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Article published In:
Babel
Vol. 64:5/6 (2018) ► pp.734–762

Translation memories and the translator

A report on a user survey

| Saarland University
| University of Wolverhampton
| DFKI GmbH | Saarland University

This paper presents a comprehensive study on the use of translation memory software by translators of different backgrounds. We designed a questionnaire that was completed by a pool of 723 respondents including professional translators, translation students, and lecturers in translation studies and translation practice. We analyse the results of the survey providing important information concerning user requirements, the most important features of TM software, users’ perceived productivity, and market shares.

Keywords: translation memories, CAT tools, productivity, user survey
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
    • 1.1Related surveys
  • 2.Methods
    • 2.1Issues in questionnaire design
    • 2.2Participants profile
  • 3.Results
    • 3.1TM software usage
    • 3.2Market shares
    • 3.3Perceived productivity gain
      • 3.3.1Evaluating individual TM software features
    • 3.4Qualitative analysis
    • 3.5Online-based TM tools
  • 4.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 23 January 2019
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/babel.00062.sch
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