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How can you collaborate with technical writers during the translation process?

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Technical translation is not just a matter of converting words from one language to another. It also requires understanding the purpose, context, and audience of the original document, as well as ensuring accuracy, clarity, and consistency in the translated version. To achieve this, translators need to collaborate with technical writers, who are the experts in creating and maintaining technical content. How can you collaborate with technical writers during the translation process? Here are some tips to help you.

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Nyein Sandar Oo

Burmese Localization Specialist | Founder of Bhar Sar Pyan Ltd. | 10+ Years in the Language Services Industry |…
Zarina R.

Freelance translator, HSE

1 Understand the project scope and expectations

Before you start translating, you need to know the scope and expectations of the project. What is the goal of the document? Who is the intended audience? What is the tone and style of the original? How will the translated document be used and distributed? What are the deadlines and deliverables? These questions will help you align your translation strategy with the technical writer's vision and requirements. You can also ask for any relevant reference materials, such as glossaries, style guides, or previous translations, to ensure consistency and quality.

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Wael El-Sayed

Senior Manager Arabic Editor @ KAPSARC || Multiple Community Top Voice Badges
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Collaborating with technical writers during translation is a harmonious symphony of language expertise and subject matter mastery. Start by building a strong rapport, fostering open communication to clarify ambiguities. Understand the technical jargon and industry-specific terminology, bridging any language gaps. Encourage writers to provide context, making translations contextually accurate. Embrace feedback loops, where writers review translations, ensuring precision. Maintain a shared glossary, evolving it with new terms. Infuse creativity into language while respecting technical accuracy. The result: a fusion of linguistic finesse and technical excellence, crafting content that resonates across borders.

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Alexandra Stephens

Experienced Medical and Technical Translator | Project Manager | Vendor and Quality Manager
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I couldn’t agree more. This step is all too frequently glossed over in the translator’s keenness to get stuck into the translation process. I’ve learned this the hard way!! Fully preparing yourself for the task ahead and anticipating potential problems saves a lot of headaches further down the line! It’s also important to factor this in when agreeing deadlines.

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2 Communicate effectively and frequently

Communication is key to successful collaboration. You should communicate with the technical writer throughout the translation process, not just at the beginning or the end. You should update them on your progress, ask for clarification or feedback, report any issues or challenges, and request any changes or revisions. You should also use clear and respectful language, avoid jargon or slang, and acknowledge their expertise and input. You can use various tools, such as email, phone, chat, or video conferencing, to communicate, depending on the urgency and complexity of the message.

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Nyein Sandar Oo

Burmese Localization Specialist | Founder of Bhar Sar Pyan Ltd. | 10+ Years in the Language Services Industry | Certified Technical Communicator
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I agree, but most of the freelance translators are not allowed to collaborate with the technical writers. In most projects, clients choose to work with LSP companies. The LSP companies outsource the translation work to their vendor companies or freelance translators and do not let the client’s technical writers and their vendors communicate with each other directly or indirectly. Sometimes there is a project manager as a single contact point. But the collaboration is not effective as long as the technical writers and translators cannot communicate directly.

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3 Use translation software and tools

Translation software and tools can help you streamline your workflow and improve your efficiency and accuracy. You can use translation memory, which stores previous translations and suggests matches for new segments, to save time and ensure consistency. You can also use terminology management, which allows you to create and maintain a database of terms and definitions, to avoid confusion and errors. You can also use quality assurance, which checks your translation for spelling, grammar, punctuation, formatting, and other issues, to enhance your professionalism and credibility. However, you should always use these tools with caution and judgment, and never rely on them blindly or exclusively.

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Zarina R.

Freelance translator, HSE
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Too much use of translation software degrades translator skills to use live language, to show the beauty of language. One day you find out that you can use a limited number of words, your language become poor and colourless, it is like you watch the carpet from the lining.

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Alexandra Stephens

Experienced Medical and Technical Translator | Project Manager | Vendor and Quality Manager
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Translation software that enhances consistency, accuracy and productivity is essential, in my opinion. We have extremely powerful CAT and QA software available that I like to think of as an “extension of my brain”. AT, NMT etc also have their place in the translator’s toolbox but should indeed be used with caution and always, always be carefully revised and edited.

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4 Follow the best practices and standards

Technical translation is a specialized field that requires following certain best practices and standards. You should always adhere to the rules and conventions of the target language and culture, such as grammar, syntax, vocabulary, punctuation, and units of measurement. You should also respect the structure and layout of the original document, such as headings, lists, tables, figures, and captions. You should also use clear and simple language, avoid ambiguity and redundancy, and explain any acronyms or technical terms. You should also proofread and edit your translation carefully, and seek feedback from a peer or a native speaker.

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5 Learn from the technical writer and the feedback

Collaborating with a technical writer is not only a way to complete a project, but also a way to learn and improve your skills and knowledge. You should be open to learning from the technical writer, who can share their insights and expertise on the subject matter, the audience, and the document. You should also be receptive to the feedback, whether positive or negative, that the technical writer provides on your translation. You should use the feedback as an opportunity to identify your strengths and weaknesses, correct your mistakes, and enhance your performance.

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Nu Htet Htet Lwin

Legal Translator
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This is the way how I have gained legal knowledge throughout my career journey. Collaborating with legal writers when translating the legal documents they drafted also improve my logical and critical thinking skills.

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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?

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Zarina R.

Freelance translator, HSE
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They say learning is from cradle to grave. Taking different courses, study other professions and even jobs in different fields is a good way to master your skills, you find people who are master in the field, they can become your consultants in future translation projects. Master programs, lifelong learning, courses builds on your expertise.

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Michael Bailey

MA(Hons) MCIL - Translator (DE>EN), Banking Supervision - Finanzmarktaufsicht / Austrian Financial Market Authority
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There seems to be a mantra-like red line in AI-generated collaborative articles: "use translation software". In some cases it is one possibility, but not all. Few articles actually look into the process of authoring the source text - and the content management and authoring systems to do so. This is a remiss omission - understanding the writing process is a prime consideration before addressing the challenges of translation.

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Translation

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How can you collaborate with technical writers during the translation process?

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1 Understand the project scope and expectations

2 Communicate effectively and frequently

3 Use translation software and tools

4 Follow the best practices and standards

5 Learn from the technical writer and the feedback

6 Here’s what else to consider

Translation

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