Glossary

Glossary and Terminology

This section provides a glossary of terms frequently used in SDL Trados Studio 2011 and the computer aided translation (CAT) industry.

Automated translation
Translation memory (TM)
Translation unit
File based translation memory
Server based translation memory
Multiple translation memories
Legacy TM formats
Termbase
Batch tasks
Customizable tasks
Single document translation
Multiple file / language projects
SDL Package
SDL Trados 2007 Suite
SDL MultiTerm 2011
RevleX™
QuickPlace™
Real-time preview
AutoSuggest™
SDL PerfectMatch™
Domain based network
SDL OpenExchange

Automated translation:

The translation of text by a computer, with no human involvement. Pioneered in the 1950s, automated translation can also be referred to as machine translation, automatic or instant translation.

Translation memory (TM):

A translation memory is a linguistic database that continually captures your translations as you work for future use.

Translation unit:

This is the source (original) phrase with a corresponding target (translated) phrase, which is stored in your translation memory.

File based translation memory:

A translation memory that is saved as a file onto a PC / network.

Server based translation memory:

A translation memory that is stored on a server and can be accessed remotely.

Multiple translation memories:

The ability to reference and update multiple translation memories during the translation project.

Legacy TM formats:

Translation memory formats that were used in previous versions of our software, SDLX and Translator’s Workbench (TRADOS). SDL Trados Studio uses a new TM format (.SDLTM), therefore users of the previous software versions will need to upgrade their existing TMs into this new format. TMX (the industry started for sharing translation memories) can also be used to upgrade TMs into this new TM format.

Termbase:

A database that stores multi/mono lingual terms (e.g. industry/product specific jargon) and rules (e.g. gender / definitions) regarding their usage.

Batch tasks:

A batch process is a process that is performed by the software on project files, at your request. You can perform a batch task on a single file, a group of files or on an entire project. You can select a number of batch tasks and put them into a task sequence. All of the tasks in the sequence will then be performed on the selected files.

Customizable tasks:

Tasks that you can select/define to suit your own workflow.

Single document translation:

This is translation of one single file (could be any one of the around seventy different file types that are supported in SDL Trados Studio).

Multiple file / language projects:

Here there could be many different types of file and languages created within a project. These projects can then be sent out to translators via the SDL Package.

SDL Package:

An all-in-one file, which is easy to create, send and open through the translation supply chain. It contains all the necessary information, files and settings to translate a project quickly and accurately.

SDL Trados 2007 Suite:

The previous version of our software and is included in SDL Trados Studio 2009. It allows a seamless transition to SDL Trados Studio 2009, including the ability to upgrade your old translation memories, access SDL PerfectMatch™ or see a preview of a TTX or ITD file.

SDL MultiTerm 2011:

The terminology management tool that integrates with SDL Trados Studio 2011 so that you can add, apply, edit and manage your terms all within the translation environment. You can ensure high levels of consistency and quality by automatically populating translations with approved terminology.

RevleX™:

The powerful XML based translation memory engine in SDL Trados Studio. It brings many new features, such as Context Match and AutoPropagation.

QuickPlace™:

Formatting, tags, numbers and other variable elements are readily available at your finger tips and can be inserted easily as you translate.

Real-time preview:

See the final document as you translate, save DTP time and better tailor your translations. Real-time preview is currently available for Word, HTML and XML. On-demand preview is available for PowerPoint files. A traditional preview is available for all other formats.

AutoSuggest™:

Accelerates translation editing through ground-breaking predictive text functionality - a 'must-use' feature.

SDL PerfectMatch™:

A feature that distinguishes between in-context and out-of-context 100% (exact) translation memory matches to ensure that 100% matches are within context before they are applied to a translation project.

Domain based network:

Where the networked computers have a definite hierarchy in that computers are either servers or clients. Domains have a unified security policy set on the domain controllers (servers) and users on client machines are authenticated by a server when logging on.

A workgroup, however, is two or more computers networked together. A workgroup is often called a peer–to–peer network because the computers are all peers to one another. No one machine is in charge, and security and other settings have to be made on each individual computer.

SDL OpenExchange:

SDL has launched the SDL OpenExchange so that external developers can access SDL Trados Studio APIs and can make their applications available to the user community through an exchange website.