Technical translation

Technical texts often contain terms that lack appropriate target language equivalents, so translators sometimes also deal with term creation by contacting experts in the relevant field and/or reading additional literature to gain an understanding of technological innovations or scientific discoveries. If the term is used by a very limited group of specialists, experts recommend rendering it very similar to the word in the source language to avoid misunderstandings. One of the ways to reproduce unknown terms in the target language is to study the international distribution of the source language word, that is, the internationality of words is one of the criteria for borrowing terms into Latvian. The more languages in which ​​a certain international term is found, the more reason there is to borrow it in the Latvian language as well. Such international terms also tend to become synonyms for Latvian terms, because next to the Latvian term, which facilitates clear communication within the Latvian language, the international synonym facilitates communication on an international scale.

When translating technical texts, translators must follow a formally logical writing style. This style is characterised by factual accuracy, impersonality and transfer of information without additional emotional undertones. However, these characteristics do not fully reflect all the peculiarities of the scientific style that a translator should follow when translating technical texts.

Most often technical translation is carried out in written form. The written form is more convenient and reliable, as it is less likely to allow any inaccuracy, which may not be that important in everyday communication, but in the context of scientific and technical text can cause serious misunderstandings. When translating technical texts and documentation, no graphic element, sign or symbol should be omitted in the target language, as this may lead to a distortion of the meaning of the original, which may have serious and lasting consequences.

WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIALS OF TRANSLATING TECHNICAL TEXTS?

Carrying out technical translation doesn’t just require the professional competencies of translators and interpreters; specific literacy in the areas covered by technical documentation is also required. Technical translation usually involves not only translators and interpreters who have the appropriate specialisation in translation but also editors and terminologists who work with terminology and its creation, as well as consult with industry representatives and academic staff. It can be beneficial if translators, interpreters and editors also have practical work experience in a particular narrow field of specialisation.

Translators and interpreters of technical texts must also be able to navigate and work with a large amount of additional information, such as local and international technical standards. Searching and checking information in reliable sources is an essential part of the technical translators’ work.

Technical translator education in Latvia can be obtained at Riga Technical University’s E-study Faculty of Technology and Humanities, which offers the Technical Translation study programme.

Technical translation is unthinkable without appropriate technological solutions. These are systems provided by the client, especially for specific needs, or solutions used by the translation agency. We have described them in more detail in the sections “Translation Tools” and “Neural Machine Translation”.