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How can technical translators learn to use quality assurance tools effectively?

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Technical translation is a challenging and rewarding field that requires not only linguistic and subject matter expertise, but also attention to detail and quality standards. Quality assurance (QA) tools are software applications that help technical translators check and improve the accuracy, consistency, and readability of their translations. In this article, you will learn how to use QA tools effectively to enhance your technical translation skills and deliver high-quality results to your clients.

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1 What are QA tools and why are they important?

QA tools are software applications that help technical translators check and improve the accuracy, consistency, and readability of their translations. They can perform various tasks, such as detecting spelling and grammar errors, flagging terminology and style inconsistencies, identifying missing or extra segments, verifying numbers and dates, and measuring readability and quality scores. QA tools are important because they can help technical translators avoid common mistakes, save time and effort, ensure compliance with client specifications and industry standards, and increase client satisfaction and trust.

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Louis Floyd

Tech Writer, Japanese/English Translator at AIDA-America
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I've been using WordFast for 16 years--the glossaries I have created help assure consistency, and the quality features (looking for different numbers in the source and target segments, looking for missing formatting tags, etc.) as well as the spell-checking are great tools. But of course it is also important to read through the translation at least once (preferably a day or two later, so you catch any awkward grammar, etc).

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2 How to choose the right QA tool for your needs?

When selecting a QA tool, there are several factors to consider such as budget, workflow, language, and domain. How much are you willing to pay? Do you prefer a one-time purchase or a recurring fee? What kind of QA tasks do you need to perform? What languages do you translate to and from? What domains do you specialize in? Do you prefer desktop or web-based application? Once these factors are considered, you can compare and evaluate different QA tools and choose the one that suits your needs best. You may even opt for more than one tool depending on the project and task.

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Louis Floyd

Tech Writer, Japanese/English Translator at AIDA-America
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If you are on a budget, take a look at Wordfast. If you need to share translation memories on a network in real time with other translators, consider the older WFPro 3 (Later versions do not have this capability.) =)

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3 How to learn to use QA tools effectively?

Learning to use QA tools effectively takes some time and practice, but it's not difficult. Begin by reading the documentation and tutorials to understand the basics and advanced features of your QA tool. Then, customize the settings and profiles to your preferences and needs. To get the most out of your QA tool, test and experiment with it on your own translations. Analyze the results and decide what actions to take. Compare the before and after versions of your translations to see how they improve in terms of quality and consistency. Additionally, keep your QA tool updated and review the changes it offers, as well as your settings and profiles periodically to make sure they are still relevant and accurate.

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4 How to avoid common pitfalls and limitations of QA tools?

QA tools are not perfect, nor should they be used to replace human judgment and expertise. They are merely tools to assist and support technical translators. Consequently, it is important to recognize the common pitfalls and limitations of these tools and take measures to avoid them. For instance, do not become complacent or over-rely on QA tools to check and improve translations, as they can miss errors related to meaning, context, or culture. Additionally, false positives or negatives can be generated by these tools. Thus, it is essential to use your own knowledge and skills to validate translations, while using QA tools as a complement. Similarly, do not neglect or underuse QA tools either; they can detect errors you may overlook or forget, as well as help save time and improve productivity. However, do not be inflexible when using QA tools; they should be adapted to your needs rather than followed blindly. Furthermore, be open to feedback from clients, colleagues, or reviewers in order to better your QA settings and profiles.

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5 How to benefit from QA tools in the long run?

QA tools are not only useful for checking and improving your translations in the short term, but also for enhancing your technical translation skills and career in the long run. For instance, QA tools can help you learn and improve as a technical translator by identifying your strengths and weaknesses, as well as new terminology, style, and best practices. Additionally, QA tools can track and measure your performance and progress as a translator, allowing you to generate reports and statistics that show quality and consistency scores, error rates, and types. Lastly, QA tools can help you showcase and market your skills by demonstrating competence to clients and colleagues, as well as providing evidence of work and achievements to promote yourself in the competitive market.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Will Song

English and Korean Translator | IP and VC Biz Dev
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It's worth noting that, other than checking grammar and spelling, QA tools are fundamentally constructed using Regex. Applying your own Regex to particular cases can often outperform these tools.

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How can technical translators learn to use quality assurance tools effectively?

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1 What are QA tools and why are they important?

2 How to choose the right QA tool for your needs?

3 How to learn to use QA tools effectively?

4 How to avoid common pitfalls and limitations of QA tools?

5 How to benefit from QA tools in the long run?

6 Here’s what else to consider

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