The translation of technical and scientific documents represents one of the most important challenges for professional translation agencies.
This type of document requires a high level of specialization and in-depth knowledge of technical and scientific language.
In today’s article by ALG Language Consulting we talk about the challenges involved in translation of these types of documents.
Importance of terminology
The first challenge is terminology. Science and technology have their own specific language and the translator must have a thorough knowledge of it in order to convey the correct meaning. Using the right language means identifying the specialist field of the translation document.
Terms that can be translated in the same way can have completely different meanings depending on the context. For example, the English term “cell” can refer both to a biological cell and to a solar cell, while the term “plaque” can refer to dental plaque or a geological plate.
Translating the concepts
Understanding the technical content is a further challenge. Technical and scientific documents often contain complex concepts that require detailed knowledge of the subject. Translators must be able to understand the content and translate it clearly and accurately.
It is important for the translator to have specific knowledge of the sector to guarantee accurate complete translation.
Attention to detail
Lastly, translators of technical and scientific documents must have an eye for detail.
An error in the translation of a technical term can have significant consequences, for example in an instruction manual for the use of a medical device, in a scientific research document or a declaration of conformity. It is important that translators carefully check their work and that the translation is then revised by another expert translator.
Delivery times
Lastly, meeting deadlines is another important challenge in the translation of technical and scientific documents. In many cases, deadlines are very tight and this requires careful work planning and management.