Lire cet article en français: [[Le Processus de Traduction Technique]] --- ## Definition of Technical Translation Technical translation focuses on converting documents, text, or content from one language to another while maintaining accuracy and clarity. It is common in fields such as engineering, medicine, information systems, and industries where precise and context-specific terms are crucial to facilitate communication. ![[Technical translation flowchart.png]] It concerns documents such as user manuals (consumer electronics, industrial machine tools), safety instructions, maintenance procedures, parts specifications, wiring diagrams, and data. Translators must possess a deep understanding of both the source and target languages, as well as expertise in the subject, to ensure that the text is linguistically accurate and precise. ## Examples of Technical Translation Translating Machine Tool documentation, for instance helps to ensure efficient communication of quality information across cultural and linguistic boundaries.  This is a model of the relevant themes developed with [Infranodus network analysis](https://infranodus.com/), and is shared [here on infranodus](https://infranodus.com/markjl/tech-translation). ![[infranous-technical-translation.png]] ## Why translate documents? Allows resellers and manufacturers to bridge cultural and linguistic boundaries via an organized multilingual catalogue and enhances imports and exports. Terminology helps to ensure that the right device is used to fulfil the desired **function**, and in maintenance, continued safety and **optimal** **operating conditions**. In medicine, the issues may relate directly to patient **welfare** or avoiding the unnecessary cost of incorrect procedures. Legal, business, tourism, and marketing content requires slightly different skills. ## Users of Technical Documentation Some manufacturers produce their documentation in English only, which thus requires translation into the local language in the target market. Precise and detailed revisions ensure that manuals are understandable by end users. ## Types of technical documents - machine user interfaces - machine tool manuals - training material - brochures and catalogues - product specifications and descriptions - contracts and legal documents ![[technical-documents-translation.webp]] ## Confidentiality and data security It is important to ensure the confidentiality of all the documents translated and integrate industry leading security protocols to protect sensitive data. ## Providing Quality Service *Specialized Terminology*: We use the [[Translation Projects database in Microsoft Access]] to administer a corpus of industry-specific technical terms to ensure precise content that resonate with the audience. *Accuracy and attention to detail*: the objective is to produce translations that reflect the context of the original. *Prompt Delivery*: It is vital to understand the importance of meeting deadlines. Aim to manage your projects efficiently and deliver on time. *Confidentiality*: Treat customer information with the utmost care, and adhere to strict privacy protocols to protect sensitive data. *Defined document process:* Ensure reliable handling to guarantee quality output. ## Technical PDFs Being able to process PDFs systematically is an opportunity since artificial intelligence cannot translate complex documentation with diagrams. ![[Processing complex pdfs.png]] Technical and engineering documents with a high proportion of drawings, diagrams, plans, layouts, or tables require specific processing. They should be scanned with optical recognition software, but this is not usually enough to process them as is through the CAT tool, and may have to be regenerated from scratch. Images without translatable text do not necessarily need to be out through OCR; they can be copied over to the new source directly. Those that do may require to have overlay boxes added, depending on the clarity of the content. ## Process summary This is a summary of the process to translate technical PDF documents with images. First evaluate the PDF source. It’s best to translate a PDF source in Word, which requires running it through an OCR system to convert it to Word. Many PDFs scan through OCR correctly, but very technical documents may need to be recreated from scratch by simply pasting the scanned text only into a clean Word document. Once you’ve done this, format the text and headings. Then evaluate each image from the source in turn to see whether it has overlaid text that needs to be translated or not. If not, paste the image into the new source. Some images with text will be correctly processed by OCR, which you can also then paste into the new source with any useful text boxes. If the image was not correctly processed by OCR, paste in the basic image and add overlay text boxes. Paste in any recognized tables and then cheque the new source for coherence. Add it to Trados and follow [[The Document Translation Process]]. Once completed, output the target document and save as a PDF. ![[Dealing with technical