Ask ChatGPT – November 7, 2023

My Conversations with ChatGPT
Machine Translation (MT) and translations generated by AI have brought about a paradigm shift in the translation industry. The output of MT will continue to improve, especially when associated with clients’ translation memories and human editing. Language Service Providers are adapting and are including MT in their processes, when MT is applicable. While linguists will continue to be essential in the process, their role will shift from that of translators to validators of content generated by MT. At Excel Translations, we wanted to know what AI thinks about all of this and decided to have an open conversation on the matter with ChatGPT. I will regularly publish a question and ChatGPT’s response, uncensored.

QUESTION 77:

What CAT tool knowledge is important for LSP’s to know in 2023-2024?

Chat GPT’s Response:

As a Language Service Provider (LSP) in 2023-2024, it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools and technologies to remain competitive and provide high-quality translation services. Here are some key areas of CAT tool knowledge that are important for LSPs to be aware of during this period:

1. Industry-Standard CAT Tools: Familiarize yourself with popular CAT tools like SDL Trados, memoQ, Memsource, Smartcat, Wordfast, and others. Being proficient in using these tools can make you more marketable to clients and agencies that prefer specific CAT tools.
2. Cloud-Based CAT Tools: Cloud-based CAT tools have become increasingly popular for their accessibility and collaboration features. Knowledge of tools like Memsource, Smartcat, and MateCat, which are cloud-based, is important.
3. Neural Machine Translation (NMT): NMT models have improved the quality of machine translation. Understanding how to integrate NMT into CAT tools and post-edit machine-generated translations effectively is valuable.
4. Translation Memory (TM) Management: Proficiency in creating, maintaining, and managing translation memories is crucial for consistency and efficiency in translation projects. This includes knowledge of TMX and TBX standards.
5. Terminology Management: Mastering terminology management tools and techniques to ensure consistent use of terminology across projects is essential. Tools like MultiTerm, glossaries, and termbases are useful in this context.
6. Quality Assurance (QA) Tools: Familiarity with QA tools such as Xbench, Verifika, and ApSIC Xbench is important to ensure the accuracy and consistency of translations.
7. CAT Tool Customization: Understanding how to customize and configure CAT tools to fit specific project requirements and client needs can be a valuable skill.
8. Project Management Features: CAT tools often have built-in project management capabilities, such as tracking deadlines, assigning tasks, and managing resources. Knowing how to use these features can streamline your project workflow.

Staying informed about the latest developments in the CAT tool industry through conferences, webinars, and industry publications is also crucial. Being adaptable and open to learning new tools and techniques as the industry evolves is a key aspect of success for LSPs in the ever-changing translation landscape.