Translation memory VS. Project memory

Translation Memory vs. Project Memory?

Wordbee Translator offers two distinct types of memories: standard translation memories, which are uploaded by the translator, and project memories, which are automatically created by the system whenever a project is started.

Translation memories can be either owned by the translator themselves or supplied by a client or project manager. You may load as many translation memories at the same time as you want as part of the resources in your project. However, a project memory is created automatically by the system whenever a project is started, hence there can only be one per project; this memory stores every translation made within the project.

Since project memories store all translated segments belonging to a particular project, unused segments from translation memories you upload are not carried over to the project memory. Only segments from the translation memories which you use are saved in the project memory.

Let’s clearly explain the above with a practical example:

You are translating the instruction manual for a printer. Your translation agency provides you with 10 translation memories, each one the translated manual of the previous model. The new manual has many similarities with the previous ones, but the content has been slightly changed to reflect the new printer’s features. In addition, some paragraphs from previous manuals have been removed. The result will be the following:

-          Your resources tab will have 10 translation memories; the ones you were provided with by the agency.

-          Your project will have only one project memory, automatically created by the system, which will store all of your translations.

Once you start translating, the following happens:

-          you find a 100% match, which you accept without altering. This segment will be carried over to the project memory and stored for future use.

-          you find several segments which are similar, but not exactly the same, as the one you are translating. You modify those to match your current text, and the system only stores your final versions of these segments in the project memory.

-          all other segments, which you do not use in your translation, are not carried over.

Of course, a project memory can be exported in a standard format to become a translation memory for any future project in which it may be required.