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Technical documents are a vital part of diverse industries, as they precisely define processes, instructions, and more for collaborators, internal team members, clients, and end users.

For example, technical documents are used in the medical field to ensure that equipment is in compliance with regulations during operation. As another example, consumer products might come with installation or assembly manuals that indicate how to use the item, providing key details and specifications.

Since the U.S. ships and receives goods so frequently, it is imperative to have accurate technical documents to accompany these goods so that consumers can use products as they are intended. This creates a need for professionals who are experts in translating technical documents. Learn about some tips that will help you bolster your technical manual translation skills below.

Strengthening Your Skills in Technical Manual Translation

Translating technical documents requires a thorough understanding of the source and target languages, as well as the product and industry itself. Since poor translations can cause problems for manufacturers, distributors, and users, it is crucial to follow established protocols and the best practices.

Let’s look at some tips that can be used during the process of technical manual translation that can help you achieve effective outcomes.

1. Know the Elements of Translating Technical Documents

Accuracy and specificity are among the most important aspects when translating a technical document. Here are some tips that technical translation companies might suggest using to enhance user comprehension:

• Avoid adding fluff – While adding detail is good for enhancing user understanding of a product, be sure to keep the vocabulary simple and the directions as clear as possible. Using unneeded jargon may just confuse the reader.
• Use short sentences that achieve clarity – Long sentences are sometimes hard to comprehend. Therefore, if you have many long sentences, see if any can be cut into two or three shortened sentences to increase conciseness and clarity.
• Eliminate ambiguity – When examining your document, a reader shouldn’t have any questions or major doubts. If the source text you’re working with is ambiguous, be sure to ask for clarification so that the same uncertainty isn’t present in your translation.

2. Keep Basic Writing Principles in Mind

When translating a technical document, it is important to keep general writing principles in mind. Here are the five basic principles to focus on when you are engaging in any form of writing:

• Produce quality content
• Maintain a clear audience/purpose
• Ensure accessibility
• Adhere to proper grammar
• Develop a clear writing style

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up When Something Is Unclear

In the world of technical documents, a translator might be the first person to read such materials in full. This means that as a translator you have the power to assess the quality of the document and make adjustments as needed.

Therefore, when working on a technical manual translation, it is important to be organized and ready to report any problems or potential issues you’ve found within the document you are translating. It might even be the translator's responsibility to seek clarity on any unclear language, so be prepared to do that as well.

Additionally, don’t be afraid to ask for help from your teammates! Technical translation companies are comprised of individuals who have rich industry expertise. Collaboration often produces the best outcomes for technical manual translation, so try seeking out the advice of another professional if you ever get stumped.

4. Stay Focused and Organized

The organization in a piece of content often matters just as much as the actual content does. For this reason, it is best to prioritize the following when doing technical manual translation:

• Use active voice – Active voice provides an easy-to-understand grammatical structure for readers that is often stronger and clearer than passive voice.
• Be consistent – Practicing technical translation is not a time to show off your linguistic abilities and extensive vocabulary. Since the goal is to give clear instructions, try to use consistent terms throughout the page that directly get your point across.
• Optimize your content with an organized structure – When presenting information to your reader, try using a structure that makes the information easier to understand. Incorporating bullet points, numbered lists, and headers are all great ways to maintain organization and clarity.

5. Extend Your Education

By furthering your education, you’ll get extra practice in technical manual translation, giving you the confidence you need to excel in the field. Our online M.A. in Translation is the perfect destination for busy individuals who want to complete their master’s degree on their own schedule, from the location of their choice.

Additionally, we provide you with all of the knowledge and skills required to take your career to the next level, encouraging success in both the principles and practices of translation. Discover the benefits of our program:

• Graduation rates exceeding 90%
• Personalized guidance by faculty
• Only 36 hours of coursework
• Ability to complete the program in just 4 semesters
• Base tuition of $549.90 per credit hour

On top of these benefits, our program offers six different language options, so you are sure to find an ideal path that will keep growing as a professional in the world of translation.

Let Us Help You Thrive in the World of Translating Technical Documents

Start preparing for a successful career at a technical translation company today by applying to 91²Ö¿â. Be sure to reach out with any questions you have about our program or request more information!