What is technical translation?

What is the meaning of technical translation?

The current world’s age of technology has numbed us to the technical content we consume on a daily basis. By and large we hardly require technical expertise of a global business to know what much of their specifics. Much less, knowledge of the subject matter. Without realizing it, we come across technical texts on a daily basis, such as user manuals, certificates, technical data sheets, complex technical spreadsheets, and so on. Most of these technical manuals, technical documentation, texts, and so on, undergo a precise translation process by technical writers and subject matter experts. This action is carried out with precision into various languages for a target market in order to disseminate the work, products, or services of companies operating in different fields of science and technology.

Of course, technical translation can also involve a specialized article that requires study and an in-depth understanding of terms. This generally involves a certain level of expertise in the relevant scientific field, to fully grasp the subject matter by global audiences. Ultimately, we can say that general translation, and more specifically, technical translation is essential as it pertains to all documents that include terms, names, and elements which demand that the translator possess specialist knowledge, both practical and theoretical, in a specific area.

A company that intends to propose its products and services to foreign and global markets must ensure maximum clarity of the reference texts, such as, an instruction manual, an installation tutorial, or technical specifications. It is imperative that the original meaning stay intact. These texts are just the most common ones, aimed at consumers, but there are even more specific ones intended for professionals which sometimes require a deep knowledge of the subject. These certainly cannot simply be converted using automated translation programs, but require the intervention of professional native-speaking translators. They explicitly use specialized terminologies to target technical concepts and intrigue the specific target market group. 

In this article, we will take a deep dive into the field of technical translation and everything surrounding this complex and intricate profession.

What are the characteristics of technical translation?

The characteristics of technical translation include: 

• Precision and accuracy
• Subject matter expertise
• Linguistic skills
• Translation tools and techniques

To understand how the translation of technical content is done, we’ll look at each of these characteristics. 

Precision and accuracy

All translation needs accuracy and clarity but for complex technical translation, this is even more important. The type of documents involved are often related to the safe use and operation of machinery or devices. It’s important that these technical concepts are properly understood for legal and practical requirements. For this, a professional technical translator is required who possesses the necessary linguistic skills and specific industry knowledge.  

Subject matter expertise

There are many areas and industry sectors where technical translations may be needed. For example, translations of technical manuals for machinery typically contain complex terminology. In order to accurately translate this information, the translator needs to be familiar with the specific industry sector and its jargon as well as being proficient in both the source and target languages. 

Linguistic skills

Professional translators clearly need to have a qualification in linguistics or a specific translation certification.  All translators at Espresso Translations are native speakers of the target language and proficient in the source language. This allows a naturalistic translation that picks up the nuances of the target language and maintains the meaning and context of the text. 

Translation tools and techniques

Most professional translators utilise translation tools to support their work and these are particularly useful for complex technical material. 

Two of the most commonly used tools in the translation of specialised documents include: 

• Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools. These are software programs that assist the translator throughout the entire work process, optimizing precision and efficiency. 
• Terminological glossaries: A terminological glossary is a multilingual database that contains key terms for a specific sector. It aids the translator by ensuring consistency across translations for the same client or industry. 

What fields use technical translation?

The fields that involve technical translations range from mechanical, electronic, and civil engineering to the food industry, from robotics to fashion, from IT to the automotive industry, and much more. It is everywhere and many more global business leaders are attempting to increase the translation of technical documents to excite global expansion. These are very diverse fields but share one common characteristic: specialized terminological glossaries filled to the brim with technological terminology and technical information. Some of the fields that require this type of technical translation are:

• logistics  
• processes for the manufacturing industry  
• environment (waste and renewable energy)  
• agriculture  
• medicine  
• the biochemical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries  
• information technologies

How do you translate documents of technical nature?

The most commonly requested translations are listed below:

• product and device instruction manuals  
• operational and maintenance manuals  
• safety manuals  
• technical reports  
• books  
• research papers  
• expert reports  
• patents  
• technical data sheets  
• technical specifications  
• participant guides  
• specialized dictionaries  
• product catalogs.
• AutoCAD files

The type of technical translation varies depending on the types of documents and fields of interest. However, each of these translations requires work carried out accurately, with maximum precision and consistency, using a style appropriate to the sector. A technical translation focuses on rigorous quality assurance and quality control to ensure accuracy by sector appropriate subject matter experts associated with the translation company. This is the core of any technical translation.  A technical translation requires accurate translation. 

What are the requirements of technical translations?

