What do you do if technical terminology gets lost in translation?

2 Choose your words carefully

When translating technical terms, you need to consider several factors, such as the purpose, audience, tone, and style of the text. Depending on the situation, you may have different options to render the terms, such as using a direct equivalent, a descriptive paraphrase, a transliteration, or a loanword. You need to weigh the pros and cons of each option, and choose the one that best suits the intended meaning and effect of the text. Avoid using literal or word-for-word translations that may distort or obscure the technical sense of the terms.

3 Use consistent terminology

Consistency is key for technical translation, as it ensures clarity and credibility of the text. You need to use the same terminology throughout the text, and avoid switching between synonyms or variants. You can use tools, such as glossaries, style guides, or translation memories, to help you maintain consistency and accuracy . You can also use software, such as quality assurance or terminology management tools, to check and correct any inconsistencies or errors in your translation.

4 Explain or annotate terms

Sometimes, you may encounter technical terms that have no direct or clear equivalent in the target language, or that may be unfamiliar or confusing to the target audience. In such cases, you may need to provide some explanation or annotation to help the readers understand the terms. You can use different methods, such as footnotes, endnotes, brackets, parentheses, or appendices, to add the explanation or annotation. You need to be careful not to overload or interrupt the text with too much information, and to follow the conventions and preferences of the client and the target audience.

5 Seek feedback and revise

Finally, you need to seek feedback and revise your translation to ensure that it meets the quality and standards of the technical domain. You can ask for feedback from a colleague, a peer reviewer, an editor, or the client, and incorporate their suggestions and corrections. You can also revise your translation yourself, by checking for accuracy, completeness, coherence, readability, and style. You can use tools, such as spell checkers, grammar checkers, or proofreading software, to help you identify and fix any mistakes or issues in your translation.

6 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?