By Tiziana Paloni

As a freelance translator, I use quality checks to catch avoidable errors before a client sees the final file. Software helps with repetitive checks, but it cannot decide whether a sentence conveys the right meaning for the audience. My assignment looked at how a CAT tool and a writing assistant fit into a review workflow.

Automate the checks that repeat

A CAT tool can help me compare segments, check numbers and punctuation, and spot terms that differ from the agreed glossary. In Trados Studio, for example, the QA Checker and Terminology Verifier can be configured for a project. I still need to review each warning: an unusual number may be correct, while an apparently tidy sentence may still miss the client's intent.

Use grammar suggestions as suggestions

For English content I may use Grammarly to flag spelling, grammar and readability problems. I do not accept every suggestion automatically. A correction can change tone, erase a deliberate choice or make a translated phrase less accurate. I compare it with the brief, style guide and source text before accepting it.

Leave time for a human read

Tools are most useful when they free up time for the checks that need judgment: names, context, omissions and whether the text works for its reader. I finish by reading the document in full, not only the error list. For another Modlingua example of combining a writing tool with editorial criteria, see How to use Grammarly and Modlingua Rubric. Trados's own verification guide describes its built-in checks.