To work in this field, technical translation involves translating with certified linguistic competence based on academic studies and specializations is first and foremost necessary, not to mention their underlining translation skills. Scientific or technical knowledge is often a plus. Additionally, the fundamental requirement for any type of technical translation is precision and not simply, literal translation. That is often not enough. It is inconceivable for a scientific text, an instruction manual, or a patent to be translated inaccurately or carelessly. All the content within the aforementioned documents often features specific terms and names for which synonyms cannot be used, both for reasons of meaning and for legal issues related to regulations and international standards.

Carrying out a technical translation is not a task for inexperienced students. We continuously mention linguistic and subject matter experts as well as technical writers, due to the very nature of the intricate technical understanding of the specific subject at hand. There is a plethora of scientific and technological information privy to those that work or have worked within these sectors. This is also because it requires specific skills and involves a certain level of responsibility: even a single error in the terminology of the documents can have disastrous consequences, both commercially and legally. The source and target languages must be on point not to lose grasp over a potential client due to overly complex technical content that doesn’t sense to anyone. To achieve high-quality results while minimizing risks, it is essential to rely on a team of experts capable of translating technical texts by combining experience, in-depth terminological knowledge, and the use of innovative solutions, such as technological tools for translators. No language pair is deliberately created equal, which is why miscommunication or misinterpretation exists. Tools used in association with knowledge and a high skill cap and reduce this to virtually non-existent. 

How much does a technical translation cost?

There is no fixed price list for technical translations because there are simply too many factors in need of evaluation on a case-by-case basis. These factors include:

• The length of the text: often, a flat rate is applied to very long texts.  
• The language combination: rare languages, for which fewer translators are available, are more expensive.  
• The complexity of the text: the more technical and specific a text is, the more likely it will require the involvement of a translator specialized in that sector.  
• The sector of the requested translation: some highly specialized sectors require hard-to-find experts.  
• Urgency: for certain needs, an express service can be used, which entails an additional charge.  
• The format in which the text to be translated is provided.  

If there is a need for patent translation, translations for catalogs, translation of user manuals, specialized translation, translation of technical terms, or other technical specifications into one or more foreign languages, the best solution is always to rely on native-speaking professionals with proven experience in the technical-scientific, commercial, or advertising fields, depending on the subject matter.  

Turning to a professional translation service capable of enhancing any type and level of business investment is essential to avoid unnecessary and harmful risks, such as spreading incorrect or inaccurate information about your company and products, or incurring heavy fines or, worse yet, lawsuits. A smooth, correct, high-quality translation will, first and foremost, be an excellent calling card for the company, its employees, and its work.  

To get a clear picture of the costs involved, you can send a quote request by attaching the text to be translated to Espresso Translations. The response, completely free, detailed, and non-binding, will arrive in less than 24 hours.

Also Read: How Much Does Technical Translation Cost?

How do I become a technical translator?

To become a technical translator, one must acquire high-level linguistic and specialized skills. And translation involves translating, so it goes without saying one must be practiced in the respect to retain what could be noted as: translation memory. This comes with experience as it would guide someone in knowing how to properly translate something away from the literal translation itself. It is impossible to translate something fully without understanding it in depth. Technical language translation only adds to that level of depth we find crucially necessary. 

Of course, the first requirement is linguistic proficiency: in fact, it can happen that, in the same language, a particular term has many different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Choosing the wrong word can compromise the overall accuracy of the text. Only a professional specialized translator can avoid the risk of confusion. The source language to the target language can become stressful when translating technical documentation. Accurate translation of technical language to the target language could be just as cumbersome. This is an angle many do not consider when attempting to assume they are proficient with a language. The technical language is, in itself, often times another language entirely and will always strain the brain’s ability to jump from one language to another when translating texts. 

Moreover, those who work in translation know that the learning process never ends. It is very important for technical translators, in addition to their theoretical training, to gain practical experience in their field, to engage in constant professional development, and to know how to use advanced computer-assisted translation tools (such as Toggle) and terminological glossaries accurately. So, using the right translation technology (and not simply Google Translate) is also important to increase overall accuracy and proficiency in the translation process. Finally, the technical translation of any document can only be considered professional if it is carried out by native translators, translating from other languages into their mother tongue.

Translations in the field of science and technology

Technical and scientific terminology must continuously adapt to progress and new technologies serving translation. This is why it is crucial to continuously learn as mentioned earlier. Unlike literary language, technical language is isomorphic from a lexical point of view: each concept corresponds to a single meaning, so for a term A in one language, there is an unequivocal corresponding term B in another language. There is no room for interpretation, and precision is the sole requirement for achieving professional technical translation. Knowing the specific vocabulary of a given sector leads to consequent comprehension and translation ability. This linear process is activated only when there is certainty in mastering the specific language and subject matter. Thus, drastically increasing the accurate translation of technical documentation. 

