What is a Translation Memory?

Common in the language industry is the systematic re-use of approved translations from previous projects using a Translation Memory (TM) database.

A Translation Memory acts as a bank of previously-translated content that gives translators a headstart in new projects. When you send new content for translation this content is scanned and good matches from previous projects you've translated are used to provide translators with a base to build from.

How TMs benefit translation

These previously-approved translations provide translators with vital context around the content they're now translating. This provides a number of benefits including:

• Quality and consistency - TMs ensure that the existing data is correct and in accordance with your requirements and needs at any given time.
• Reduced costs - Cost saving is also an important benefit because matches against the TM are charged at lower rates.
• Time and efficiency savings - Use of TMs ensures accurate and ready-to-use data at any given time, and improves efficiency during a new project.

And, at the end of your translation, the finalised content is saved within your Translation Memory for potential re-use in later projects, meaning the benefits cascade across your translation projects.

Learn more about how Translation Memories match old translations with new content.