MemSource Editor is a translation assistance tool that is increasingly winning over more supporters. Its simplicity, ability to maintain a copy of all work in a server, and the possibility to work from any computer are the three principal benefits that users enjoy. However, these conveniences often overshadow others offered to us by this program. All translators should keep in mind three of these little known benefits:
- Concordance: The concordance tool is often used in Trados as well as in other translation programs. MemSource Editor has a search tab that allows us to search for words in any of the translation memories employed in a project (not just those open to write, but also all the read TMs). Something important to keep in mind is that for a more refined search, it is best to put the word or group of words in quotes.
- Termbase: The glossary, or termbase, in MemSource Editor is not only useful, but also easy to set up. However, despite all of the benefits it provides, it is not as established a function of an assisted translation tool as a translation memory, for example.
Just like other tools provided in the program, it does not require any lengthy explanations, nor is its implementation complex. One only needs to create a termbase in the server (which employs the same three steps used to create a memory) and then in MemSource Editor, highlight the word in question in the source language, press “Ctrl + T” on the keyboard. After that, highlight the word in the target language and press “Enter.” From then on, when that word or group of words reappears in the document, MemSource Editor will highlight them in yellow, and the CAT tab will show the chosen translation for each of these. The glossary can later be used for other projects or exported to Excel. - QA: A Quality Assurance is an essential step once a translation or editing has been completed. MemSource Editor has a QA tab that must be used once all segments are confirmed. Once under the tab, click “Run” (it is recommended to be connected to the server so that the program can obtain all pertinent information from the translation memory). Once verified, MemSource Editor will show a list of all potential inconsistencies, spelling errors, omissions, and all elements that must be modified in order to deliver a quality translation.
At first these three tools may occasionally be overlooked, but over time one’s reliance on MemSource Editor, as well as the accumulation of projects in the cloud, make these steps almost obligatory. The opportunity to have a copy of all of our projects in one place, which at the same time makes possible the compatibility of both translation memories and glossaries, is something that must be taken advantage of. You can find more keys to using MemSource Editor in the following link: Trusted Translations: 10,000 Files Processed in MemSource Cloud.
For more information about how to use MemSource, please visit our MemSource forum.
