)of the profession! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Happy Hanukkah!All the best for everybody! | | | Sheila Wilson Spain Local time: 22:43 Member (2007) English + ... CAT-dependent? No way! Feline-dependent, maybe :) | Dec 17, 2014 |
José Henrique Lamensdorf wrote: Chris S wrote: I use Wordfast most of the time but I am in no way dependent on it. Definitely! I use WordFast Classic most of the time, because it preserves formatting in MS Word. That, plus the glossaries, plus the concordance searches, plus the various QC functions. Dependent means "requiring someone or something for financial or other support". How can you call yourself a translator if you're dependent on a computer tool? | | | Never without CAT tool! | Dec 17, 2014 |
I always use CAT tools. For technical translation, user manuals and market research they are very very useful. | | | Pages in topic: [1 2] > | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: How dependent are you on CAT tools? TM-Town | Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business
Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.
More info » |
| Trados Business Manager Lite | Create customer quotes and invoices from within Trados Studio
Trados Business Manager Lite helps to simplify and speed up some of the daily tasks, such as invoicing and reporting, associated with running your freelance translation business.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |