Why technical texts need a specialized translator

Have you ever ordered a technical translation? Have you? Then you may already know that getting a text translated by someone who has a good command of the language but is not qualified in the field in question is a bad mistake. And you also know that finding a good translator specialized in your discipline takes a lot of effort. We have written this short article for all those who wish to be introduced to the possible pitfalls and traps related to ordering technical translations in order to avoid unnecessary mistakes.

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Why technical texts need a specialized translator

Technical dictionaries are not enough

Or are they? The less initiated can easily succumb to the illusion that a voluminous dictionary is sufficient for success. Well, go ahead and try. Just start with a general technical dictionary to translate, for example, the instructions for a formatting saw... and very soon you will run into a problem - such highly specialised technical terms are either not included in the dictionary at all or are offered in a different meaning. Not to mention the fact that dictionaries, especially printed ones, are often outdated, no matter how accurate and high-quality they were at the time of publication. The reason? It's simple. Language, and thereby professional terminology, is constantly evolving.

Specialist: quality, speed and, paradoxically, lower price

Yes, a serious and responsible translator is often able to properly translate even text from a field they are not familiar with, but tracking down terminology and consulting an expert will take a considerable amount of extra time that they will most likely be paid for.

In contrast, a specialist translator progresses much faster because they work with terminology that is familiar to them, thus minimising the risk of error. Since it takes them much less time to translate a specialised text, we often encounter an unexpected paradox: the work of a specialist from a professional translation agency is ultimately cheaper than a text translated by a freelance translator.

From translations to expertise, or from expertise to translations?

Professionals who specialise in particular fields, whether it be engineering, law and finance, or software and IT, are very often from the industry, i.e. they have worked or are still working in the field and were essentially forced to adopt the translation craft by need for self-education or professional circumstances.

The second case, on the other hand, refers to professionally trained translators who adopted the field either out of their own interest or, for example, through larger and long-term collaboration with a client. As a result, they were forced to gradually educate themselves on the subject, learn to understand its context and acquire professional vocabulary.

It does not matter how a professional has acquired their translation specialisation. A graduate linguist is usually better equipped linguistically, while a translating expert has "grasped" the field through experience, but this is not always the rule.

A specialist translator without cooperation is no guarantee

Do you want to be sure that the translation will meet your highest standards? Then it's not enough to choose a great translator who specialises in your field - you need to work with them as a client. It is important to be clear about the purpose of the translation (e.g. whether it is a presentation, marketing text, handbook, etc.), what audience it should speak to and, if necessary, provide a glossary of terminology that you use and prefer within your company.

Last but not least, as a client of , it is essential that you consult the translator continuously in case of any uncertainties. The right procedure and a good assignment will help you save time and money during translation.

Multidisciplinary translations? The toughest nut to crack

If it's hard to find a good translator for a single subject area, then translating texts that combine multiple disciplines is an even greater challenge - freelance translators often break their teeth on these. Here, the only sure bet is a high-quality translation agency with an extensive team of specialists in all fields, who can consult with each other or work directly on the final text.

Agencies also use CAT translation tools with rich implemented industry dictionaries, the content of which is continuously revised and updated. With this software support, a reputable agency can guarantee you not only the most accurate and high-quality translation, but also efficiency and fast delivery times, often within hours.

A safe bet? Professional translation agency

Looking for quality, reliability and fixed deadlines? Particularly for translations with a professional focus, the surest route is to use the services of a professional translation agency such as Aspena. We provide high-quality translations in 80 industries, including medicine, chemistry and biotechnology, in more than 200 language combinations. In addition, we will help you analyse the purpose and focus of the text so that the resulting translation is of optimal quality and targeting.

Do you need quality technical or professional translation, or would you just like some advice? Contact us, we will be happy to discuss your needs and possibly develop a customised solution for you.