The Price of a Revisor's Work and the Benefits of CAT Tools

The Price of a Revisor's Work and the Benefits of CAT Tools

Introduction:

In the world of translation and revision, there are various factors that determine the price of a revisor's work. These factors include the extent of changes required, the length of the revised text, the urgency of the client's deadline, and more. Generally, revisors have the option to charge per page, per lauda, or per revised word. A lauda is defined as 30 lines by up to 70 characters (including spaces) per line, which roughly amounts to 2,100 characters per page including spaces. The suggested price range per lauda can vary depending on the number of laudas: 01 to 49 laudas can be priced between R$ 5.00 and R$ 10.00, 50 to 99 laudas between R$ 4.50 and R$ 9.00, and for 100 laudas or more, the price can range from R$ 4.00 to R$ 8.00. These prices are just a reference and can be adjusted according to the specific requirements of each project.

Linking Revision and CAT Tools:

In the field of translation, computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools have become an invaluable asset for professional translators. These tools not only enhance the consistency of translations but also significantly speed up the entire translation process. CAT tools consist of two main components: machine translation (MT) and translation memory (TM). While MT constructs translations automatically, TM stores previously generated translations in a database and suggests or retrieves similar translations. This is the most crucial feature of any CAT tool.

Translation Memory:

Translation memory (TM) is a database that stores all previously completed translations by any translator. This feature allows translators to access and reuse previously translated phrases across different projects, even if they have been archived or are difficult to find. Unlike machine translation, which suggests translations from scratch, the translator has the final say on whether the recalled sentences from the translation memory are appropriate for the context of the new translation. Translation memory greatly improves efficiency and consistency in translation projects.

Terminology Management:

Another important feature of CAT tools is terminology management. This feature involves the use of glossaries or termbases, which are lists of industry or company-specific terms and their definitions. These glossaries guide translators in translating specific terms consistently. They ensure that even if different translators are involved in the translation process or if translations are requested by different departments within a company, the most important terms remain consistent. Terminology databases help maintain accuracy and consistency throughout translation projects.

Quality Assurance:

Quality assurance (QA) tools are an integral part of CAT tools and assist in maintaining the quality of translations. These tools automatically check for errors such as double words, extra spaces between words, and typos that may be introduced during the translation process. Built-in spell checkers and grammar algorithms flag inconsistencies, changes in numbers or content, email addresses or URLs, different brackets or numbers, and inconsistent HTML. QA tools help decrease errors and ensure the final translation is of high quality.

In-Context Editing:

CAT tools also offer in-context editing tools that provide translators with a real-time view of how translations will appear in the final document or project. This feature saves countless hours of back-and-forth communication between translators and clients, especially in design or development cycles. Translators can accurately and naturally translate words and sentences when they have a clear understanding of the context in which they will be used.

Conclusion:

Both the price of a revisor's work and the benefits of CAT tools play significant roles in the field of translation and revision. It is important for revisors to consider the various factors that determine their pricing, such as the extent of changes, the length of the text, and the client's deadline. Additionally, incorporating CAT tools into the translation process can greatly enhance efficiency, consistency, and overall quality. By utilizing features such as translation memory, terminology management, quality assurance, and in-context editing, translators can improve their workflow and deliver accurate translations.

Actionable Advice:

1. When pricing your revision services, consider the specific requirements of each project and adjust your pricing accordingly. Take into account factors such as the extent of changes, the length of the text, and the client's deadline.

2. Explore and familiarize yourself with CAT tools to enhance your translation process. Take advantage of features such as translation memory, terminology management, quality assurance, and in-context editing to improve efficiency and maintain consistency.

3. Continuously update and maintain your own translation memory and glossaries to maximize the benefits of CAT tools. By doing so, you can ensure consistency in your translations and save time by reusing previously translated phrases.

In conclusion, the price of a revisor's work and the utilization of CAT tools are interconnected aspects of the translation and revision industry. By understanding the different factors that determine pricing and harnessing the benefits of CAT tools, revisors can provide high-quality translations efficiently and consistently.