Fóruns técnicos » CAT Tools Technical Help »
Are tags/placeholders counted in word counts?
Tópico cartaz: Heloísa Helena Benetton Costa
Heloísa Helena Benetton Costa
Heloísa Helena Benetton Costa  Identity Verified
Brasil
Local time: 13:01
inglês para português
+ ...
Oct 16, 2019

Just occurred to me, after a huge job full of placeholders with long texts that scared the hell out of me!

Thank you!

Heloisa

[Edited at 2019-10-16 21:36 GMT]
 
Samuel Murray
Samuel Murray  Identity Verified
Holanda
Local time: 18:01
Membro (2006)
inglês para africâner
+ ...
Sometimes... Oct 17, 2019

Heloísa Helena Benetton Costa wrote:
Are tags/placeholders counted in word counts? It just occurred to me, after a huge job full of placeholders with long texts [gave me a terrible fright]!


Sometimes, tags are counted as words, yes. But since tags are often placed, not typed, and often using either the mouse or a keyboard shortcut that is difficult to type blind, a tag "costs" the translator far more than just 1 word. Yet most analyses I've seen assume that tags do not really add a lot to translation time.

The worst offenders are CAT tools that consider segments to be 99% matches if only the tags differ, because fixing tag errors takes time. In fact, in some workflows where I'm usually the proofreader, the translators simply refuse to fix tag errors on 99% matches.

Philippe Etienne
 
Edward Potter
Edward Potter  Identity Verified
Espanha
Local time: 18:01
Membro (2003)
espanhol para inglês
+ ...
Is it faster using a CAT tool with tags? Oct 17, 2019

Heloísa Helena Benetton Costa wrote:

Just occurred to me, after a huge job full of placeholders with long texts that scared the hell out of me!

Thank you!

Heloisa

[Edited at 2019-10-16 21:36 GMT]


This issue doesn't seem to be discussed much here. Tags slow down the translator when using a CAT. However, this should be compared to your speed when working in the original document (often in Word). In this case you still have to move the cursor around a lot for doing the formatting. Most of the time the formatting is in the form of bolding, italics and numbering. In my experience, normally the time involved is about the same whether using Word or a CAT.
 


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Moderador(es) deste fórum
Natalie[Call to this topic]
Peter Zauner[Call to this topic]
Prachya Mruetusatorn[Call to this topic]

You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Are tags/placeholders counted in word counts?







Anycount & Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000

Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.

More info »
Trados Studio 2022 Freelance
The leading translation software used by over 270,000 translators.

Designed with your feedback in mind, Trados Studio 2022 delivers an unrivalled, powerful desktop and cloud solution, empowering you to work in the most efficient and cost-effective way.

More info »