9 SDL Trados Studio: Aligning Documents, ABBYY Lingvo Dictionary, Conclusion

Summary

This video script offers an in-depth tutorial on using SDL Trados Studio, a popular translation management software. It covers the alignment feature for creating bilingual files, the importance of proofreading in the source file format, and the process of working with translation packages. The speaker also shares tips on improving translation efficiency, reducing typing errors, and maintaining translator health. Additionally, the script introduces the use of bilingual dictionaries for quick translations and the customization of user dictionaries.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The script discusses the use of the 'Alignment' feature in SDL Trados for creating bilingual files from source and target documents.
• 📝 It provides a step-by-step guide on aligning documents, including selecting files, specifying a translation memory, and confirming the alignment.
• 💡 The importance of checking the alignment for accuracy is highlighted, with different colored lines indicating the level of confidence in the alignment.
• 🖊️ The script suggests saving the document before confirming the alignment to avoid losing any changes.
• ✂️ It explains how to edit the alignment by disconnecting and reconnecting sentences if necessary.
• 📁 The process of saving the aligned document as a bilingual STL or XLIFF file is described, which can be used for translation memory creation.
• 🔄 The script touches on the efficiency of the translation process and the use of automation features in SDL Trados.
• ⌨️ Tips for reducing mistakes during typing are given to speed up the translation process.
• 🔍 A recommendation to review translations in the source file format is made to potentially catch errors that were missed in the Trados environment.
• 📦 Information on handling translation packages, which may include source files, reference information, and translation memories, is provided.
• 👥 The script mentions the use of bilingual dictionaries and the ability to create or import user dictionaries for translation support.
• 🛋️ Lastly, it emphasizes the importance of taking breaks and maintaining health while working long hours on translation tasks.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the 'alignment' feature in SDL Trados Studio?

The 'alignment' feature in SDL Trados Studio is used to create a bilingual file from a source file and a target file, such as a translation done by the user or someone else.

How do you initiate the alignment process in SDL Trados Studio?

To initiate the alignment process, you need to go to 'Align Documents', select a single file pair, specify a translation memory to be used, and then press 'Finish' to start the process.

What do the different colors of the dotted lines in the alignment process represent?

The colors of the dotted lines represent the degree of confidence in the alignment. Green indicates the highest confidence, yellow stands for lower confidence, and red means the lowest confidence.

How do you save the document during the alignment process in SDL Trados Studio?

You can save the document during the alignment process by using the keyboard shortcut 'Ctrl + Shift + S', which will prompt a dialog to save the file on your desired location, such as the desktop.

What action is taken if the application incorrectly connects two sentences during alignment?

If the application incorrectly connects two sentences, you can right-click and select 'Disconnect' to separate them.

How can you correct the alignment if you believe a different source sentence should be connected to a target sentence?

To correct the alignment, left-click on the source sentence, hold 'Ctrl', left-click on the target sentence, and then select 'Connect'.

What does confirming the alignment mean in the context of SDL Trados Studio?

Confirming the alignment means that you agree with the connections made by the application, which will then be represented by a solid line, indicating the confirmed translation.

What are the options available after completing the alignment process in SDL Trados Studio?

After completing the alignment, you can save the result as a bilingual STLXLIFF file for further use, or you can import the aligned segments into a translation memory.

Why might the process of checking and correcting segment connections in SDL Trados Studio be time-consuming?

The process can be time-consuming because it requires manual review and correction of each segment connection, which can be particularly lengthy with large files.

What is a 'package' in the context of SDL Trados Studio and how is it used?

A 'package' in SDL Trados Studio is a collection of files that may include the source file, reference information, and translation memory. It is used for managing translation projects sent by clients and for returning completed translations.

What is the speaker's recommendation for reviewing translations to catch potential errors?

The speaker recommends reviewing translations in the original source file type instead of in SDL Trados Studio, as this can help identify mistakes that might have been overlooked during the initial translation process.

