How can you improve technical translations with technology?

1 Use a CAT tool

A computer-assisted translation (CAT) tool is a software that helps you translate faster and more consistently by using a database of previous translations, called a translation memory (TM). A CAT tool can also provide you with terminology management, quality checks, and glossaries. You can use a CAT tool to translate various types of technical documents, such as manuals, reports, specifications, and patents. A CAT tool can help you save time, reduce costs, and ensure consistency across your technical translations.

2 Use a machine translation system

A machine translation (MT) system is a software that automatically translates text from one language to another using artificial intelligence (AI). MT systems can be useful for technical translation, especially for large volumes of text or low-priority content. However, MT systems are not perfect and often need human revision to correct errors, improve style, and adapt to the context. You can use an MT system to get a rough draft of your technical translation, but you should always review and edit it carefully before delivering it to your client.

3 Use a terminology extractor

A terminology extractor is a tool that identifies and extracts key terms and phrases from a source text or a corpus of texts. Terminology extraction can help you create and update your glossaries, which are essential for technical translation. A glossary is a list of terms and their definitions or translations in a specific domain or project. A glossary can help you ensure accuracy, consistency, and clarity in your technical translation. You can use a terminology extractor to analyze your source text or your TM and generate a glossary that you can use in your CAT tool or MT system.

4 Use a style guide

A style guide is a document that defines the rules and conventions for writing and formatting a text in a specific language, domain, or project. A style guide can help you improve the quality and readability of your technical translation by providing you with guidelines on grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, abbreviations, numbers, units, symbols, and tone. You can use a style guide to check and improve your technical translation before delivering it to your client or to create your own style guide for future projects.

5 Use a collaboration platform

A collaboration platform is a tool that allows you to communicate and cooperate with other translators, editors, reviewers, or clients on a technical translation project. A collaboration platform can help you improve your technical translation by enabling you to share feedback, suggestions, queries, and updates in real time or asynchronously. You can use a collaboration platform to work on the same document or TM with other translators, to ask for clarification or confirmation from your client or subject matter expert, or to receive and implement revisions from your editor or reviewer.

6 Use a proofreading tool

A proofreading tool is a software that checks your text for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style errors. A proofreading tool can help you improve your technical translation by detecting and correcting mistakes that you may have overlooked or introduced during the translation process. You can use a proofreading tool to polish your technical translation before delivering it to your client or to learn from your errors and avoid them in the future.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?