There are those that consider a translator to be someone who has extensive knowledge of two or more languages. Many believe that they work merely as human dictionaries, replacing text word for word, and making grammatical adjustments. Such people would probably believe that automated translation tools can probably by now do the job adequately enough, and that professional human translation is a thing of the past.
They would be wrong… Why? Because, quite simply, it is not so straight forward. The complex layers that slot together to create a truly professional, quality and comprehensive translation service are multi-dimensional, and without such attention, the final product would be fundamentally defunct, to the extent of often being detrimental.
In the not so distant past, translation experts were quite possibly only working within a set number of fields. Literary translation, political interpretation, religious transcription etc, are almost as old as language itself, but now there is barely a sector that does not benefit from the process. Engineering translation services, medical, legal, scientific, artistic; quite simply there are now endless sectors and industries requiring professional translations, with each requiring its own unique set of knowledge and expertise.
Translation within Engineering and Technical Industries
Engineering translation services specifically require an explicit degree of accuracy, and failure to produce as such can lead to severe damage of a company’s image. Not only that, but inaccuracies can too be dangerous and lead to potential liabilities.
Such is the complexity of technical translations that the EU even recognizes it within its legislation, where it says “operating instructions for technical consumer goods are frequently perceived as inadequate both because they are unclear and because they present language difficulties as a result of faulty translations.” In a bid to address this situation it also passed a law meaning that a technical product wasn’t complete without a functional user manual, and thus an incorrectly translated manual could render the goods defective.
Expert translators within such technical industries need to not only be qualified and experienced within the sector, but too their language skills need to have been extensively used within the field. Even native speakers of a language may not possess such specialist vocabulary and thus it is crucial that they have been exposed to the industry in both source and target languages.
As this is not always possible, often it is also necessary for collaboration to take place and for a single project to be tackled by a team of translation experts. In this way, they can work together to ensure that the clarity, accuracy and readability is maintained to an exceptional standard.
Experts in engineering translation services have a difficult job. They are often working to tight deadlines and are constantly aware of the absolute necessity for accuracy. They work on a wide range of complex documentation, including; Engineering specifications, Operating Manuals, Bill of Materials, Patents, CAD Drawings, RFP Responses, Safety Manuals, Installation Manuals, Software and Hardware UI, Technical Proposals, MSDS and Data Sheets, and know just how costly any mistake can be.
Specialised Vocabulary
How many gardeners could decipher their way through a complex medical paper and how many doctors would understand the complex physics, in Engineering? Regardless of the source language of the content, certain fields require a certain level of specific expertise. You wouldn’t want an electrician to fill in your medical prescription nor indeed a doctor to install your central heating. It is simple common sense.
When it comes to technical and specialised translation services, it is crucial to source a professional translator who is experienced within specialist vocabulary, as well as specific document formats. In this way, you are able to ensure the accuracy of crucial information, and too make the process more comprehensive and efficient.
Indeed many technical industries involve such complex vocabulary that really they in themselves are unique languages, and to that extent, engineering translation services from say English to Spanish, would require an expert in English, Spanish and too the specific branch of Engineering in question. Further to that, a fully localised service would too give preference to a translation expert with cultural knowledge of both the source and target languages.