What should be included in a technical translation proofreading checklist?

From my experience, when you translate technical documents, such as patents, you need to pay attention to the language and style. You should make sure that your translation is clear, consistent, and faithful to the original text. You should not change or add anything that may affect the meaning or validity of the document. Here are some tips on how to do that: - Use the same words, phrases, and formats as the original text. This will help you keep the same structure and logic of the document. It will also help you avoid confusing or contradicting yourself in the translation. - Use the appropriate terms, tone, and register for the target audience and domain. This will help you convey the same content, intent, and tone as the original text.

Technical language adheres to specific terms and conditions. In our proofreading checklist, we must ensure that syntax patterns are appropriately localized in the target language, employ economical wording, and maintain controlled language use to facilitate clear understanding and training of machine translation engines. It is essential to have a style guide in place, and checking compliance with it is a prerequisite.

When already all the terminology and language checks are done, there ist still work to do. Not only pure numbers are to be checked, but you also need to think about the numbers and measurement units used. These should fit the target language. But what I wouldn't do is recalculating measurement unints from imperial to metrics or the other way round. This should not be the task of the translator. Also adapting standards from the source country to the target country is not a good idea. Other important check would be for any forgotten "not" in the sentences. Also very important are the relations in sentence. A very common error I see in translations into Polish is the use of the word "on" or "beside". Like a "valve on the engine"... Bad idea.

In a technical translation proofreading checklist, meticulous attention to detail is crucial. Begin by verifying accuracy in terminology, ensuring consistency across the document. Check grammar, syntax, and punctuation meticulously, especially for complex technical terms. Assess the document's coherence and flow, ensuring that the translated content aligns seamlessly with the intended technical context. Verify formatting and layout, confirming that the document mirrors the source text. Collaborate with subject matter experts to guarantee precision in domain-specific terminology. Lastly, conduct a final review for cultural nuances, ensuring the translated text is contextually appropriate for the target audience.

In my opinion , Correcting grammatical, vocabulary, and syntax errors in the target language. Ensuring consistency in terminology, style, and tone throughout the translation. Verifying the accuracy of cultural references and idiomatic expressions.

For technical texts the importance of the words 'check for logical and factual errors' cannot be over-emphasized! Often, technical documents are created by technical staff with hands-on experience but less proficiency in linguistics. This often results in wording that conveys a different meaning than intended. Make sure during translation that you follow along with the logic of what is said (or do a critical proofreading afterwards). A very simple example of logics gone wrong is: 'Clean and replace part X.' In this case, it makes no sense for 'replace' to mean 'swap it'. Instead, it is 're-place' or 'place it back'. (Why would you first clean a part and then scrap it - unless of course it contains dangerous substances, etc.)

Según mi experiencia, la revisión del lenguaje y estilo en la traducción es un proceso crucial que va mucho más allá de la simple conversión de palabras de un idioma a otro. Es un arte que requiere atención meticulosa al detalle para garantizar claridad, precisión y coherencia. Al revisar una traducción, es fundamental asegurarse de que el mensaje no solo sea coherente, sino también que esté adaptado al público objetivo. La corrección de errores lingüísticos y la consistencia de términos técnicos son esenciales para mantener la credibilidad y la profesionalidad del texto. Además, el tono y el registro deben ser ajustados para que el texto traducido cumpla con su propósito y se integre sin problemas en su nuevo contexto.

Il est crucial de respecter l’énoncé et l’accentuation du texte source. Cela implique souvent d’aménager les phrases différemment, chaque langue ayant son mode de fonctionnement propre.

It goes without saying that the transaltion shall be exact; the terms carefully checked and structure preserved. Therefore, in my opinion, the best technical translations are made by specialists with a very good knowledge of the respective language.

For technical translation, it is crucial to emphasize the real meaning than the exact translation of the word. One simple translation might not necessarily carry a very explanatory sentence.

La mise en page est essentielle pour garantir une bonne compréhension du texte. Des recours excessifs aux moyens de mettre en évidence certains passages peuvent être perturbants et nuire à la qualité du texte. à vérifier avant et après le travail.

To effectively proofread a technical translation with a focus on formatting and layout, begin by ensuring the translation adheres to the client's or end user's specific needs and guidelines. Pay close attention to text alignment and spacing, ensuring they are consistent and appropriate. Indentation should be uniform, following specified formatting rules. Font usage must be consistent regarding type, size, and style. Margins and borders should be reviewed for correctness and consistency on each page. Additionally, confirm that the document is compatible with the software or platform intended for its display or printing as formatting issues may arise during conversion or upload.

When one uses a CAT software, for example Trados SDL, it keeps an original format by itself, including the alignment, fonts, etc.

This kind of work is usually not the responsibility of a translator. It should be an editor's. If your employer starts requesting formatting and layout as well, make sure to charge extra and demand a more suitable position. Never agree to do free labor, for your own sake.

Die übersetzungsprogramm zur Kontrolle muss unbedingt die Feinheiten des Ausgangstextes widergegeben. Damit meine ich, dass einige W?rter in bestimmten Branchen etwas anderes bedeuten als die normale Bedeutung.

In any case, we need to ensure that proofreaders have access to the rules and terminology bases that authors used to create the technical information.

After using any kind of facilities, for me the wast way yo check is to read the translation very carefully several times. Machines may sometimes change terms and meaning.

Make sure to know the client's priorities: does the termbase prevail over everything or is there a translation memory of only client-approved content? Also, does a client accept any deviation from the termbase? If no deviations are allowed, consider sending along a translator's note regarding all instances where a term does not fit, complete with a suggested correct translation and a decent argument for it. It is our job to make our clients look their best in terms of linguistics, so if their demands could be harmful to them in this respect, I feel we should warn them so they can make an informed decision.

Uh-oh. AIs and machine translations are indeed useful tools, but you must not rely on them for proofreading. Even the most advanced AI flagships, which require payment to use, still mistranslate. For example, "Free Us" from Baldur's Gate III prologue (you are given an option to adopt an alien puppy) could be mistranslated as "Free United States." Traditional methods like reading aloud and printing out are not ineffective. And this is why you must not agree to free labor.

In addition to the comprehensive checklist, it's crucial to acknowledge the human element in technical translation proofreading. Translators often work in diverse teams with varying cultural backgrounds, which can introduce nuances that extend beyond the technical aspects. For example, considering the cultural sensitivity of certain terms or idioms can greatly enhance the overall quality of the translation. Besides these, clarity and readability, consistency, inclusive language, contextual appropriateness, user experience and language flow (avoid robotic/awkward translation).

Transliteration of some terms really helps achieve the purpose of the translation of technical documents. Some words of the source language have already gotten acceptance among the community in the target language. It is therefore wiser to look for ways those terms are adopted in the target language if the creation of new terminologies is costing us the very communication of the ideas.

Il faut impérativement s’assurer que le public cible comprendra le texte traduit. Le niveau de formation et l’origine des destinataires sont déterminants.

Technical translations tend to use English jargon words and it is important to look out for "false friends" when implementing them into our languages.

Frankly speaking, I am not particularly fond of technical translations. I remember once I could not find a term. I phoned an expert. He could not help. So I had to go to the plant and find a broshure about that machine. I found the term. I was very happy.