Trados Made Easy

Trados Made Easy Application software helps the user to make the work that needs to be accomplished much easier and simpler to perform. Trados is one such software that is available to translators to help them in improving the quality and the quantity of work that is completed. But, many translators are of the notion that Trados is very difficult to learn and is not user friendly. But, contrary to the popular belief, Trados can help a translator in not only improving the quality of work by eliminating many mistakes it can also enhance the productivity. In the beginning stages, you can just start with learning one module of Trados i.e. Trados Workbench. This module is useful in translating a number of file formats such as .doc, .xls, .pdf, etc. This enables you to concentrate on learning one module and you can avoid learning other modules such as Multi Term, Tag Editor, etc until you have got a basic hang of what you need to know. Let us now learn how a file is translated using Workbench. Using the Windows “Start” button, access “Programs” and from there open the Trados Translator Workbench (should be installed in your computer). Once the program is open, a new file is created using the file option in the menu and is named appropriately and saved. The options such as the language of the original text and the translated text is chosen from the options and saved. The original text is then opened in the Translator Workbench and the mouse is pointed to the first line and the keys Alt and Home are pressed. The translation is then typed in another box that is present on the spreadsheet. Once the first line is completed to proceed to the following sentence, the keys Alt and Num are pressed. This method is followed until the entire document is completed after which the keys Alt and End are pressed. Since the completed file has both the languages, it is necessary to remove the original text from the file. This is performed using the clean-up option in Tools of the workbench menu. Once cleanup is performed, the file will only contain the translation. Since Trados saves all your translations into memory, it will give suggestions in translating many phrases and sentences which will make it easy for you to translate repetitions.

Few Advantages of Using Trados for Translations

Photo credit wandering_angel Few Advantages of Using Trados for Translations While the use of software tools such as Trados is becoming increasingly popular there are still many translators who are not comfortable even with the thought of using software tools for translation. Many people who abhor programs such as Trados do not like it because they think that it is too complicated to learn and master. Contrary to the belief that software tools are difficult to learn, programs such as Trados can help you in achieving higher efficiency in terms of quality as well as quantity. Let us get a brief insight into the many advantages of using programs such as Trados for your work. 1. Trados is useful in recalling repetitive texts that get stored within the memory of the program. 2. It is also useful in storing terminologies that are specific to a client which need to be used frequently. 3. It prevents skipping of lines as the translated text and the source text are open together. This also avoids missing out on important details such as numbers, names, etc and prevents wrong spelling of the same. 4. It can help you get more projects as many clients now enlist the possession of a software tool as a prerequisite to provide you the project. 5. It can help you in increasing the speeds at which you work as both the texts are open simultaneously thereby enhancing the volume of work completed. This also helps in improving the quality of your work. 6. It can also help in performing a proofreading of your work and can function as a quality assurance tool. While the use of software programs is increasing by the day, clients are often seen utilizing the benefits of using a program such as repetitive texts not needing translation again as a means to cut their costs by asking the translator for discounts when translating complete and partial matches. This does not sit too well with some translators as they feel that even though they have spent a substantial amount of money towards buying the software they now have to put up with such requests for discounts. But, some feel that such discounts are justified and do not mind giving them out to get better business prospects.