Translation memories and termbases, what's the reason for using more than one?

I'm very new to translating in any way other than on bits of paper, and I'm just wondering about the uses of TMs and termbases. All the videos I have seen make it look like translators use lots of different ones depending on what they're translating, but I can't work out why this is. Is it possible/advisable to just have one giant TM that includes everything you have ever done? If not, why not?

Thanks!

Parents
  • Hi Maisy,

    Hopefully you'll get some good responses from practicing translators here as there are various reasons for using multiple TMs, or keeping them seperate for different clients, or for different domains if you have more than one speciality.  But you can also work with one large one... it's really down to persaonal preference.  This article might shed a little light on how people used to work with one large one, and today some still do:

    Another reason of course is because they may be working with TMs/TBs provided by their clients and these might even be online.  So they would supplement this with their own.

    But good to hear some reasoning from others... always good to get a shot of reality :-)

    Regards

    Paul Filkin | RWS Group

    ________________________
    Design your own training!

    You've done the courses and still need to go a little further, or still not clear? 
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Reply
  • Hi Maisy,

    Hopefully you'll get some good responses from practicing translators here as there are various reasons for using multiple TMs, or keeping them seperate for different clients, or for different domains if you have more than one speciality.  But you can also work with one large one... it's really down to persaonal preference.  This article might shed a little light on how people used to work with one large one, and today some still do:

    Another reason of course is because they may be working with TMs/TBs provided by their clients and these might even be online.  So they would supplement this with their own.

    But good to hear some reasoning from others... always good to get a shot of reality :-)

    Regards

    Paul Filkin | RWS Group

    ________________________
    Design your own training!

    You've done the courses and still need to go a little further, or still not clear? 
    Tell us what you need in our Community Solutions Hub

Children