ProZ.com Translation Forums

Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities? | agree completely

Joan Berglund — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:54:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities?
Poster: Joan Berglund
Post title: agree completely

[quote]José Henrique Lamensdorf wrote:

CAT tools are the #1 requirement of rate-squashing translation agencies. Among the agencies I work for, the one IMHO that offers by far the best quality to their end-clients actually resents my use of WordFast. They even warned me once that I am expected remove each and every trace of CAT, regardless of it being immediately spotted during proofreading by someone else.

I see too many agencies more concerned with fuzzy-match discounts than translator competence. So I think CAT tools increase work opportunities... but certainly at lower rates.

End-clients seldom care about CAT-tools. Its like when you take a taxicab: you don't care whether it has automatic transmission or power steering, as the driver is the one who will be using them. [/quote]
So far I have come across exactly one agency who uses CAT for quality control, working closely with their clients and translators to ensure consistent and accurate terminology. Everyone else that has insisted on CAT absolutely seems to use it to ask for discounts. They do not provide memory, or if they do it is low quality and obviously never read by someone familiar with the subject and target language. Needless to say, I have not worked with these agencies.

Most of my regular clients do not care whether or what CAT program I use. There was one end client who refused to provide editable docs for a long time because they did not understand the difference between CAT and MT, and wanted to be sure they were not getting MT.

Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities? | yes, but

Rolf Kern — Wed, 20 May 2009 20:00:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities?
Poster: Rolf Kern
Post title: yes, but

[quote]Mark Nathan wrote:

I would be wary of someone who gave you a job on the basis of your possession of a CAT tool rather than relevant experience/qualification in the field in question.

I guess if it comes down to choosing between two candidates with similar qualifications, they will choose the one with the CAT tool.

[Edited at 2009-05-20 08:42 GMT] [/quote]

I am of the same optinion and do not unse CAT.

Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities? | Yes

Oliver Lawrence — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:53:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities?
Poster: Oliver Lawrence
Post title: Yes

I find that CAT tools can get you some work where an agency will only consider translators who use a CAT tool (e.g. for working on projects in teams). Not that that happens massively often though.

Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities? | Since more work is available, choose the jobs you do!

Christine Andersen — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:26:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities?
Poster: Christine Andersen
Post title: Since more work is available, choose the jobs you do!

Giles is right.

I often have to turn down good jobs, and without my CAT I would be turning down even more, because I simply have not got enough time.

So I choose the clients I work for and the jobs I am interested in. I probably ought to spend more time explaining to clients why I make the choices I do. I regularly tell them that a job is outside my scope if I do not know enough about the field, especially the languages I do not specialise in so much. But the rate I am offered is also a factor.

Very often a CAT does not really save time, and it should not be an excuse for pressing rates. It offers other advantages, and in the end this means more consistency and better quality, so in fact we should demand higher rates for using them!

It takes time to learn to use a CAT, set it up and maintain the TM. This has to be added to the time spent actually translating, and a CAT is not free. The overhead costs should also be reflected in our rates.

Don't let agencies press prices. Stand together and insist on proper hourly rates
-- because we're worth it! :-D

Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities? | If some agencies use CATs to drive down rates...

Giles Watson — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:05:00 +0000
Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities?
Poster: Giles Watson
Post title: If some agencies use CATs to drive down rates...

[quote]Venkatesh Sundaram wrote:

However, unfortunately for many agencies, its just a way to drive prices down -
though I have not yet come across one (like Nathan) who forbids their use!

[/quote]

... then don't work for them.

To begin with, everybody has to scrabble around and bid for work, a process which inevitably focuses on rates and enables clients to play translators off against each other.

But when you have a sufficient number of satisfied direct clients who recommend you to others, the job offers will come to you.

And you can then set the rate ;-)

Giles

Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities? | Work opportunities do increase - other aspects....

Venkatesh Sundaram — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:46:00 +0000
Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities?
Poster: Venkatesh Sundaram
Post title: Work opportunities do increase - other aspects....

[quote]Giles Watson wrote:

[quote]Mark Nathan wrote:

Yes, there is no denying that there is potentially more work available if you have a CAT tool. But there are still fields, translating novels for example, where having a CAT tool is simply not part of the equation.

