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Translation Memory Basics

Translation Memory (TM) helps you reuse previous translations.

What is Translation Memory?

A Translation Memory stores pairs of source and target text:

SourceTargetMatch %
"Save the file""Sla het bestand op"100%
"Save the document""Sla het document op"85%

When you translate new text, the TM finds similar segments.

How TM Works

  1. You translate a segment
  2. TM stores the source + target pair
  3. Later, when similar text appears:
    • TM finds matches
    • Shows them in the Translation Results panel
    • You can insert or adapt them

Match Types

TypeMatch %Description
Exact100%Identical source text
High Fuzzy90-99%Minor differences (numbers, capitalization)
Medium Fuzzy75-89%Some words different
Low Fuzzy50-74%Significant differences

Benefits

Save Time

Don't translate the same sentence twice. TM automatically suggests previous translations.

Consistency

Same source = same translation. Important for technical documentation, UI strings, and legal text.

Cost Savings

Clients often pay less for TM matches:

  • 100% match: Lowest rate
  • Fuzzy match: Reduced rate
  • New text: Full rate

TM in Supervertaler

Translation Results Panel

When you select a segment:

  1. TM searches for matches
  2. Results appear in the panel on the right
  3. Shows match percentage, source, and target
  4. Double-click to insert

Using Matches

ActionHow
Insert matchDouble-click or press Ctrl+1-9 for first 9 matches
Copy matchRight-click → Copy
View in contextRight-click → View in TM

Building TM

Your TM grows as you translate:

  1. Translate a segment
  2. Confirm with Ctrl+Enter
  3. The pair is saved to active TM

Multiple TMs

You can have multiple TMs:

  • Project TM: For the current project
  • Client TMs: One per client
  • Master TM: All your translations

TM Priority

When multiple TMs match:

  • Higher priority TMs shown first
  • Can reorder in Project resources

See Also