Translation memory in translators’ education

This paper deals with a topical issue of modern professional education consisting in teaching students to use special software in professional activity. The article presents a historical background of the development of Translation Memory (TM) software; most popular TM-software (including Russian achievements in this field) is exemplified and compared. The general process of utilizing TM-software in translators’ activity is described; typical spheres of translation memory usage are enumerated. The advantages of using the TM-software (increasing translators’ labour efficiency, alleviating terminology unification in the text in target language) are shown. Some disadvantages of these computer programs (an ability to increase efficiency only within restricted domains in texts containing many repetitions, high price of the software, time for learning to use the software) are also mentioned. The use of translation memory software in education is grounded. Different types of tasks for students aimed at mastering their practical skills in using translation memory software are suggested. These tasks reflect a specific character of the translators’ work, which allows the alumni to gain competitive advantage at labor market. Procedure for evaluating training results is given. The results of the paper can be used for compiling academic guidelines for translators’ education.