What are the best practices for technical translation in different countries and regions?

1 Know your audience

The first step in any technical translation project is to identify your target audience and their needs, expectations, and preferences. Depending on the country or region, you may have to adapt your terminology, style, format, and tone to suit different levels of technical knowledge, cultural norms, and legal requirements. For example, some European countries have strict standards for technical documentation, such as the EN 15038 or the ISO 17100, while others may have more flexible guidelines. You should also consider the purpose and context of your translation, such as whether it is for internal or external use, or for educational or commercial purposes.

2 Use reliable sources

The quality of your technical translation depends largely on the quality of your sources, both in the original and the target language. You should always use authoritative, up-to-date, and relevant sources, such as technical dictionaries, glossaries, manuals, journals, websites, and databases. You should also consult with subject matter experts, clients, or colleagues to clarify any doubts or ambiguities, and to ensure consistency and accuracy. Avoid using unreliable sources, such as machine translation, online forums, or outdated materials, as they may contain errors, omissions, or biases.

3 Follow the conventions

Technical translation is not a creative or artistic endeavor, but a faithful and precise representation of the original text. Therefore, you should follow the established conventions and rules of the target language and domain, such as grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, abbreviations, symbols, units, and formats. You should also respect the structure, layout, and design of the original text, unless instructed otherwise by the client or the end user. For example, if the original text uses tables, charts, diagrams, or images, you should try to reproduce them as closely as possible in your translation, or provide alternative solutions if necessary.

4 Use clear and consistent language

One of the main goals of technical translation is to communicate complex and specialized information in a clear and understandable way. To achieve this, you should use simple, concise, and precise language, avoiding ambiguity, jargon, slang, or idioms. You should also use consistent terminology and style throughout your translation, following a glossary or a style guide if available, or creating your own if needed. You should also use tools such as translation memory, terminology management, or quality assurance to ensure consistency and avoid errors or inconsistencies.

5 Review and revise

The final step in any technical translation project is to review and revise your work before delivering it to the client or the end user. You should check your translation for accuracy, completeness, readability, and compliance with the specifications and expectations of the project. You should also proofread your translation for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting errors. If possible, you should also ask for feedback from a native speaker, a subject matter expert, or a professional editor to improve your translation and correct any mistakes or oversights.

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?