Outlines

00:00

🔗 Document Alignment in Translation Software

This paragraph introduces the alignment feature in the Travis translation software, which is used to create bilingual files from a source and a target document. The process involves selecting a pair of documents, specifying a translation memory, and initiating the alignment. The software analyzes the sentences and connects them with varying degrees of confidence, indicated by colored dotted lines. Users are advised to review the connections and make adjustments as necessary before confirming the alignment. The aligned document can then be saved for future use, such as creating a translation memory or editing existing ones. The speaker also shares personal preferences regarding the use of this feature, noting its time-consuming nature for large files.

05:00

📝 Tips for Efficient Translation Workflow

The speaker provides practical advice for enhancing translation efficiency and minimizing errors in the translation process. Suggestions include avoiding misspellings to save time on corrections and reviewing translations in the source file format to identify potential oversights. The paragraph also touches on the handling of translation packages, which may include source files, reference materials, and translation memories. The process of opening, translating, and returning a package is outlined, emphasizing the importance of careful review and packaging to ensure a high-quality deliverable. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of taking regular breaks to maintain health and productivity.

10:02

📚 Utilizing Dictionaries for Translation Assistance

In the final paragraph, the speaker discusses the use of bilingual dictionaries to aid in the translation process. A specific dictionary is mentioned, along with its customizable features that allow users to select translation options and create or import user dictionaries. The speaker shares personal experience with the dictionary, highlighting its convenience and the ability to quickly access translations using keyboard shortcuts. The paragraph concludes with a summary of the detailed procedure for working in Travis, expressing hope that the information provided is useful and setting expectations for a future video on the updated version of the software.

Keywords

💡Alignment

Alignment in the context of the video refers to the process of matching sentences or segments between a source file and its translated target file to create a bilingual document. This is crucial for translators who need to verify the accuracy of translations or create a reference for future translations. The script mentions using the alignment feature in SDL Trados Studio to connect sentences with varying degrees of confidence, indicated by colored dotted lines.

💡SDL Trados Studio

SDL Trados Studio is a computer-assisted translation (CAT) tool that is central to the video's theme. It is used for various translation tasks, including alignment, translation memory creation, and review processes. The video script provides a detailed walkthrough of using SDL Trados Studio for document alignment and other translation-related tasks.

💡Translation Memory

A translation memory (TM) is a database that stores translations of sentences or segments, which can be reused in future translations. In the script, the speaker mentions using a translation memory to save information during the alignment process and later to populate it with confirmed translations from the aligned documents.

💡Bilingual File

A bilingual file is a document that contains text in two languages, usually side by side for comparison. The video discusses creating a bilingual file using the alignment feature in SDL Trados Studio, which is essential for translation validation and creating translation memories.

💡Degree of Confidence

The degree of confidence in the video refers to the certainty with which the alignment feature in SDL Trados Studio matches sentences between the source and target files. The script describes how different colors of dotted lines represent different levels of confidence, with green indicating the highest and red the lowest.

💡Document Review

Document review is the process of checking a translation for accuracy and consistency. The script suggests reviewing documents in their original format after translation to catch any errors that might have been overlooked in the CAT tool environment.

💡Automation

Automation in the context of the video pertains to the features within SDL Trados Studio that assist in speeding up the translation process. The script mentions the importance of minimizing mistakes during typing to reduce the need for corrections, which can slow down the workflow.

💡Packages

In the video, packages refer to project files that contain source documents, reference materials, and translation memories provided by clients. The script explains how to work with these packages in SDL Trados Studio, including opening them and creating return packages after translation.

💡User Dictionaries

User dictionaries are custom dictionaries created by users for specific translation needs. The script mentions the ability to create or import user dictionaries in SDL Trados Studio to assist with translations, enhancing the efficiency of the translation process.

💡Health and Breaks

The script emphasizes the importance of taking breaks during translation work to maintain physical and mental health. It suggests a 10-minute break every hour to alleviate strain on the eyes, back, and wrists, which are common issues for translators due to the nature of their work.

