Since the early days of human societies, languages have been the dominant way of keeping and sharing information. There is no culture or tradition without some kind of language to document it, which is why the ability to transfer meaning from one language into another has been crucial to understanding our history as a species.
In the modern-day, translation is necessary for a plethora of different occasions. From simply understanding a stranger and telling them what you mean without learning their language, to accurately transferring the meaning of a literary work or an important business or government document, translation is virtually everywhere around us.
Current State of the World
As technology quickly advances and new gadgets and devices become available, the world is in a dire need of translation in the technology sector. We refer to this type of translation as technical translation, which covers technical details and industry-specific information. For companies and manufacturers, technical translation helps them expand their market and start doing business and shipping products internationally. On the other hand, for the consumers, it efficiently broadens the people’s access to essential technological and scientific services and products they may have never had before.
A wide variety of different services and products require a specific kind of translation approach, as well as the right kind of education that a translator has to have in order to start translating them. According to translingua-translations.com, there are some products and services that would commonly require technical translation if they are to be properly taken care of. These include the following:
- Product details
- Textbooks
- Patents
- User manuals and guides
- Technical reports
- Health guidelines
- Safety guidelines
- Regulatory documentation
The Importance of Technical Translation
It cannot be stressed enough how important technical translation is. It is vital in ensuring a precise and accurate translation of technical documentation because those who will be dealing with these things have to know exactly what to do and how, and prevent potential accidents and mishaps. It is impossible for people who are not experts in the industry to understand technical topics, let alone know everything at once. Even if they start learning about it, it would take time. Think about it for a second. General translators would not have the knowledge required to translate industry-specific terminologies and jargon simply because they were never in touch with that kind of material. Hence, the best approach for this is to hire a certified technical translator who can understand the subject as a whole and give you precise translations every time you need it.
Furthermore, technical translation ensures strict compliance with local and international documentation standards. Consequently, it gives companies the assurance of accurate information dissemination about their products and services, making sure that everyone involved remains safe and protected from poor handling or misuse of the services and products. It can also help strengthen their brand image to clients as well as business partners as everyone will see that they care about customers from different countries and cultures. In the modern day and age, it is all about diversity and inclusion, and what better way to make sure everyone understands what your brand is about than literally saying it in their language, on the label of your product.
Poor-Quality Technical Translations
There are critical differences between using common language and industry-specific terminologies in translation. Without a proper understanding of technical concepts, the translation can produce incorrect descriptions, instructions, or statements. Hence, there is no room for errors and poor-quality translation when it comes to translation services for technology. Otherwise people may get hurt and legal trouble may ensue.
Poor technical translation can be highly detrimental to the understanding of the proper usage of a product. Consequently, the company offerings may appear inconsistent with clients and field experts, which can then damage the brand’s name and image in the long run. It can also result in delays in production, significantly if the business is expanding to a foreign country. What this means on a larger scale is a huge company loss and an everlasting stain on the brand’s reputation. And we all know how important reputation is in business.
Remember, even a small error can cause massive damage, considering how each detail is crucial in technical products and services. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to approach technical translation seriously.
Characteristics of Good-Quality Technical Translation Service
Always remember that technical translation is not an option but a must for companies who want to venture out globally. You cannot settle for a translator who can only speak and understand the source and target language. In a nutshell, a technical translator must have strong bilingual expertise, as well as the expanded knowledge on the technical topics that are to be translated.
While there are many translation services out there, not all of them are equally equipped to tackle technical terms. Here are some characteristics that make up a top-tier technical translation service:
- Accurate and correct use of terminologies
- Awareness in specific formats used in technical documents
- Compliance with legal nuances of technical translation
- Ability to carry the company’s brand image to the translation
- High-attentiveness to the most intricate details of the document at hand
- The translator must be up-to-date with the latest developments within the domain
- The final output must be easy to understand by experts in the field
Get a Technical Translator
With all that has been said above, it makes it clear and obvious that technical translation is a crucial business process. As such, it is essential for all industries that are looking to expand internationally and gain a new audience with a new interest in what they have to offer. Knowing the quality you should look for in technical translation allows you to avoid costly errors and collaborations with poorly educated or unprofessional translators. Do not settle for cheap translations that will not provide you with these essential qualities and characteristics because your business will suffer dearly. The more intricate and complex your business and all of its different aspects and features, the more you should pay attention to the kind of technical translator or translation service you are looking to hire.