If you sometimes stare at the memoQ errors you get like the cat in the picture above does to pedestrians, do not panic! Professional translators usually hear about this program during the first couple of projects they receive. Some do it at the conference in Budapest where, for three days a year, we combine business with pleasure. That means we learn how to use the program during the day and sing at the karaoke bars in the evenings. Each translator has their own story with memoQ.
But what is memoQ, really, for those outside the translation business? In short, memoQ is a popular computer-assisted translation tool used by many translators and agencies. It doesn’t replace the work of translators, but it makes it easier. memoQ remembers words and phrase combinations, shortening the translation time and cost for new translations every single time.
Five Common Errors in memoQ
While the specific errors encountered by users may vary, we’ve gathered five of the most commonly encountered issues users may face with memoQ in this article.
Segmentation Errors
memoQ automatically segments the text into translation units based on punctuation or other indicators. Still, sometimes the segmentation can be incorrect, splitting the context which can lead to inaccurate translations. Users may need to manually adjust segment boundaries to deliver precise translations to their clients.
Terminological Consistency Issues
One of memoQ’s most popular features is its terminology management system, which helps linguists maintain consistency in translations. The program stores and later suggests predefined terms during the translation process. However, if not managed correctly, inconsistencies can arise when different terms are used for the same concept or if outdated terminology is used.
Formatting Problems
memoQ supports many file formats, including Microsoft Office documents, HTML, XML, and others. During translation, formatting issues may appear, such as missing tags, incorrect font styles, or layout problems, especially when translating complex documents.
Term or Phrase Search Errors
memoQ comes with a search function that allows users to find specific terms or phrases in a translation memory or project. However, users may encounter errors depending on the search criteria they use if they are not defined correctly, or if the translation memory is not properly maintained.
Performance Issues
Depending on the size and complexity of the project, memoQ’s performance may vary, not to say decrease. This can lead to slow response times, software crashes, or other technical issues. This can be exacerbated if the user’s hardware or software environment needs to be optimized to run the software efficiently.
How to Solve The Most Common Errors in memoQ
Now that we know what we’re dealing with, let’s move on to the solutions. To address the errors noted above, specifically:
For segmentation errors…
– Manually adjust segment boundaries. If memoQ’s automatic segmentation is incorrect, you can manually merge and split segments to ensure each segment contains an easily understandable text unit.
– Use segmentation rules. memoQ allows users to create custom segmentation rules based on their language or specific document types. By creating and fine-tuning segmentation rules, you can improve the accuracy of segment boundaries.
For terminological consistency issues…
– Maintain a centralized terminology base. Ensure your project is connected to a centralized terminology database where approved terms are stored and regularly managed.
– Use term recognition and suggestion. Take advantage of memoQ’s term recognition and suggestion features to automatically identify and suggest approved terms during translation.
– Periodically update your terminology database. Keep your terminology database up to date by adding new terms, removing outdated ones, and reviewing existing entries as required.
For formatting problems…
– Preview translations. Use the preview function to review translations based on context and identify formatting issues before finalizing them.
– Preserve formatting. Configure memoQ to preserve formatting during translation by selecting the appropriate options in the document import settings.
– Test with sample documents. Before translating a large document, first check memoQ’s compatibility with the document’s formatting by translating a sample document.
For specific term search errors…
– Focus on the search criteria. Use specific keywords or filters to narrow down search results and obtain more relevant matches from the translation memory.
– Update the translation memory. Periodically update and clean your translation memory to ensure it contains accurate and relevant data for your searches.
For performance issues…
– Optimize your working environment. Ensure that your laptop or computer meets memoQ’s system requirements and is configured for optimal performance.
– Break large projects into smaller chunks. Divide large translation projects into smaller tasks or batches to prevent performance issues caused by processing large volumes of data all at once.
– Keep an eye on your resources. Monitor how many resources memoQ is using, such as CPU or memory, and close unnecessary applications or processes that may consume extra resources.
As a general tip, take advantage of memoQ documentation, online tutorials, and translation forums to learn more about how to effectively use this magical tool. This is where you will also find more ideas on how to solve the most common problems of the software. If you encounter persistent errors, consider contacting memoQ’s support team for assistance. Good luck!
At our agency, once you are accepted into the translators team, you will be able to join a free webinar about memoQ. A team leader with at least 5 years of experience in the software will give you a detailed introduction to its components. The purpose of the webinar is to understand the basic functionalities of the program and also to present our day-to-day workflow.
Translators have the opportunity to ask questions for clarification, and before the webinar, they receive course support to familiarize themselves with the program. Thanks to this extra step, you will be able to start working with us immediately and, of course, earn your first money from translations!
