The ATA Chronicle - March/April 2022 - 34

RR
prediction. The program can
be set up to watch what we
type and identify frequently
used phrases, which are
automatically memorized.
After using the same string
of words a number of times,
PhraseExpress will offer
them for insertion the next
time you start to type the
same words.
Text expansion
can be a great
productivity
boost, and,
given that it's
so easy to set
up and start
using, I believe
every language
professional can
benefit from it.
PhraseExpress can also
keep track of everything
that's saved to the clipboard
so you can use it later. This
feature must be used with
caution, though, as sensitive
information will also be
saved when enabled.
PhraseExpress is highly
customizable, so the user
has full control over how,
where, and when text will
be expanded. For example, I
like to keep text expansions
off when I'm working
in a computer-assisted
translation tool that has a
great AutoSuggest feature,
but I keep them enabled
when working on subtitling
and transcription programs,
where there isn't much
Figure 2: TextExpander can create snippets based on text, images, and links
native help in terms of
automated text suggestions.
TextExpander
https://textexpander.com
TextExpander is a much
simpler option than
PhraseExpress. It doesn't
have any of the additional
features such as autocorrect
or clipboard management,
but its simplicity may actually
be one of its strengths.
TextExpander does one
thing and does it very well:
it stores and triggers text
expansions. Adding new
abbreviation + expansion
pairs is simple and fast, and
expansions are offered with a
satisfying sound, which can
be disabled if desired. The
term used in TextExpander
for expansions is snippets.
Users can create snippets
based on text, images, and
links. Text snippets can be
plain or formatted. (See
Figure 2.) There are a number
of customizations, such
as hotkeys and triggering
options, that are just enough
to adapt the program to the
34 The ATA Chronicle | March/April 2022
user's preferences without
making it overly complicated.
While the program has a
free trial, using it beyond
the trial period will require a
monthly license, which can be
purchased for individual users
or for teams who can share
snippets. This cloud-based
feature can be very valuable
when working on projects
involving multiple people.
Find the Tool that Fits
Your Needs
PhraseExpress and
TextExpander are only two of
many text expansion
programs available today,
and I hope this short
overview inspires you to
research all the options and
find the one that best suits
your needs.
Nora Díaz has a BA in English-language
teaching and translation. She is a full-time
English>Spanish translator and translation
team leader. She translates, edits, and
proofreads content on a wide variety of topics,
including health care, legal, technical, and general texts.
She leads linguistic teams, including translators, editors,
and proofreaders, from Mexico, South America, and Spain
working on large projects. Her interest in productivity has led
to a constant exploration of technology to boost productivity,
such as computer-assisted translation tools, speech
recognition, and custom macros. In her blog, Nora Díaz on
Translation, Teaching and Other Stuff, she shares what she
has learned with translators from around the globe. nora.
diaz@clp.com.mx
Remember, if you have any ideas and/or suggestions regarding
helpful resources or tools you would like to see featured, please
e-mail Jost Zetzsche at jzetzsche@internationalwriters.com.
www.atanet.org
https://www.textexpander.com http://www.atanet.org
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