Where do TM's and Term Bases COME from, please?

Question

I'm truly sorry, however I do not understand the language of the help section of SDL Trados at all, so I need to ask: 
 
 - When I create a translation memory, am I adding examples of my own, previous translations, and these previous documents constitute my translation memory, or alternatively: 
 
 - Is there some other, outside translation memory to which I can subscribe? 
 
 - This same question applies to "term bases". 
 
 - Is a "term base" something that is based off of my own work, or may I subscribe to a service which would permit me to upload an external term base? 
 
 I ask because I am brand new to CAT tools, and trying very hard to slog through the SDL Studio tutorials and the help sections, but cannot make heads nor tails of the information about translation memory or term bases. Don't get me wrong - I think I understand the concepts, but where do they come from, please? 
 
 I hope the above makes sense to those who are experienced, and that some patient person can explain it to me. 
 
 Thanks so much!!

Alison Field · Answer

Hi Susan Emfinger 
 I will first answer your questions very simply. 
 You create a translation memory to which you can add your own translations as you work. There is more than one way to do this. 
 You can also obtain ready-made translation memories. You can also access online translation memories. 
 You can add terms to a termbase as you work. There is more than one way to do this. 
 You can also obtain ready-made termbases. You can also access online termbases. 
 Some folk call termbases glossaries. You can also create a termbase from an existing old-style glossary, for example an Excel-based one. 
 There is a lot of jargon that is hard to take on board all at once. 
 For this reason, I created a glossary of explanations of terminology, acronyms and abbreviations after Studio 2017 came out. 
 It is explained here and you can download it: 
 Jargon Buster 
 This may help you understand further and you can sign up for a monthly SDL Trados newsletter on the same page. 
 The best blog you could wish for that covers just about everything you could ever need to know is written by Paul Filkin, here: 
 Multifarious 
 There is a search box that looks through all the explanatory material he's written, top right at the head of the page. 
 
 I think this is enough information for now but feel free to ask further questions! 
 All the best, 
 Alison

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Where do TM's and Term Bases COME from, please?