5 Requirements Our Technical Translators Must Meet
Contents
What is technical translation?
Technical translation is the process of translating technical or scientific texts, such as journal articles, maintenance guides and other technical documents, into another language.
To accurately translate such materials, a qualified translator must have excellent command over both the source and target languages, and with in-depth knowledge of the technical subject matter and its related terminology.
5 requirements our technical translators must meet
Technology continues to advance rapidly, and we expect our technical translators at 24 Hours Translate to meet the very highest standards in this constantly evolving field.
If you are a technical translator or interested in becoming one, you must understand what skills and requirements you need to meet to stay competitive. In this article, we break down the five main requirements our technical translators must meet to stay ahead of the game.
1. Have specialized translation training and become certified
As a technical translator, you must have specialized training and certification to demonstrate that you can provide accurate and reliable translations. We require our translators to possess these qualifications to guarantee the quality of our services.
Simply having advanced degrees or fluency in multiple languages does not necessarily qualify someone for professional translation work. Obtaining certification from accredited institutions will show potential employers that you have the skills necessary for the job.
Below are the certifications 24 Hours Translate recommends:
ATA certification – The American Translators Association (ATA) certification is a sought-after credential for technical translators. It is widely recognized as a measure of competence in the field.
We require our technical translators to have ATA certification or equivalent. This certifies that they possess the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver high-quality translations on time.
Equivalent qualifications we accept include NAATI certification, which verifies that a candidate has the language proficiency, cultural understanding, and technical know-how needed for successful translation or interpretation work in Australia.
Furthermore, obtaining an industry-specific certificate demonstrates that you are an expert in the field and can interpret context-specific terms accurately.
2. A native speaker of the target language
Native speakers have certain advantages over non-native translators when it comes to technical translation. This is because they possess a natural understanding of the language and culture in the target country, which can be especially beneficial for complex projects.
They also tend to have better writing skills, as well as greater creativity when it comes to communicating technical concepts or ideas.
At 24 Hours Translate, we require our technical translators to be native speakers of their target language. This means if a translator working in Chinese and English is translating an English catalog into Chinese, they must be a native Chinese speaker. This enables them to fully understand the content and be more accurate with their translation. If, on the other hand, they are translating from Chinese to English (which would be a second language for them), they are highly unlikely to have the same level of proficiency as a native English speaker. Thus, they could produce less than satisfactory results.
There are three more major reasons why we prefer native technical translators:
Native technical translators have better writing skills
Native translators are more likely to produce accurate and natural-sounding results in technical translation. Their sentences flow more naturally, and they will more easily be able to avoid grammatical mistakes or overly complex sentences.
Additionally, since they understand the culture of their target language better than non-native speakers, native translators can provide richer and more meaningful technical translations that include the best word choices.
Cultural understanding
Technical translators should be familiar with the culture of the language they are translating into, as this can have a major impact on the translation.
For example, if a message contains cultural references, they will likely need to be adjusted to make sense in the target language and cultural context.
Native translators with an understanding of both language and culture are preferred because they can easily decide when it is necessary to preserve or modify aspects of cultural context to convey meaning accurately.
Native technical translators are more creative
When it comes to technical translation, native translators have the advantage of being more creative than non-native speakers. This helps them craft more engaging translations to help their clients reach a wider audience.
3. Have industry-specific technical knowledge and expertise
Technical translation is a specialized job
At 24 Hours Translate, we emphasize the importance of accuracy in technical translation. As this field is highly specialized, our translators must possess an in-depth understanding and expertise in their chosen industry.
This is crucial, especially when handling engineering, construction, data sheets, and software development projects. Without such knowledge, it can be difficult for translators to provide accurate translations that are also contextualized for the target audience.
Industrial and professional experience on the subject matter
Detailed knowledge of the relevant subject matter helps translators to comprehend the context of a technical document more easily. Having prior experience working in the same field can also be beneficial as it allows translators to better understand any specialized terminology or concepts related to their work.
Use industry-specific terminology and concepts consistently
When translating technical documents, such as patent applications or user manuals, it is important to find a translator with expertise in the subject matter and familiarity with the related terminology.
At 24 Hours Translate, we understand that such material often includes complex language and industry-specific terms. Therefore, our translators must have a solid understanding of the field they are working in. This allows them to comprehend accurately any specialized words or concepts in the source document to deliver high-quality translations.
4. Using technology for managing translation memories and glossaries
- SDL Trados Studio
- Wordfast
- MemoQ
- Memsource
5. Deliver high-quality translation work on time
- Effectively conveying the original meaning while being readable and understandable.
- Following all grammar rules and conventions regarding line breaks, capitalization, punctuation, etc.
- Using accurate terminology and adhering to any glossary provided by clients.
- Representing the style of the source material where possible.
- Adopting acceptable language usage for each language and selecting an appropriate register for the intended audience.
- Meeting all client specifications.
- Taking cultural factors into account.
At 24 Hours Translate, we strive to create translations that read as though they were originally written in the target language. As such, our translators cannot change the source material. This includes adding new content or altering its style, tone, or meaning. Our goal is to provide accurate translations free from any bias or opinions that could lead to misinterpretation.
