What is a Technical Translator?
A technical translator is someone who translates technical content from its original language to a different language. This is a specialised profession, working with documents such as scientific articles, product specifications and user manuals. It requires language proficiency combined with industry specific expertise.
There is a high degree of precision and in-depth knowledge of the subject matter required for this type of translation work. A technical translator’s work may be part of an enterprise’s expansion into a foreign market or a project to share information on a technical subject internationally.
Such work demands that the translator is an accomplished linguist as well as having a technical education or background. This ensures a high quality translation, accuracy and client satisfaction.
What does a technical translator do?
The following will help you to understand what a technical translator does. If you are discerning whether this is a career path you want to follow, it will give you insight into the profession.
A technical translator deals with translating and adapting technical texts
To be successful as a technical translator, you need to be fluent in at least two languages and have the ability to write with ease on a technical level.
There are numerous sectors within the technical field. Your expertise within your chosen industry combined with your language skills gives you the basis for a career working in technical translation services.
You could come from a background in software development, medical device manufacturing or engineering, with some years of experience as a foundation. A solid understanding of your native language including all grammar rules as well as fluency in a second language will complete the requirements for you to enter the translation industry as a technical translator.
How to become a technical translator?
To understand the route that you need to take if you want to become a technical translator, consider the following.
You will need to have an in-depth knowledge of the technical concepts and industry-specific technical terminology in your area of expertise and experience. This usually means you will have been working in technical environments and be familiar with technical writing.
Naturally, you will need to have evidence that you are fluent in a second language. This could be a language degree or a specific translation qualification. In order to be able to translate technical documents, you will need to keep up to date on all technical information related to your field. This means keeping yourself updated on all developments within the field as well as the relevant technical terminology.
Becoming a successful technical translator is certainly not a quick process and you will need to have several years experience to gain sufficient knowledge of your sector. However, for those with a passion for both language and technology, this is an excellent profession.
What qualifications do I need to become a technical translator?
You’ll now understand that you need working technical knowledge as well as second language fluency to work as a technical translator. But how do you attain these skills?
- Study and work in a specific field of technical expertise. This typically requires a Bachelor’s or even Master’s degree. Several years of knowledge and ongoing learning in the relevant engineering, manufacturing or development field will provide the solid foundation for your career as a technical translator.
- Excellent command of your native tongue as well as a foreign language with all the necessary understanding of grammar, syntax, idioms, lexicon and cultural background of each.
- Research skills form an important part of a translator’s writing skills. New developments, ideas and terms are an intrinsic part of technical advancement so as a translator, you will need to keep abreast of all emerging concepts and breakthroughs.
- Translators also need good writing skills. It’s not enough to understand the technical terminology and translation process, you need to be a good writer too. This allows you to produce translations that are accurate and precise.
- Familiarity with translation technology such as SDL Trados, MemoQ, and Wordfast is also important. These Computer-Assisted Translation or CAT tools, along with linguistic glossaries are designed to support translator’s time, optimise their work and facilitate and expedite revisions.
What training is necessary?
There is no defined pathway to becoming a translator in the UK, let alone a specific technical translator career route. It is precisely for this reason that you must understand the different ways of getting into this business.
Are there specific degrees required for technical translation?
There is no single or specific degree in the UK for technical translation. However, you can take a technical degree and gain experience in a particular area or industry. Once you have enought experience, you could then take a translation qualification either at university or through a professional body and combine the two skills.
Should I take any certification courses for technical translation?
You can enrol on courses for translation studies, translation and interpreting, language courses or a combined degree with a language and translation studies. Some universities also offer short courses in translation and language which allows you to try it out before committing to years of study.
As a translator, it’s also advisable to join a professional association such as the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) or the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI). Membership of these bodies demonstrates that you have the appropriate training and qualifications to work as a professional translator.
Is a degree necessary?
You don’t need a degree to become a translator. However, if you wish to be a technical translator, you will need a deep understanding of a specific area of industry or technology. For that, you will typically need a degree to secure a job and gain industry experience which will be necessary in order to become a technical translator.
How can I gain experience in technical translation?
There are several ways to gain experience in technical translation when you first start out. It is important to build on your qualifications through practice and learning as well as building up your portfolio.
To get some experience, you could:
- Apply to translation agencies for internships, either paid or voluntary
- Offer to collaborate with experienced translators
- Practice independently using online programs
- Create your own projects
- Volunteer for a cause where you can use your technical translation skills
- Join a platform or community of your peers
How do I find work as a freelance technical translator?
When working as a freelance technical translator, you will need to find your own clients and build relationships with them. Alternatively, you could work for a translation agency such as Espresso Translations. We have a global team of more than 2000 translators who work in over 150 languages.
The advantage of working with a translation agency is that you don’t have to source your own clients and you will typically have a consistent supply of work. However, as a freelance translator you can set your own hours and have more autonomy over which material you work with. You can also set your own rates. But take care to research the market and remain competitive and realistic with your pricing.
Remember as a freelancer, it will take time to build up a client base and establish a good reputation so you’ll need to be patient. While it may be harder in the beginning, once you have demonstrated your abilities to clients, you will grow in confidence and work should come in at a more consistent rate.
What is the average salary for a technical translator?
There is no standard or average salary for a technical translator as the industry is so varied and diverse. However, overall a technical translator will earn more than a general translator due to the specialised knowledge and experience required.
For example, specialisms such as technical medical translation require a high degree of skill and precision to ensure the safety of anyone using a medical device, when the user guide has been translated. This is one reason why the translation of technical documentation demands a higher cost.
While it is difficult to pin down an exact salary, an average figure may be in the region of between £27,000-£29,000 per year. Of course, a freelance translator can negotiate their own fees and choose to work for higher paying clients so this can vary hugely.
Also Read: How much does a technical translation cost?
What skills are essential for a successful technical translator?
As previously noted, the skills required to become a technical translator include an in-depth knowledge of a specific technical field and fluency in a second language. However, there is more to being a technical translator than this.
To ensure that translations are accurate, many professional translators use CAT tools. To benefit fully from these support aids, it’s essential for the translator to be proficient in their application. This should not be confused with machine translation as CAT tools are used by a human translator for the following purposes:
- Analysis of texts and drawings
- Evaluation of repetitions and concordances
- Creation of glossaries for each client or subject area for consistency
- Revision of translated texts
- Exporting files in the same format as the original
- Rapid calculation of number of words, keystrokes or files
In addition to the obvious technical skills and subject matter knowledge, a successful translator also needs to have good communication skills, excellent writing skills and of course, attention to detail. Freelance technical translators will also need to have good time management and be self-motivated.
Conclusions
Working as a technical translator is more than converting a source text into a different language. It requires the combination of multiple skills and technical knowledge as well as sufficient industry experience.
Whether you want to provide translation solutions for patents, machinery user guides or technical scientific documents, you will need all of the above skills. Luckily, there are various ways in which you can acquire what you need to become a successful technical translator and enjoy a fruitful career.
