Introduction
In the Intro to Computer Assisted Translation (CAT) course, we learned Trados and MemoQ, two programs used to facilitate the translation and localization process.
Here is a summary of what we have covered (please click the 
button to download the example files):
- History of MT (Machine Translation)
- Overview & comparison: RBMT vs SMT (Rules-based MT vs Statistical MT)
- Overview of Machine Translation Post Editing
- Controlled Language and Authoring
- Overview of TEnTs (Translation Environment Tools)
- Alignment and TM (Translation Memory) creation in TEnTs
- Reporting & Analytics in TEnTs
- Termbase creation, management and retrieval in TEnTs
- QA check – automation & reviewing translations in TEnTs
- Segmentation customization in TEnTs
- Filter customization with pseudo translation in TEnTs
- Accepting, translating and returning project packages in TEnTs
At the end of the semester, I joined a group of three other students to apply what we learned to a simulated localization project. We had a kick-off meeting with the client (the professor), used Trados to translate the files, sent deliverables back to the client, and held a meeting to discuss the lessons learned.
Final Project Overview
Our team (Boba Milk TeaM) localized the website of Boba Guys, a bubble milk tea shop based in San Francisco, from English to Simplified Chinese. In addition to translating the website into Simplified Chinese, we aimed to improve the overall appearance while staying true to its original style.
We utilized TeamWeek as the timeline planner, SDL Trados as the CAT tool, Photoshop as the DTP (Desktop Publishing) software and Squarespace as the website builder.
Kick-off Meeting
To start the project, we wrote a SOW (Statement of Work), listing our project specifications, project goals, timeline, costs, resources and deliverables.
The SOW can be downloaded here.
Workflow
Preparation and Setup
- The engineer extracted translatable text from html files
- The engineer extracted the texts from the images
- The engineer extracted all the texts in word documents for easier translation
- The translator did pseudo translation in Trados
Production Phase
- The translator worked in Trados to translate segment by segment
- The translator created the TM and the termbase
- The editor edited the translated files
- The proofreader proofread the edited files
- The graphic designers performed DTP to create localized images
Finalization
- The web developer reinserted the text and images to create a localized site
- The QA specialist utilized the Quality Assurance function of Trados for self-checking.
- The third-party reviewed the usability and overall correct of the localized site
Deliverables
We provide the deliverables as follows:
- The source files (website URL) and target files (demo website and html files)
- A TM and Glossary as well as pseudo-translated files of the website
- Translated jpg files (for images)
Deliverables can be downloaded here.
Lessons learned
We encountered some difficulties throughout the project. Below are some lessons we have learned.
The Presentation PowerPoint can be downloaded here.
Kick-off meeting
- Take the initiative
- Ask for TM
- Get client involved as early as possible
- Do background research on rules and regulations
- No sales tax will be charged for translation & localization services
- Double check SOW
- Do not miss any essential part
- Avoid typo
File Prep in Trados
- Lock the segments which do not need to be translated
- Exclude locked segments from analysis
- Prepare separate text document for translated image text
Translation in Trados
- Click the “update” box to make TM update automatically
- Make cultural judgements while translating
DTP
- Start as early as possible
- Ask the client to provide as many original clean images as possible
- Keep the files editable (always save the psd. files)
- Be resourceful. Google is your best friend
Website construction
- Using a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) website builder means easy reproduction
