Technical documents are an important part of different manufacturing and product industries. These documents usually include user guides, operating instructions, user manuals, technical specifications, and service manuals. Technical document translation is often necessary since people need them in different languages.
Translating technical documents makes such documents available to people in different language zones. This translation area is important since it helps people understand how to use a product.
Since it is highly technical, only professional translators with the right experience offer the service. Read on to learn everything you need to know about translating technical documents.
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What Is Technical Document Translation?
The translation of technical documents involves creating different language versions of specialized and complex content. This type of translation prioritizes accuracy to maintain the original meaning of such documents.
These technical documents usually include scientific papers, engineering specifications, medical reports, technical manuals, etc. While translating a technical document requires in-depth knowledge of the source and target languages, that is not all.
A deep understanding of the subject is crucial to creating a valid translation for technical documents. For instance, a technical manual translation usually requires a deep understanding of the terms in that manual. But again, accurate translations are important in this field to ensure the target audience gets the intended meaning.
Besides translating the words in a technical document, these translations aim at conveying technical concepts clearly to an audience. Technical translation ensures the document is still valid and useful in other languages.
The audience may be some researchers, professionals, or end users of the manuals. Well, this type of translation is quite important in several industries. Since people from different countries often use a particular product, its manual must also be available in different languages.
Who Can Translate Technical Documents?
Only technical translators with the appropriate subject matter expertise can translate technical documents. Like other translation fields, excellent linguistic skills in both languages is crucial. However, that is not the only factor to consider when looking for an accurate translator in this area.
The subject matter experts who handle the translation of technical documents must have an in-depth knowledge of their industry. This means they should understand and correctly use the appropriate technical terms and their translations.
Besides that, these translators must also understand the regional and cultural nuances associated with their target languages. Then, they must be able to include all these elements to create a correct translation. Overall, their translations should be understandable to their target audience.
For example, pharmaceutical companies often translate the indications of the medication. This is crucial when selling to different countries. In that case, they’ll need technical translations of those indications.
Of course, an expert with excellent control of both languages does the job. Technical translators with native language proficiency would be your best bet.
5 Reasons Why Technical Document Translation Is Important
The translation of technical documents is a specialized type of translation. It usually involves scientific, specialized, and technical terminology. Recently, there has been much emphasis on this area. But why is this form of translation important?
1. It Helps Maintain Accuracy
Technical documents usually carry highly specific language. An instruction manual is one common example of such a document. For instance, if guides talk about installing a new machine in a factory, your accuracy must be top. This is also applicable if it covers how to install complex software.
In such cases, this form of translation aims to use the correct terminology throughout the document. So, technical translators in different fields must first have a baseline understanding of those particular fields. This ensures that the technical terms come out in the same way as the manufacturers originally intended.
2. Technical Translation Factors the Cultural Nuances
Technical documents usually contain a lot of specialized terminology. So, translating such documents requires more than a surface understanding of the two languages. Localization is also necessary for these kinds of forms.
Technical translation mostly employs the knowledge of each language’s cultural nuances to create more accurate results. Cultural knowledge allows the translator to control the tone and optimize accuracy. Remember that your normal way of giving instructions may sound rude in another language.
3. This Translation Considers the Correct Formats
The translation of technical documents covers more than just the words of those documents. The translation factors in the formats in which the forms come in. For example, financial documents usually carry figures in different formats across different languages.
This idea can be tricky to implement. This is also why technical translation requires a high degree of professionalism. Also, these elements highlight the differences between this kind of translation and others.
4. Technical Translation Fosters Compliance
In some cases, accurate technical translation does not only mean maintaining the meanings across different language versions. Here, it could also be crucial to maintain compliance with the law. This mostly comes into play when translating legally-inclined documents.
For example, when working with patents, you must be key to their highly technical nature. A simple mistake in the patent translation can cause a company to lose rights in a target market. So, technical document translators must also understand the legal nuances in the target country.
This is the same thing with design rights and trademarks. The needed knowledge allows you to follow the stipulations. So, technical translation ensures that it ticks all the boxes and increases the chances of acceptance.
5. Technical Document Translation Boosts Brand Perception
When marketing your products, you must target a good brand perception and reputation. Technical documents are one of the most important ways of achieving this goal. So, correctly translating these documents and pushing the right information provides a good advantage for you.
If you’ve created a good persona for your brand at home, you must also aim at promoting this persona abroad. Accurate translations of technical documents help with this task. So, top translations of your technical documentation keep you afloat.
Where To Get a Technical Language Translation
Are you a private individual or a product manager looking for a technical language translation? Several independent professionals and translation companies offer this service. While you can get nearby translators, hire some online agencies or individuals. Here is how to get this service.
1. Hire Nearby Technical Translators
The first option to consider when you need technical translation is to hire nearby translators for the task. Quick Google searches or searches on sites like TrustPilot and Yelp can recommend nearby options. You can choose from there by looking at their reviews and other details.
For some, going for nearby physical translators is usually the better option. This is because they can physically access their offices and interact with the professionals before hiring.
2. Work With Online Translation Agencies
Another valid option is to work with online translation companies. There are tons of trusted companies offering technical translation online. To hire them, you’ll need to log into their sites, browse their services, and make an order.
Companies like Stepes and Mars Translation offer professional services in this field. One advantage of working with these agencies is their expansive resources. Since they offer services globally, they are more open to attracting translators with more experience and expertise.
The use of online translation agencies has risen dramatically over time. While you may be skeptical at first, most are usually trustworthy. Of course, you should always vet companies strongly before signing up for their services.
3. Hire Technical Translators From the ATA Directory
The American Translators Association (ATA) directory offers another viable alternative for you to get translators for your technical documents. This body records its members, allowing the public to browse individuals and companies.
To get technical document translators here, visit the ATA directory on their website and begin your search. While you can choose between individuals and companies, you can also tailor your search based on location.
From there, you can choose the languages of interest, the area of specialization, and their years in the industry. You can also search for professionals and agencies by keywords. After running the search prompts, the directory displays results from where you’ll choose.
Get Technical Document Translation Services From Rapid Translate
Do you need reliable technical document translation services? Consider working with Rapid Translate, an online agency, for your translation needs. This agency offers these translations in over 60 languages.
It accepts employee manuals, course guides, product manuals, handbooks, patent applications, and prospectuses. The company charges $27.99 per page for its translations. It also returns orders in one of the fastest turnaround times in the industry.
While you usually receive your orders within 24 hours, you can still fast-track them by paying an extra fee. Due to their importance, you can also get notarization for your technical translations. The company also has a customer service team that is online 24/7.
However, besides technical translations, the agency offers other services, such as business, medical, and legal. The company maintains high-quality services by only working with professionals it strongly assesses beforehand.
Rapid Translate’s popularity has grown recently. This is partly due to its ease of usage. Anyone can quickly visit the site on their computers or phones and upload their documents without hassles. They can also download their translated files safely after the process is complete.
The agency has also gathered a pretty impressive catalog of reviews from past customers. So, if you’re looking for where to get technical document translation or other similar services, go for Rapid Translate.
Are you trying to improve your global communication capabilities? Rapid Translate is your best bet. Whether studying abroad, expanding your business operations, or connecting with others, this agency comes through. You can bypass language hurdles with this agency and link your world. Order now to enjoy limitless communication!
