Technical translation
Technical translation - a translation used to exchange special scientific and technical information between people who speak different languages. With a simplified approach, technical translation is understood as translation of technical texts.
Technical translation is based on a formal-logical (collective) style, which is characterized by accuracy, unemotionality and impersonality. The vocabulary uses many terms of Latin or Greek origin. The grammar of technical translations is characterized by the use of specific and firmly established grammatical norms: indeterminate-personal and impersonal constructions, passive turns; non-personal verb forms are widely used. Logical extraction is done by inversion.
Technical translation is based on a formal-logical (collective) style, which is characterized by accuracy, unemotionality and impersonality. The vocabulary uses many terms of Latin or Greek origin. The grammar of technical translations is characterized by the use of specific and firmly established grammatical norms: indeterminate-personal and impersonal constructions, passive turns; non-personal verb forms are widely used. Logical extraction is done by inversion.
Types of technical translation
Depending on the forms (methods) of source text processing by the translator, different types of technical translation are distinguished:
- full written translation (the main form of technical translation)
- reference translation
- annotation translation
- header translation
- technical interpretation (required, for example, for training in the use of foreign-made equipment in a large industrial enterprise)
- full written translation (the main form of technical translation)
- reference translation
- annotation translation
- header translation
- technical interpretation (required, for example, for training in the use of foreign-made equipment in a large industrial enterprise)
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Requirements for a technical translator
The following professional requirements apply to technical translators:
- knowledge of at least one foreign language to a degree sufficient to understand the original text
- A knowledge of the language to which the translation is to be translated (mother tongue) to the extent that it is sufficient for a competent presentation
- clerical skills
- good knowledge of special terminology, both in the original language and in the language of translation
- good knowledge of the technical field to which the text to be translated relates
- technical translation
- It is optimal for the translator to have a special technical education as well as a linguistic education.
- knowledge of at least one foreign language to a degree sufficient to understand the original text
- A knowledge of the language to which the translation is to be translated (mother tongue) to the extent that it is sufficient for a competent presentation
- clerical skills
- good knowledge of special terminology, both in the original language and in the language of translation
- good knowledge of the technical field to which the text to be translated relates
- technical translation
- It is optimal for the translator to have a special technical education as well as a linguistic education.
Competent technical translation requires professional knowledge of the relevant field of technology, while excellent knowledge of a foreign language is also essential, especially when translated into the native language.
Difficulties with technical translation
The main problem of technical translation is the need to combine knowledge of a foreign language with knowledge of technology.
Due to the lack of both linguistic and technical translators, there have been long discussions about the preferred basic education for a technical translator. Some authors believe that higher education in linguistics (i.e. foreign language education) is preferable, with a subsequent increase in terminology and technical knowledge.
The presence of two different approaches is reflected in the translation technologies used by the translation agency. Proponents of the first approach perform translations by translators with linguistic education with subsequent editing by specialized technical specialists. Proponents of the second approach involve only active engineers in the translation, and editing of the translation (by a linguist) is done only when translated into a foreign language. Regardless of the technology of technical translations, there is a problem of finding qualified personnel for translation, which is related both to the level of education of translators and the situation on the market of translation services.
Due to the lack of both linguistic and technical translators, there have been long discussions about the preferred basic education for a technical translator. Some authors believe that higher education in linguistics (i.e. foreign language education) is preferable, with a subsequent increase in terminology and technical knowledge.
The presence of two different approaches is reflected in the translation technologies used by the translation agency. Proponents of the first approach perform translations by translators with linguistic education with subsequent editing by specialized technical specialists. Proponents of the second approach involve only active engineers in the translation, and editing of the translation (by a linguist) is done only when translated into a foreign language. Regardless of the technology of technical translations, there is a problem of finding qualified personnel for translation, which is related both to the level of education of translators and the situation on the market of translation services.
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