A translation memory is a file or database containing source language segments and translated versions of the segments. The purpose of a translation memory is to reduce the amount of time and effort involved in translating new documents by enabling you to reuse old translations. When you are translating documents in the Editor view, you open a translation memory or a project translation memory is automatically opened. You can work interactively with the contents of the translation memory as you translate documents. You can:
Check the translation memory for translations which could be used to translate the current document segment. This is known as performing a lookup.
Apply the best translation found by the lookup to the current segment.
Search the translation memory for a specific word or phrase and see how it has been translated previously. This is a Concordance search. You can use the results of the search in the current segment.
As you complete a new translation, you can add it to the translation memory. The new translation is immediately available for use in the same document and other documents.
By default, many translation memory actions are automated. For example, when the cursor moves to a new segment a translation memory lookup is automatically performed.
By default, many translation memory operations are performed automatically:
When you open a translation memory, SDL Trados Studio automatically goes to the first unconfirmed segment in the current document and checks the translation memory for segment matches.
When matches are found, the best match is automatically applied.
If a 100% match or a context match is found, the translation is automatically applied, the segment is confirmed and the cursor is moved to the next unconfirmed segment.
When you confirm a segment, the translation is automatically updated to the translation memory.
Automation settings are located in the Options dialog box and can be changed at any time.
Translation memory options are located on the File menu, the Translation menu and the Translation and Review toolbar.
About Translation Memory Lookups
About Translation Memory Matches