Translating LaTeX / TeX files using a CAT tool without compromising the multifarious internal commands in the process is a notoriously difficult undertaking. We have been doing it since 2013 and had tried out many different tools, methods and ways over the years previously in attempts to get acceptable results in the original format without extensive post-editing or, indeed, copy and paste. What makes things really problematic is that LaTeX editors do not feature workable export/import functions that would be anywhere near useful to the technically inept translator.
In 2013, in close collaboration with a client we developed a filter for SDL Trados (at the time SDL was unable to provide on commission a filter that was fit for purpose, and still hasn’t managed to do so) so that we could readily leverage content-related translation memories, term bases and reference material in a familiar CAT environment. We have continued to fine-tune it when encountering new commands, which may only be used by the person writing a particular document.
Your LaTeX documents are checked in advance, a test translation is carried out, and our filter is expanded with any new commands contained in your files.
While most translators work with one or two CAT (computer-aided translation) tools, they are quickly totally out of their depth when it comes to translating files in formats alien to their software.
LaTeX is a highly sophisticated typesetting system with virtually unlimited capabilities. It can be extensively expanded and customised, which is why effective LaTeX filters are so rare. There have been and still are third-party workarounds, none of them anywhere close to be being satisfactory or easy to use. This makes them useless for translators.
There is only one CAT tool on the market that is capable of handling such files out of the box – OmegaT. However, the range of commands contained in the filter (from row 150) is very limited, and the filter itself cannot be readily expanded as is the case with the filter in SDL Trados Studio.
OmegaT, which is an open source software and therefore free, is only used by a negligible proportion of the translator community. According to a survey on the use of CAT tools conducted in 2013, it was used by about 7% of the responders, while in 2024 it ranked 18th in popularity in a list of 25 cloud and desktop CAT tools. In comparison, SDL Studio Trados had a community share in 2013 of around 75% and occupied 3rd place in 2024.
Against this background and on account of our experience, you can therefore be certain that you will receive the anticipated results when you engage us to translate your LaTeX documents.
A very happy client:
“The open source launch of our Enterprise Job Scheduling System required the documentation to be translated into English.
Mr Diggance was recommended to us, in particular on the basis of his experience with technical translations.
In the past we had already attempted to find a translation agency capable of handling our document format (LaTeX). This proved to be practically impossible.
For Mr Diggance, on the other hand, processing this format presented no problems at all. And a pragmatic solution was also quickly forthcoming to resolve the complication that the basis for the documentation comprised a large number of files (almost 2000).
The translation is so good, in fact, in our opinion the English documentation is now better than the original German.
Ultimately, the full translation of the around 1,000 pages took longer than originally anticipated. This was mainly due to the fact that we both underestimated the complexity of the files involved. However, small translations that were required in between were accomplished very quickly.
To summarise: Our collaboration with Mr Diggance is charactised by a high standard of quality, tremendous flexibility and extremely pleasant and satisfying communication.”
Ronald Jeninga, independIT GmbH,
Geschäftsführer / Managing Director
Schrobenhausen, client since 2013