Editing in Translation Technology

With the emergence of translation memory technology in the early to mid-1990s, ¹ the translation profession underwent a true technological turn that had been eagerly awaited by those working on machine translation systems since the 1950s. At the core of the translation memory systems (TMS) was a database of human translations, aided by the machine: machine-aided human translation, MAHT, or computer-aided translation, CAT. With the segment-based approach of re-use of previously translated material, traditional concepts and workflows changed dramatically too. Other than language skills and writing abilities, translation of texts included an increasing use of computer technology. Processes such as editing, revision and proof-reading should follow suit, but to date translators are struggling to cope with the speed of translation technology uptake. ²