5 Best Practices for Technical Translation

Best Practices for Technical Translation WORK WITH EXPERTS To ensure a complete and accurate translation, technical translation projects require a specialized translator who is familiar with the subject matter. Accuracy is particularly critical for technical translations in the life sciences, due to their specific terminology and the critical nature of medical work. LOCALIZE FOR THE TARGET AUDIENCE Beyond the basics of grammar, spelling, and syntax, the translation must take into account the linguistic character of the local market. This may include special formatting for numerical data, such as dates, times, and measurements. It is important to translate the intended message, and not just the text. MAINTAIN TRANSLATION MEMORIES & TERM BASES By building a database of translated text during the course of the project, the translator can increase the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of future translations that re-use the same text. Translators can also mine for terminology, and compile a glossary of client-approved translations for particular terms. CHECK QUALITY AT EVERY STAGE A thorough quality assurance process is essential for technical translation, preferably using two native language professionals: one to translate and another to perform in-depth proofreading, checking for accuracy of translation and appropriate use of local idiomatic preferences. KNOW YOUR REGULATIONS Depending on the local target market, technical translations could be expected to meet certain regulatory standards. For instance, translation projects in the life sciences may need to comply with the international Medical Devices Directive, in addition to the ISO 9001:2009 quality standard. Sources: http://www.commonsenseadvisory.com http://www.truelanguage.com NationalPositions Profitable lInternet Marketing TrueLanguage