For professional translators using SDL Trados Translator’s Workbench, managing accurate word counts is the foundation of profitable project quoting. Traditional word counting methods often fail to account for the nuances of translation memory ™ leverage, leading to either overcharging clients or underestimating actual labor. CATCount addresses this exact challenge, serving as an essential utility that simplifies and automates the calculation of word counts based on leverage categories. The Challenge of Translators’ Word Counts
Translators rarely charge a flat rate for every word in a document. Instead, pricing depends on how much a segment matches existing data in a translation memory. Text is typically divided into several categories: No Match (New Words): Paid at the full rate.
Fuzzy Matches (e.g., 75%–94%): Paid at a partial, tiered percentage. Exact Matches (100%): Paid at a significantly reduced rate.
Repetitions: Paid at the lowest rate since the text repeats within the file.
Manually applying distinct pay percentages to each category from a Translator’s Workbench analysis log is tedious and prone to mathematical errors. What is CATCount?
CATCount is a specialized tool designed to take the raw analysis logs generated by Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools—specifically tailored for Trados Translator’s Workbench users—and instantly apply customizable scheme rates.
Instead of dealing with fragmented numbers across multiple columns, CATCount consolidates the data into a single, actionable metric known as the CATCount or Leveraged Word Count. This single number represents the equivalent number of full-rate words you are actually billing for. Key Benefits for Freelancers and Agencies
Custom Pricing Schemes: Users can create and save unique pricing profiles for different clients. If Client A pays 30% for 100% matches and Client B pays 20%, you can switch profiles with one click.
Time Savings: It eliminates the need for manual Excel spreadsheet calculations after analyzing a batch of files.
Seamless Integration: It copies text analysis data straight from the Translator’s Workbench clipboard or log files, requiring zero manual data entry.
Clear Quoting: It provides a transparent, easy-to-read breakdown that can be pasted directly into client invoices or estimates. Streamlining Your Workflow
Using the tool within your Translator’s Workbench workflow requires just a few simple steps:
Analyze: Run the analysis tool in Translator’s Workbench on your source files. Log: Open or copy the analysis results log.
Count: Load the log into CATCount, select your client’s specific matrix profile, and let the software calculate the total.
By utilizing CATCount, translators using Translator’s Workbench can shift their focus away from administrative math and back to what drives their business forward: delivering high-quality translations.
If you would like to explore this topic further, let me know if I should:
Add a step-by-step tutorial on configuring pricing matrices.
Include a comparison of CATCount with built-in features in modern Trados Studio.
Adjust the tone to target project managers instead of freelancers.
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