Technical translation is different from simple document translations. It deals with the translation of user guides, instructions, and directions for use. These instructions are written by industry-specific people. People that are good at technology can understand it whereas laymen face difficulty in understanding the terms used in the content. The same is the case with translators, the technical translation can only be done by technical translators. Such documents contain specific technical jargon. Therefore, translators who have prior experience in handling technical projects can provide you with technical translation services.

Top 5 Challenges of Technical Translation

In simple text translation, you have to convert text from one language to another but in the case of technical translations, you have to keep technical and scientific terminologies in mind and use appropriate terminology in the target language.

What else makes technical translation difficult? Let’s dive into the major challenges of technical translation.

No Word-to-Word Translations

At present, the use of technology is increasing at a fast pace. Every day, we hear about innovations. Therefore, technical translators need to keep themselves updated with new technology. Apart from keeping themselves updated with the new technological trends, they need to know how the technological phases are perceived in foreign countries. Therefore, they can’t go for word-to-word translation. Unlike simple document translation, the word for word approach doesn’t work for technical content.

Maintaining Accuracy

Accuracy is extremely important for technical documents. It deals with the preservation of the main message of technical documents. Moreover, it guides the person on how to assemble and use a product. Therefore, technical translation has to be precise and accurate because any error in it can cause damage to machinery and human life can be at stake. If a person needs to assemble a technical product, then translated content should be precise and easy in a way that person feels that he is reading a manual in his native language. Moreover, he should be able to assemble a product without any difficulty, by reading the translated version of the manual.

Making Content Easy to Understand

It is also a big challenge to make technical instructions understandable and followed in the target market. For technical translation, the translator needs to use precise and appropriate vocabulary with proper formatting so that foreign customers can perceive that the manual is written for them. It’s important to make the content easy to understand so that the audience can easily follow the instructions.

Maintaining the Original Length

Text length is the major challenge in technical translation. This is because, after translation, some texts contract while others expand. In the translation of technical manuals, one needs to take care of several words and characters. Their objective is to summarize the whole process of machinery and product usage in a limited space. The main challenge comes when you have to translate content from German, Italian and French into the English language. Because in the English language, the content becomes 30% longer. Therefore, it affects the layout and number of pages of the manual. Furthermore, it results in a high printing cost.

Integrating Cultural Preferences

The culture of every country is different and it greatly impacts the dialects that people speak in different regions. The lexicon of any language is hidden in its formal language. Therefore, it makes the translator’s job very difficult. In a large country or region, there are more dialects that people speak as compared to small countries. Therefore, they have to follow a vast vocabulary. In the case of technical and legal translations, vocabulary and subject matter plays a vital role.

 While doing technical translations, the translator has to be aware of the fact that the terminology used in the document has some legal implications. For example, if the translator is translating a procedure of product usage, then he can use such terminology that resonates with the target market. If he is unable to do so then it will result in legal implications like a lawsuit. In short, the technical translation has to be accompanied by legal translation services.

Wrapping Up

Technical translation has to be error-free.  The use of jargon and the technical nature of the content make it difficult for a translator to provide flawless results. Only a pro technical translator with background knowledge of the industry can provide accurate results. Therefore, you have to hire a professional translation company. They have a team of native translators who are also subject matter experts.  They provide you with seamless technical translation services while keeping the legal law of the country into consideration.