Custom MT engine
A custom MT engine is a machine translation engine adapted to a particular client, domain or terminology, rather than a general-purpose one. It is tuned on the client's own translated content and glossaries so its output uses the right terms and style, which reduces how much post-editing the result needs.
How it works
A general engine is specialised by training or adapting it on in-domain data: the client's translation memories, termbases and past approved translations. The engine learns the preferred terminology and phrasing, so its raw output already looks more like what the client expects.
The pay-off is less editing per job. The cost is that a custom engine needs enough quality data to train on, and upkeep as terminology changes.
How SourceTarget uses it
Where a client has enough of their own approved content, SourceTarget can adapt the drafting engine to their domain and terminology, lowering post-editing effort over time. The client's translation memory and termbase feed that adaptation, and remain the client's.
Custom MT engine compared with General MT engine
| Custom MT engine | General MT engine | |
|---|---|---|
| Trained on | A client's own domain content and terminology | Broad, general data |
| Output | Already uses preferred terms and style | Generic phrasing and terminology |
| Trade-off | Needs enough quality data and upkeep | Ready immediately, less tailored |
| Best for | High volumes of specialised content | Occasional or general content |