💡Bilingual Dictionary

A bilingual dictionary, as mentioned in the script, is a tool that provides translations between two languages. The speaker recommends using a specific bilingual dictionary for its convenience and the ability to create or import custom dictionaries for personal use.

Highlights

Alignment option in SDL Trados used to create bilingual files from source and target documents.

Selecting a single file pair and specifying a translation memory for the alignment process.

Document alignment recognizes sentences and connects them with varying degrees of confidence indicated by colored dotted lines.

Reviewing and confirming sentence connections, with options to disconnect or reconnect sentences as needed.

Saving the aligned document before proceeding with the alignment confirmation process.

Importing the aligned document into translation memories to populate them with translation units.

Avoiding misspellings to reduce time spent correcting errors during translation.

Reviewing translations in the source file type to catch mistakes that may be overlooked in the Trados environment.

Dealing with packages containing source files, reference information, and translation memories provided by clients.

Creating and returning packages after completing translations to send to clients.

Taking regular breaks to maintain health and productivity while translating.

Using bilingual dictionaries like the one provided in SDL Trados for quick translations.

Creating and importing custom user dictionaries for personalized translation support.

The importance of reviewing the original source file after translation to catch formatting and editing needs.

The upcoming release of SDL Trados Studio 2017 with new features and improvements.

The overall process of working with SDL Trados Studio for efficient and effective translation management.

