Translation Memory

Translation Memory (TM) is a database technology that stores segments of previously translated content (typically sentences or sentence-like units) in paired source-language and target-language entries. When new content is submitted for translation, the TM system compares new segments against stored entries, identifying exact matches (100% matches), close matches (fuzzy matches), and new content that has not been translated before.

When a match is found, the translator can reuse or adapt the previous translation rather than translating from scratch. This delivers three key benefits: consistency (ensuring the same source text is translated the same way every time), efficiency (reducing the time required to translate content that is similar to previously translated material), and cost savings (TM matches are typically priced at reduced rates reflecting the reduced effort required).

TM technology works best with content that has a high degree of repetition or that is updated incrementally over time — such as technical documentation, product catalogues, legal templates, government forms, and website content. Over time, a well-maintained TM becomes increasingly valuable as it accumulates a larger base of approved translations to draw from.

TM is client-specific — the translations stored reflect the client's approved terminology, style preferences, and subject-matter context. This means the TM becomes an asset that grows in value with each project, encoding institutional translation knowledge that persists regardless of which individual translator handles future work.

LEXIGO maintains client-specific Translation Memories for all ongoing translation programmes, ensuring that every project builds on the accumulated translation knowledge from previous work.

Translation Memory is one of the most impactful technologies in the translation industry. It directly reduces costs by avoiding retranslation of previously translated content, improves consistency by ensuring approved translations are reused, and accelerates delivery by reducing the volume of new translation required for each project.

For organisations with ongoing translation needs, TM leverage compounds over time. A mature TM can reduce new translation volume by 30-70% depending on content type, delivering significant and growing cost savings while improving consistency with every project.