11.2 - Spell Checking and AutoText

Custom Dictionary
Let us take a look at the available options for the spelling checker in Trados Studio:
1. Select the menu command Tools -> Options.
2. In the Options dialog box select Editor -> Spelling.
3. Take a look at the Spelling options on the right-hand side.
4. Suppose you want to know where the custom spell check dictionaries are stored and what expressions (if any) they contain. To do this click the Custom Dictionaries button.
5. This will open the Custom Dictionaries dialog box (see Figure 1 below). Highlight CUSTOM.dic (default). This will display the path where the custom dictionary file is stored on the bottom of the dialog box.
6. To view the custom dictionary content click the Modify button.
7. This will open the CUSTOM.dic dialog box, which lists all expressions added to your custom dictionary (if any). Here, you can also manually add expressions that should not be flagged as spelling mistakes during editing by entering them into the dictionary.
__________________
Reflection #1: Could you think of a situation when additions to a custom dictionary are justified?
AutoText Entries
As a translator you are often required to repeatedly type long-winded expressions. Typing such terms manually takes time and is prone to cause spelling errors.
You already know from Unit 1 what AutoSuggest dictionaries are. AutoSuggest dictionaries intelligently suggest expressions for the current translation context. Instead of typing such expressions manually you can conveniently insert the required segment fragments by selecting them from a QuickPlace list. AutoSuggest dictionaries are created from TMs using bilingual phrase extraction. However, you cannot add expressions to an AutoSuggest dictionary while translating.
__________________
This is where AutoText comes in handy. It allows you to create a list of expressions, which you can easily insert into your target text. This is somewhat similar to creating ad-hoc termbase entries. However, AutoText does not require a termbase.
The sample file for the following exercise can be found in your sample files folder, e.g. C:\Documents and Settings\<User Name>\Desktop\Sample Files\... .
In eXercise 11.2.1 the sample document contains expressions like "Services Directive" and "cross-border". The Czech translation of the term is, for example, "Služební směrnice". After you read this article and answer all reflection points, go to the following eXercise to experience first hand the benefits of using AutoText.
__________________
Reflection #3: Why should you use AutoText even if the same functionality could be provided by a termbase?
However, you can define them as AutoText entries, which will then complement your AutoSuggest dictionary:
1. Select the menu command Tools -> Options.
2. On the left-hand side of the Options dialog box select AutoSuggest -> AutoText.
3. On the right-hand side of the dialog box select the AutoText target language from the Target Language dropdown list, e.g. Czech (Czech Republic).
4. Type the first expression into the AutoText entries text field, e.g. Služební směrnice. Then click Add. Repeat this procedure with the second entry, e.g. přeshraniční.
5. On the left-hand side of the dialog box, click the AutoSuggest link above AutoText.
6. Take a look at the right-hand side of the dialog box, in particular at the AutoSuggest providers list (Figure 2).
7. Note that there are three types of predictive writing resources, i.e. Termbases, AutoSuggest Dictionaries, and AutoText. These resources can be used simultaneously complementing each other. Make sure the check box next to each resource is checked, which indicated that the provider is enabled.
![]()
8. Click OK to close the Options dialog box.