images.canvas|Translate technical manuals from pdf]] ![[dealing-with-technical-images.png]] Technical translation is the translation of technical documentation but may extend to any detailed document that employs industry-specific terminology. Translating technical documents comes with its own set of challenges. One of the main obstacles is the industry-specific jargon and technical terms that are encountered in fields such as engineering, IT, or medicine. ![[technical-translation.png]] ## Technical Terminology Terms are vital for technical translation, but really for any work that uses industry-specific terminology. The accurate use of standardized terminology is vital to enabling the clear communication of detailed industrial data. Subject-specific terminology is vital to ensuring that detailed content conveys the intended meaning and requires attention to detail. In turn, this means compiling terminology into a database. And in turn, the focus on a corpus of technical terms encourages a translator to specialize in a field, to maximize the ‘return on investment’. We store this technical information (source, target, alternatives, comments, and feedback) in our [[Translation Projects database in Microsoft Access]]. It provides a framework to clarify terms with end users. Structured exchanges between the customer and the translator, about the definition of technical terms, help to deepen this understanding. Alternative terms draw similar concepts together and yet help to distinguish them by their difference. ## Skills Required A technical translator needs to have the capacity to research and understand the technical terms involved, to understand the difference between similar terms, and to standardize terms across the translation where similar terms or concepts are used. This standardization applies to the current translation. By using translation memories and term bases, the technical translator will also be able to refer to previous terms used and therefore ensure that the same terms are used across all the documents translated for a particular customer or theme. This is the value added by the human technical translator. ## Example projects Instruction manual for **Durma Flatbed Laser**: General Information, Machine Features, User Safety Considerations, Hand and Body Protection, Laser Hazards, Safe Use of the Machine, Notes on Installation, Power Supply, Features of the Control Unit, including button programming, Laser User Interface, HMI, Instructions for Nozzle Change, Laser Cutting Monitoring, and Maintenance Schedules. ![[durma laser user interface.png]] Instruction manual for **Bekamek fully automatic horizontal bandsaw machine BMSO 350**. Chapters translated include general information user warnings, standards and directives related, safety instructions, meaning of safety symbols, prohibited applications, residual mechanical risks, noise statement, connection to the electrical system, technical details, machine transportation and carrying, the control panel, instructions on various cutting processes, balancing and installation indication of switch functions, troubleshooting, detailed description of the control panel and menus, auto, manual and maintenance control modes, described operation programming (recipes), alarm and statistics screens, setting machine parameters, I/O monitoring, physical outputs, frequently asked questions, weekly monthly and annual machine maintenance schedules and instructions, lubrication oil types, instructions for changing parts such as the saw blade, filling up coolant, material safety data file, spare parts list, ![[bekamek horizontal bandsaw machine.png]] **Hazard Warning Symbols:** Caution, danger, high voltage, danger of crushing by pressing, danger of crushing hands on conveyor, danger of crushing hands on a pulley belt, danger of cutting hands with a saw blade, and danger of crushing hands on rotating components. ![[hazard warning symbols.png]] **Control software:** This is a translation of a software control programme for a machine tool and was the subject of a translation project. ![[translation of control program software.png]] Instruction manual for **Deep Drilling Simple NC Variable Frequency Vertical Drilling Machine** ![[main technical data for vertical drill.png]] Table of Contents for Bekamek 360 CGH ![[Bekamek 360 CGH Table of content.png]] See how we do [[The Technical Translation Process]] ## Conclusion Standardizing information **helps reduce error** and increases the accuracy of communication by providing a common linguistic framework. It ensures that all stakeholders use the **same terminology**, which reduces confusion and streamlines the sales process. Standardization can be used to target **higher levels of detail** and draw distinctions between similar concepts. Furthermore, it allows devices and equipment to fulfil their **desired functions** in optimal operating conditions.  In short, standardizing information helps ensure that everyone is ‘on the same page’ while translating detailed content so that mistakes can be avoided, and communication remains accurate.