Translation memory, or TM, is a database that stores segments that have been previously translated. It consists of text segments in a source language and their translations into one or more target languages. These segments can be blocks, paragraphs, sentences, or phrases. Major benefits of using translation memories include enhanced consistency, improved quality, reduced cost, and shortened turnaround times, as illustrated in the graph below:

The use of translation memory software is fundamental to our translation process. Cost savings depend on the amount of new text that matches previously translated text. Text which matches exactly against the translation memory (i.e. text that has been previously translated and recorded on the translation memory system) is referred to as a "100% match". This level of match also refers to "repetitions" within the text. A level of match between 75 - 99% is referred to as a "fuzzy match", and a level of match below 75% is counted as "new text".

Discounts based on matches against translation memory at AccessPath is listed below: 

To illustrate how costs can be reduced by leveraging translation memory, let us imagine a simple case of translating 10,000 words from English into Spanish, at the rate of USD 0.1 per word and USD 10 per thousand words for PM fee. There are three scenarios:

Scenario A: Translating without using translation memory

 The cost details are as below:

Scenario B: Translating against an empty translation memory

Typically, when running word count analysis against a blank translation memory, repetitions are found. Quantity of repetitions vary, depending on the content.

Scenario C: Translating against a translation memory where matches are found

With more and more translation segments added to the translation memory, we can expect fuzzy matches and 100% matches to be found when we run analysis of the new file against a translation memory populated with translation units.

AccessPath always provides a full analysis of text before beginning any translation project. This includes a detailed breakdown of matched text and the savings that these matches yield. With the use of translation memory many of AccessPath’s clients are experiencing savings of up to 70% on their translation spend.