The TM to be cleaned up was pretty large, with about 250k segments overall. To address the project's size, we adopted a tactic of segmenting the TM into manageable batches. This segmentation not only facilitated concurrent work by multiple linguists but also allowed for a more focused and systematic approach to cleaning the TM. Our team, comprising linguists proficient in both French and English, utilized the Olifant TM editing tool, known for its user-friendly interface and efficiency-enhancing shortcuts.
We began by segmenting the TM into manageable batches, enabling multiple linguists to work concurrently, thus expediting the process. Each linguist meticulously cleaned the TM, removing duplicates, rectifying errors, and ensuring consistency throughout. During the TM editing phase, special attention was given to segments containing nonsensical phrases or those with dual translations. Linguists relied on context and collaboration to resolve ambiguities effectively. Furthermore, a comprehensive review process was implemented to ensure accurate handling of pharmaceutical abbreviations and acronyms. It was imperative to maintain consistency, particularly in translating terms like "RX," consistently rendered as "prescription medication."
Upon completion, the cleaned TM was seamlessly integrated into our Computer Assisted Translation (CAT) Tool for future projects, thereby enhancing translation efficiency and accuracy. Despite encountering challenges such as ambiguous segments, we successfully managed them by implementing segment tagging for clarification, fostering collaborative review among linguists, and consulting subject matter experts when needed. Additionally, quality variations in some sentences were managed by implementing a robust quality assurance process, including peer review and client feedback loops.