Customised Machine Translation with Automated Post-Editing (MTAP) by Comtec: What it is and why it’s brilliant

Clients often ask me what makes Comtec’s MTAP technology different from standard machine translation tools.

The answer lies in how we’ve combined customised machine translation with automated post-editing to create higher-quality, on-brand translations faster than ever.

Ready for the longer answer? Let’s dive in.

MTAP stands for machine translation with automated post-editing. It’s not translation in the traditional sense; it’s an additional layer of technology that enhances raw AI output.

Think of it as an innovative post-editing system powered by a large language model (LLM). It takes the machine-generated text and improves it using the custom prompts, glossaries, and tone-of-voice frameworks our experts build and fine-tune for your brand – the part of MTAP where our linguistic and technical expertise makes the real difference.

In practical terms, MTAP gives you:

• Cleaner first drafts
• More granular customisation
• Contextually aware translations
• Faster turnaround times
• Correctly formatted files
• Better overall value

It’s an actual machine translation post-editing workflow that blends speed and quality; AI translation tuned by human expertise.

Recently, we worked with a manufacturing client exporting machinery across Europe who needed content translated into Spanish.

Using MTAP, we customised the AI to their brand tone, approved terminology, and technical language. The automated post-editing layer corrected subtle errors in the original machine translation output, ensured consistent terminology, and refined the formatting — all without manual intervention.

Real examples of how Comtec’s MTAP solution improved raw machine-translated text.

Individually, these look like minor improvements. But applied across a whole document, they transformed the translation from “just about understandable” to fully fit-for-purpose, saving time and reducing the risk of costly miscommunications.

Here’s a high-level look at what happens when your project runs through MTAP:

Step 1: Apply your brand and language preferences

Before any translation begins, we apply your brand’s key linguistic preferences — things like terminology, tone of voice, and regional conventions. This ensures the AI starts from the right foundation and outputs content aligned to your brand from the start.

Step 2: Automated post-editing for accuracy and tone

After the initial translation, MTAP’s automated post-editing layer steps in. It uses your glossaries and linguist-defined instructions to make brand-specific adjustments – all automatically.

Step 3: Match formatting and layout automatically

Your original layout, links, headings, and structure are all maintained automatically. This reduces manual cleanup and helps you publish faster.

Step 4: Continuous learning and improvement

As you translate more content, MTAP adapts. We adjust your settings based on your feedback and real project outputs so that quality and consistency improve continually.

Many translation tools promise automation, but most stop at basic AI translation. MTAP takes it further. Here’s what sets our configuration apart:

• It combines sophisticated automation with hands-on linguistic expertise – our linguists work with our engineers to shape the prompts, tone rules, and terminology that guide your output.
• It preserves your original formatting, including hyperlinks and layout.
• It filters out code and “noise” (such as HTML tags) so only relevant text is translated.
• It keeps sentences together for better contextual accuracy, even across formatting breaks.
• It supports an extensive range of formats, from Word and JSON to InDesign, XML, and PowerPoint.

While automated post-editing itself isn’t new, our MTAP configuration, developed jointly by Comtec’s engineers and linguists, goes far beyond standard AI-powered localisation tools.

1. Outsource projects to Comtec

Send us your files and we’ll handle everything: upload supporting content, set prompts, test outputs, and run the complete MTAP process. For sensitive content or regulated sectors, we can build an additional human review stage. You’ll receive finished, fully formatted files ready to publish.

2. Use MTAP in-house with Pronto

Prefer self-service? Access MTAP through Pronto, our self-service tool which can be accessed in our client portal. Upload content, select languages, and translate instantly. We’ll configure and test your custom prompts in around two weeks (or get started straight away with Pronto Lite).

Plans start from £375 per month with unlimited seats, and you can try it free for a month.

3. Integrate via Comtec Connect

For large-scale, continuous localisation, we can connect MTAP directly into your systems — CMS, PIM, LMS, or eCommerce platform — through Comtec Connect.

When you add new content, the system automatically runs it through MTAP and loads the translated text back into your platform. We can include approval steps or automate publishing based on your preferences.

You can learn more about our Customised Machine Translation + Automated Post-Editing (MTAP) solution here, or request a free sample translation to see how MTAP compares to your current system.

It’s also the technology behind Pronto. Fill out the short form on our site, and we’ll get you set up with a free month’s trial within minutes.