Transcripts

so the last feature of Travis to do that

we're going to consider is the alignment

option you would use this option in the

following cases say you might have a

source file and a target file a

translation that was done by you or

someone else and if you want to create a

bilingual file out of those two

documents this is what you would use

that alignment for so you need to go

align documents and you can select here

we can select a single file pair let's

return to my training course folder I'll

select I have two documents prepared for

that sweb goal

source and target like this and they

also need to specify a translation

memory to be used for this purpose to

save this information too so I go final

base translation memory and a sample TM

from rushing into English then I press

finish and they wait for the completion

of the process so this is the the

environment that you only work in when

you align documents in this case we can

see that the application has recognized

a number of sentences in both documents

and we can see that these sentences were

connected with each other connected to

each other by the application so these

colored dotted lines mean the degree of

confidence that we are dealing with so

the green would be most confidence Lila

would stand for lower confidence and the

red one means the lowest possible

confidence so the user actually least

needs to run through arrow and check if

everything is correct well before we

proceed with actually the process of

confirmation we need to save our

document because we've had this

pasteurized here so I'll go ctrl shift s

a dialog appears and I'll save it on my

desktop and let let it be made like this

so it's also plus saving

let's see oh god this is our desktop and

this is the file the alignment file like

the project of alignment so say you find

that that the application that was wrong

about connecting two sentences in D

you'd like to disconnect them so all you

actually do is you right-click and you

select this connect like this and say

you want to disconnect these two these

two ones as well what if you think that

you would rather collect this sentence

for that one what you do is you just

left-click on the first one and you

press and hold ctrl and use lights and

other sentence in the target area and

then you select connect like that okay

if you think this is right then you've

got the the solid line confirming this

translation but since in my case this is

wrong I'd rather select disconnect and I

will connect these two sentences again

and these two ones as well since I have

chosen quite a simple file to show you

what the alignment process is I can

actually select confirm all in this

situation like that and I'm ready to

continue my work with the alignment so

I'd rather save my my progress and here

are the options that you can deal with

that you can choose when you're done

with the alignment you can either save

this as a bilingual STL X live file like

that on your desktop

and here's the file this one you can use

this file for creation or a translation

memory for example or if you want to

populate the translation memory that you

chose when you were actually selecting

the source and target files you need to

simply import into tradition memories

like that quick import then if you with

the completion of the process and we can

see that 1211 pears or added to the TM

like that

sometimes the process of checking

whether the segments were connected

correctly won't take quite a while so I

don't really often use this application

as a matter of fact plus plus if you are

dealing with some big files that this

might take you quite a while actually to

run through the process of alignment and

recheck and this is why I prefer not to

use this application but in case I do

have time I definitely use it so these

were actually the main basic features

that I was going to share with you about

credit studio now I'd like to say some

conclusions some final information

besides actually the process autumn of

automation that Trotta studio offers us

there are also ways of speeding the

process up so you might try to make more

make less mistakes as you type the tests

because sometimes having to return to a

misspelled word and correcting this word

takes a while so if they're better try

to avoid miss typing words also and

you're done with the translation like

let's return to one of those documents

we can close it here and return to our

projects you know if you have a project

completed for 100% you should actually

then go to the review mode and review it

there but I should I prefer to review

documents in the source file type I mean

if this was bored I'd rather switch to

word because as you translate you tend

to kind of get used to this interface

and sometimes rereading the file in a

different format in this case in the

source format lets you actually find

some mistakes and errors that you would

rather skip as you if you review this

document in treta studio so this is why

I suggest you guys to switch to the

original source file type and check your

translation in that file plus as you

check you might

some some need for formatting for

editing so this is why I prefer to

actually avoid reviewing the document in

treta studio environment also sometimes

you might be given some packages to deal

with as I was telling you before

sometimes our customers have their own

translation teams and they create their

of their own projects and they send

those projects to us the projects are

those projects are converted to so

called packages and those packages might

contain the source file and the some

reference information and also at the

transition memory to be used so in this

case we can try seeing what a package is

let's just open package from here for

ganache which the project's view and

select open package from here then let's

go to to my training course folder and

here I have prepared a folder called

package so this is the one I simply

select it a dialog appears

I haven't filled nothing nothing to be

changed here so I got got the person who

assigned the translation to be down and

the the person to actually do the

translation the test is translate so I

would simply press finish and I press

close I've got this brush 2 here so in

this case what you need to do is

actually you need to open the document

for translation like this and as you

complete the translation for 100% done

you simply close this file you return to

the projects you and you right-click and

select create return package after you

select this option you'll be given this

dialog and all that remains is actually

going next and finishing it

so as you complete the process let's

actually do it with yeah let's create

the return package like this next and

now that we're done and let's see what

we've got

it's called project - so you know you

are familiar with the source folder with

the target folder with the reports

folder and here we have the packet

packages filter it contains in the in

folder contains your your incoming so to

say incoming package and this out that

shall contain the project that you need

to send to your customer in this project

would contain this package which

actually contain the source file the

target file and the translation memory

this should save the translation - so

this is actually a simple procedure of

dealing with packages well also as to

some general requirements I suggest you

to try to have some rest as you work

it's very important because translators

have to actually spend a lot of time at

sitting and translating documents I

prefer to have like a 10-minute break

every hour to make my hands to make my

eyes and my back wrists a little bit so

yeah we also we definitely need to take

care of our health so that what any

problems with it and to be able to work

as much as we need maybe finally I also

share some information about

dictionaries that you might use I prefer

to use the dictionary called a bilingual

here here it is I don't actually

advertise it and suggest using it but I

really myself personally find it

convenient as a dictionary because here

you might have my awards translated you

know seconds let's like let's go to our

broad sample project let's open it like

in my case I can click on a word with a

certain combination in my keyboard and

as I do it you see this dialog appears

what I did do is actually I go to the

dictionary tools options and here in the

cops ation I select the way words need

to be translated by the dictionary so

another option is ctrl + CC what I do is

I actually select a word and I press

control-c explain this and the dialogue

the translation appears again + so it's

also good about a bilingual dictionaries

is that you can actually create your own

user dictionaries or it can import

dictionaries created by other users and

for you to be able to use for your

benefit

anyway I think this is actually it I was

trying to explain the procedure of

working in Travis in most detail so I

really hope that you'll find my course

interesting and useful and I do look

forward to record a video on Travis to

do 2017 which was which is already

available from the SDL company so I do

look forward to see all again and good

luck