The growing expansion of companies into new markets has led to a rising need for translation services. Facilitating communication across language barriers continues to be essential, and the latest predictions suggest that the language services market will reach a staggering $96.1 billion by 2027. This surge in demand is hardly surprising, considering that only approximately 25% of all internet users worldwide are English speakers.
The good news is that as technology advances, a new language-related app industry is emerging to cater to this increasing demand. Translation apps offer various functionalities, from instant translation to AI-powered language learning and more, to provide individuals and businesses with a way to bridge the linguistic gaps and communicate effectively according to their needs and wants.
In this article, we will explore the concept of translation apps and delve into their working mechanisms so that you can select the most suitable translation app based on your needs.
Defining Translation Apps
Translation apps are software applications that help to transfer the meaning of messages from one language to another. Given the complexity of translation, various technologies and specialized tools have emerged to aid this process.
At its core, a translation app simplifies text translation from the original language (source language) to the desired language (target language). This can range from basic dictionary apps with built-in automatic translation functions to sophisticated AI-powered chatbots capable of holding multilingual conversations.
It is worth distinguishing between apps designed for general users and those specifically tailored for professional translators. Typically, user-oriented apps are more straightforward and user-friendly, while translator-focused apps offer many features and customization options.
As the translation industry is continuously investing and embracing new technologies, there is now a diverse range of available translation apps. Below, we’ll go through the most common translation apps on which professional translators rely and how they work.
The Most Common Translation Apps And How They Work
CAT Tools
Computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools are software applications designed to enhance productivity in the translation process. These tools serve as text editors that enable professional linguists to translate more efficiently and consistently by reducing repetitive work and automatically correcting errors.
The core functionality of a CAT tool revolves around its editor interface. Typically, the original text, known as the “source text,” is on one side of the screen, while the corresponding translation is on the other. This side-by-side view allows translators to compare and switch between the two versions easily.
CAT tools offer various features that can aid translators in their work. Some standard functionalities of the modern-day CAT tools include spell check and autocorrect, dictionaries, text search tools, translation memory, terminology management features, etc.
These features significantly improve translators’ productivity, accuracy, and consistency in their work. CAT tools streamline the translation process and enhance overall efficiency by eliminating repetitive tasks, assisting with terminology, and leveraging previous translations.
Machine Translation Apps
The rise of machine translation apps has made them popular tools for enhancing productivity in both professional and personal contexts. As the demand for content localization continues to grow, the machine translation market has experienced consistent expansion.
While industry leaders such as Google and Microsoft have long held a stronghold in the market, there is a rise in the popularity of emerging machine translation services as well.
Google Translate
Incorporated into the Google ecosystem, Google Translate offers high-quality translation for over 100 languages. It experienced a significant improvement in machine translation with the introduction of Google Neural Machine Translation (GNMT), replacing the previous statistical approach.
Users can utilize the free version to translate texts and documents and access translation history without needing an account. Google Translate has greatly enhanced multilingual communication and continues to improve translation quality through neural machine translation advancements.
Microsoft Translator
Like Google Translate, Microsoft’s search engine, Bing, seamlessly integrates Microsoft Translator and offers translation capabilities across various Microsoft products. Based on neural network technology with an attention-based model, Microsoft’s machine translation system supports translation between 90 languages and dialects.
In the free version of Microsoft Translator, users have access to a useful feature that allows instant translation of common sentences and expressions used in everyday conversations. Microsoft offers substantial options through paid subscriptions for those seeking advanced translation capabilities.
Translation Management Systems
A translation management system (TMS) represents the pinnacle of translation apps, providing intelligent automation to streamline translation tasks. It combines computer-assisted translation and machine translation tools with project and business intelligence capabilities on a centralized platform.
A TMS is a valuable asset for organizations that frequently engage in translation projects. It prevents translation project management from becoming a complex and daunting endeavor.
The typical functions performed by a TMS include project creation, assignment of projects to translators or translation agencies, uploading and downloading of translation files, tracking project progress, creation and updating of translation memories and term bases, generation of data analytics and business intelligence reports, integration with other software systems (such as content management or customer relationship management tools), automatic machine translation, and automated quality assurance checks.
Essentially, a TMS aims to optimize the management of multiple translation projects, ensuring efficiency and minimizing complexities. Some TMS solutions are cloud-based, while others are locally installed on a company’s servers.
Although most TMS solutions incorporate CAT tool features like text editors for segmented translation, translation memory, and terminology management, it is essential to note that a TMS encompasses more than just a CAT tool. The key distinction lies in the TMS’s ability to integrate CAT tool functionalities with robust project management capabilities, covering the entire translation process from start to finish. In contrast, a CAT tool primarily focuses on the translation stage alone.
Final Thoughts
Translation apps are revolutionizing communication, breaking language barriers, and fostering global connectivity. With their versatile features and advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning, these apps provide users with powerful tools for seamless language translation. As technology advances, translation apps will continue to evolve, enabling more efficient and accurate communication in our diverse world.
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