Technical translation is perhaps a most demanding job for the translator. Technical texts pre-suppose the knowledge of many specialized terms and lack of emotional accents whatsoever as well as a difficult vocabulary choice. Also, the translator is expected to create a text in a foreign language identical to the original, meeting the deadline of the order. Any, albeit negligible, mistake or error may result in the utter inadequacy of the whole text. Apparently, you won’t escape problems with such translation. Particularly, if the deadline is close and the translator starts to keep things simpler. As customers seek to save on the translation as much as possible and puts time first, there is no place for quality. Another rife problem is the technical translation taken on by a linguist who is well-versed in the philology of the text but has a poor command of scientific vocabulary.
On the other hand, if an expert in technical terms puts his or her hands on a translation with a poor command of text structure, the result will be grave. Blunders generated by the wrong build-up of a single phrase may result in the whole text misunderstood.
It is noteworthy to say a few words about automatic translators. Today, to grasp the meaning of a foreign text, the Internet surfers increasingly use online translators. It’s hard to talk seriously about such translation, sometimes a solid text crumbles into a set of single words.
What is also important enough, the translated text should be fine-tuned culturally to the country. Coca-Cola came across the problem as the renowned beverage entered into the Chinese market. The worldly acclaimed brand can be translated as «bite the wax tadpole» and when transcribed loses a number of vowels, turning into the cacophonic kekou kele. As a result, the beverage is now entitled «Future Cola» rendered as Chinese people’s own cola.
To rule out blunders, it is suggested that you select a translation agency putting several specialists on your text both professionals in technical translation and linguists as well as an editor who will arrange and finalize the text. The ATСG Translation Agency in central Tallinn offers an intergrated approach whereby the translated text will not lose its quality.
