Technical writing has become a highly sought-after skill in the professional world. As ever more innovative software, solutions, and technology become available, demand rises correspondingly for accompanying documentation that offers explanation, instruction, and support. Technical writing provides detail-rich information for technical products and services in the form of tutorials, briefs, reports, support articles, user manuals, internal documentation, and more. The technical writing process requires precise attention to detail to guarantee that complex concepts are effectively communicated to and easily digested by readers. When translating technical copy from one language to another, an added focus on exactitude and specifics is necessary. Missing or mistranslated information can change the meaning of documentation, leading to confusion or even legal ramifications.
In an ever-expanding global economy, tech-based companies seeking to conduct business outside their home country should take a well-informed approach to presenting their products and services to the international market. An effective global strategy in this regard must include translating technical documents into the different languages of target audiences.
However, direct, word-for-word translation by itself isn’t enough. Technical writing can be especially challenging and requires a particular set of linguistic skills and hands-on knowledge of specific industries. Even greater proficiency and expertise are necessary for ensuring accuracy when translating technical writing.
It’s essential to consult with a language service provider who is deeply familiar with the technical writing process, the subject matter, and the language into which they’re translating. Their experience with the localization process and capable handling of cultural nuances can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your technical copy will be translated correctly and will retain its original meaning.
Are you starting a technical translation project? Here are a few things to consider before you begin working with a language service provider:
How to prepare for technical translations
Up-front planning can help improve the quality and success of a technical translation. One key factor to consider is who the target audience is for translation.
The terminology used for safety instructions may differ from that of a repair manual––this will impact how the copy is written. Whether your end-users are software developers, engineers, or everyday consumers, it’s critical to identify the kind of technical copy your readers can easily understand and what requirements the text must meet. Certain terminology can confuse some readers while others may be more knowledgeable about a given industry.
Similarly, your translation provider should have a full understanding of the target audience beforehand to make sure they appropriately and accurately translate the text.
In addition to determining who the reader is before creating technical text, you should also gather background information on your company and its branding requirements.
Likewise, by providing your language service provider with some insight into your company, editorial guidelines, products, and services, you can improve the accuracy and quality of the technical translation. Some companies have stylistic requirements for how the company and its products or services are referenced in copy. For example, here at TrueLanguage, the “L” in the company name is always capitalized. Compiling a glossary of terms and product descriptions can be extremely beneficial to help your provider better translate information into the correct context and align it with branding requirements. Incorporating these terms into a translation memory (TM) creates a more efficient workflow and enables linguists to work in a timely fashion while translating consistent and precise copy.
Yet another way to prepare for the translation process is to have quality reference materials on hand that are similar in style and content to the current project. If your subject matter and terminology are complicated and highly specialized, your translation provider will need to consult such materials to minimize errors and maintain the original copy’s overall readability, structure, and meaning.
Technical translation best practices
Clear and detailed technical translations for a global audience are a challenge, but there are a few best practices that can make the process easier and produce content that’s ready for a global audience:
- Keep it simple: Technical writing requires clarity and simplicity. The finished product should easily and quickly convey complex information to readers, without lengthy and complicated sentences.
- Double-check the document layout: Providers must remain aware of how the translations may have shifted the document’s overall structure. For example, translating the text can change the length of headings, sentences, and paragraphs. Take time to review the overall look and structure of the final, translated document, in case you need to make adjustments to the layout and design so that the copy flows well and is easy to understand. Or ask your translation provider to handle the document layout for you.
- Don’t abandon technical writing standards: Translation may be the task at hand, but it’s essential not to forget what measures are necessary for producing quality technical copy. By referencing technical writing standards, translation providers can avoid mistakes involving sentence structure, word choice, tone, and meaning.
- Prioritize consistency: To avoid confusion, translation providers should remain consistent in their use of specific jargon and terms throughout the translated technical text. Fluctuating between different words for translating a specific term can lead to confusion. By identifying the appropriate word, term or expression to use for translation and sticking to it, your translation provider will keep things clear and concise.
What to look for in a language service provider
The overall topic of the technical copy should influence which language service provider you choose to work with. It’s always preferable to partner with a translation company that has a proven track record working with the industry in question and features a team of qualified linguists for the translation target language. Clearly outline your needs and expectations for the deliverables and make sure that the provider meets the qualifications to take on the project.
Competent translation professionals like TrueLanguage can help you avoid costly errors. We’re here to ensure the uniformity, reliability, and thorough excellence of your technical translation. Our team of skilled linguists can meet the needs of your specific technical field and provide you with localized translations that effectively communicate your message to your intended foreign-language audience. Our language experts are also skilled in the use of key translation tools like computer-assisted translation (CAT) and TM, which help improve translation accuracy, speed, and quality. Contact us today to entrust your translation project to the experts!
