Translation Memory
A database that stores previously translated text segments so they can be reused, saving time and enforcing consistency across large documents and projects.
Definition
A translation memory (TM) is a bilingual database that stores pairs of source-language segments alongside their approved target-language translations. Each time a translator works on a new document, the system compares incoming sentences against the TM. When a match is found — identical (100%) or similar (fuzzy) — the stored translation is surfaced as a suggestion, which the translator can accept, reject, or edit.
TMs were popularised by CAT tools like SDL Trados and memoQ, but modern AI-assisted translation platforms have adopted the same principle. Every approved translation feeds back into the TM, so the database grows more valuable the longer a project runs.
TM entries are stored at the segment level — typically a sentence — rather than the paragraph or document level. This granularity means even a document with many new sentences will partially benefit from the TM wherever repeated phrases appear.
Key Concepts
- 100% match: The incoming segment is identical to a stored source segment. The TM translation can typically be applied with no editing, delivering maximum time savings.
- Fuzzy match: The incoming segment is similar but not identical, usually scored 50–99%. The closer to 100%, the less editing is required. Many agencies price translations on a fuzzy-match sliding scale.
- Leverage: The proportion of a document covered by TM matches. High leverage = lower translation cost and faster turnaround. For regularly updated documents (product manuals, legal terms), leverage can exceed 60%.
How Vernacia Uses Translation Memory
Vernacia includes project-level translation memory on Pro and Enterprise tiers. When you translate multiple documents within the same project, previously approved translations are stored and surfaced automatically on subsequent uploads. This means repeated boilerplate — footers, legal disclaimers, standard slide titles — is handled instantly without extra AI cost, and your brand terminology stays consistent across every output file.
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