[/quote]

A CAT tool is always part of the equation for me.

Many people are convinced that CATs are only useful for repetitive texts but this is not so. For example, translation memories can be mined for the different solutions you have used in the past for specific cruxes. My own work doesn't usually involve much repetition and I don't think my CATs actually save me much time. They do, however, boost the quality and consistency of my translations while enabling me to manage client terminology with some semblance of logic.

CATs also have less obvious advantages. A few years ago, I was translating a book as the author was writing it. When the publisher requested fairly radical changes, I was very glad I had a translation memory to tell me precisely which bits had been rewritten.

Remember, too, that if you translate from paper or on screen only, there's a risk of skipping lines. A CAT makes this virtually impossible.

I know some translators dislike the rather inelastic workflow imposed by CATs, and I respect this view, but I certainly don't share it.

Giles

[Edited at 2009-05-20 15:09 GMT] [/quote]

I agree that work opprtunities increase (which is what the poll is about).
I also agree that CAT helps one to be more consistent and perhaps efficient - hence I too usually use a CAT tool (unless the source format makes it difficult or impossible to do so)
However, unfortunately for many agencies, its just a way to drive prices down -
though I have not yet come across one (like Nathan) who forbids their use!

Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities? | CATs everywhere

Giles Watson — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:00:00 +0000
Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities?
Poster: Giles Watson
Post title: CATs everywhere

[quote]Mark Nathan wrote:

Yes, there is no denying that there is potentially more work available if you have a CAT tool. But there are still fields, translating novels for example, where having a CAT tool is simply not part of the equation.

[/quote]

A CAT tool is always part of the equation for me.

Many people are convinced that CATs are only useful for repetitive texts but this is not so. For example, translation memories can be mined for the different solutions you have used in the past for specific cruxes. My own work doesn't usually involve much repetition and I don't think my CATs actually save me much time. They do, however, boost the quality and consistency of my translations while enabling me to manage client terminology with some semblance of logic.

CATs also have less obvious advantages. A few years ago, I was translating a book as the author was writing it. When the publisher requested fairly radical changes, I was very glad I had a translation memory to tell me precisely which bits had been rewritten.

Remember, too, that if you translate from paper or on screen only, there's a risk of skipping lines. A CAT makes this virtually impossible.

I know some translators dislike the rather inelastic workflow imposed by CATs, and I respect this view, but I certainly don't share it.

Giles

[Edited at 2009-05-20 15:09 GMT]

Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities? | It attracts discount seeking agencies...

Williamson — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:42:00 +0000
Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities?
Poster: Williamson
Post title: It attracts discount seeking agencies...

[quote]José Henrique Lamensdorf wrote:

I see too many agencies more concerned with fuzzy-match discounts than translator competence. So I think CAT tools increase work opportunities... but certainly at lower rates. [/quote]

Who invented those discounts?
Let's all rush to buy the next version of their product.
(taking into account that in 2010 windows 7 and Office 14 will be on the market).

[Bijgewerkt op 2009-05-20 14:44 GMT]

Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities? | More than obvious...

Cristina Heraud-van Tol — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:39:00 +0000
Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities?
Poster: Cristina Heraud-van Tol
Post title: More than obvious...

You cannot even apply to certain jobs if you don't work with Trados, SDLX, Wordfast or others.

Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities? | It has a downside

José Henrique Lamensdorf — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:21:00 +0000
Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities?
Poster: José Henrique Lamensdorf
Post title: It has a downside

[quote]Mark Nathan wrote:
I would be wary of someone who gave you a job on the basis of your possession of a CAT tool rather than relevant experience/qualification in the field in question.
I guess if it comes down to choosing between two candidates with similar qualifications, they will choose the one with the CAT tool.

[Edited at 2009-05-20 08:42 GMT] [/quote]

CAT tools are the #1 requirement of rate-squashing translation agencies. Among the agencies I work for, the one IMHO that offers by far the best quality to their end-clients actually resents my use of WordFast. They even warned me once that I am expected remove each and every trace of CAT, regardless of it being immediately spotted during proofreading by someone else.

I see too many agencies more concerned with fuzzy-match discounts than translator competence. So I think CAT tools increase work opportunities... but certainly at lower rates.

