Why Context Matters More Than CAT Tool Match Percentages

Administrator
Jan 30
2 min read

If you work with CAT tools, you have probably seen numbers like 100%, 95%, or 82% next to a segment. These match percentages come from translation memory and indicate how closely a sentence matches something translated before.

Over time, it is easy to trust those numbers a bit too much. A 100% match feels safe. A high fuzzy match looks like a quick win. But match percentages only describe similarity. They do not indicate whether a previous translation should be reused without review.

What Those Numbers Are Actually Telling You

When a CAT tool shows a match, it compares the current source text to content already stored in the translation memory.

A 100% match means the sentence is identical to one that was translated before.A context match, often shown as 101%, means the sentence is identical and appears with the same surrounding segments as before, which increases confidence but does not remove the need for review.Fuzzy matches fall below 100% and indicate partial similarity. The higher the number, the closer the wording is to something already translated.

These numbers are based on text comparison. They do not evaluate meaning or determine whether a translation can be reused without checking.

Why Identical Matches Still Need Review

Even when a sentence has not changed, the way it is used may have. The same line may now appear in a different location or as part of updated content. In those cases, a previously approved translation may no longer be appropriate.

For this reason, even 100% and context matches still require review. Context matches increase confidence, but they do not replace the need to verify how the text is being used now.

Fuzzy Matches Require Careful Comparison

Fuzzy matches highlight similarity, not correctness. Small wording changes can affect meaning in ways that are easy to miss. Translators need to compare the new segment with the previous one and adjust the translation where necessary.

The percentage helps estimate effort, but it does not replace careful review.

What Match Percentage Is, and What It Is Not

Match percentage is used to help plan work and estimate effort. It does not replace the need for human review, and it does not decide whether a translation is acceptable.

CAT tools support consistency and efficiency, but responsibility for the final translation always remains with the translator.

Final Thoughts

Match percentages are a useful starting point, not a conclusion. By reviewing each segment in its current context, translators can ensure that reused content still fits and maintain consistent quality across projects.

Context is what makes a familiar sentence appropriate for its use.

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