What does translation memory do to translation? The effect of translation memory output on specific aspects of the translation process

Abstract

This article reports on a key-logging experiment carried out in order to investigate the effect that Translation Memory matches in the 70%-95% range have on particular aspects of the translation process. Operationalising the translation process as text (re)production following Englund-Dimitrova (2005), Translog-II is used to investigate whether the use of fuzzy matches in this range can reduce cognitive effort based on Working Memory Capacity and recorded pauses, to study the effect that adapting and correcting fuzzy matches in this range has on linear and non-linear writing processes, and to examine variables related to revision, time and productivity. Results show that initial reading time and self-revision is longer in the case of fuzzy match correction compared to manual translation. Data also show however that cognitive load as measured by pauses is reduced and that productivity is also increased. Significant differences are also observed in terms of text production strategies between the translators who edited the fuzzy matches and those who translated without them.