Poll: How important is translation tool training for you?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Jun 21, 2018

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How important is translation tool training for you?".

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Angus Stewart
Angus Stewart  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:56
Member (2011)
French to English
+ ...
Useful, but not necessary Jun 21, 2018

If "translation tool" signifies "CAT tool" then I regard training it as useful, but not necessary. I know a number of successful translators who get by just fine without CAT tools. I myself find them useful and did undertake some basic training regarding them (both online and in person) when I first started as a translator to help familiarise myself with how they worked. However, I regard this step as not being absolutely necessary since it is possible to get by with an element of self-explorati... See more
If "translation tool" signifies "CAT tool" then I regard training it as useful, but not necessary. I know a number of successful translators who get by just fine without CAT tools. I myself find them useful and did undertake some basic training regarding them (both online and in person) when I first started as a translator to help familiarise myself with how they worked. However, I regard this step as not being absolutely necessary since it is possible to get by with an element of self-exploration of the CAT tool combined with making reference to the user manual as and when the need arises.Collapse


Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Walter Landesman
Thayenga
Yaotl Altan
 
neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 14:56
Spanish to English
+ ...
Other Jun 21, 2018

If and when I decide to use a CAT tool, I want to be able to use it as quickly as possible. So, if there is a training period involved, I would like it to be as brief as possible. In fact, rather than an extended training period covering all the bells and whistles, I would rather have the option of basic instruction to get me started, followed by being able to ask specific questions such as "how can I do X", as I might not need or want to use all the features of the tool.

Ventnai
Rehana Parvin Roshnee
Amir Arzani
Emily Plank
Thayenga
 
Justin Peterson
Justin Peterson  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 14:56
Member (2007)
Spanish to English
The Tool: Very Important. Training: Not Necessary. Jun 21, 2018

I use MateCat. It is fantastic. It requires virtually no training, unless one wants to exploit some of its more advanced bells and whistles. I learned to use it in about 30 seconds. And I've never stopped. It's also free. And I never have technical problems with it. And it accepts multiple formats. And takes up no memory. And yet, it lags way behind the leading CAT tool out there, in terms of popularity. Go figure. (No, this is not a paid message) ; )

Angie Garbarino
 
Debora d'Amato (X)
Debora d'Amato (X)  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 14:56
English to Italian
+ ...
Important Jun 21, 2018

Better you can use it and faster you work. I mean, if you are a beginner and you need a CAT Tool because they asked you, a good knowledge of it let you work faster.
If you can't training, the experience will help you


 
Thayenga
Thayenga  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 14:56
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
Useful, but not necessary Jun 21, 2018

For as long as a CAT tool provides basic information on how it's used and about its major features, training is not really necessary.

Personally, I think it suffices to get a basic idea and then learn as you go vs. receiving tons of information in a compact class (online or in person) within a short period of time, only to discover that a certain percentage of this newly acquired knowledge has already slipped your mind when you finally get to work with the tool. Being able to ask co
... See more
For as long as a CAT tool provides basic information on how it's used and about its major features, training is not really necessary.

Personally, I think it suffices to get a basic idea and then learn as you go vs. receiving tons of information in a compact class (online or in person) within a short period of time, only to discover that a certain percentage of this newly acquired knowledge has already slipped your mind when you finally get to work with the tool. Being able to ask concise questions when they arise is much more important.
Collapse


Kay Denney
Angie Garbarino
 
Daniel Frisano
Daniel Frisano  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 14:56
Member (2008)
English to Italian
+ ...
Meaningless Jun 21, 2018

You'll figure out things anyway along the road.

Angie Garbarino
 
Maxi Schwarz
Maxi Schwarz  Identity Verified
Local time: 08:56
German to English
+ ...
"Word" is my translation tool, but that's not what you mean Jun 22, 2018

What is probably meant are CAT tools. I don't use them, so I also don't need training in what i don't use. I do think it is important to know how to use the actual tools we use, such as MS Word, how to do proper research and such. Were I to adopt a "translation tool" then I would want to learn to use it. For those who do, use them, did you need outside training, or could you get that from the tool itself?

 
Michael Harris
Michael Harris  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 14:56
Member (2006)
German to English
No new Jun 22, 2018

poll today??

Joe Ly Sien
 
Mario Freitas
Mario Freitas  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 10:56
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Training on your own Jun 23, 2018

Something I've learned in 30 years: regarding software you ONLY learn how to use it well spending time in front of the computer and using the software. The training courses, videos, etc. altogether represent 10% of what you'll need and what you'll actually learn. Once you open the application and start working on it, then you check the forums, YouTube videos, etc., and learn what you need at the same time you practice it. That's real learning and memorizing it. Learning the theory in courses is ... See more
Something I've learned in 30 years: regarding software you ONLY learn how to use it well spending time in front of the computer and using the software. The training courses, videos, etc. altogether represent 10% of what you'll need and what you'll actually learn. Once you open the application and start working on it, then you check the forums, YouTube videos, etc., and learn what you need at the same time you practice it. That's real learning and memorizing it. Learning the theory in courses is practically useless.Collapse


 


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Poll: How important is translation tool training for you?






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