Translation and localization go hand-in-hand. The importance of localization, software localization, and localization services in the technical field must not be overlooked: some texts need to be adapted to the target culture for various reasons. Software strings are commonly used in technical terminology when translating technical documents in certain sectors.  Therefore, it is essential to have a good understanding of the audience and the places for which the translations are intended.

The process of technical-scientific translation is among the most complex. They require technical translation on a global scale. Fortunately, translators can rely on advanced techniques in language engineering. What does this involve? Software applied to translation that helps tackle some of the challenges of technical-scientific translation, such as content uniformity, the repetitiveness of technical terms, and their multilingual management within tight deadlines and for large volumes. 

The technical-scientific field is rich in specialized content connected to various industrial sectors: IT, medical-pharmaceutical, manufacturing, food, automotive, logistics, renewable energy, and much more. This vast array of subjects requires professionalism in the use of specific and relevant sectoral terminology.

Espresso Translations has been handling technical-scientific translations for many years and knows how and where to find the best and most reliable native technical translators to entrust with any type of project. It is a complex task that goes beyond the mere process of translation. These legal and practical requirements from each translator must:

• compare translations,  
• define brand terms,  
• use language suited to the target country,  
• translate,  
• share the terminology used with the client.  

What are the challenges of technical and scientific translations?

Translation simply involves translating documents. Technical translation is the process by which translating a technical text into a language different from the one in which it was written. This specialized form of translation presents many challenges. Let’s look at a few of them:

• As a rule, one cannot rely on others’ translations, especially not for technical texts. It is always necessary to verify, research, and double-check.  
• Specialized software is a great help and should therefore be studied and applied. However, they can never be considered substitutes.  
• Technological language is constantly evolving: staying up-to-date must be the daily bread of a translator.  
• A good translator specializes deeply in one, at most two, related fields. Doing more would be presumptuous and unprofessional.  
• Technical translation must not fall into incomprehensible technical jargon: the main challenge remains ensuring maximum clarity.  

Are there specific tools for technical translation?

Technical translators, in addition to being specialized native-speaking translators, must know and be able to use the most modern tools provided by technology to facilitate their work. Let’s look at the most important ones:

• CAT tools (Computer-Assisted Translation): These are software programs that assist the translator throughout the entire work process, optimizing precision and efficiency. A CAT tool goes far beyond automatic translation programs as it is a fully professional tool.
• Terminological glossaries: A terminological glossary is a multilingual database that contains key terms for a specific sector.
• Machine Translation with human post-editing: MTPE is a type of translation in which the document is processed by a machine translation engine (MT) and subsequently reviewed by the translator.

These are all technological innovations that the translator must know well and use correctly to avoid the risk of errors from improper use outweighing the benefits.

Also Read: What is the difference between technical and literary translation?

Why choose Espresso Translations for your technical translations?

Any type of technical text produced by a company, business, or organization requires precise, mindful, and targeted translation processes, just like those developed by us at Espresso Translations.

At Espresso Translations, our language services agency has been operating for years in the field of technical-scientific translations. Our team is capable of delivering professional translations of all types of technical texts, including:

• technical documents  
• brochures  
• catalogs  
• patents  
• technical specifications  
• user manuals  
• operational manuals  
• user guides  
• product sheets  
• technical data sheets  
• scientific reports  

Furthermore, our team at Espresso Translations facilitates and speeds up communication between individuals, organizations, and companies around the world, ensuring the overcoming of any geographical or linguistic barrier through a comprehensive multilingual technical translation service for certifications, regulations, or various documentation.

When entrusting a translation to our team, you can rely on us for:

• project managers who oversee every project from start to finish and act as intermediaries between client requests and the translator’s work  
• specialized native-speaking translators and editors  
• reviewers experienced in the technological nuances of the target language  
• interpreters  

In short, a mix of professionalism, skills, and specific technical knowledge ensures the success of every translation project entrusted to us. There is no linguistic barrier that cannot be overcome with the professional help of our translators. No job is too long or short, too easy or too complex for us.

We value every single word, line, and page to be translated, regardless of the subject matter or complexity of the text.

Our native-speaking translators boast a minimum of five years of experience in the translation field and specialize in a specific technical-scientific, financial, medical, legal, or other domain. We rely exclusively on native-speaking professionals who translate into their mother tongue and possess the necessary skills to fully understand the text and perform a comprehensive evaluation before proceeding with the translation into the target language. Visit our website to learn about our services and send us your quote request: speed, accuracy, and transparency in response are our best calling cards.

Also Read: What is a Technical Translator?