End-clients seldom care about CAT-tools. Its like when you take a taxicab: you don't care whether it has automatic transmission or power steering, as the driver is the one who will be using them.

Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities? | No, but ...

Emmanuelle De Bolle (X) — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:29:00 +0000
Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities?
Poster: Emmanuelle De Bolle (X)
Post title: No, but ...

I use CAT Tools but most of my clients do not use them. I mainly translate legal documents and I find these tools very useful. Even if my clients do not ask for clean and/or unclean files, I do translate in Trados to save time and to produce consistent translations.

Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities? | Depends on the field

Mark Nathan — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:56:00 +0000
Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities?
Poster: Mark Nathan
Post title: Depends on the field

Hi Giles,

I didn't mean to suggest that tools and experience were mutually exclusive...But I think we are pretty much saying the same thing.

Yes, there is no denying that there is potentially more work available if you have a CAT tool. But there are still fields, translating novels for example, where having a CAT tool is simply not part of the equation.

I guess that in a few years time everyone will stop asking each other if/should they have a CAT tool. For professional translators the issue will be which CAT tool is most suitable for their specialization.

Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities? | CATs and experience

Giles Watson — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:32:00 +0000
Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities?
Poster: Giles Watson
Post title: CATs and experience

[quote]Venkatesh Sundaram wrote:

Agree with Mark Nathan. Experience / qualification in the field in question is more important in my opinion rather than mere posssession of a CAT tool.

[/quote]

Hi Mark and Venkatesh,

CATs and experience are not mutually exclusive.

The point here is that other things being equal, you will be eligible for more jobs if you have CAT skills. Those jobs may not be the kind you are looking for, since some technology-fixated clients regard translators as interchangeable commodities and pay accordingly, but there is no denying that more work is potentially available if you can use a CAT tool.

Giles

Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities? | Other

Interlangue (X) — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:00:00 +0000
Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities?
Poster: Interlangue (X)
Post title: Other

I do not use CAT tools and am fully booked most of the time anyway...

Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities? | Agree - but how many clients provide a translation memory to take advantage of the CAT tool?

Venkatesh Sundaram — Wed, 20 May 2009 09:38:00 +0000
Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities?
Poster: Venkatesh Sundaram
Post title: Agree - but how many clients provide a translation memory to take advantage of the CAT tool?

[quote]Mark Nathan wrote:

I would be wary of someone who gave you a job on the basis of your possession of a CAT tool rather than relevant experience/qualification in the field in question.

I guess if it comes down to choosing between two candidates with similar qualifications, they will choose the one with the CAT tool.

[Edited at 2009-05-20 08:42 GMT] [/quote]

Agree with Mark Nathan. Experience / qualification in the field in question is more important in my opinion rather than mere posssession of a CAT tool.

I would also like to ask my colleagues, as to how many of their clients actaully help you make use of the CAT tool more efficiently, say by providing a TM for a project similar to what they've had translated earlier? In my case the answer is a single digit!

Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities? | Yes, but...

Mark Nathan — Wed, 20 May 2009 08:40:00 +0000
Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities?
Poster: Mark Nathan
Post title: Yes, but...

I would be wary of someone who gave you a job on the basis of your possession of a CAT tool rather than relevant experience/qualification in the field in question.

I guess if it comes down to choosing between two candidates with similar qualifications, they will choose the one with the CAT tool.

[Edited at 2009-05-20 08:42 GMT]

Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities? | yes

Gianluca Marras — Wed, 20 May 2009 08:29:00 +0000
Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities?
Poster: Gianluca Marras
Post title: yes

Well, a lot of job offers show a specific requirement: CAT tools, so definitely who has one and also a good knowledge can apply with more chances to be chosen.

I agree with Mark, the problem is "how many times a qualified translator cannot apply beacause he/she does not use a CAT tool", in this case, unfortunately, experience is not taken into account, as you cannot even submit your CV.

[Edited at 2009-05-20 09:52 GMT]

Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities?

ProZ.com Staff — Wed, 20 May 2009 08:10:02 +0000
Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities?
Poster: ProZ.com Staff

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Does using CAT tools increase work opportunities?".

This poll was originally submitted by Homero Muñoz

View the poll here

A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, see: [url removed]