Käännösvälimuisti

Käännösvälimuisti, or translation memory, is a technology used in the field of translation to store and reuse previously translated segments of text. It consists of a database that holds pairs of source text segments and their corresponding translations. When a translator works on a new document, the translation memory software analyzes the source text and compares it to the existing database. If an identical or similar segment is found, the software retrieves the stored translation, presenting it to the translator as a suggestion.

The primary benefit of using a translation memory is increased efficiency and consistency. By reusing existing translations, translators can speed up the translation process, especially for projects with repetitive content or for ongoing translation work for the same client. This also ensures that terminology and phrasing are consistent throughout a document or across multiple documents, which is crucial for maintaining brand voice and technical accuracy.

Translation memories are not intended to fully automate the translation process. The retrieved suggestions are always reviewed and edited by a human translator to ensure accuracy, context, and natural flow. The technology essentially acts as a sophisticated assistant, providing a foundation for faster and more consistent human translation. Translation memories are widely used by professional translators, localization companies, and businesses that deal with large volumes of multilingual content.