5.1 - OmegaT

OmegaT is a multi-platform translation workbench, which is available free of charge. It is a tool intended for professional translators. Similarly to other CAT tools, OmegaT does not translate for you (software that does this is referred to as "machine translation"; a good example of a MT system is Google Translate or Systran). OmegaT offers the following features:
- Fuzzy matching
- Simultaneous processing of multiple-file projects
- Simultaneous use of multiple translation memories
- User glossaries with recognition of inflected forms
Supported document file formats include:
- XHTML and HTML
- Microsoft Office Open XML (Office 2007/2010: .docx, .xlsx, .pptx)
- OpenOffice.org
- Plain text
- Integral spelling checker
- Compatible with other translation memory applications (TMX)
- Interface to Google Translate
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Reflection #1: How is formatting shown in OmegaT?
Key features:
1. Translation memory
OmegaT stores your translations in a translation memory file. As in other CAT tools, multiple TMs can be used for reference.
TMs are extremely useful in situations where there are numerous repetitions or similar text segments. OmegaT uses translation memories to store segments of translated texts that are displayed whenever you stumble upon a similar text. Translation memories can be very helpful when a document that has already been translated needs to be updated. Modifications to the original document are then very easy.
OmegaT uses the standard TMX file format to store and access translation memories, which guarantees that you can exchange your translation material with other CAT applications such as SDL Trados Studio 2009, about which you learn more in subsequent units.
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Reflection #2: When are translation memories extremely useful?
2. In-line translation
The basic idea is that the text is presented to you one segment at a time. A segment normally corresponds to one sentence. You type your translation into the field provided, confirm by hitting Enter. That way you carry on till the end of a the document.
OmegaT is an "inline" editor, meaning that you see only one copy of the text. Segments which have already been translated appear as such, otherwise the untranslated source text is displayed.
Only in the case of the "active" segment, which is highlighted, are both source text and translation displayed. By default, the source text is pasted into the target text segment for you, which is convenient when translating heavily tagged (formatted) text. That way, it is easier to keep the formatting (signaled by tags) by simply replacing the text between tags. With less formatted text, you can delete the content of the target text field and simply type in the translation, or you can instruct OmegaT to leave it blank by default.
3. Spellchecking functionality
You will need a place to store your dictionary or dictionaries. An example is to create a “dictionaries” folder in your Program Files (Start > My Computer > Local Disk (C:) > Program Files > right click > New Folder, name it “dictionaries.”) Then from the OmegaT menu, click Options > Spell checking.
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Reflection #3: How can you recognized that the original document is formatted?